Shop Products
Houzz Logo Print
ctlavluvr

#328 A Week of H's

ctlavluvr
16 years ago

Aside from hot and humid, let's hope for happy, too!!!

Carry on....

Comments (101)

  • gardenbug
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    WOW! Morning came late today! ;-)
    I started the day weeding around the perimeter of the veg garden. Some really nasty weeds there in between clematis. Because the soil is like concrete these days, it was no easy job and I only got one side done. From there I went inside the garden and whacked at dead stalks until I'd stuffed the fifth bucket and then gave up. I heard thunder and hoped for the best!
    Once indoors I hit the shower and started laundry. DH was off to have his annual med tests. He promised a friend (who is no longer living) that he would have annual prostate tests. I think the only reason he even sees a doctor is because of Ken, and I thank him and miss him. He was one of those drop dead gorgeous hunks...but also a professor and very interesting man. But what a terrible body he inherited. The ailments had him at death's door too many times....
    So it DID begin to rain- but the very gentle kind which did not last. The sun keeps shining while it is raining. Very strange! I need an autumn like day or two so that i can weed and edge and plant and generally try to catch up. This summer's garden has been way too much work with little success. I'm really sad about it too. I waited all winter for THIS? I need a gorgeous work free bulletproof garden NOW!

    Woody, all I remember is giving you a blue clematis, and now I have no idea which kind even. I thought it was an Alpina, but perhaps it was some non clinging one. I guess we'll both be surprised.

    Mary, ROTFL! Truly, my daughter has NEVER shaved anywhere! Not even for her wedding. That is the "vogue" she grew up with! It really grates with me, a generation thing no doubt, but I must say that intellectually I do understand her position. We agree to disagree on this. A compromise to the knee sounds terrific from my viewpoint!

    Mariann, no need to explain to me about difficult sisters. Fortunately for us both, mine moved to England years ago and now lives in France. Even mail from her makes me nervous. What a shame! I'd hate for my children to have that kind of relationship. My biggest fear is her needing me as she ages. My brother and I do everything we can to encourage the wise use of her money for "later on."

    DS phoned and has a new boss. It seems this may be good news, but it is always tense in these times... This makes me think of Honey and Tom. I hope they are managing well with all the things on their plates. Their puppy must be a delight compared to their other issues.

    Well what's with the workmen? I hope Chelone's are busy working up a storm. No sign of our basement crew (remember last summer's mildew disaster?), our house painter, our driveway gravel guys. They'll probably all show up on Friday when Lynn cones to visit!

    Calls from DD and DS make life cheerful!
    'bug

  • gardenbug
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    DRIZZLE AGAIN! I LOVE IT!

  • deanneart
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Woody, my wisteria was labeled as a Wisteria japonica 'Alba' and was trained as a standard when I got it. It is currently about ten to twelve feet tall and as wide and is a single trunk.
    {{gwi:159390}}

    Its been planted there since 1995. (might have been earlier than that but I'm not too sure)

    Re winterizing the brugs you can take cuttings and in fact that's a good idea in case you lose the mature plants during dormancy. I'd get them out of the pots, root prune, top prune, strip all the leaves and hope for the best. LOL I usually just bring mine in after pruning them back by half to 2/3s and letting them dry out and lose all their leaves. I then hose them off really well, spray them for bugs, let them get mostly dry again then bring them in the basement. Last year I left them out in the garage just until it was going to go below freezing in the garage then brought them in the basement. I think the cold helped them go dormant.

    Deanne

  • denisez10
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Out on my first vacation nursery jaunt, I greeted a nursery employee who I see often and whose opinions I respect. He was pruning some cape fuchsias back, saying how they looked a bit ratty this time of year. That was all the pretext I needed to launch into my own tale of woe about what seems to me an excessive amount of chewing pests this year, that I've never sprayed before but the agastaches, the penstemons, the nicotianas have been decimated. What about BT? He brought me over to the spray stuff and pointed out Spinosad. Seemed too good to be true. Rose slugs too? I asked hopefully. He nodded and said he uses it about once a month on his roses. I found this on the web later at home:

    "Spinosad is a relatively new insect killer that was discovered from soil in an abandoned rum distillery in 1982. Produced by fermentation, Spinosad can be used on outdoor ornamentals, lawns, vegetables and fruit trees, to control caterpillars, thrips, leafminers, borers, fruit flies, and more. Spinosad must be ingested by the insect, therefore it has little effect on sucking insects and non-target predatory insects. Spinosad is relatively fast acting. The pest insect dies within 1 to 2 days after ingesting the active ingredient. Will not persist in the environment. Sunlight and soil microbes break it down into carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen. Classified as an organic substance by the USDA National Organic Standards Board. OMRI Listed for use in organic production. Mix 4 tbsp. / gallon of water."

    Unique features:

    ⢠Organic active ingredient, produced by fermentation

    ⢠New chemistry for insect control

    ⢠B.t. replacement, more effective pest control

    ⢠Can be used on vegetable & fruit crops, ornamentals, and turf

    ⢠Controls caterpillars as well as beetles, leafminers, thrips, beetles and more!"

    I also found that bees are affected up to three hours after application, so I need to keep that in mind. And you don't need to catch the worm pest (in my case) at a certain point in its life cycle either. Anywhere, anytime.

    Tomorrow will probably be the last day for the Magnolia liliflora nigra on the west side of the house. Has been surprisingly tough in that strong sun exposure and not much water but copes by succumbing to severe mildew and whitefly infestations. We'll miss the shade so I've gotta think of a substitute. Maybe a nonfruiting Russian olive. Is anyone interesting in cutting material of this magnolia? This would be the time of year to give it a go. Or maybe I'll attack the pergola, readying it for paint. Teeming with garden plans, some fairly ambitious for this time of year, others just wacky. Hope my tail holds out!

    Cynthia, I'll earmark the crocosmia seeds for you. Kathy, we're heading up to Oregon too, late August, to its cool, foggy coast. Might be neat to stop by Ashland. Got any other tips for nurseries/gardens? Hello to all.

  • woodyoak zone 5 southern Ont., Canada
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    We got 15mm of rain (a smidge over 1/2"...) I sure wish we had got lots more but anything is welcome at this point! GB - did you get more? On the radar, it looked like you were probably getting a fair bit more than we were....

    Marian - I keep forgetting to say thank you for the info re the potassium deficiency. Randy has passed the info on to his father and his father is going to pick up potassium and Vit. D supplements to see if they will help. It would certainly be better if his mother would see a doctor and get tested and a proper diagnosis. But that's not going to happen so they will 'wing it' this way and see if there's any improvement.

    Deanne - wow! That's a very impressive wisteria tree. It's a very different look than my W. sinensis one. I suspect the W. japonica label is outdated - W. floribunda is what is commonly called Japanese wisteria and there is an 'Alba' cultivar. Thanks for the brug winterizing details. Hopefully I remember all that in a few months! I didn't realize that you had to let them go so completely dormant. Here's what they look like at the moment. They were pretty pathetic when I got them from the farmers' market but are doing well in the pots. (The pots had peas in them but the peas were finished so I ripped out the peas and stuck the brugs in... The pots are WAY too heavy and ugly to bring indoors for the winter!)
    {{gwi:166723}}
    (The pot on the right has baby elephant ears growing on with some acidanthera bulbs.)

  • gardenbug
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Yes Woody, RAIN! It was amazing not having the hose attached to my arm for the whole day! I no longer have a rain gauge, but I'm sure we had a good amount. It was mostly gentle rain, the best kind. I went out and took some photos too, but I can't post here tonight for some reason, so I'll give the URL below for seeing them on another forum. I wonder, how long before the grass turns green?

