We should have named this blog Waterworld. Yep, it's raining here again. I can't complain given so many people are getting just deluged and ours have been just regular steady summer rains but AGGGHHH! It's been raining for two weeks and there's projects I want to do in the yard. You'd think I'd just take that energy and put it into house projects but eh!
Going to hit Big Lots today and see if I can find some benches and other things. If I can manage to talk Kev into it, I want to run by Nebraska Furniture Mart and look for some new bedside tables. Ours are still circa Target and that's just silly.
I want to go see Ratatoullie --- the reviews on it have just been raving. I want to see Evening too though the reviews on that have been mixed. Regardless how bad can it be with that many good actresses in it?
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Glub, glub, glub-Water talk
I saw on the news that the rains have reached KC. Hopefully not as strongly as in Texas. We got another couple of inches last night and there are more in the forecast for later in the day and right on through the 4th. They have already closed several area lakes through the fourth of July. There has been so much wide spread flooding throughout the area that I imagine that insurance rates will increase shortly to cover it. Many areas are already calling for state funds to help cover rebuilding. We have not been as hard hit as the folks west of I-35 and up toward Sherman and Denton. With over 6 inches of rain in the last three days, we are plenty soggy though. We are 3/4 of an inch off the record set in 1928 for the wettest June and the weather guys are all confident that we will tie, or best that record easily.
At least the area lakes are full and overfull. Last year the ongoing news was how low the lakes were and how water rationing was needed. Maybe they will lift that for this year. I know that the kudzu and the weeds are taking full advantage over not being able to get out and work in the yard. I hate playing catch-up but will need to after the rains stop. The mosquitoes are having a field day and as soon as you step outside they are all over you. I hope I do not sound like I am complaining. I am very grateful for the rain and the cooler temperatures. I hate that folks have flooded and it is so very sad that some folks have lost their lives, but we needed rain so badly that this is a blessing. The weathercaster said last night that they are predicting a cooler and wetter July than usual. Anytime you can get a cooler July in Texas, I say take it and run.
I am taking Cindy to the Chocolate Angel tea room today for MY birthday. There is something wrong with this picture, but darn if I can figure it out!!!! Hope your golf game was more to your liking. It seems you are getting back into golf more these days. Good for you. You have to keep up with Kev, so you two can play together from time to time.
At least the area lakes are full and overfull. Last year the ongoing news was how low the lakes were and how water rationing was needed. Maybe they will lift that for this year. I know that the kudzu and the weeds are taking full advantage over not being able to get out and work in the yard. I hate playing catch-up but will need to after the rains stop. The mosquitoes are having a field day and as soon as you step outside they are all over you. I hope I do not sound like I am complaining. I am very grateful for the rain and the cooler temperatures. I hate that folks have flooded and it is so very sad that some folks have lost their lives, but we needed rain so badly that this is a blessing. The weathercaster said last night that they are predicting a cooler and wetter July than usual. Anytime you can get a cooler July in Texas, I say take it and run.
I am taking Cindy to the Chocolate Angel tea room today for MY birthday. There is something wrong with this picture, but darn if I can figure it out!!!! Hope your golf game was more to your liking. It seems you are getting back into golf more these days. Good for you. You have to keep up with Kev, so you two can play together from time to time.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
How long can you tread water?
I've been a bit worried about all the rain scheduled to head your way. I know the Hill Country is under water and heard that Amarillo is under water and it's heading your way. We're keeping an eye on it ourselves as it's heading northward. They're predicting 10 inches of rain for Wichita and some possibility of it sliding to KC. I'm sure sorry to hear about the little boy---that's just so very sad and it makes your soul ache for his parents.
I can't imagine the mulch is causing trouble for the Bradford pear. I think you're right that it's water. That soil there is pretty clay-ey when we planted and I found this info on sick Bradfords. It might also be fire blight since you've got that/had that on your photinias and it's right there. I'm not sure how you treat too much water except hope it dries out before it over-stresses. Or spray it with your fire blight stuff. I hope you can figure it out because that's such a pretty tree!
More later. I'm off to play golf!
I can't imagine the mulch is causing trouble for the Bradford pear. I think you're right that it's water. That soil there is pretty clay-ey when we planted and I found this info on sick Bradfords. It might also be fire blight since you've got that/had that on your photinias and it's right there. I'm not sure how you treat too much water except hope it dries out before it over-stresses. Or spray it with your fire blight stuff. I hope you can figure it out because that's such a pretty tree!
More later. I'm off to play golf!
Comfort and Joy
I got the same message about the fork from you and Kay within a day of each other. I am hoping that this does not foretell that I will soon be clutching "my fork". We have had 4 inches of rain in the last 24 hours and it is rumbling and getting dark as I write this and we are under forecast of more rain throughout the week.
There is some water standing in the front yard and along the side yard. I am hopeful that we will continue to get hour long breaks as we have so far, so that some of the run off can disperse down the creek. A 13-year old boy tragically drowned at Miller and Glenbrook about 8:30 last night. I heard all the sirens and heard the police helicopters hovering overhead, but did not know the reason until this morning. Duck Creek was rushing at 30mph plus according to the news reportand was almost to the top of the banks (Gulp!!!!) as seen on the news footage They recovered his body about 10. I am guessing that he and his friend walked down to see how high the creek was, and he slipped in. So sad!!!
Help! that Bradford pear tree in the back corner new bed is dying. It seemed to get sick from the time that I put the new plants in and the red cedar mulch. I know better than to cover tree roots with more than 2 inches of dirt, but the mulch over the roots is only about one inch thick, so I think that it is coincidence that it occured at about the same time. I guess I will leave the tree in for awhile to see if it is just dropping leaves and will recover (two maples, not covered in mulch did the same thing) Too much water do you think? I am not sure what to do for the trees, but sure do hate losing them. Do you have any suggestions?
There is some water standing in the front yard and along the side yard. I am hopeful that we will continue to get hour long breaks as we have so far, so that some of the run off can disperse down the creek. A 13-year old boy tragically drowned at Miller and Glenbrook about 8:30 last night. I heard all the sirens and heard the police helicopters hovering overhead, but did not know the reason until this morning. Duck Creek was rushing at 30mph plus according to the news reportand was almost to the top of the banks (Gulp!!!!) as seen on the news footage They recovered his body about 10. I am guessing that he and his friend walked down to see how high the creek was, and he slipped in. So sad!!!
Help! that Bradford pear tree in the back corner new bed is dying. It seemed to get sick from the time that I put the new plants in and the red cedar mulch. I know better than to cover tree roots with more than 2 inches of dirt, but the mulch over the roots is only about one inch thick, so I think that it is coincidence that it occured at about the same time. I guess I will leave the tree in for awhile to see if it is just dropping leaves and will recover (two maples, not covered in mulch did the same thing) Too much water do you think? I am not sure what to do for the trees, but sure do hate losing them. Do you have any suggestions?
