Evenin' All....lol....

I'm giddy over playing out of doors all day.

I made a decision about the hideous hedge between me and the foreclosed neighbor. I'm declaring it needing to be revamped, and I took on that project today. Honestly, it has to belong to this property, because it matched the hedge (that I ripped out) across the front....but I've been willing to call it someone else's to make it "not my problem" and because I had property line issues with the last neighbor....well, today I took charge :P

And I made a bittersweet and grapevine wreath for my efforts, lol.

And by lunchtime I was in the beehive:

{{gwi:184459}}

Looking down into the hive, you're seeing the bees tending the honey (I love this picture!):

{{gwi:184460}}

and I spilled a drop of honey....look, you can see their tongues!!! Now I'm not sure tongue is the correct word and feel the need to read more bee books:

{{gwi:184462}}

I'm beat and need to pace myself for this long beautiful weekend.....

Saucy
(oh, BTW, the bees have made enough honey for winter!

Hello everyone

Some birthdays have passed and I'm very remiss but will find something belated later. Happy Belated Birthday ladies!!

Saucy - how cool to see the bees and congratulations to Brenda - Woo Hoo!!

GB - those are beautiful and meaningful plates I'm sure you will treasure forever.

I been feeling swamped here but wanted to peek in to say HI. My regular job is up and running and keeping me hopping, plus I'm wrapping up details on the large house/garden/grotto project and one other smaller garden job. The big garden job has had it's share of stresses but both the builder and hardscaper have asked for my card and would like me to work with them again. The owners are also planning an open house and asked if I would like to be there to talk about my work so I guess things turned out OK. Perhaps I can stop worrying now - I just need to tell by subconscious. Last night I dreamt the owner had yanked out all my plantings and put in a rectangular vegetable garden instead LOL!! It was such a very detailed dream, I could tell you the variety of lettuce even.

When I haven't been working, the children's activities and the bathroom reno have taken up most of my free time. The little bit I do grab at the end of the day has found me addicted to knitting dishcloths - I think they will be this year's Christmas present. I just finished a series with dragonflies and am about to start a lime green one with a tree frog for DS (sister) who collects frogs.

Like Saucy, I got to be outside most of today. Even though it was work it had to be one of the most beautiful days of the fall and I loved every minute. On my way home I found a granite fabricator who will drill a two inch hole in the granite tile for the bathroom counter's faucet and sink. I just have to cut the backer board now before I tile which could be a test of strength. Something I'm leaving till tomorrow. The whole bathroom project is moving along at snails pace, but I'm hoping as long as some progress is being made it will get there in the end.

David is at a concert tonight with a friend and Annie and I just got back from a girl's night at the movies. We were planning to see "The Duchesss" but goofed on looking up the times, arriving to find it had stared 30 minutes earlier. Instead we saw "Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist" which was a fun Indie movie that Annie loved. Poor DH is having the worse evening - stuck on a plane and unable to get home tonight:0(

Hope you all have a good evening.

Mary

I'm sorry that DH is having travel troubles, Mary....I hope you two connect tonight.

On tomorrow's menu: Apple Turnovers.

'night all.

Saucy

So nice to have visit with my Idyll friends this evening-what a week we had at work; yet another round of layoffs to prepare for keeping the company profitable for winter. We only lost one person from our dept, but was a key employee. Unfortunately every division was asked to take a hit . Anyway, I knew all this was coming down but my staff and some of the co-workers did not, so there was a lot of damage control today and not much productivity. I got to come home and watch the Dodgers lose !
Next week we re-group and figure out how to distribute the work load.

Suddenly we have nighttime temps predicted into the mid-30s with patchy frost ---So, I guess this weekend will be begonia moving time. I was hoping for another few weeks. The grape harvest is not quite finished either so that is not good.

Chelone, what do you mean you never wash your car ?? How can you see out the windows ? Of course I should talk, my car looks horrid right now. This definitely falls into the Julie Job classification. I was surprised by your comment about snowless winters there- your maritime climates on the Atlantic are so different from ours here, but we never have snow on the coast , and rarely frost . It also does not really get too hot at the coast unless you get much further south.. Baja California for example , where the ocean meets the desert. Of course, as you know this is all speculation as California does not in fact actually exist !