    I was worried about Jenn's container garden at the side of her new house. Looks like the rain misses them under the roof overhang. I guess Eden taught her that she'll have to water them often! Maybe Bella will help her out?

    Michelle, I just love eggplant! I have a few ripening in the garden now. Perhaps we'll grill them for dinner some time this week. We love them with peanut sauce. We need to get a good quality small grill. Every year we waste money on inferior goods. The grills never fail to rust with use. Anyone know of a good one? (One that might be sold in Canada?)

    Time to fold the stuff from the drier.
    'bug

  • veronicastrum
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Funny you should mention the bayou, Deanne. I have crawfish in my driveway right now. Yes, real crawfish swimming in my driveway. It seems that monsoon season came last night and we received over 4" of rain. Driving to work was a challenge because of flooded roads, and our office email ISP lost his servers when he got 5 FEET of water in his basement. We have lots of water flowing over the driveway right now, and based on past experience we can expect our wetlands to continue to fill for at least another day.

    And speaking of filling the wetlands, DH (the D in this case stands for Dumb!) drove the ATV into water that overtopped it completely. He is now pulling it out with the tractor. I have tons of confidence that he will not do something dumb with the tractor.

    Well, I think I am going to do some serious fretting over his whereabouts. Please send me a day free of drama!

    V.

  • Lara Noles
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Hot and muggy here too! But we did get much needed rain!!!

    LOL Marie, Jen and I did have that conversation tonight. They'd taken a night off from going to work on the house because the last coat was put on the floors today so no walking on them. She said it was good it rained or she'd have had to go water and I told her she'd better go check on those containers.

    Mary, I shave to just above my knee. Not sure what my girls do. It's always such a treat for me to see your miniature creations. That one was just great and I was thinking how cute it would be decorated for Halloween too.

    Deanne, that brug's a real beauty. I only have one pink , Isabella,and one variegated this year and neither is doing spectacular. I've had a few blooms on the pink. I haven't been keeping up with feeding the containers the way I usually do. Just not enough time in my days this year.

    V, glad dd's ok. Hope dh is too!

    Kathy, great begonia collection. Thanks for showing us!

    Denise, it's great having you here. You feel like an old timer already!

    Can't remember what else I wanted to say. Bella was here today and I'm tired. Talk at you all tomorrow:)

    Eden

  • dodgerdudette
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Sorry to hear about all the yukky temps and humidity that some of you are experiencing. I cant imagine trying to function in that. Next week Im going to be in Vegas on business and it will be hotter than hades but dry .Anyway, there is really no reason to go outside in Vegas unless its to hoof it between casinos.

    Deanne Im having a had time accepting the fact that your Charles G is so much bigger than mine..Boo-hoo, whine-whine! Of course I did leave mine out all winter and it took quite some time for it to bounce back. The plant looks great but hasnt got a single bud .
    My begonias all come in the house, the big ones go in the family room, I put some in the kitchen and some I haul upstairs to master bath which has south and west facing windows. They usually look pretty crappy by the time spring rolls around but they recover quick.

    Cindy, I went through a period in my front yard with a highly scripted color scheme, which just looked boring as hell. I decided to go for drama and excess ! The only way this works is to repeat elements..the Zinnias are in five groupings, I have geranium Rozanne repeated 5 times along the path , also multiple Silenes, multiple Lambs ears (Helen Von Stein) and a couple of the rose are repeated . I also have the shrubs in multiples-but they are all dwarfs because that front garden is very small..

    Michelle, anytime I see a silvery begonia the wallet comes out ! Isnt it fun to have people interested in your garden ? Hopefully they will find the enrichment we do some day.

    Mary, I always shaved my entire leg when I was a teenager-I spent all summer at the beach , and hair was not acceptable ! Oddly I have very little hair on my legs now, and dont even bother to shave them during the winter unless Im going to wear a dress a rarity I assure you.

    Woody, my DS took a couple of pics of a Wisteria Bonsai at the SF garden show in March. Ill have to see if I can find them in the plethora of photos on the computer. But you are right, I bet I could make a spot for a Wisteria tree.

    Denise, most of my Oregon nursery experiences have been in the Willamette Valley or Portland area. Fergusons Fragrant Nursery is very cool-its near Aurora, Ive been to Swan Island Dahlias in Canby, and Heirloom Roses in St Paul and the very cool Cistus on Sauvies Island in the Portland area.

    Ok , gotta go for now
    See yall later

    Kathy in Napa

  • saucydog
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Wow! I woke to a gentle rain (must've been sent by GB!) and it thrilled me to know that everything was getting a good drink. I think it is supposed to stick around a bit, too.

    I have been very busy and I am very happy. The kids are at camp and Nick has been helping me tick off a punch list of things I've been wanting done. My deck is stained. My front porch is looking like somewhere I'd like to drink a cup of tea while reading the paper :) I've added another lasagna garden across the front, ready to plant in the spring (which means catalog shopping through the winter :) We finally broke down and bought the big patio set for the newly stained deck and put it all together last night.

    Today I am going to pull out Sarah's trundle bed to make a king size bed for Friday's company - Nick's best friend and significant other. My friend comes in on Thursday night and I can't wait to see her! Best buds from the Navy - boot camp until I left Cali. She's now in Wyoming and the last time we saw each other was about 8 years ago. She's never been to the East Coast. We'll have a blast :) Lots of sitting up late and talking, I suspect :)

    Anyway, I'll make Jake's room up for her today.

    V., what a terrible scare with your daughter. Glad she's okay and you guys are back home. It took me a minute but then I cracked up about the cheddar curtain. Husbands have a way, don't they? Do let us know that he and the tractor made it out of the flood waters, okay? I love crayfish/crawdads....poor man's lobster.

    Denise, what a great find. I'm not a chemical sprayer, either - I don't want to have to worry about storage, and frankly, the smell really bothers me. I did break down and use round up on the sidewalk cracks this year :) I'll be interested to hear how your trial goes.

    Mary, I shave to just above the knee. The hair any further up grows in different directions and is not really visible with the eye (at least for us blondes :) Don't fight her on this one....there are bigger battles :) Really, kids today have it rough, I think. I see young girls with waxed eyebrows! That was a luxury I couldn't afford (nor did I need) until I was 30....thank god for Brooke Shields....wild and wooly was in style, LOL!

    Eden, your daughter's place is so cute. What a wonderful job you're both doing. I loved her pots. I need to fertilize, too, but other things have won over my time.

    Deanne, I'd love to come up....I'll email Wendy and see if we can shoot for the same day. As soon as my company leaves, I'm going on vacation to Maine.....hmm....hear that Chelone?

    And we have 'tufa class to think of Wendy and Chelone (and anyone else who wants to join in!).

    OH WOW! The flood gates just opened. Guess I'd better get to work in the office and get my day started....I won't have to water!

    Saucy

  • deanneart
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Good RAINY morning here. We are supposed to get rain all day today and that is a good thing. Weve had adequate rain this year but hadnt had any for a couple weeks and thats when the trees in the back yard just suck every bit of moisture out of the gardens. I was having to water the raised beds in the back yard daily and even that wasnt enough so let it rain, let it rain, let it rain.

    Kathy, Im blown away by the size of the CG Brug this year. Ive never had one get this large but finally figured out that it has to do with the size of pot they are in. Do you grow yours in the ground or in a pot? I know I love coming through San Francisco to the Golden Gate because of the many beautiful specimens people have in their gardens. Ive wanted one like that for years and finally it looks like success has been achieved. Sue usually grows them to these proportions and either puts them in the ground or in very large pots. I wish you could have seen her garden last September. It was like a tropical paradise. Between her twelve foot banana and all the other tropical plants it did not feel like CT. ~~ I LOL about going for "drama and excess" Im all for that!