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Keep your fork
Not a ton of news. A pretty long day. Kev and I had to be at the hospital at dark thirty today for a colonoscopy (sic). Totally routine and it came out fine but we're both fairly tired. So a story someone sent me.....
There was a young woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live. So as she was getting her things "in order," she contacted her Pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes.
She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in.
Everything was in order and the Pastor was preparing to leave when the young woman suddenly remembered something very important to her.
"There's one more thing," she said excitedly.
"What's that?" came the Pastor's reply.
"This is very important," the young woman
continued. "I want to be buried with a fork in my
right hand."
The Pastor stood looking at the young woman, not knowing quite what to say.
That surprises you, do esn't it?" the young woman asked. "Well, to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request," said the Pastor.
The young woman explained. "My grandmother once told me this story, and from that time on I have always tried to pass along its message to those I love and those who are in need of encouragement.
'In all my years of attending socials and dinners, I always remember that when the
dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, 'Keep your fork.' It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming...like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie…Something wonderful and with substance!'
So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder "What's with the fork?" Then I want you to tell them: "Keep your fork, the best is yet to come."
The Pastor's eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the young woman good-bye. He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before her death. But he also knew that the young woman had a better grasp of heaven than he did. She had a better grasp of what heaven would be like than many people twice her age, with twice as much experience and knowledge.
She KNEW that something better was coming. At the funeral people were walking by the young woman's casket and they saw the cloak she was wearing and the fork placed in her right hand. Over and over, the Pastor heard the question, "What's with the fork?" And over and over he smiled.
During his message, the Pastor told the people of the conversation he had with the young woman shortly before she died. He also told them about the fork and about what it symbolized to her. He told the people how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either.
He was right. So the next time you reach down for your fork let it remind you, ever so gently, that the best is yet to come. Friends are a very rare jewel, indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed. They lend an ear, they share a word of praise, and they always want to open their hearts to us. Show your friends how much you care. Remember to always be there for them, even when you need them more. For you never know when it may be their time to "Keep your fork."
Cherish the time you have, and the memories you share. Being friends with someone is not an opportunity but a sweet responsibility.
There was a young woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live. So as she was getting her things "in order," she contacted her Pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes.
She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in.
Everything was in order and the Pastor was preparing to leave when the young woman suddenly remembered something very important to her.
"There's one more thing," she said excitedly.
"What's that?" came the Pastor's reply.
"This is very important," the young woman
continued. "I want to be buried with a fork in my
right hand."
The Pastor stood looking at the young woman, not knowing quite what to say.
That surprises you, do esn't it?" the young woman asked. "Well, to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request," said the Pastor.
The young woman explained. "My grandmother once told me this story, and from that time on I have always tried to pass along its message to those I love and those who are in need of encouragement.
'In all my years of attending socials and dinners, I always remember that when the
dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, 'Keep your fork.' It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming...like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie…Something wonderful and with substance!'
So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder "What's with the fork?" Then I want you to tell them: "Keep your fork, the best is yet to come."
The Pastor's eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the young woman good-bye. He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before her death. But he also knew that the young woman had a better grasp of heaven than he did. She had a better grasp of what heaven would be like than many people twice her age, with twice as much experience and knowledge.
She KNEW that something better was coming. At the funeral people were walking by the young woman's casket and they saw the cloak she was wearing and the fork placed in her right hand. Over and over, the Pastor heard the question, "What's with the fork?" And over and over he smiled.
During his message, the Pastor told the people of the conversation he had with the young woman shortly before she died. He also told them about the fork and about what it symbolized to her. He told the people how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either.
He was right. So the next time you reach down for your fork let it remind you, ever so gently, that the best is yet to come. Friends are a very rare jewel, indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed. They lend an ear, they share a word of praise, and they always want to open their hearts to us. Show your friends how much you care. Remember to always be there for them, even when you need them more. For you never know when it may be their time to "Keep your fork."
Cherish the time you have, and the memories you share. Being friends with someone is not an opportunity but a sweet responsibility.
Monday, June 25, 2007
Yea, A new post
I bet that your yard is beginning to look amazing and so it is no wonder that the neighbors come by with compliments. I think Faye plays nicer with folks than Molly. She is not all that taken with other dogs, but likes their owners a lot.
We got another nice shower late yesterday afternoon and are under a forecast the next few days for heavy rain. This is such a change from last year's drought. I have only watered one time this month, which is very nice. It is thundering right now, so it may be starting. So much for the garden plans that I had for the day. Guess I will quilt instead.
The tea tasting was absolutely delightful. Each participant had set up umbrella stands reminiscent of old time lemonade stands. All served delicious iced tea concotions and most also had either cupcakes, or cookies from local bakeries. I did not try the sweet treats, but the iced teas were wonderful and I came away with some ideas for new concotions to try at home. The stores in the area were all open if you wanted to do some shopping. We window shopped at a couple of the stores. Diane is fun to be with and it was a delightful day.
Thanks for the CD. What a sweet thing to do. I bet I will like it as we seem to have similar tastes in music. Isn't is wonderful to live in a world with gardens, music, books, quilts, dogs, friends, emboidery, etc. etc.?????
We got another nice shower late yesterday afternoon and are under a forecast the next few days for heavy rain. This is such a change from last year's drought. I have only watered one time this month, which is very nice. It is thundering right now, so it may be starting. So much for the garden plans that I had for the day. Guess I will quilt instead.
The tea tasting was absolutely delightful. Each participant had set up umbrella stands reminiscent of old time lemonade stands. All served delicious iced tea concotions and most also had either cupcakes, or cookies from local bakeries. I did not try the sweet treats, but the iced teas were wonderful and I came away with some ideas for new concotions to try at home. The stores in the area were all open if you wanted to do some shopping. We window shopped at a couple of the stores. Diane is fun to be with and it was a delightful day.
Thanks for the CD. What a sweet thing to do. I bet I will like it as we seem to have similar tastes in music. Isn't is wonderful to live in a world with gardens, music, books, quilts, dogs, friends, emboidery, etc. etc.?????
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Nattering
I hope your tea tasting was a lot of fun. I've never been to a "tasting" event. Did you find something new?
I'm sitting here listening to the Bird on a Wire CD by Toby Lightman. She's a new find from some music we heard on Boston Legal. I couldn't find copies locally so I've sent you one from Amazon. I don't know if you'll like her or not. Her voice is amazing and this CD she does a wide range of different styles from country to 70s funk. I'm really curious if you'll like her or not---regardless, make sure you listen to Better, Weight of the World and (my fav!) My Sweet Song.