Saucy, the bee shots are terrific !

So nice to see T drop in , cranky or not. This is the Crankiness Diffusion Zone right here T (not to be confused with the Twilight Zone) and I find it to be effective much of the time !

Mary, will you also knit lime green winter undies ?

Love your plates bug ..Im always partial to blue and white.

Hi Martie ! Im in for seeds of Country Fair when the time comes.

Thats about all I can muster tonight, Im going to go hike the Flume Gorge with Deanne and Doug, after I change into a warmer shirt. :-(

Kathy in Napa

gb - those are beautiful plates! I've not seen that pattern before. I've always loved the blue willow plates and those looks like they come from the same era.

Saucy - Great bee photos. I'd vote to leave them their honey for the first winter....

I sent Skyler this poem today. Do you know it?

Benjy met a bear.

The bear was bulgy.

The bulge was Benjy!

'bug! Mum used to recite that little ditty to my brother and me when we were little. She substituted "Algie" for Benjy, though. And she used to remind us that reciting little rhymes was good for our elocution, lol. Another favorite (for practicing rolling Rs) was this: "Rory get your dory, there's a herring in the bay.". Thanks for the smile.

The Aesop plates are beautiful. You have 8 of them? who makes them and how large are they? I love blue transferware, too. The "Green Books" (deserve proper noun status, I've decided) have the "The Story of the Willow Pattern Plate" retold by M. Alston Buckley in them. It's rather a tragic tale of love, but it was always one of our favorites when we'd sit and read together. I think of it whenever I see the familiar pattern or color scheme.

I vote the bees get the honey this year, too, Saucy. Think of it as an investment in your honey-making future. Or maybe a principle payment on a note... . Good move on the hedge; did you cut out the Bittersweet and the grape vines or have you cut down more the hedge (it's Privet, right?)? The helpmeet trimmed up our hedge last week and it looks much better, it was getting pretty straggley looking. Last year he really thinned it out and cut it way back in the spring. It's a big job and I've no doubt you're feeling virtuous. You are!

We get enough rain here to wash the big stuff off the car, Kathy. I scrub the windows when I fill the tank, about once a week. The interior gets a yearly once over, usually in preparation for an Idyll-union. I fear, though, some immediate intervention will be necessary to clean up the coffee (with cream) I spilt on the floor the other day. A closed car is often a hot car and the predictable outcome doesn't smell very good right now...

Mary, I'd be interested in seeing the BVM selected for the grotto if you could show us/link to it. I know you were hoping for something a little less "common" in form and I wonder if you were able to find something more "interesting" for your clients? I think it's great that you're developing a sideline in gardening. Such talent and creativity deserves to be "hired out". ;) Nothing of consequence has happened inside the "manor house" here on the Compound, though there are plenty of projects that need doin'.

I have a few "thisesandthats" to finish up on the 2 Pergola beds this morning then it'll be off to another neglected corner and I'm not sure which one it will be. My promise to myself is to make the best use of plant material I already have here and to move slowly and deliberately in planning the areas that are as yet in need of planting. It's not easy when so much is on sale! Like many of you, I was quite drunk on the lovely weather yesterday and suitably tuckered out when I'd finished working.

Marian, I meant to tell you I found the link on Hornets and Wasps very interesting. The picture of the nest in the Hydrangea standard is that of Baldfaced Hornets. I watched it for some time yesterday and didn't see any activity, so I knocked on the trunk... 2 or 3 "answered the door" and I backed slowly away, lol. We're pretty much a "live and let live" household, not getting too freaked out by hornets/wasps. We tend to take no prisoners when it comes to ground nesting Yellowjackets, though. They get a toxic eviction notice in short order since it's too easy to step in the nests. Nice that you had fun with your friends, too. Isn't it fun to see how friends change with time? I love seeing the changes in faces and hair color the years bring. Mum used to say there is no need to fear ageing, just take care of yourself and let the chips fall where they may. (but I do miss my chesnut hair, ;) ).