    Eden, a couple of my brugs were showing a lot of yellowing on the leaves and dropping foliage and it was because they didnt get fed while I was away for two weeks. Ive gotten them back on a daily liquid feed when I water them in the mornings and they are all bouncing back. It amazes me just how much supplemental feeding they take. Most of my other pots only get a liquid feed once a week.

    V, isnt this the DH who burned his shed down????? Crawfish swimming through your driveway? Good grief. Thats a lot of rain.

    Bug and Woody, horray for the rain!!! Bug, those are some beautiful photographs.

    Woody. Thanks for the heads up about the japonica now being called floribunda. Ive had that plant so long it doesnt surprise me. RE the brugs, I dont have enough room to grow the brugs in winter so I let them go completely dormant so I can store them in the dark in the basement. They look like pitiful dead sticks in pots then bounce back to life in spring.

    Denise, that Spinosad sounds interesting and its always a good thing to have something new that the bugs havent developed a tolerance for. Ive not seen it around here yet.

    Saucy, sounds like youre going to have a ball with your friend! ~~ Hope you and Wendy can some and visit soon. Let me know. The only times Im not available is this Saturday and all of next weekend Im teaching.

    Here are a couple pics from the other day of the driveway garden. The Fantasia hibiscus has started blooming and is going to be putting on quite a show this year. I LOL because the info says that this variety only gets to three feet. Kathy, thats my Helen von Stein in the foreground of this pic. I really like that variety of Lambs Ears.
    {{gwi:166725}}

    {{gwi:166728}}

    Some of the ground covers in the driveway garden. I really love that Ajuga Burgundy Glow
    {{gwi:166730}}

    Sedum Purple Emperor with Preppy Pink daylily
    {{gwi:166731}}

    Have a great day everyone!
    Deanne

  • chloehoover
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    No rain - not one stinking drop here... already stuff is looking parched and more desert like.

    Kathy -- thanks for the info re your front yard; I think we have somewhat similar sizes - I've resisted the multiple groupings because Im such a plantaholic, but as they all say, plants of one dont make much impact. I look at disgust on how it looks in front and know I should know better..... It's really a challenge to get true "dwarf" shrubs and conifers isnt it? as most eventually really outgrow a small space. Im trying to take some time now to re-think and perhaps re-plan the "look" in front; I know that one thing I've read is if you have a good "border edger" that will pull it all together - but so far, nothing in my area really works too well in all the heat & humidity except for that ole lambs ears. I've got Helen too and definitely prefer her over others; it does not "mug" out as much as others.

    O, you mentioned Cistus Nursery near Portland - I was just cruising their website the other day & downloaded their catalog - what a terrific looking place (& website too) for tropicals, and the unusual. I have a friend in Portland & I was trying to find a nursery I could get a gift certificate for her birthday; sent her Joy Creek last year & she adored them as well. Cistus was looking good but I dont think they do the gift cert. thingie. I'd love to see them in person though - Denise you should check 'em out.

    Well, I got an early a.m. surprise - a friend who moved to SC 3 years ago, called me at 6:00 this morning to say she was 2 hours away from me & could she come stay at my house.... I guess there's trouble in river city so to speak - I dont have a clue what's going on but left her the key. Now sitting here, I realized that she's got 3 dogs that she'd gotten w/ her boyfriend & I dont know if I'll be having 3 canine guests as well or not! The only thing is they're big dogs & poor Chloe is liable to have a heart attack by 3 strange BIG dawgs coming into her castle... I left my friend a voice-mail but sure hope she knows enough to handle the situation okay.

    As usual, Deanne, you have brightened our mornings w/ yummy pics of your luscious gardens. Love that sedum/daylily combo!!

    Saucy - good to hear you're feeling better & over the cold, etc., and looking for some more fun! I sure am hot to learn how to do tufa -- so when do your classes start? Hmmmmm - I was looking at the PA garden photos where IK had all her wonderful pots & trying to figure out how she got the "streaks" in her pots - I wonder if they are branches embedded in the concrete or if she traced them in & colored them or what? Im sure an expert like you probably know all the ins and outs. I have got to learn how to do them!

    Allright, it's the Hades Day here in the Big City -- I suspect few people will be going out; the heat is so bad they're running the Metro trains in a special way so -- much slower so the rails do not overheat; and they have to use the brakes manually (usually computer operated) -- all in all another fun commuter challenge -- it's been tough going to get home every nite as many trains are overheating and breaking down. They were not designed for hot temps (or cold - or rain -or....)....

    Cindy

  • flowerluvr
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Well, CRUD! I posted a nice, long post yesterday morning. When I hit "submit" I got the "page cannot be displayed" thing. In the past, the post has always showed up, so I closed the window as DD was here to use the computer. Apparently, it didn't make it. As there were no great words of wisdom, and no earth-shattering news, I'll just carry on from here.

    V-Sometimes I worry more about DH than I do the kids. He has more power at his disposal, and if possible, thinks he's more indestructible.

    Mary, I shaved to the knee until I was around 40 or so. Then I discovered long, black hair on the backs of my thighs (butt fringe) and started shaving all the way up :( TMI?? DH got in trouble because he was letting me walk around in shorts, and never mentioned the hair. I gave him a quick run-down on things to get me off to the side and mention....eye buggers, nose buggers, stray hairs, stuff in my teeth, etc. Good luck getting DD to stop, though. My DD has shaved her entire leg since she started shaving, although in her defense, she's got dark hair, so she probably needs to. 'bug, I admire your DD for NOT shaving. I've always wondered who decided women should be hairless...too much to keep up on, especially as I get older. Legs, eyebrows, and moustache....gimme a break! I could never pull off the Brooke Shields look, unfortunately.

    Sounds like some folks really got hammered with rain. We got 7/10 here. I heard on the news that Rockford, Ill really got nailed, and I've read a poster who said they've been getting missed most of the season. Guess I'd rather settle for 7/10 than 5" all at once. Seems to be feast or famine on the rain this year.

    I need to get upstairs and exercise. It's not too bad up there if I do it before the sun gets around to the west side of the house, after that, forget it. We're in for more crazy heat and humidity today-hopefully, it will bring some more rain.
    Have a good day, all!
    Brenda
    PS..Did anyone see Mike Rowe on the Mackinaw Bridge on Dirty Jobs last night? That guy is such a hoot! It was all I could stand to ride across it last year, let alone change light bulbs on top of the crazy thing!

  • just_t
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Impossible to keep up but just popped in to wave hello to you. Mary, I hope you have a wonderful time on vacation! V, scary business about your daughter & the wasp sting -- thankfully she is okay and you can now worry about DH ;o).

    James spent the night, just heard him come out of the bedroom and the cat howl a greeting. The day begins.....

    T.

  • denisez10
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Congrats to all getting rain. What a blessing. After posting the bug killer stuff, it occurred to me, Maybe their bugs only bite people/mammals -- the ticks, skeeters, etc. I presume it's so bad for me this year due to the drought. On the way home from the nursery, there was the familiar drought-season display of the fire truck by the side of the freeway, putting out a roadside fire.

    Mary, shaving legs, lord, don't you just want to shout, You'll have your whole life to do that! Take it easy! Maybe just the ankles for now! My primal memory on that includes fish-net stockings being the rage in grade school, and it was a subversive way to dress up our Catholic school uniforms. Had to have a clean line for the fishnet, so off with the fuzz. I do remember one of my boys shaving his chest for swimming class in 10th grade! Seems he was getting teased quite a bit. (Remember the Seinfeld/werewolf episode?)