I've "finished" planting for this season. I'll add a few things come fall and I still have a ton of hardscape projects to work on and interest items like the bench plans you sent me. I figure those will get me through the hot months. I was working on the side bed yesterday afternoon adding some purple coneflowers I'd found and had quite a parade of people stop, introduce themselves and compliment the garden. That was pretty enjoyable. Faye and I even met the 100+ pound rottweiler that lives behind us. Her name is Livia and she's a sweetheart. If you want to meet your neighbors, plant a garden to work in and have a sweet dog that gets along with everyone. Of course you already knew that since you've been doing both for years.
Blech! Can't believe tomorrow is Monday. I don't know where the time goes!!
I'm sitting here listening to the Bird on a Wire CD by Toby Lightman. She's a new find from some music we heard on Boston Legal. I couldn't find copies locally so I've sent you one from Amazon. I don't know if you'll like her or not. Her voice is amazing and this CD she does a wide range of different styles from country to 70s funk. I'm really curious if you'll like her or not---regardless, make sure you listen to Better, Weight of the World and (my fav!) My Sweet Song.
I've "finished" planting for this season. I'll add a few things come fall and I still have a ton of hardscape projects to work on and interest items like the bench plans you sent me. I figure those will get me through the hot months. I was working on the side bed yesterday afternoon adding some purple coneflowers I'd found and had quite a parade of people stop, introduce themselves and compliment the garden. That was pretty enjoyable. Faye and I even met the 100+ pound rottweiler that lives behind us. Her name is Livia and she's a sweetheart. If you want to meet your neighbors, plant a garden to work in and have a sweet dog that gets along with everyone. Of course you already knew that since you've been doing both for years.
Blech! Can't believe tomorrow is Monday. I don't know where the time goes!!
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Chipping Away
I removed all but approximately 11 x 14 inch area between the grass and the red maple of the variegated vinca in the bed next to the house and also did some general trimming and weeding around the yard. It was enough to fill up one and a half of the large green trash cans. I relocated one of the nana nandinas in the same bed. Monday I want to pick up the soil amendments and the other nandinas to get that bed finished for the summer. I did not get around to the pictures as I also refilled all the bird feeders and cleaned all the birdbaths and refilled them and swept off the stone areas and did the laundry. That pretty much took care of the day. I am going with a friend to the street market and iced tea tasting contest tomorrow afternoon after church, so I will not get back out in the yard. Even though we got up to 87 there was a lovely breeze and the humidity was low, so it was very nice out today.
I have not started the bench because I have to sand it first. I would like to find the hand-held sander as it will make things a lot easier. I so badly need to clean out the shed attached to the house and organize the tools and other items. I can't find anything and can barely get around inside to even look. I would love to paint the walls white, to make it brighter. I would love some help with the project and maybe sometime this coming year I could find a helpful, talented, beautiful daughter that would like to apply for the job. Hint Hint
I have not started the bench because I have to sand it first. I would like to find the hand-held sander as it will make things a lot easier. I so badly need to clean out the shed attached to the house and organize the tools and other items. I can't find anything and can barely get around inside to even look. I would love to paint the walls white, to make it brighter. I would love some help with the project and maybe sometime this coming year I could find a helpful, talented, beautiful daughter that would like to apply for the job. Hint Hint
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Insert witty title
I'm delighted to have the Norah Jones CD! I love her and as I said, it gives me a copy for the car and the pleasure of thinking of you every time I hear it. I don't have her latest CD so it'd be great to have a sharing of that. I love Alison Kraus and her band but I'm not a fan of Michael Buble. He's just tooo too for me.
Do you ever use your computer and the Internet for music? I'm a huge fan of Pandora . Not sure how to describe it to you but it's like dynamic radio. You enter an artist's name like Norah Jones or a song's name and it does a "station" for you using artists of similiar styles of music. I love getting great music and being exposed to some new artists I hadn't heard of before. If you want you can give songs Thumbs Up or Thumbs Down to further fine tweak the station. I have a Alison Kraus station, an Etta James station, a Carter Family station, a Nina Simone...just tons. You can try it for free but they show some advertising. If it sounds interesting to you, give a try. It just plays in your browser so you don't have to download anything. If you like it, tell me. I'd be absolutely delighted to gift you with a year of it. I'd just go ahead and do it but not sure if it's something you'd really enjoy or not.
Soon as my daylilies stop blooming, I'll send you a division of both plants. It's nice to have something to share!
My work move is lateral. It just means I don't have to manage any people. Which is good. Because managing people is like having pets without the unconditional love, the guarding of your back or the warm feelings. They'll hire someone who enjoys that aspect and let me get back to doing what I enjoy and am darn good at---designing network systems.
Do you ever use your computer and the Internet for music? I'm a huge fan of Pandora . Not sure how to describe it to you but it's like dynamic radio. You enter an artist's name like Norah Jones or a song's name and it does a "station" for you using artists of similiar styles of music. I love getting great music and being exposed to some new artists I hadn't heard of before. If you want you can give songs Thumbs Up or Thumbs Down to further fine tweak the station. I have a Alison Kraus station, an Etta James station, a Carter Family station, a Nina Simone...just tons. You can try it for free but they show some advertising. If it sounds interesting to you, give a try. It just plays in your browser so you don't have to download anything. If you like it, tell me. I'd be absolutely delighted to gift you with a year of it. I'd just go ahead and do it but not sure if it's something you'd really enjoy or not.
Soon as my daylilies stop blooming, I'll send you a division of both plants. It's nice to have something to share!
My work move is lateral. It just means I don't have to manage any people. Which is good. Because managing people is like having pets without the unconditional love, the guarding of your back or the warm feelings. They'll hire someone who enjoys that aspect and let me get back to doing what I enjoy and am darn good at---designing network systems.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Good Deal All Around
I would love some of both daylilies when you are ready to divide. Your bed looks so pretty. I love blue and yellow together.
I am happy to hear that you will soon be a network engineer, but was uncertain if you were telling me you got a promotion, or that they were changing your job description at your request. Either way congratulations as anything that makes you feel like a weight has been lifted can only be good.
I am so glad you like Norah Jones. I just discovered her when "Come Away with Me" was used as the music to dance to on the So You Think You Can Dance Show that comes on Wednesdays on Fox 4. I went gaga over it and immediately ordered a CD for us both. I hope you do not already have that one, but if you do exchange it. I also bought two more and will copy them for you. I could not afford to get duplicates of all three. Do you like Michael Buble and Alison Krauss? These are some of my favorites and I am happy to share.
Things went well at the doctor today. B/P is down over last visit and unless the tests results from the pap,mamo and blood work show something, I am good to go for awhile. I got a pneumonia shot that is good for your lifetime and protects against the really nasty pneumonia that kills in a few hours, but not the run of the mill type. I guess that is one of the bonus shots given to the 65 group. The nurse paid me a nice complement. She thought I was her age and she just turned 55. I will always take 10 years younger. She is a gardener with 10 acres, so we had a lovely conversation about gardening. She loves day lilies and I shared Oakes info with her and she wrote it down and said she would go online when she got off work.