Kathy, winter weather here is a crapshoot, dependant on the prevailing wind and ground temperatures. If it's out of the E/SE (off the water) any precipitation is generally rain. Out of the W/N/NE we can receive snow, and a lot of it. The record for the Compound is just over 20" in about 48 hrs., but that was a very unusual storm. I've said this a thousand times before, but it took me a long time to figure out how the "marine thing" factored into gardening seasons here. I'm getting better at tweaking plantings to capitalize on the subtleties of the micro-climate. That's the adventure for me. I have MANY questions for you about how to resuscitate my New Dawn rose. It needs very serious attention and if a year must be sacrificed for long term gain I'm OK with it.

Time for some breakfast, methinks.

Good morning all,

It's going to be another gorgeous day here and is supposed to hit 70 degrees. No frost in sight yet either. The night temps are supposed to stay in the 40's and higher until the 20th of Oct! What a long run I'm having here with time for cleaning out the pots. The down side of this is my urgency to get the job done has waned with the higher temps and I really do need to finish up cleaning out the pots and putting the gardens to bed. The fuchsias are all looking pretty wonderful and it's always a wrench to cut all those flowers off but I guess its time. I've promised myself to get that done by the end of next week.

Chelone, sorry but I ROTFL over your spilling coffee in your car. I'm infamous for that. For a while I wasn't allowed any open beverage in a moving vehicle after I'd spilled a very large coffee into the dashboard of my last Suburban. It was pouring out in the cracks everywhere including around the steering wheel. Douglas was not amused. That car always smelled of coffee after that.

Kathy, so sorry for the difficulties at work. Layoffs are brutal. ~~ I can't believe you are going to be getting colder temps there than we are here. ~~~ BTW the lovely begonia cuttings you brought me at IU are finally getting some new growth. I have to confess that I almost lost them at one point this summer as I wasn't paying the best attention to the cuttings in the house. But the silver leaved one is finally putting on some new growth and the other is really starting to grow. I've got hopes for nice sized plants come next summer. It seems I'm now collecting begonias as well as coleus, abutilons and acalyphas.

Saucy, love, love, love the bee photos! HOw fun. Glad you are going to let them keep all their honey this year. That would be my vote as well.

Mary, do you have photos of your garden projects? Glad to know they were a success. ~~ It sounds like you've hit the ground running with the school season this year. How are your gardens doing?

Hi Cranky T! Nice to hear from you.

Bug, those plates are just lovely! What a special gift!

Sue, great to hear you are going to rent that cottage again. I've marked my calendar and will plan for a visit. Next year you'll have to kick me out of the guest room! LOL

Brenda, congrats on the good news!

Woody, I KNOW exactly what you mean. The shorter days leave me feeling tired most days and it happens to me every year. I'm going into hibernation. I find I sleep more hours this time of the year too.

Julie, thanks for the info. I really do need to have my family room carpet cleaned professionally. That floor takes a beating as its the most used room in the house and is our dining room too. I think I'll wait until after the hordes of people come for Thanksgiving dinner though. It is looking like there will be 24 or so for dinner again this year. Last year there was a problem with some spilled cranberry sauce. LOL I'd rather clean the carpet after than before the company in this instance.

Martie, I've no clue as to why you have trouble with asters. They are no fail plants here. I just dig and divide them in the spring and then prune them back a couple times to keep them low and bushy. ~~ you are right about the fall color, it's just gorgeous up here this year.

OK I've got to get my day started. Have a great weekend all,
Deanne

Algie met a bear.
And the bear met Algie.

The bear had a bulge.
And the bulge was Algie!

Guess we both need those toddler-proof "sippy cups", huh Deanne?

Nick is in the shower trying to feel better....I hate it when you have to try to feel good! He's got that gall bladder thing going on again (though I don't think it is that bad this time, and I am suspicious that it is a bug, cause I was feeling a little queazy myself)....anyway.....

Jake's outside raking up leaves at our neighbor's for shredding. He's excited to use the chipper/shredder....something about boys and their toys. I won't enjoy the noise, but the end product will be nice for making lasagna gardens.