    And, yes, I'm going to definitely find my way to Cistus. Thanks for the tip. I'd love to dip into Vancouver to see Thomas Hobbs' nursery. It may not be possible to do too much gallivanting. It's going to be an extended family vacation, all ages. Most are flying into Portland, but DH and the corker will be driving up the coast, bringing extra supplies. I was going to be part of the driving contingent up the coast, stopping in San Fran (where there's a wonderful Matisse exhibit now, Kathy!) but I may have to fly in.

    May you all be "busy and happy" today, as Saucy puts it. Nothin' better than that.

  • michelle_zone4
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Little Morgan Kay entered this world at 6:59 p.m. August 7. She was born to DH's son and DIL. We now have 3 granddaughters and 7 grandsons.

    Busy here so no time to make comments.

    Michelle

  • Marian_2
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Brenda, I am sorry you lost your long post from yesterday. I always enjoy both your and Norma's reports on your farm life.( I do have that right don't I ? You do live on a farm?).
    Anyway, I was musing about the threads here, and am amused that the majority of what is discussed is perennials, even though this is the "OFF TOPIC" forum!
    It often seems that the other topics are 'sneaked' in so it won't look like 'we' are getting away from the Perennial forum....
    Norma, what is going on on your farm now? Has the year been good to you? Are you getting in any crops?
    The same questions for anyone else who farms. Pictures would be wonderful.
    Also, for all the employed...tell us more about that aspect of your lives. And those who do volunteer work...I would love to hear about that.
    I would love to hear what you do on Sundays, besides work in your yards/gardens.
    And shopping experiences, other than for plants.
    I enjoyed Deanne's report on her flight experience. I would have moved to a differant seat if one was available.
    I have never had to contend with a child or children on a flight...but then, I am not a very seasoned flyer.

    V, I loved your post about the excess rain, and your DH's snafu. I hope he got the submerged vehicle out safely. Did you catch those crawdads and cook them? They are a delicacy here.Harrison has a yearly Crawdad Day. I have never attended it, but would enjoy it I'm sure.

    I am envying those who are getting rain. We have entered a dry spell...and the heat is climbing. I spent about 1 1/2 hours watering this morning. It was nice out until the sun cleared our trees. A nice breeze is blowing....too bad it is removing so much moisture!

    Marian

  • chloehoover
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Michelle -- many congrats on a new addition to the grand-family count! Lovely name too.

    --Cindy

  • gardenbug
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Welcome Morgan Kay! Some day we'll see a photo of all ten of them Michelle! I've always loved that kind... This is one of my Dad and his brothers and sister. (The bottom one is my parents' wedding in France.)

    {{gwi:166732}}
    (Sorry that's so big...)

    I hope V's DH has surfaced safely by now and dried out!

    This morning I weeded behind the garage. I need to plant some clematis there but it is just too hot for it.

    DD's family is trying to coordinate a visit here with DS's. That would be amazing. The crazy thing is DH has a scheduled trip to Croatia then, so we'll see what we'll see! Also the airlines no longer accept dog travel...and that is a problem. So much planning involved.

    Marian, the hay has been harvested, the corn is high and tassled, the alfala is a purple haze of bloom. The first local corn and Ontario peaches are in the stores, but expensive. I saw the corn at $4 a dozen! I think I'll be joining others at the farmer's market for tomatoes. I'm tired of the many problems and constant attention for them. No denying it though, fresh tomatoes can't be beat!

    Time for some lunch!
    'bug

  • veronicastrum
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Brenda, you said it well about DH's. Deanne, yes, this is the same DH who burned down his duck blind (and who put the ATV into a snow-filled ditch in April). He did manage to pull the ATV out of the water, but then he flipped it while towing it and had to right it again. Anyway, it's now back in the garage but not running (go figure!) and he also dunked his mega-flashlight in the course of his adventure. I'm thinking that the ambulance trip and 4 hour ER visit will cost less than his experience!

    OK, back to work - I hear a whip cracking.

    V.

  • Marian_2
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Ahhh...alfalfa ! My dad always had fields of it. I loved to eat the fresh juicy stems and leaves. :-)
    I know the purple haze of blooms is beautiful.
    Do you ever get a second cutting there? Most of the hay here is grass and clover. A third cutting is possible.
    I love the smell of alfalfa hay, but it was sure a job pitching it onto the hayrack and into the barn...espacially back into the mow ( pronounced mou ).

  • chloehoover
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    So what perennial, Deanne, is that in your last photo -- behind the rock & ajuga? Yellow & green variegation it appears, some sort of sedum?

    -Cindy

  • michelle_zone4
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    I have always shaved all my legs. Heck the upper part is the easiest.

    Oh, no V, that sounds like a serious misadventure.

    bug, thanks for sharing the pictures. I love seeing old photos. At least your parents appear to be smiling. So many old photos are so serious. Did you hear about the man that smuggled the monkey on the airplane under his hat?
    We are looking for a new grill as well, so Ill be interested in any comments.

    Brenda, I wasnt too crazy about crossing the Mackinaw Bridge either.

    Deanne, it is always such a treat to see pictures from your garden. You have such great combos. Everything seems so well planned. Burgandy Glow reverted on me and Helen Von Stein up and died this spring. I had it for a number of years.

    Later
    Michelle

  • galium
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Good evening everyone,

    It has been miserably hot here. Rained with thunder and lightning all night. I showered this morning and haven't been able to dry off because the humidity is so high.

    Mary-I shave my legs to just above my knees. Use to shave the entire leg. I lived in Scotland for 3 years. When you mentioned weight in stones it brought back memories. We speak the same language and yet there are totally different names for many things. I had a few embarrassing moments.....

    bug-I understand exactly what you mean about fearing your sister may become dependent on you. I have the same fears. Both my parents are gone now and I'm the only one she keeps in contact with on a regular basis. She's always looking for someone to take care of her.

    Michelle-Maybe your SIL and my sister can get together and make each other miserable. Actually my sister has very few if any friends. She has a habit of being extremely defensive and it puts people off.

    Deanne-I'm still loving your photo's. The 'Fantasia' hibiscus is beautiful.

    Denise-Is the spinosad that you were shown marketed by Dow AgroSciences? They market more than one calling them Naturalytes. Just curious which one was being used.

    Kathy-Your begonias are beautiful.

    Have a good night
    Mariann


  • ctlavluvr
    Original Author
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Have just had a chance to skim pics, but you all played a huge role in my day:

    Left the house at 7:30 to catch express train into New York. An hour drive to station on an excellent day. 3/4's of the way there learn that NO trains are going into New York and I'm on the wrong side of the state to go in the easy way.

    Plan B: Call parents to look on internet for alternate train plans. All trains, ALL, from everywhere are suspended because of flooding in the Bronx.

    Plan C: Stop, have a double espresso, and drive into Manhattan by way of getting lost in Queens (no map) and arrive at 12:24 p.m. and find parking, another 15 minutes.

    Everyone else is late, too, but lunch was great and got to meet new clients.

    On the Way Home: Almost cried out of gratitude that I could leave Manhattan and come home to the Park. Thought of the pics posted here and the beauty we all bring in more ways than one. Thinking this made a very long day (NEVER get lost in Queens) bearable for the last 3 hours.

    Keep those pics coming!!!!

    Best to Idyllers, family members, and particularly older brothers :-)

    Martie

  • dodgerdudette
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Hi yall. Sounds like some of the rain dances came to fruition. We can rain-dance to a fare-thee-well in August here and its no dice.

    Saucy, A-ok that you are happy today! Getting the punch list done always feels so good. I made a list of stuff I had to get done last month and so far two are done.Some are family financial stuff and others are infra-structure items. I have given myself 6 months to get it all done. Boo-hoo, Im too far away for tufa class !