I'm going to pick up some mulch and some other goodies at Lowes tomorrow and go to Michaels and get what I need to do the bench. Till later
I am happy to hear that you will soon be a network engineer, but was uncertain if you were telling me you got a promotion, or that they were changing your job description at your request. Either way congratulations as anything that makes you feel like a weight has been lifted can only be good.
I am so glad you like Norah Jones. I just discovered her when "Come Away with Me" was used as the music to dance to on the So You Think You Can Dance Show that comes on Wednesdays on Fox 4. I went gaga over it and immediately ordered a CD for us both. I hope you do not already have that one, but if you do exchange it. I also bought two more and will copy them for you. I could not afford to get duplicates of all three. Do you like Michael Buble and Alison Krauss? These are some of my favorites and I am happy to share.
Things went well at the doctor today. B/P is down over last visit and unless the tests results from the pap,mamo and blood work show something, I am good to go for awhile. I got a pneumonia shot that is good for your lifetime and protects against the really nasty pneumonia that kills in a few hours, but not the run of the mill type. I guess that is one of the bonus shots given to the 65 group. The nurse paid me a nice complement. She thought I was her age and she just turned 55. I will always take 10 years younger. She is a gardener with 10 acres, so we had a lovely conversation about gardening. She loves day lilies and I shared Oakes info with her and she wrote it down and said she would go online when she got off work.
I'm going to pick up some mulch and some other goodies at Lowes tomorrow and go to Michaels and get what I need to do the bench. Till later
PHEW!
Just got in from mowing the front lawn. Boy, it's amazing how much more of a chore that is in late June than it is May. We're not all that hot yet but it's been just muggy as all get out.
The overtime is going to stop here in a bit. Had a long talk with the big boss today and they're going to move me out of managing the team and into the network engineer spot. I feel like a rock has fallen off my chest...I much prefer just being responsible for myself. No worries. In my field, network engineer holds a better cachet than manager and, honestly, I make better money doing the high end technical work than I do as manager. Now I just have to wait for them to hire a team manager. I can't wait to get back to doing what I enjoy doing.
I still have about 2 dozen plants to get planted that I bought on Sunday. It came a monsoon on Monday and the last two nights just haven't given me time to get the set out. Hopefully they'll hang in another day. I'm a little frownie at my impatiens though. I'd bought a flat of the white ones and set about half of it out in various shade beds and none of them are looking really good right now. They all look fairly wiltie though the ground is well mulched, they're in different spots and the dirt is damp underneath. Hopefully its just the the planting and the heavy rain and they'll spring back. First thing I've planted this year that hasn't been chipper.
Oh! Some of my daylilies have started blooming. I'm guessing they're pretty common colors and you already have a gazillion but they're huge plants and dividing and sharing wouldn't hurt. Here's a few pictures. If you do want, say so but please feel free to go "naw" as well. No harm, no foul. I'll post the rest if they bloom substantially different colors. The yellow with the dark throat is 30" tall and the deep red-orange is shorter. Both bloomed within 24 hours of each other and just this week. Not sure if that makes them early or medium or late in my area. My Stella d'oros have been blooming for a 10 days or so if that tells you anything.
Double oh! Kev just brought in the mail and I got your surprise! Thank you!! I love Norah Jones (she's like listening to melted chocolate) and I will get her in the CD player in my car and think of you driving back and forth to work. You're such a great mom to me. I'm sure I don't tell you that often enough and certainly not in the way you should get to hear it. You make me smile.
The overtime is going to stop here in a bit. Had a long talk with the big boss today and they're going to move me out of managing the team and into the network engineer spot. I feel like a rock has fallen off my chest...I much prefer just being responsible for myself. No worries. In my field, network engineer holds a better cachet than manager and, honestly, I make better money doing the high end technical work than I do as manager. Now I just have to wait for them to hire a team manager. I can't wait to get back to doing what I enjoy doing.
I still have about 2 dozen plants to get planted that I bought on Sunday. It came a monsoon on Monday and the last two nights just haven't given me time to get the set out. Hopefully they'll hang in another day. I'm a little frownie at my impatiens though. I'd bought a flat of the white ones and set about half of it out in various shade beds and none of them are looking really good right now. They all look fairly wiltie though the ground is well mulched, they're in different spots and the dirt is damp underneath. Hopefully its just the the planting and the heavy rain and they'll spring back. First thing I've planted this year that hasn't been chipper.
Oh! Some of my daylilies have started blooming. I'm guessing they're pretty common colors and you already have a gazillion but they're huge plants and dividing and sharing wouldn't hurt. Here's a few pictures. If you do want, say so but please feel free to go "naw" as well. No harm, no foul. I'll post the rest if they bloom substantially different colors. The yellow with the dark throat is 30" tall and the deep red-orange is shorter. Both bloomed within 24 hours of each other and just this week. Not sure if that makes them early or medium or late in my area. My Stella d'oros have been blooming for a 10 days or so if that tells you anything.
Double oh! Kev just brought in the mail and I got your surprise! Thank you!! I love Norah Jones (she's like listening to melted chocolate) and I will get her in the CD player in my car and think of you driving back and forth to work. You're such a great mom to me. I'm sure I don't tell you that often enough and certainly not in the way you should get to hear it. You make me smile.
Working in the coal mine blues
I do hope that they pay you overtime for all that extra labor, especially since it is cutting into your play time. Poor little orphan Faye sitting home all alone hoping to see her beloved master's tired face!!!!!! Seriously, I am happy to hear that the overtime will end shortly and I know that you are extra careful when you are out and about after dark on your own.
I have to return an item I bought yesterday after the trip to the doctor. I always hate having to do that as it is retracing steps you have already taken, but it cannot be avoided as they left out a vital piece of equipment and it is a birthday gift. By the way, Molly said thanks for the food tip. She really enjoyed the beef flavored version.
We got a passing shower this morning early, and I stress passing, so I guess the humidity will be Houston-like again today as it was yesterday. Just enough to make the ground too wet to work and the air too wet to make you want to anyway.
I have to return an item I bought yesterday after the trip to the doctor. I always hate having to do that as it is retracing steps you have already taken, but it cannot be avoided as they left out a vital piece of equipment and it is a birthday gift. By the way, Molly said thanks for the food tip. She really enjoyed the beef flavored version.
We got a passing shower this morning early, and I stress passing, so I guess the humidity will be Houston-like again today as it was yesterday. Just enough to make the ground too wet to work and the air too wet to make you want to anyway.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Moi?