Chelone, the real reason behind the hedge clean out is that I finally see it for the valuable resource that it is....and it fits into my new long border assignment for class, lol. I'm going through it, cutting all the grape vine and bittersweet to the ground and then coating the stump with Brush Be Gone. I'll leave the privet tall until spring because my neighbor's house is so white that it casts a funky light into my house without the hedge. Does that make sense?

The bees were so gently that I worked them with no veil or gloves, but my neighbor's bees were feisty, and when I bent down to smoke the entrance, a bee got trapped in an...ahem....delicate area, and I took a hit, LOL! My inner thigh has a giant welp and it's painful.

Kathy, what a tough day at work....rough week, I'm guessing. I want some Country Fair zinnia seeds, too, and I forgot to say so! I think they would look cheery around the bee hive.

Gotta go help Jake. Later gators....

Saucy

Good morning friends ! Its very windy here this morning it came up yesterday afternoon and has been gusting since. It blew my market umbrella over yesterday and snapped the trunk in half. Not fixable Im afraid. Fortunately the trusty employee discount comes into play and it wont be too expensive to replace. I can also take off the canopy and use it as a spare. There was also a smoky sky to the west, as this sort of dry wind in the fall before the rains come present a particular hazard for brush fires.

I hope to visit garden center today for more pansies, but this afternoon I will monitor the overnight predictions for temps and act according, and will start some coleus cuttings---clearly I am an amateur in the coleus dept compared with some however, lol.

Marie, thanks for sharing the interesting travelogue over-yonder

J.Job : Dusting the plantation shutters and vacuuming dead bugs out of the window sill corners.

Later !

You mean cars can smell like something other than old spilled coffee???? The world has been holding out on me :-)

Much trouble getting motivated today. Food shopping is finished and a few loads of laundry are in progress, but darned if I can't just get moving and do stuff. So, will sit outside in the chaise and watch Rich mow the lawn while I say hello to all of you.

Bees are viewed a whole new way around here!! I find myself really watching them now, Saucy, and am beginning to understand feeding habits. My vote goes for honey in the hive for the winter, excepting maybe a spoonful to figure out how much lavender you'll need to plant next year ;-)

I've taken some cuttings of 'Grosso' for anyone who wants them ..... The Momma plants are all 3' wide and really full. They will need sun.

Saying that, Deanne seems to manage to baby her tender variety and have it grow so I won't preach about benign neglect. LOL

How have I missed those places in New Hampshire? Wrong thread but heartfelt thanks for the pics, Deanne. It's easy to forget the wonders we have within day driving distance.

I'll look forward to the pics, Marian.

Also have to comment for one moment on Julie's Phils: They are so obviously from the same family! All left shoulders droop slightly and the smiles are all the same shape. Very cool to "meet" them. They Look fairly harmless!! LOL

Kleenex moment for me when I looked at Marie's plates and raspberry tart immediately came to mind. Wishing you an especially peaceful Thanksgiving this year, Marie! I'm hopeful that somewhere in the chaos that must be your life right now there can be a moment when "all is well" for you on Monday.

And Happy Thanksgiving on Monday to Woody, Julie and all other northern continental friends!

More apple butter is making the house smell divine. I'm not bothering to can/process it since it disappears pretty quickly around here.

Elocution. The reminder that it exists is greatly appreciated, Chelone. Hopeful things are calming down for you?

PM2 -- We really hope you're feeling better, and stay feeling better so we can all meet at Logee's in January. My Camellia has no fewer than six huge buds on it. If it blooms for Christmas all be over the moon.

Sue hasn't had frost. None for Deanne, either. But The Park got toasted???? Non-protected valley living is a zone of its own.

Has anyone started Belamcanda chinensis from seed? They are great in the dried bouquet that is slowly growing in my dining room, but would love to plant some of them if they come true. Being a chinensis I think they might. Mary? Eden? Woody?

Mary -- You must be so proud of yourself and rightfully so!! Do you have cards? I'll need to get a pic of the Guara you sent to me. They stay upright here! Gotta love no staking.

