Mulberry leaves and all

They emerged while we were in Kansas for the last week of March. I liked seeing early spring there with the green haze on the treetops and some tulips here and there. The KS temps were whipsawing and we saw 90 and then 58 for highs. The river was low and there were a lot of herons hunting below the dam. The birdsong in the back of our rental was restorative. Our first morning we drank coffee and listened to crows conversing. We also got to see a big heavy tree limb whump to the ground about 30 yards away one afternoon. Trees in the midwest, the mixed blessing. 

Herbs

The rosemary bush at home bloomed before the mulberry leaves came out. Something for the bees. All the thyme in the back bed has finally all died. The oregano is going strong and the mint in the pot is hanging in. I'd like to add back some thyme and parsley. I don't think I can keep basil going. I have cut cilantro from the grocery store in a glass of water on the counter right now. It's also too tender for outside. The yarrow is fine of course. I don't know how to use it though I've heard it's good for healing scratches. After some reading, Achillea millefolium, I find that it has a history of being made into tea and bitters. But I think I'll just appreciate that it comes back in the rock garden every year with no fuss.  

Interpersonals

Youngest needs to scrap this semester and come home. She is still recovering from surgery and more significantly has a malaise that makes her cry every day. I want to rescue her but can't. I hope she can weather this and shake her degree out of the tree.    

The exciting friends are well but we had some trouble there. Ran one model into the ground and we won't try that again. Drummer commented that we had gotten to deepen our relationship. True but I can think of more fun things to do. There was one particular Tiger Hotel morning that gets top marks. Nod was successful in seeing a bunch of folks. He didn't have one migraine while we were there. Several headaches since we got back. Elevation? Job stress? (why not both).  

I was glad to get home and see the Danish who is the best listener. I hope her east coast work trip is as no stress as possible. Despite the terrible news, our travel was easy in both directions.  

Music

Room Full of Teeth was wonderful but I also have nits to pick. I wish I could have heard them with no mics in that room. But that's unrealistic as their art is done with the mics and I am curious what the significant dollar value of all that audio equipment was. Maybe I would have enjoyed the loud bits more if I was 2/3 back. The Rough Magic piece was my favorite. I loved hearing the lines I recognized from The Tempest (thank you, Laurie Anderson) and kept grinning throughout at the unexpected musical developments. Oh Caroline Shaw, I love you. Her cello and piano setting of Shenandoah (composed for Yo Yo Ma) was in the last Chatter performance I went to. So beautiful.