I do wonder! Especially as I already got a fantastic surprise with the irises. I'm still planting them! The last thing you sent got here in what? Two days?
Sorry not much time to post this week. Haven't had much time to do much of anything to post about so far this week. I've been on call and the last couple of evenings have required I be at the office pretty darn late. That ends tomorrow though so I should be back and able to chat about fun things again. I might even make it home before dark so I can get you the pictures of all I've planted.
Sorry not much time to post this week. Haven't had much time to do much of anything to post about so far this week. I've been on call and the last couple of evenings have required I be at the office pretty darn late. That ends tomorrow though so I should be back and able to chat about fun things again. I might even make it home before dark so I can get you the pictures of all I've planted.
Monday, June 18, 2007
Surprise! surprise!
I mailed you a little surprise today. You should get it in a couple of days, or less. I just cannot see paying the difference in postage price to get overnight delivery, but I have noticed that it usually is there in a couple of days. Don't you wonder what it is????????.......I'll never tell.
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Daylilies: The American Hemerocallis Society
Daylilies: The American Hemerocallis Society Thought this might be of possible interest to you since you are getting into day lilies more and more , as am I, and to show you that I have figured out how to link onto the blogger page.
You keep adding to my computer knowledge and I am so grateful for your help in keeping me a little more abreast of technology. Certainly far more than I would be on my own.
We got a very nice rain this morning which started as I was driving to church and is still continuing. With what we got yesterday we might just get the two inches that I was hoping for. Made for a lovely nap which I hope will not affect the sleep tonight, but just could not resist.
My perennial hybiscus is just glorious. Each bloom is about the size of a dessert plate and the color is deep red and it is covered with five or six blooms each day. The blooms are short lived, but there are so many buds, that it stays in bloom for weeks.
The changer has gone out on the CD player in the den. It is many, many years old and so the next time you come for a visit we might head out to FRYs and I will buy a new one. It will take two people to move the piece of furniture it is housed in, and it will take a techno whiz like you to help me connect it correctly. In the meantime I cannot use that unit, but have a CD player several other spots in the house. This is just the only one that is speakered up throughout many rooms and can be loaded with multiple CD's, so I want to replace it. A girl has to have her music!!!!
You keep adding to my computer knowledge and I am so grateful for your help in keeping me a little more abreast of technology. Certainly far more than I would be on my own.
We got a very nice rain this morning which started as I was driving to church and is still continuing. With what we got yesterday we might just get the two inches that I was hoping for. Made for a lovely nap which I hope will not affect the sleep tonight, but just could not resist.
My perennial hybiscus is just glorious. Each bloom is about the size of a dessert plate and the color is deep red and it is covered with five or six blooms each day. The blooms are short lived, but there are so many buds, that it stays in bloom for weeks.
The changer has gone out on the CD player in the den. It is many, many years old and so the next time you come for a visit we might head out to FRYs and I will buy a new one. It will take two people to move the piece of furniture it is housed in, and it will take a techno whiz like you to help me connect it correctly. In the meantime I cannot use that unit, but have a CD player several other spots in the house. This is just the only one that is speakered up throughout many rooms and can be loaded with multiple CD's, so I want to replace it. A girl has to have her music!!!!
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Whee! Happy Day!
After I got home from work this morning, Kevin and I took our jar of change down to the bank to redeem. $100! He took me to brunch and then across the street to the nursery where he let me spend the entire amount on plants. Mostly some annual colors. No Chaste Tree but I'm not surprised. They didn't even have any purple coneflower.
Kevin also bought me a neat child sized chair made of birch. It'll be great in the garden with a pretty pot on it.
Then, as we pulled in the driveway, what did I spy but a large cardboard box on the porch! Woot! The iris got here and in wonderful shape. Thank you so much. I'm going to save the box for further swapping. The catalogs were terrific as well. I'm going to see of the Oakes perenniel catalog has some things I want.
All in all, a most garden day. Lots of planting to do in the morning!
Kevin also bought me a neat child sized chair made of birch. It'll be great in the garden with a pretty pot on it.
Then, as we pulled in the driveway, what did I spy but a large cardboard box on the porch! Woot! The iris got here and in wonderful shape. Thank you so much. I'm going to save the box for further swapping. The catalogs were terrific as well. I'm going to see of the Oakes perenniel catalog has some things I want.
All in all, a most garden day. Lots of planting to do in the morning!
I want to know
I did not notice that these were links. This is too cool. I want to know how you did that. We got a little rain finally. It was not much, but I will take whatever we can get.
Friday, June 15, 2007
Day Lily comment
I will look these up. I bought Chorus Line last year and it bloomed this year. It is a pretty color and is planted in the bed under the red oak. Of course it is on the edge of the bed and gets some west sun, but not as much as daylilies really like. I think I will move it to a better spot this fall. I emailed you a rough draft of the bed suggestion. I am not thinking in mind to make it much larger, but just to enough to change the shape to a more natural one and to allow room for three small to mid sized shrubs and a few flowers in front for color and intererst. Of course this is all just a SUGGESTION. It is your bed, your yard, and your decision. I was thinking toward your neighbors house or toward the back of the yard as you look out your balcony.
Daylily advice
Looking at the catalog, it's almost overwhelming. I'm always tempted to try a collection to start the process but there's always a few that go ewww. Do you think I should go with rebloomings to build my daylily presence? How much success have you had with daylilies in partial shade?
(See comments on your post regarding my "hole in the grass". )
Here's what I'm leaning towards and you can tell me if they might be good trades with you or if you've tried them
So Lovely
Pandora's Box (Love this one!)
Pardon Me (Probably mix with Pandora's Box as suggested. Be gorgeous in the corner of my bed near the holly though that's partial shade)
Chorus Line
Dallas Star (Not a rebloomer but so pretty I can't resist)
I plan to pick up multiples of each so I can do it right. That's going to limit me as to the number of varieties I can go with right now. I may be almost to the end of my perennial budget except for another shrub or two and some grasses. Annuals may have to do the rest for me. Which is okay...I can play with colors.
(See comments on your post regarding my "hole in the grass". )
Here's what I'm leaning towards and you can tell me if they might be good trades with you or if you've tried them
So Lovely
Pandora's Box (Love this one!)
Pardon Me (Probably mix with Pandora's Box as suggested. Be gorgeous in the corner of my bed near the holly though that's partial shade)
Chorus Line
Dallas Star (Not a rebloomer but so pretty I can't resist)
I plan to pick up multiples of each so I can do it right. That's going to limit me as to the number of varieties I can go with right now. I may be almost to the end of my perennial budget except for another shrub or two and some grasses. Annuals may have to do the rest for me. Which is okay...I can play with colors.