Double wave and a whiff of apples to everyone :-)

I've meandered enough for now. With the hope that everyone is having a relaxed day...

Martie

Mary - put me on the list of people who would like to see pictures of the BVM project if you can share some. And it sounds like you've got some good connections going for a nice sideline business!

Martie - I've not tried those from seed. They sound interesting but I don't think I'm going to start much from seed next spring. I've really run out of room to plant things unless I rip something out. It was tough finding a place to plant the peaony root that arrived this week (I forgot I had ordered it!) and I want to plant at least one, maye two more Queen Elizabeth roses next year. I will have to evict more daisies and/or purple coneflowers to make room I think. I did collect a bunch of seeds from the pink Disco Belle hibiscus so if anybody would like some of those, let me know.

We will be having Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow at Randy's brother's place. That should be fun with Dexter running about (6 moth old Airedale). I think we'll leave Misty at home or else we'll spend the whole evening keeping the two of them under control! Cooking has started here - lemon loaf is cooking in the oven at the moment and I made the lemon curd sauce earlier this afternoon. Tomorrow I'm making yam crisp to take as well. It's very yummy (see recipe linked below).

On the learning-to-read issue - I don't remember learning to read but learned before starting school. We lived with Mom's parents when I was growing up and the evening activities, particularly in winter, usually involved everyone sitting around the table reading something. Grandma was usually knitting too. So, wanting to be like the grown-ups, I learned to read and knit too! I can't remember the name of them or the author but I remember reading a series of books where the main characters were animals. Not Beatrix Potter - the characters were more elaborate as I recall.

I know exactly what you mean about recognizing the value in a planting, Saucy. Getting rid of the grapes and Bittersweet will allow you use your newly discovered "backdrop" as well as decide if it needs to be rejuvenated over time. I thought of you repeatedly today as I was patiently relocating white Phlox and Echinacea, basically just swapping their positions in the Sanitary Ridge planting. Can't wait to see shots of your trellises.

Sorry about the Dodgers, Kathy. They're down 2 games now, aren't they? The helpmeet went next door to BIL's for the Red Sox game last night. He was home before it was over, but they won in spite of his desertion.

Did you really get a cold, hard, killing frost, Martie? We've had a few chilly mornings, but I don't think we've gone lower than 38/9 degrees. We can go until nearly the end October before getting one. Interesting.

The political telephone calls are in full swing. We've gotten to the point that we won't even pick up the 'phone until we are able to screen the caller. I'll be glad to see election day come and go! The other day I politely told the caller that 8 PM was my bedtime, lol. She probably had no idea I was telling the truth! :)

Rex and I have been working on the obedience stuff, too. I've been really "on his case" to "come" the instant I call, not after looking to see if I'm really serious. The helpmeet lets him get away with that one and it makes things more difficult in the long run. I keep little treats in my pocket to reinforce. I also keep a ball close by. He will do anything for the ball, lol. He will "sit" or "down" and not chase a thrown ball until I release him. I want him to pay more attention to me and take his cues from me, he's been allowed to make too many decisions for himself in recent months. And it has made him less fun to be around, at least to me. "When Mamma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy".

Interesting meal tonight; some sort of spicey red beans and rice pilaf, and omelletes with onions, peppers, and cheese. Salsa on the side. Quick and tastey. Now I'm ready to hit the sack and read/think about what to work on tomorrow.

Saturday afternoon beer, Bass Ale today, one of my faves but expensive so rarely bought-on sale at Whole Foods today for 7.49. More Iceland Poppies and orn kale were purchased today, to be installed tomorrow . There is a frost advisory for Southern Napa County tonight-Ill move the begonias next to the house and pull some of the succulents under cover. The beginning of the end I guess !

I almost bought a small fountain for the entry garden on Wednesday-I saw it at the garden center and then went into a meeting and when I went back it was gone. It would have only been 80 bucks , with pump and it was a perfect size- its been under a burlap mat the back of the nursery for months (I wouldnt be surprised if it was actually purchased by me ) so out of view of potential customers. I may order one next spring when we do our early season buy on that stuff. I would move a rose to make room for it, and its small enough easily transport when I depart this location.