    Deanne, My Brugs are in pots, but they always send roots down through the drainage holes because the pots are set in beds. Once again I peered closely at Charles this evening and no flowerbuds are to be found. Itll probably set flowers about 2 weeks b-4 our first frost ! Love that Sedum Purple Emperor

    Cindy, plantaholia is a truly noble disease ! I have to admit that when my dwarf shrubs get too big I dig them out and re-plant them. I do always try to find a taker for them so I'm not totally wasteful. In my front garden I have dwarf Mugo Pines (which keep getting set-back size wise because Ive moved them so many times), and dwarf variegated Euonymous, and the boxwoods. I particularly love dwarf conifers , but they can be a challenge here so I only have the mugos and an Alberta Spruce. You should try Portland Nursery for your friends gift-very nice,very large garden center, though not as edgy as Cistus, but I bet they have gift certs. They are in SE , kind of near the Laurel Hurst Park area.

    Hi T !

    Denise , I might swoon if I were to visit T. Hobbs Nursery. Would I ever love to see his garden . One of our wineries here has a Thomas Hobbs designed garden-it is in fact in the same neighborhood as the aforementioned Silver Oak and Groth. There is no way we would have been allowed to wear fishnet stockings at St Marys. Theyd have looked pretty strange with navy blue wool blazers , pleated skirts, Windsor knot ties, and white oxfords !

    Michelle.. congrats and welcome to another Grand-idyll

    Marian, I like your gentle challenge to those of us who have not shared a lot about our business or non-gardening lives. I work between 50 and 60 hrs a week for an independent family owned company that sells lumber, hardware , building materials , vineyard and landscape irrigation products, and also plant material, mostly to contractors, landscapers and winery/vineyard managers. I have worked there for 20 years. We have 5 locations . I manage the hardlines and agricultural purchasing departments. I am a volunteer with the Napa County Master Gardeners of which I am a past president . When I am not gardening I like to watch baseball, (summer) read, (winter) and I write for my own enjoyment. If I had more time at my disposal I would be taking classes at our local college. I also enjoy producing forgeries of paintings that I dont have enough talent or imagination to think up on my ownunfortunately I dont have the time to devote to this right now. My children are adults. DS is 23 and still lives here with me, DD lives in Oregon and is 25. DH passed way of cancer in 03. There you go !!!
    Martie, what a day ! I learned to drive on the freeways of Los Angeles, and my late DH always made me drive whenever we went down there-he hated trying to navigate the city. Always nice when everyone else is late as well ! Vindication feels good.

    Mariann, interesting that you lived in Scotland for 3 years can you share with us how that came about ?

    OK, time to go
    See yall tommorow..

    Kathy in Napa

  • veronicastrum
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Can't pass up a quick comment on the fishnet stockings! I wore green ones with my green plaid uniform at Catholic grade school. The times they are a changing - my 8th grade class had 150 students (in 3 classrooms), and I recently found the school's website and saw that they graduated a whooping 24 this year.

    V.

  • deanneart
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Good gorgeous morning here,

    Its currently 65 degrees of beautiful dry air. Nice, nice, nice! A perfect garden day is in store for me today and Im going to try to dig out the east garden and get rid of those peonies that are a mess of mildew. Shovel prune them and send them to that big compost pile in the sky. ~~~ So yes, the facts are in and Im totally afflicted with plantaholia. The sad news is that I went out yesterday and actually bought a couple new ANNUALS of all things! Im addicted I tell you. But Loews had the most beautiful spiky purple celosia that will look great as a filler for a few areas in the borders where some of the early perennials are dying off. What else could I do? ~~ I went shopping yesterday because I had to run a few errands and it was just too hot and humid to work outside. Cindy is completely correct. I checked Home Goods and there is no garden stuff left. Nada. I also went to JoAnns and they didnt have anything left either. All the plants at HD look pretty lousy and one of my favorite nurseries had stock that had seen better days also.

    Cindy, you are right and that is a sedum, sedum sieboldii mediovariegata a beautiful plant that the slugs just love for some reason. I went out yesterday and realized that the drasty things had eaten about a third of that plant since the last time Id looked. Arrgh!!!! What a pain in the patootie. Every year I think its going to really get some size on it and every year the darned slugs reduce the thing to stems but I really love it so I keep up the battle. ~~ How are you doing with the company? Did she bring her dogs?

    Kathy, yes, that PurpleEmperor is a beauty. The first couple years it struggled a bit and had quite a bit of die off but its done really well the last two seasons. Its the only tall growing sedum I dont prune. I like the height next to the Eupatorium so I just stake it. ~~~ What do you feed your brugs? I gave mine some of that Mazsea for blooming plants that you recommended and they threw buds soon after that. ~~ How neat that you like to paint! Do you work in oils, acrylics or watercolors?

    Marty, bummer about getting lost in Queens! That happened to us once and I wouldnt care to repeat the experience. Glad you made it home safely.

    Mariann, thanks! That Fantasia is a beauty and gets prettier every year. I hope youre getting this lovely weather weve got here today. Yesterday was brutal.

    Thanks Michelle! So happy you like the pics. I really enjoy sharing with people who understand the plant addiction. ~~ RE A. Burgundy Glow, It tries to revert every year and I edit out any plants that go solid green. I dont have a huge patch to keep after so it isnt a huge chore. I find when I weed out the green ones the variegated ones fill in the holes fairly quickly. ~~ Congratulations on the arrival of Morgan Kay! Ten grandchildren, wow!

    Brenda, you are toooo. Funny, I LMAO over the "butt fringe" comment! I suffer from that same affliction and was horrified when I realized that I had these very noticeable, long black hairs on the backs of my legs. Ugh So Im a to the knee shaver in the winter and a to the knee and back of thighs in the summer.

    OK time to hit the gardens. Have a great day everyone
    Deanne

  • gardenbug
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Yes Deanne, I succumbed to 4 large Celosia plants just last week. Not flashy, but lovely! Why can't they be perennials???

    {{gwi:165521}}

    Cool and overcast, so I'm off to weed before doing errands and looking forward to friend Lynn's arrival for the weekend. I'd better collect some blooms for her room!

    Looks like DD and family may come for 2 weeks around the 20th! HURRAAAAY!!!! DS's visit will overlap too we hope!

    Later folks,
    'bug

  • ctlavluvr
    Original Author
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    A proper good day to everyone! Just spent a wonderful hour going through and catching up.

    Sue -- The only time I ever had a tan in my life was when I was on Doxy for Lyme. I knew when I was bit, but it took the medical establishment 3 months to bother with a titer. It was the most miserable three months I've ever spent.This was several years ago so I'm glad, glad, glad that you got diagnosed sooner than later. I still have days when I "feel Lymey" and know to just stop moving. Make yourself do it!! Count me in to help in your garden if you need it. You have my email ....

    Chelone: Hip, Hip Hoozah for you and your brother! Love that your mom had a good memory and a moment to share privately with you both. Do you have a followup plan to be sure everything that was "promised" is done? How is construction going?

    V: It never stops, huh? I'd ignore the SiL and just go. He's your brother!!!! Crawfish in the driveway?? Get the water boiling, IMHO :-)

    Deanne: The gardens look great, as usual. When anyone asks me about foolproof long-blooming gardens, I give them the Stella d'Oro, Campanula carpatica 'Blue Chips', variegated Euonymous, Roseann geranium combo. It works every time.

    Mary: I'm living a young person summer vicariously through your kids. It sounds just right to me. Didn't realize that your Mom was so close to Kent!! Kyle has a tripped planned to there during his semester so he can take pics of the gardens for me. I shave to just above the knees, but only when absolutely necessary :-)

    Saucy: The visit sounds like just what you need! Have fun with your girlfriend.