Close to what I see for the elongated part
Picture the bottom right hand corner of the picture rounding off into the circular bed that is already there and you will see the shape that I meant when I said elongated and curve slightly. These are dwarf Buford hollies with the variagated lirope in front and then some flowers in front of that. I was only thinking of one, or two shrubs and not making the bed a whole lot larger over all.
This is the Nana Nandina on the left (one of my favorties and I think that it would complement the colors of the Sand Cherry if it grows in your area)
Design Suggestions
Well, you may not like my first suggestion. I would elongate one edge of the bed and curve it around slightly so that it is not a circle. This would give you a more natural look to the bed and allow more room for planting. The 7ft mature sand cherry will not allow for a lot of planting in the circular area. I suggest a combination of variagated liropie (see picture) mixed in with evergreen varieties of daylilies. I would put purple coneflowers behind the lirope/daylily border and before the sand cherry on the circular part.
In the elongated end of the bed I would put some medium height shrubs (I love Nana Nandina, dwarf hollies, or even a dwarf weigeila) I do not know how these suggestions grow in your area. Nana Nandina is hard to beat for year round color and ease of growing, but then so are hollies.
In front of those medium shrubs, you could put any flowering combination that you are fond of. I would mix the flowers, so that there is foliage (for example mix in some Sedum Autumn Joy) year round.
Even a shrub rose that stays two feet or less would be attractive in front of the shrubs.
I think part of your frustration in trying to find plants for this area is the small size of the bed and the fact that it is a complete circle. It would not need to be enlarged a huge amount, but changing the shape would please you more in the long run and I know that there is room for you to extend the bed toward the back, or toward the east whichever you prefer. It would be easy to find a match for the bricks that edge the bed.
A small birdbath between the sandcherry and the shrubs would be a bird magnet.
Please never hesitate to call me, no matter how often we have talked. It is always a highlight of my day to hear from you.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
And then somedays you're the pigeon...
Better today! Really enjoyed your call and may yet call you on the way home. I'm not sure I want to bug you that much. I'm pretty proud of you walking Kitty through that as well though Ack! Dialup!
Our joint design project is my round bed. It's one of the toughest ones for me to work with right now. It's ground level (not a raised bed) but has good soil that has been much amended and tilled over the last few seasons. It receives a substantial amount of sun during the hours of 9am until 4pm. No other redeeming features about it. Surrounded by grass though it has those faux brick concrete edging in the same pinkish color as your patio stones.
The current lone inhabitant is my Purpleleaf Sand Cherry. These get 4 to 7 feet tall and 4 to 7 feet wide though they're a vase shape. Here's a reference for how I think mine will look:
I'm leaning to cool colors in this bed. But I'm also leaning to hot colors in this bed. In other words, I'm in a dither. Here's a little drawing to see. Took me a long time to do this too!
Our victim. Ignore the stuff on the ground. It's just set there right now.
Our joint design project is my round bed. It's one of the toughest ones for me to work with right now. It's ground level (not a raised bed) but has good soil that has been much amended and tilled over the last few seasons. It receives a substantial amount of sun during the hours of 9am until 4pm. No other redeeming features about it. Surrounded by grass though it has those faux brick concrete edging in the same pinkish color as your patio stones.
The current lone inhabitant is my Purpleleaf Sand Cherry. These get 4 to 7 feet tall and 4 to 7 feet wide though they're a vase shape. Here's a reference for how I think mine will look:
I'm leaning to cool colors in this bed. But I'm also leaning to hot colors in this bed. In other words, I'm in a dither. Here's a little drawing to see. Took me a long time to do this too!
Our victim. Ignore the stuff on the ground. It's just set there right now.
Day lily news
I just received my Emperor's Dragon, Fairy Tale Pink, Joyful Occasion and Mae Graham(which was free for placing the order). They were huge clumps and could easily have been divided into two, or three different clumps to plant, but I left them all together. The tops were green and the roots were long and healthy. Excellent condition on everything. I am just loving this company.
I got Kitty set up with Spybot. She called me after I talked with you and was having trouble, so I walked her through the download. She has dial-up, so still had 18 minutes to go when we hung up. I was rather proud of myself for being able to do it.
Since we both have the catalogs, we can drool together over the goodies.
I got Kitty set up with Spybot. She called me after I talked with you and was having trouble, so I walked her through the download. She has dial-up, so still had 18 minutes to go when we hung up. I was rather proud of myself for being able to do it.
Since we both have the catalogs, we can drool together over the goodies.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
It's in the air
I am so sorry that your fellow man has been misbehaving today. I can hear that you are definitely feeling like the windshield today. Grubbing in the yard, or putting out solar lanterns, usually soothes a lot of that frustration and loving attention from Faye and hopefully Kevin should take care of the rest.
I planted everything that I bought yesterday and removed more weeds and vinca today. When I came in at noon I was dripping wet and took a nap after lunch. I hate doing that as I know that I will be up late tonight as a result. The heat just drains my energy.
I downloaded the neatest thing. It is called Weatherbug and was on the Channel 8 website. It gives you constantly updated weather information and even buzzes the computer if there is a severe weather alert. You also have a temperature posted on the menu bar at all times down where the time shows. Like right now it is 89 degrees with a heat index making it feel like 92.
Cool stuff! I bet Kevin would like it.
I planted everything that I bought yesterday and removed more weeds and vinca today. When I came in at noon I was dripping wet and took a nap after lunch. I hate doing that as I know that I will be up late tonight as a result. The heat just drains my energy.
I downloaded the neatest thing. It is called Weatherbug and was on the Channel 8 website. It gives you constantly updated weather information and even buzzes the computer if there is a severe weather alert. You also have a temperature posted on the menu bar at all times down where the time shows. Like right now it is 89 degrees with a heat index making it feel like 92.
Cool stuff! I bet Kevin would like it.
Am I allowed to say this here?
Very bad day. I'm excessively grumpy at my fellow man. I'm hoping getting home and putting out a couple of solar powered chinese lanterns I bought at Big Lots today will help that.
Perhaps more text later. Pictures for sure!
Perhaps more text later. Pictures for sure!
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Work in Progress
As you can see I still have quite a lot of material to remove around the tree and Misancanthus, but at least I have made some progress. It is so hot and humid right now that I would say it was the middle of July if I did not know better. We have a rain and cooler temperatures in the forecast and I sure do hope that they are right for a change.
Sure do wish you had been here to run around with Pat and I today at the nursery and to look at garden stuff at various other stores. It would have been right up your alley.
Promised Pictures
This is a red hybiscus and a fox tail fern(below) that I bought today at Calloway. I also bought some red periwinkles and a chaste tree (Vitex blue). I had coupons that allowed me to get all the plants for less than the cost of the chaste tree. The cashier was impressed with all I saved (about $18) and so was I.
The red hybiscus on the right is my perennial one and it is coverd in these large red bl00ms. It dies back to the ground every winter but comes out strong in the spring.