Chelone, youve been quite industrious lately with all your flurry of shrub moving and bed cleaning. I always feel good about recycling existing plant material into new locations-most of the time for me it has improved the vigor of the plant involved, and if not at least I tried ! I dug up a lace cap Hydrangea today that I moved last year and has never recovered it looked dreadful all season and I finally gave up on it. Into the yard waste it goes. Assuming New Dawn is suitably hardy in zone (5?) I have found the best approach for climbers to be removing entire canes to the ground (the oldest) and leaving several of the healthiest at their full length and doing a very considered tie-down (or up if you will) approach . The idea is to train for laterals and the more horizontal the canes are, the more laterals you will have. Think of Woodys swag an excellent horizontal training device. She will no doubt have great input for the vagaries of your climate zone , especially in view of the fact that mine does not really exist

I have almost ruined at least three tops dribbleing coffee onto my bosom while driving a vehicle. I relate to all tales of woe in this arena. Nothing quite like going to a business meeting with brown splotches on your chest !

Deanne, glad to hear that the begonias made it through their rocky start ! I would gladly send more if they backslide. Im going to take several for the winter and will post the offerings to the Idylls.

I confess to a bit of a US-centric view of life when Julie mentioned buying her Thanksgiving groceries- I was taken aback , wondering why in h*%l she was shopping so early , and envisioning sprouting potatoes, a huge turkey taking up space in the freezer for weeks, and stale rolls. I soon realized my error with similar comments from bug and Woody.

Here are a few photos from our visit to the Renaissance Faire last weekendHope all the Idylls are enjoying their Saturday evening A special Hi to Cynthia ! We miss you !

The Queens Parade {{gwi:184463}}From NorCal Ren Faire '08

Swordfight between a memeber of the Scottish Hoardes and Sir Francis Drake-Sir Francis was of course the winner {{gwi:184465}}From NorCal Ren Faire '08

A Lady and her owl {{gwi:184467}}From NorCal Ren Faire '08

DS's fave, The Queen cleaning her teeth {{gwi:184468}}From NorCal Ren Faire '08

Kathy in Napa

Another special hi to Cynthia. I miss you too!

Chelone, I wonder if I were to keep treats in my pocket if it would aid in training Bella to come when I call? You and I have been doing the same work. I've almost succeeded in cleaning up all the gardens for winter. Tomorrow and Monday will be devoted to getting everything that needs to come inside in. I learned to read with Tip and Mitten too. Somewhere along the line I acquired a copy and was showing it to Bella just the other day. She's become really interested in knowing exactly where I am on a page when I'm reading to her these days.

Woody, I'll definitely try your recipe. Looks good!

Kathy, love the Queen shot, lol. I've grouped all of my collections in preparation for bringing them inside and the begonias are numbering around a dozen, maybe a few more, this year at my house.

Deanne, lol, on you having a begonia collection now too. I've got about a dozen different collections going. Let's see, off the top of my head, the salvias, the begonias, the abutilons, the succulents, the coleus, the bananas, even 3 fuchsias this year believe it on not. Yep, I'm going to try again with them.

I just got home from an emergency trip to Target. Bella had an 'accident'. The first time that's ever happened. I think she got too busy helping Brad set up the fish tank in prep for bring in the goldfish tomorrow. I didn't have any extra clothes here, so sat her bare bum on a towel, put in a Scoobydoo dvd, and was off to Target for Disney Princess panties and a pair of jeans. Now she NEEDS a peanut butter sandwich for a before bed snack.

Wine night too you know...thank goodness!

Eden

Ah yes, the coffee-in-the car-thing. For the first time in thirty years we have a car without coffee stains/smells. That's because we bought this vehicle when we moved here, into a town that has everything so not much long-distance driving is required; and since we figured out how much money Tim Hortons was getting from us and so we cut it out.