    Marian: Sunday mornings are reserved for an hour of meditation that can take many forms depending on my mood and then food shopping. As far as working, read my note above. LOL It's not for everyone.

    Monique: I like the way you think! The orange begonia WAS at Woodland Gardens earlier in the year.

    Michelle: Welcome to the new grandbaby! Glad you got your rain -- we're still getting excited about mist out here. Too Dry!!

    'bug: Since your car is obviously really a plant magnet gone nutso, perhaps you should drive around more often! Love that Skyler is getting into being a big brother. Pootuey on his Mom.

    Galium: Scotland!!!!!! Tell us more ....

    Cindy: And the world wonders why our leaders are so out of touch ...... I truly muse if they realize how different it is for them rather than the common folk. Am relearning which buildings I can cut through in NYC to get out of heat. Not fun.

    I know I'm missing something I wanted to say to someone but must get myself into the shower and out the door. Would much rather spend some more time here!

    Later, all,

    Martie

  • chloehoover
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    g'morning --

    Visitor report -- she only came w/ 1 dog (her 3-yr black cocker) and 2 changes of clothese & a few piles of other things - so sad. Domestic violence situation - which is what I had been afraid of as well as a financial con artist. Same age as me but seems to have allowed herself to be talked into buying all the stuff "they" bought in the last year; so she's got almost nuthing - frankly I dont know how to advise about settling that. But I did convince her it was a burning building she left & not worth trying to go back to retrieve her furniture and belongings (assuming they still exist in any fashion by now, as he was threatening to trash them all today). I am selfishly glad to be healthy, gainfully employed - and frankkly single - at present. Relationships, sheesh -- tough, tough. But am so glad she thought to just get in the car & come to my house rather than remaining there. Life will go on and I strongly believe she will recover from this. So I may have a visitor & canine friend for Chloe for a few months.

    It was painfully hot, hot, hot here yesterday.

    Deanne, Im glad to hear that I can pass the shopping torch to you for present, LOL -- and it's always good to know there's nothing good out there right now to pursue, heehee. I was selfishly fearing the arrival of 3 BIG dogs (who have been living outside in their yard in SC = wild)and thinking o my, my backyard will be mowed down in a day. But the cocker seems to be better behaved (once having been an inside puppy), altho I suspect at present she's just tired and mystified by the strangeness of events of the last week. I was relieved to find Chloe behaved herself and we let them meet in the backyard and get acquainted on their own terms and all was well. Whew!

    Well, Im painfully behind here at work so I best get going.

    Kathy, thanks for the info re the OR nursery - terrific idea. Very interesting to hear what you do re the conifers when they outgrow their space. I may resort to that, as I do love them, altho a lot are challenged in my area as well w/ the heat & humidity.

    Fishnet stockings - o my - yes, I had some lime green ones to go with a "twiggy" quilted mini-dress - hot, hot... Today Im lazy & wear pants most of the time - hence shaving is at ad hoc adventure I endulge in only when I feel so inclined.

    - off to work to appreciate my paycheck today.

    --Cindy

  • gardeningmary
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Good morning

    Thank you to all the Idyllers who bared their legs to reveal their shaving secrets. Brenda - "butt finge" LOLOL! You totally crack me up!! I hear the collective wisdom of the experienced.

    Mariann - before kids we had several vacations in Scotland when we were visiting my family. It is DH's most favorite place in the world - he loves golf and collects Single Malts. One of my fondest memories was the fortnight we spent in a little fishermans' croft on the western coast of Scotland, hiking and following the whisky trail.

    We are enjoying a fabulous holiday of a different kind right now with Ruth, Iris(3) and Ivan(5). The little ones are just in love with the pool and swimming and we have spent hours splashing around with them. Both still need a foam "noodle" to get across the pool but I think they are only days away from swimming independently. And they are soooo cute!

    Yesterday was also the first performance of Annie's summer production of "High School Musical". The play was such a huge success for the first time ever they sold out of tickets for the huge school auditorium and had to turn people away. The students sang and danced with amazing energy everyone came away charged.

    My idylling might be a bit sprodaic with company here but I'll peek in when I can adn will be thinking of you all

    Mary

  • flowerluvr
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Morning everyone! We woke to thunder and lightning in the wee hours, and ended up with another 4/10ths of rain. We're on the light side as far as local rain amounts go. Some places have been getting a deluge! Personally, I'd rather have a few small rains as to get dumped on. More chances for later today, another hot and steamy one on tap.

    Michelle, congratulations on the new grand-baby!! I love the name! DH was telling me that they're closing down one side of the Mackinaw bridge so people can walk it on the 3rd of Sept. in celebration of it's 50th year. I imagine that would be quite a workout. I think it's 5 or 5 1/2 miles long, and I imagine all of my muscles would be pretty tense, walking that high up over the water, plus the fact that it sways back and forth. I'll just stick to my yoga and hand weights upstairs, I think!

    Martie-I can't imagine navigating that area on a GOOD day, let alone everything that was going on yesterday. We watched it on the news...what a nightmare!! Here's hoping for a better day for you today. Lol, I've been avoiding going to the tanning bed and the bank in our one-stoplight-town because they've got the main intersection all torn up. Am I backwater, or what??? BTW, when people want a no work garden, they seem to also want it to include tea roses and delphiniums...the big ones. And, everyone loves the big ornamental grasses, but don't want to fool with cutting them back.

    Deanne, I'm glad to hear that the Purple Emperor sedum has picked up for you in the last couple of seasons. I love mine, but wish it was more vigorous. This is it's second season for me. It looks good, and I love the color, just wish it would really take off for me. Maybe next year. The pink daylily with it is a wonderful combo. I love to gaze at all the gorgeous pics and shake up some new plant combos.

    Marian, Sundays are family day here. Peace and quiet and spending time with those you love. Every once in a while, there is enough time pressure that we have to work on Sunday, but not often. Sunday is the one day both of the kids can make it over, and we get a lot of pop-in visits. I try to have "grazing food" on hand, so no matter who or how many pop in, no one goes away hungry.

    My camera found it's way home, and DH had it out last night shooting some of the interesting cloud formations. Next week, we're going to re-shingle the porch roof, and I'll get some shots of the yard from up there and post them so you all can get an idea of the lay of the land around here.
    Have a good day, one and all!
    Brenda
    {{gwi:166733}}

  • denisez10
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    What an amazing photo, Brenda. Reminds me of the "star factories" we were watching on the Science channel last night. Bit of an astronomy jag going for the youngest DS ;) I really enjoy the farm reports too. My favorite eating this summer is squeezing fresh lime juice on summer corn.

    Mary, re England, yes, I've had the good fortune of visiting a few times but only really did the garden tour thing once, where I had my dog-eared list, joined the National Trust, rented a car, and just knocked out gardens and nurseries day after day. Complete plant-lover bliss, except it was the first time I had been separated from my kids, who were 5 and 10 (Sept '93) and I think we changed our tickets to leave earlier than the planned 2 wks, amazing as that seems now! We went as far as dipping into Wales for Powys Castle and barely into Scotland for the Logan Botanical Gardens. I mean to make it back in June one of these years.

    What a day in NY that must have been, Martie. Believe it or don't, but LA finally has a metrorail system, which I always ride when working downtown. It runs on the "honor" system as far as tickets. There are no turnstiles, and you either buy a ticket or pay a hefty fine when the "bulls" catch you riding without one. Parking my "plant magnet" downtown starts at $30 a day, and it's always so humiliating if it's valet-only and I haven't vacuumed out the remnants of weekend plant purchases. Plus, I get a solid hour of reading on the train, which seems hard to find elsewhere.