This is the red Rose of Sharon that we bought while you were here. It has several more buds, but only one flower so far. As you can see it is more of a deep rose pink than a true red, but I really like it.
Monday, June 11, 2007
Monday-Day is Done
I added Terra Nova to my favorites list to browse through at my leisure. The daffodil is gorgeous. Did you get a new catalog, or find it online? I do not think that I have any daffodils in my catalog. I hate that you have not received your day lily catalog. Hopefully it will come soon.
I removed almost half of the variagated vinca from the bed before the heat and humidy got to me. It was 96 today with a very high heat index due to it being so humid. The red Rose of Sharon that I bought when you were here is blooming and it is gorgeous. The perennial hybiscus is the same red and also bloomed today. I will try to get a picture to send to you tomorrow. After I weeded, I had a lot of watering to do and it had to be by hand as this is not my water day. That took all my desire to be outside away, so did not get out to get the pictures.
Calloways Nursery sent me a couple of irresistable cupons, so tomorrow I am going over with my gardening friend. I know that I want some red periwinkles and I have a 50% off one item cupon, so am going to look at the shrubs.
Have you considered putting an arch in the center of your raised long bed with a Zephrine Dophrine climbing rose on it and maybe a bird bath under the arch as a focal point for the bed. The Zephrine rose is thornless and has large raspberry red, fragrant blooms. It is the most tolerant of shade of any rose, but loves full sun too. It is resistant to disease and is one of my all time favorites. Jackson Perkins carries them and many, many nurseries in our area. It seems to me that if the bed is long, some height to lift the eye upward would be nice.
I removed almost half of the variagated vinca from the bed before the heat and humidy got to me. It was 96 today with a very high heat index due to it being so humid. The red Rose of Sharon that I bought when you were here is blooming and it is gorgeous. The perennial hybiscus is the same red and also bloomed today. I will try to get a picture to send to you tomorrow. After I weeded, I had a lot of watering to do and it had to be by hand as this is not my water day. That took all my desire to be outside away, so did not get out to get the pictures.
Calloways Nursery sent me a couple of irresistable cupons, so tomorrow I am going over with my gardening friend. I know that I want some red periwinkles and I have a 50% off one item cupon, so am going to look at the shrubs.
Have you considered putting an arch in the center of your raised long bed with a Zephrine Dophrine climbing rose on it and maybe a bird bath under the arch as a focal point for the bed. The Zephrine rose is thornless and has large raspberry red, fragrant blooms. It is the most tolerant of shade of any rose, but loves full sun too. It is resistant to disease and is one of my all time favorites. Jackson Perkins carries them and many, many nurseries in our area. It seems to me that if the bed is long, some height to lift the eye upward would be nice.
Heuchera Heaven!
Every color known to mankind! Terra Nova Nurseries
Looks like they're wholesale only but the pictures are a nice reference and if you click on the left under "Retail Sources" they have a nice list of nurseries by area that carry them. I found some new nursery listings for my area.
(Linking some of those finds here. This is really for me but click away for pictures of some Missouri nurseries)
Idyllwild Gardens
Hilltop Greens
Perry's Perennial Pages (resource, not nursery)
Looks like they're wholesale only but the pictures are a nice reference and if you click on the left under "Retail Sources" they have a nice list of nurseries by area that carry them. I found some new nursery listings for my area.
(Linking some of those finds here. This is really for me but click away for pictures of some Missouri nurseries)
Idyllwild Gardens
Hilltop Greens
Perry's Perennial Pages (resource, not nursery)
Monday, Monday
Best thing ever! Someone built a life-size version of the Mousetrap game. I loved that game! Apparantly at the end of this one, a 2 ton safe drops on a piece of cheese. I love it!
Sunday was a bit of a bust in terms of yard work. I woke up to an absolute deluge of rain and can't claim to have accomplished much of anything except a grocery store run and some reading. I have to admit it was relaxing.
I need to find something of architectural interest for the back bed. I've got some leftover fenceposts and Kev said he'd plant that for me so I could hang some bird houses or windchimes on it. What'd I'd like would be something like the green foldout screen by your bamboo screen but made of copper. I suspect that's way out of my budget so I might have to go for the pre-greened ones at Home Depot. It's going to be a long time before that bed is fully populated and grown and, even then, it's a long expanse of plants and needs some interest points. Any suggestion for very long raised bed?
I ordered a bunch of daffodils from Bluestone today. I double ordered a Daffodil Replete (Daffodil link) as I thought it was quite pretty. Now that I have some defined beds, I plan on going crazy with daffodils and tulips this fall. Bluestone had some gorgeous "peony" tulips that I hadn't seen before but they're really striking. I might order a few of those as well. I still haven't seen the daylilly catalog. I hope it gets here soon!
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Sunday ramblings
I went out after church and pulled some weeds, but it was too hot and humid to stay long. We are definitely into that time of year when you work outside in the early hours and then run for air conditioning. I am quilting along on my snowman quilt, and have a good book to read, so garden or house I am happy.
I plant to clean out the large bed with the Japanese maple close to the backdoor tomorrow and then go buy some new stuff to put in there. I just hate all that varigated periwinkle that has taken over the world. I need to stake up the top of my persimmon tree also. I do not know if I can accomplish all of that in one day because of the heat factor. It may take a day or two, or three. I will send a picture when all is done. I have a dental appointment on Thursday and then will have check-up number two taken care of. The annual physical is the 20th and then I will be done for another year hopefully.
The plants in the new bed are beginning to look more established and not so raw and new. I am pondering what other things need to be added. I have some iris and daylillies ordered and will set them out in late summer, but will most likely not add too much more until fall. The grasshoppers, or something, is chewing big bites out of the leaves of some of my plants like the coleus. Where is a hungry bird when you need one????
I plant to clean out the large bed with the Japanese maple close to the backdoor tomorrow and then go buy some new stuff to put in there. I just hate all that varigated periwinkle that has taken over the world. I need to stake up the top of my persimmon tree also. I do not know if I can accomplish all of that in one day because of the heat factor. It may take a day or two, or three. I will send a picture when all is done. I have a dental appointment on Thursday and then will have check-up number two taken care of. The annual physical is the 20th and then I will be done for another year hopefully.
The plants in the new bed are beginning to look more established and not so raw and new. I am pondering what other things need to be added. I have some iris and daylillies ordered and will set them out in late summer, but will most likely not add too much more until fall. The grasshoppers, or something, is chewing big bites out of the leaves of some of my plants like the coleus. Where is a hungry bird when you need one????
Saturday, June 9, 2007
Eeek!
I let this go pretty much all week. Sorry about that. It was a hectic work week. I didn't get much new done around the house or the garden short of cleaning the house and mowing the yards.
