I was telling my neighbor about the tomato plants we put in last weekend and she mentioned she's been growing basil on her windowsill for years. She said the trick is to pinch off the top leaves once the plant gets about six inches tall so it grows bushier instead of leggy. I tried it on our little basil plant and within a week it had doubled its leaves. The tomatoes are still small but they're coming along nicely now that the weather has warmed up a bit. I also started a small patch of mint in a separate container because I heard it can take over a garden bed if you're not careful. My neighbor laughed and said she learned that the hard way last season when her mint spread under the fence into the lawn. So far everything is looking healthy and I'm hoping we'll have enough for a few salads by midsummer. The kids have been helping water every evening and they get excited every time they spot a new flower forming.

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Hey I finally got around to trying that hiking trail you mentioned last month. The one up near the ridge with the creek running alongside it for the first mile. I went early Saturday morning before it got too warm and the mist was still hanging over the water. It was honestly one of the prettiest walks I've done in a while. The trail climbs a bit after the first mile but nothing too steep and there's a wooden bench at the top with a view of the valley. I sat there for about twenty minutes just watching the clouds drift. I saw a deer on the way back down — it was standing maybe thirty feet off the trail just watching me. I stopped and we both just stood there for a minute before it turned and walked into the trees. IJ9zry5CzJoVOb I'm already thinking about going again next weekend maybe with a small picnic this time. Let me know if you want to join.