    The Spinosad is made by Green Light, and when googling it I found that Amazon carries it. What don't they carry nowadays?

    Deanne, the package is in the open! Love the photos.

    Sundays here are usually spent working on transcripts. My DH's job requires 24-hr coverage, kinda like a fireman. He cycles 4 days on, 4 days off, so we've never had the 5-day workweek schedule, with weekends off.

    Kathy, how'd you get from LA to Napa? We've never been able to manage that trick ;)

    Just a quick skim. Bought materials at the Home Despot last night, so will start prioritizing projects. Here's to more rain for all! (except NYC)

  • Marian_2
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Time to relax and catch up here. I have all the watering done except for the spinkler going on beds and moving it from one to another.More of the grass is mowed...that job will be considerably slowed with the lack of rainfall.

    I appreciate the responses to my queries, but am hoping it will be more than a 'one time' occurance....:-)

    Kathy, that is a great post on you and your activities. Your job sounds interesting, but my! what long hours!
    What do you do for the Master Gardeners.... bookwork?
    Even at my advanced years I would not mind taking classes at our community college. Over 20 years ago I took a computer class ( it was free, for me). I live too far from town, and have the responsibility of staying close to home for my DH, so it is out of the question.
    If I were more motivated, I think I would be interested in painting. I have never delved into it, but did have some talent in my grade school days. All 3 of my sisters, and my mother were/are artists. One sister works, or worked, with various materials...oil, water colors, and even pen and ink. I haven't kept up with whether they still paint, since I have been gone from Idaho since 1977. Athough I talk with one frequently on the phone, I never think to ask about the painting.....
    The sisters are also musicians. That is one talent I never showed any expertise in. :-(

    My only child, a son, will be 50 in January. I have 3 granddaughters, Savannah-13, Brianna-12, and Hannah-10. Unlike many here, I seldom see them. They live too far away, and are too busy with life to come very often. :-(

    I remember that you lost your DH to cancer. I am so happy that you are coping well.

    My brother lives in Oregon. He lived in Portland for about 47 years ( I think). He lives in Albany now. I have not been to his new home. He moved there last year.

    Martie, I certainly do not envy you the trip to New York. I have been hearing the news on the excessive rain and the tornados! Yikes! Thank goodness you got there and home again safely!

    Cindy, I feel for your friend...been there done that,( only I went home to my folks). I hope it will work out for both you and her.

    Of course I sort of know how many of you spend your days. Those who have young children at home are very busy all day, even if they do not work away from home. A few of you are 'employed'at home, espacially the farm wives. Deanne's work is mostly at home...when she isn't off for a teaching session. ( Have I got that right, Deanne?)

    Brenda, you are so fortunate to have family that is close enough ( in distance) to visit so often. Many moons ago we were like that...even with the drop in friends.
    I love that cloud pic. I took one of a thunderhead the other day, but it isn't nearly as spectacular!

    Back to visting with friends....mine is mostly limited to about 2 hours on Sunday morning, another hour and a half or so on Sunday evening, and 2 hours or more on Tuesdays with the Golden Year's folks; plus whomever we see at the One Stop.

    I hope I didn't miss anyone that I should have 'spoke' to....

    Marian

  • michelle_zone4
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    We need more rain here, but things are staying somewhat cool with mist and sprinkles each day. It also stays overcast with slim chances of rain each day. A predicted high of 88 along with all this humidity makes me glad I have an air conditioned job.

    bug & Deanne, celosia is very easy to grow from seed. I grew one very similar to yours c. Flamingo Feather last summer and just sowed in spring. I am growing c. Purple Flamingo Feather this year. I saved the seed from plants that I bought last year. It has fabulous purplish foliage with dark purple flowers. They are great cut flowers as well. It sounds like what Deanne might have picked up. I have it in the potager, a container and in a couple of beds.

    Deanne, I picked up ajuga Silver Queen recently. Hopefully, it doesnt revert.

    Cindy, what a tough situation your friend is in. How nice that you are there for her.

    Martie, it sounds like you had quite a day. Did anyone see how the Early Show got flooded out of their studio yesterday? They ended up moving to the evening news studio.

    Mary, what fun you are having this summer. Your pool appears to be very popular. How cool that Annie's production was sold out.

    Awesome picture Brenda. I would love to see the lay of your gardens. I'm getting envious of all your rain.

    Fishnet stockings wouldnt have been allowed by the nuns at St. Josephs either. I do like that coleus though ;o)

    Im getting "The English Garden" magazine and am amused by some of terms used in it. I think of Mary quite often when Im reading it.

    Tonight Im going to help my mom paint in the new house. I took the video camera and the other camera to take some shots of the house that I grew up in before they sell it.

    Have an enjoyable day.

    Michelle

  • gardenbug
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    No fish net stockings at my private girls school. Although we had no official uniforms, we might as well have. Everyone wore pleated wool plaid skirts, white McMullen collared blouses, wool pullover sweaters, knee socks and loafers. (1956-1960) It was tough as we didn't really have the money, but since Mom taught at the school, she soon understood that these clothes were a social necessity.

    Just received my favourite thing...photos. Here are a few of DD and DSIL with Reed, taken last week. The weather was hot the day they went to a fair but since then has cooled and their furnace is on today! Ah! Canada!
    {{gwi:166734}}
    {{gwi:166735}}

    Ciao!
    'bug

  • Marian_2
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    I don't think I was ever familiar with fishnet stockings. They do not ring a bell.... In grade school we wore cotton stockings, held up with a garter belt with 'hooks' hanging down front and back that clamped on the stockings. In high school nylons had came out. I believe the first ones had the seam in the back that had to be lined up. That was so long ago.... I can't remember if I had nylons then. If I did, they were very scarce. They had to be hooked in the same way that the cotton stockings were. I have no idea when I first had panty hose.
    So many of you went to Catholic schools. I went to public schools. I don't think our area even had a Catholic school, or a private school.

    Re: shaving legs....I did briefly in my earlier years, but never had enough dark leg hairs to warrant much shaving. I would occasionally pull out any noticable long black ones.
    I only shaved up to my knees, when I did shave.

    Great pics, Marie. Happy, happy family! Reed gets cuter with every pic.

    BTW, I do realize that most of you share your every day activities... I was just seeking something to fill in the emptiness of my days....:-(
    And you have been supplying it all the while !

  • denisez10
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Marian, don't get me started on chit-chat! I'm having a hard enough time being concise as it is! Just came in out of the sun to have a peek. I'm staining the fence blue today...(lucky the Despot was out of purple, lol)

    GB, your DD still has her pregnancy glow! They all look to be flourishing. What a great little seat too.

    Since I don't have any grandkids yet, here's my photo contribution for the day. Haven't seen my cats this energetic in a while ;>)

    {{gwi:166736}}

  • gardeningmary
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    A few pictures from our sun and water filled day. Iris loves her pink Dora bikini and foam noodle.
    {{gwi:166737}}
    A little more cautious in the water Ivan likes to pretend he is a deep sea diver in his wetsuit.
    {{gwi:166738}}
    The ladies warming up in the hot tub.
    {{gwi:166739}}

    Since my off-topic posts for some reason run to including polls on leg shaving, lime green undies and flashing the Fed Ex guy I sometimes think I should talk MORE about perennials. For the moment I'll just leave you with some photos.

    Mary

  • chloehoover
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Well, since we're all garden geeks it stands to reason we have to surround ourselves with what we know and love - or dont know.... it would seem the lurkers love it too (whether it's garden photos, lime undies, leg shaving or such) if my photo album "hits counts" of the month are anything to account for -- the lurkers are lovin it! My vote would be they stop by for garden photos.