I'll try that on the roses. I don't have any roses in the beds right now. I'd like to find a compact yellow climbing rose for the side bed. Maybe I'll go on a treasure hunt for that this weekend
Kev's back home with the digital camera so I'll take some pictures this weekend and get them up.
More later!
I'll try that on the roses. I don't have any roses in the beds right now. I'd like to find a compact yellow climbing rose for the side bed. Maybe I'll go on a treasure hunt for that this weekend
Kev's back home with the digital camera so I'll take some pictures this weekend and get them up.
More later!
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Cheap black spot preventative
I saw on the TV show "The Dirt on Gardening" that a mixture of 1/2 skim milk and 1/2 water in a hand-held spray bottle that is sprayed on roses will prevent black spot. It seems the milk forms invisible milk spores on the leaves that prevent the black spot spores from forming.
Hey, I always have skim milk, so I plan to give it a try. I am trying to keep all pesticides out of the garden for the protection of my butterflies and birds.
A friend dropped by today that is also a gardener and she was very complimentary about the yard even will all the weeds in the beds. I am working on their removal, but it would be nice to have a magic wand to wave to remove them all at one time. I did get the hedges in the back trimmed up and the walkways all cleaned up. I plan to start on the bed closest to the back fence tomorrow and work my way forward.
I have more butterflies that I have ever had, which makes me want to get even more butterfly attacting plants. I love watching them flit around.
Hey, I always have skim milk, so I plan to give it a try. I am trying to keep all pesticides out of the garden for the protection of my butterflies and birds.
A friend dropped by today that is also a gardener and she was very complimentary about the yard even will all the weeds in the beds. I am working on their removal, but it would be nice to have a magic wand to wave to remove them all at one time. I did get the hedges in the back trimmed up and the walkways all cleaned up. I plan to start on the bed closest to the back fence tomorrow and work my way forward.
I have more butterflies that I have ever had, which makes me want to get even more butterfly attacting plants. I love watching them flit around.
Monday, June 4, 2007
Comments? We don't need no stinkin' comments!
No, I've seen the comments. It shows when there are comments. I'd comment except I haven't figure out _how_ you add a comment. So we're both still learning about blogging.
I have to let you know...I've been using the picture I took of the new beds as a screen saver at work and I've gotten more comments than you can imagine. It's gotten more comments than my pictures of Faye as a screensaver. People think you're pretty amazing!
I'm very glad to hear you got to talk to Paul. That's weighed on my mind a great deal as I've felt very responsible. I think I'll stay quiet for a bit and let you two rebuild. I'm not sure how I feel about my brother and where I want to be in that relationship but it would ease my mind a lot if you two were on good footing and he was visiting regularly.
I have to let you know...I've been using the picture I took of the new beds as a screen saver at work and I've gotten more comments than you can imagine. It's gotten more comments than my pictures of Faye as a screensaver. People think you're pretty amazing!
I'm very glad to hear you got to talk to Paul. That's weighed on my mind a great deal as I've felt very responsible. I think I'll stay quiet for a bit and let you two rebuild. I'm not sure how I feel about my brother and where I want to be in that relationship but it would ease my mind a lot if you two were on good footing and he was visiting regularly.
Comments vs Entires
Twice I have just commented on your entry and did not realize that it did not show those except at the end of the original blog entry. I hope you did not overlook the replies in the form of comments and from now on I will do an Entry when I reply.
Sorry I am still learning how to do this new way.
Sorry I am still learning how to do this new way.
Sunday, June 3, 2007
Gardening Fooldom
For several reasons, mostly due to tree removal, I've started a project to "English Edge" along the long edge of our fence with the intent of mulching it. Once it's finished, I plan on spot planting shrubs and tall perennials interspersed with stones and perhaps some bird baths etc. I got a corner and about 10 feet done this weekend. Kev ran and picked up one pickup bed of mulch before he left town but, ohhh, there are many more to come I think.
Our next door neighbors came over to thank us for being such good neighbors. They're involved in a Hatfields and McCoys on the other side and I suppose that, in contrast, we look pretty good!
Let's see, plantings were many. I put in the Foster holly (thanks for the botanical help!), a couple of Firepower nandinas, a good sized Sand Cherry, a Pink Spire Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia), some hostas and caladiums and one neat find---Bugbane (Cimicifuga 'Brunette'). The Rodale's Perennial book had really great things to say about this and it's the centerpoint of a new little shade bed I built underneath one of our big Black Walnuts. Bugbane looks like a big astilbe with the same type of blooms late in the season and it appears to be good for your area as well. I can't find a decent internet picture of it to post so you'll have to look it up in your book if you're interested in seeing it.
I'll post pictures when I can. Kev took the digital camera with him to Nashville so it'll have to wait until he gets back.
Everything okay up in your neck of the woods? Weatherman said you were having some pretty severe weather today. We had a gorgeous day of around 75 degrees and sunny. More rain supposed to come in tomorrow night. I hope I'll be able to get some more mulch on the ground after work tomorrow before the rain hits.
Our next door neighbors came over to thank us for being such good neighbors. They're involved in a Hatfields and McCoys on the other side and I suppose that, in contrast, we look pretty good!
Let's see, plantings were many. I put in the Foster holly (thanks for the botanical help!), a couple of Firepower nandinas, a good sized Sand Cherry, a Pink Spire Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia), some hostas and caladiums and one neat find---Bugbane (Cimicifuga 'Brunette'). The Rodale's Perennial book had really great things to say about this and it's the centerpoint of a new little shade bed I built underneath one of our big Black Walnuts. Bugbane looks like a big astilbe with the same type of blooms late in the season and it appears to be good for your area as well. I can't find a decent internet picture of it to post so you'll have to look it up in your book if you're interested in seeing it.
I'll post pictures when I can. Kev took the digital camera with him to Nashville so it'll have to wait until he gets back.
Everything okay up in your neck of the woods? Weatherman said you were having some pretty severe weather today. We had a gorgeous day of around 75 degrees and sunny. More rain supposed to come in tomorrow night. I hope I'll be able to get some more mulch on the ground after work tomorrow before the rain hits.
Friday, June 1, 2007
Daylily/spiderwort
I would suggest just buying one spiderwort as you can get many plants from that one if you let it go to seed the first year. They are easy to move around. They reseed freely, which I do not mind and I clip off some of the seedheads and leave some to make more, so I keep them in check somewhat. They are not real agressive here, more like coneflowers, but then I have never left ALL the seed heads on.
I ordered the daylily from Oakes Daylilies in Corryton, TN. The plants that came were beautiful and all have bloomed out this year; the color selections will have you drooling and overspending. You can order a catalog online.
I ordered the daylily from Oakes Daylilies in Corryton, TN. The plants that came were beautiful and all have bloomed out this year; the color selections will have you drooling and overspending. You can order a catalog online.
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