All of the Master bedroom furniture is out now, and it is all over the house. The carpets have been torn out and the new floor started. As a good deal of the Master stuff is now on Adrian's bed, and the Master bed is in several pieces around the living room, my main concern just now is "where will we all sleep tonight?". Not to worry. Adrian can sleep on the loveseat in the living room and DH and I can pull out the bed in the couch in the family room. and....well,( Inter Phil) Brendan's room is always a disaster so he is just fine....

It's Canadian Thanksgiving and the house is a shambles. I had contemplated inviting a few singles that I know to be alone this week end, but with eveything a mess, I have nowhere to seat them....

But the windows are clean and much of the garden work is done.

In trying to find my niche in this town, I have joined in a few things. I have decided that tomorrow I will tell the troops that the choir is not going to be my thing. The Hort. Society is fun, but I have not really connected there so much, but it is an outing once a month. I have decided to make the Museum garden my baby for this year. I will contact the Director of the museum next week to start getting a team together to work wonders next summer. This has me really excited so maybe this is where I fit???? We'll see.

Got to go and put the boy into the bath and find him a place to sleep! I hope you all have wonderful weather this week and get everything done in the gardens! (I know I won't, great weather or not!)

Chelone - I don't have any insights into rejuvenating New Dawn I'm afraid. From what I've read, Kathy's advice is the right stuff - I've read that you take out a big cane at the base; repeating a couple of years if necessary, depending on how big (i.e. how many old canes) there are. My New Dawns on the south gate arbour were planted about 5 years ago. The one on the south side of the arbour is getting to have canes that look a bit like tree trunks! I can't imagine taking one of them out - the canes are in the neighbourhood of 20 feet long in some cases and they are all well entangled on top of the arbour and, now, tied into the swag. How we could ever remove a cane we cut out is beyond me! Building the swag is somewhat a response to all that. I figure by tying the canes onto the chains and keeping the laterals cut back, I may be able to defer the day when a major rejuvenating is required and, when it can no longer be avoided, I may just take my chances and cut it all down. But I hope to avoid the issue for as long as possible!

This will be a scattered entry...my mind is everywhere...

First, to whoever was concerned about asters: (Martie?) Fine Gardening's December issue has a short bit on this on the last page. (Read it in the store ;)
It was stir fry tonight: tofu, fresh pineapple, green onions, cashews, sweet red pepper, snow peas, etc...
Pumpkin pie for dessert with tea.
So much food lately, and tomorrow, TURKEY!

DH gave fatherly advice to a neighbor boy (Boy? He has his Master's...) while I mowed. They walked along the trail by our creek and DH showed him the young oak we planted in his father's memory last year. Sigh.... Then we sawed off suckers from our silver maples. A beautiful day, but there's melancholy here nevertheless. Lots of bee and wasp activity out there too. A fire in the fireplace and our silly big 'mutt' were really nice 'apres' our dinner. Now DH works some more on his talk for Antwerp next week.

Eden, I remember having an accident when I went away to overnight camp. I was 7-8. I was horrified and changed my sheets secretly in the middle of the night....The second week, when everyone had to change their beds, I took everything off and put the same ones back on and no one knew....

We keep making dents in the garden cleanup...but there seems to be so very much left to do. Ten acres seems enormous this year, unlike other years. And I didn't buy very much either, which is very strange for this old lady!

Tomorrow I will try to tell you what I'm thankful for. I need to think about that tonight. People have a habit of asking that trick question on this holiday and I need to be prepared.

Sometimes it's just being thankful that you have at least ONE thing to be thankful for...

I know I'm thankful that I have this forum to visit, and that all my friends graciously wait for me when I find myself ridiculously over-scheduled as I was this week. Well, except I think that Deanne is still tapping her toe, waiting for the vacation pictures. They're uploading as I type, and I will add a couple before I finish this post.

I saw there was some discussion of coffee-spillage. This morning at the farmers' market, I was putting a sack of apples in my bag, and managed to dump my Starbucks all over my cloth purse. A little scrubbing and a good soak in the kitchen sink seems to have removed most of the stain.