    Such happy happy faces - great fun is had by all; can't give you a pic of my ofc face here today -- not so sunny or shining, but lovin the coool.

    Kung fu cats - how do they do that? (interrobang)....
    So where did Chelone, Babs, et al drop too? is it our August last-ditch get-aways? Im ditched here at the office.

    Denise - I wonder if your blue fence looks anything like Sue's Caribbean Blue Shed she had her DH do earlier in the year (which we have yet to see pics of either) - show us le coleur (hopefully no blue cats got involved).

    Cheerio, all.

    -Cindy

  • Marian_2
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Denise I'll bet you have never seen those pics of Deanne's Rahjii ( cat). Maybe she will post them for you ??

    Wow, Mary. I would sure love to join that group ! It is hot, hot, hot here!

  • denisez10
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Cindy, voila. (still have to paint under the hops, though)

    {{gwi:166740}}

  • Marian_2
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    One end of the porch on house I was born and raised in was covered with hops! It is one of my favorite memories of it. I can almost smell them !!! I have often thought of growing it here. Thanks for the pic, Denise.

  • galium
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Good Evening,

    For the first time in days I was able to get some gardening done. It was in the high 80's with a nice breeze that brought in cooler temperatures. It's now 78....Yeah. I'm moving some Echinacea's to the back of the house. Haven't had groundhog problems in the back. The problem is I have almost no Full Sun. Everything is either Part Sun or Full Shade. So many of my plants get leggy.

    Marian-what was your question? questions? I must have missed them somewhere. I try and make notes while I'm reading until I get to know everyone. Taking courses is fun. We have Adult Education-through the county. My DH and I have taken Tai Chi and Astronomy. I was 45yo when I received my B.S. in Horticulture. There are a lot of on-line courses too. I've been thinking about taking Spanish.

    Good Grief....Fishnet stockings now there's a blast from the past. I had a drawer full of those. Did anyone ever wear those little bows in their hair? How about teased hair with a flip.LOL

    Marti-Next time you have to go to NYC I'll loan you my DH. We are about 1 hour away. My DH drives around NYC like the taxi cab drivers. He's spent so much time over there, when he was younger, that he knows the streets like a native. When we go in to the city I close my eyes and put my head down because he drives like a maniac.

    Mary-My grandfather used to golf whenever my grandparents were in England. Don't remember where; maybe St. Andrews. I'm not sure.

    Kathy-I lived in Glasgow for 3 years. My first husband was from Scotland. Did a lot of sightseeing but never got to England. One of my favorite places was the botanical gardens in Edinburgh and the castles. As I mentioned some of the words are different from the ones we use in the U.S. Once a girl, I was working with, asked me for a "rubber". I was so shocked I couldn't speak all I could get out was HUH...LOL Rubber=Eraser over there. Another time a friend of mine brought me a bag of potatoes when I asked her to bring Potato Chips......Chips=French Fries over there. I guess she thought I was going to fry up a bunch of potatoes.

    Brenda your sky photo is wonderful. It looks like I can reach out and touch the clouds.

    Hope everyone has a great evening,
    Mariann

  • gardenbug
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Here's an update for the Angelica gigas lovers.

    {{gwi:166741}}

    {{gwi:166743}}

  • saucydog
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    My friend is stuck on the tarmac (SP?) at JFK!!!! All I want to do is drive down and pick her up....Chelone, where are you when I need a ride to NYC? Is JFK near Queens (IU4 joke....I got us routed/lost in Queens...though not as bad as Martie's day)

    Just wanted to pop in....love the Angelica and pool frolicking and blue stain!!!! Really, Denise, that is so cool!

    When I am in SoCal next year can I meet you? We still have friends to visit in SD.

    Gotta go make my friend's bed....what a goof....I did everything around the house but wash the sheets for her bed (they smell like cedar from my closet)!!!!

    I'm out of my mind but will be fine when she arrives. Nick has graciously volunteered to pick her up no matter what time she arrives as I freak when I have to go to the big city :) and Sarah is sleeping in her room home from camp (she's talking all "funny" and acting all grown up....)

    Saucy

  • veronicastrum
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Mantra update: my agaves are now in pots! Just plain vanilla terra cotta pots, but I bought them at the grocery store for $0.24 each! Couldn't pass that up. So they are "contained" until I can find cool pots.

    Lots of flood clean-up going on in town. We didn't get hit as hard as Rockford, but we weren't far behind. Our driveway has finally dried up and the crawfish have moved on.

    Cindy, I'm also glad that you can be there for your friend. What a hard situation for her.

    We will be packing for vacation tomorrow night, so I will be scarce for a week. Hope all of you stay cool!

    V.

  • dodgerdudette
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Friday will not come too soon this week. I had meetings on top of meetings , and cant seem to reduce the piles o paperwork. Every meeting of course results in more tasks to perform ! Furthermore , I think my fridge is leaking out of the ice-maker connection in the back. Time to visit the Sears appliance store.

    Cindy, so great of you to help your friend in need. I hope she can get her life straightened out and get back on a better path. Sometimes all we need is a breather.Twiggy ! I had a Twiggy haircut for awhile, however was not quite able to duplicate her wardrobe due to chest issues. As I recall she basically had none.

    Brenda your cloud pic is wonderful! Thats the type of thing that is so difficult get on a photo-for me anyway !

    Denise, Portland has the same honor system on their lite rail , thought the have afree zone downtownI got to Napa by way of San Diegomy DH and I moved to San Diego when we were first married so he could take a position with a company there. We really didnt like San Diego that much even though we lived there 10 years-it seemed kind of provincial in a way. We knew that we wanted to raise our kids in a smaller city, that was no more than an hour from a major one, was reasonably close to a major league ballpark , and number one consideration for me was the growing season, and what could be grown.We spent many a vacation checking out small cities in the west. We picked Napa, subscribed to the newspaper , and up we came. Ive never regretted it. Ive been here 20 years. However, who knows if I will stay . Many of my family members continue to move to Oregona gardeners paradise !!! I will always be an LA girl at heart though , wherever I go. People make fun of it, but growing up there in the 50s was pretty damn cool. Love the blue fence !

    Deanne, I started with acrylics but I didnt like the drying issue so I switched to oils. I cant draw very well at all so I only paint things that require very little of that skill. Some of my paintings are pretty bad-those are hanging in the garage ! I only have a few that are actually in the house. I really enjoy painting but dont seem to have much time for it right now. I know Ill take it up again.

    Marian, I do lots of different activities with the Master Gardeners, which usually involve teaching classes on gardening to the public , writing newspaper columns , manning our booth at the Farmers MarketSorry you dont get to see your family as often as you would like. I dont either

    bug the family looks happy as usual, but what the heck is that blue plastic thing that Reed is in ?? I guess Im not current on the latest baby accessories !

    Mary that pool looks mighty inviting!

    Mariann, yes to the little bows (ala RoseMarie) and the flip, though my flip was just not as good as Shelly Fabares.

    OK , time to sign off-where the heck is Chelone these days ???

    A big howdy to everyone

    Kathy in Napa

  • gardenbug
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Yes Kathy, the world of giving birth and acquiring baby equipment has certainly changed! In Reed's case, there is a special sling for carrying him, seats to support him even before he can sit, all sorts of things besides the mobiles and things we knew way back when. He sleeps with his parents, doesn't use diapers...and is happier than ever. So basically, it isn't about the products used but about the family around him I think.

    {{gwi:166745}}

    {{gwi:166746}}

Sponsored
EA Home Design
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars69 Reviews
Loudoun County's Trusted Kitchen & Bath Designers | Best of Houzz