It was truly a crazy busy return from vacation week, with lots to do at the office and obligations every single evening. The vibe at the office was a little strange this last week. I'm not sure if it's the whole vacation re-entry thing, or the effect of all the wonderful economic news, or if something else is up. I just don't care for the unsettled feeling.

OK, my uploads are complete, so here are some highlights. There is a botanic garden in Buenos Aires, so of course we had to visit. I loved the placement of this statue:

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There's also a quite nice Japanese garden. Since it was early spring, there were a lot of blooms.

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Here are two of the dogs at the ranch we visited. They were extremely gentle and sweet; obviously they have had many properly-administered beatings.

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Since my camera is nowhere near as good as Deanne's, I can only get really great bird photos if I'm really close to the bird. Well, this egret stood between the path and a pond at the Japanese garden, and he graciously posed for photos.

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I need to tweak my online album a bit more. I'll post a link to it soon.

V.

Kathy, yes, it appears I did have the goat with me.

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So I guess it's all MY fault...

V.

ROTFL V !

That is tooo funny !

Kathy in Napa

A lazy morning so far. I've addressed some e-mail, started KP duty and will assess the laundry situation next. It's still a bit chilly to begin "tilling the soil".

I'll try to get some shots of the Sanitary Ridge bed today. I did take some "befores", though. Yesterday's big challenge was getting some twine around two huge Miscanthus clumps. I was barely able to get my arms around them. They'd fallen "open" in the wake of all the heavy rain in September and were overwhelming everything around them. That, in addition to the fact that they're just too massive for the area in question has me contemplating using them along the road at the mouth of the old driveway (behind the newly transplanted Magnolia, actually). The site is a tough one; lean, boney soil that tends toward dry, and all the usual winter run-off atrocities in full sun. I think they could offer a nice "quick fix" to summer/fall privacy screening while other things attain size. Do you think I'd be out of my mind to cut them back and divide and move them this month since we never have much time in the spring.

I was thinnking about the work situation for Kathy. Were the lay-offs wholly unexpected for those unfortunate enough to be culled? I know the local news is full of lay-offs in a variety of businesses. Things at work are still steady, but what will happen as winter (typically the slow season) progresses is anyone's guess. To lessen our angst about discouraging quarterly statements we've ramped up our "hunker down" efforts even though Mr. Paulson probably wouldn't approve, working toward being ever more discreet with our discretionary money. ;) Hence my resolve to use what plant material I have in a more focussed and imaginative way. I am relieved (and the helpmeet even commented on it!) that I insisted all the wood for the trimwork in the Salon be purchased last year. It's good to know it's all here, all paid for, and at the ready when the helpmeet turns his energy indoors.

I will try to take some pictures of the New Dawn (reliably hardy for me), its trellis and the general site. I'm actually beginning to think it's probably too large and robust a rose for the site, but I'll wait and see what you guys think. Promise me you won't laugh at the poor tortured thing, OK? Maybe you could help me come up with a better way to use it, too.

Time to address the dishes. And the laundry.

I miss Cynthia, too.

Wonder if Cynthia still listens to the puzzler on NPR?

V., You crack me up....taking the goat with you to B. A. The botanic garden looks like fun, and naive me thought, "wow, how'd they get the tree to grow like that behind the statue?" I would've said it right here if you hadn't said "placement" first!

Julie, it'll be so nice when your master is done. I need to get in and spruce mine up a little for the upcoming season....extra pillows and such make it a little more cozy.

I am probably thinking cozy because I slept without covers all night....someone in our room is a cover hog....I won't say who....

Kathy, I need some pansies, too. Cheapo Depot had a sad selection of unwatered pansies....maybe the local nursery (hmm...I think I have a coupon now that I type this...) Doesn't the queen have someone to do that job for her :)

Chelone, the house next door gets light cast onto it's windows and then reflects it back into my house....I had to work with sunglasses on! I need some large columnular tree ideas, strategically placed outside of the windows that get the reflected light. That way if the hedge ever goes (I'd rather have a fence....the dog can't go through that :) I'd still have some protection. Anyway, today I'm moving over to the GGarden and hopefully erecting trellis'! I always get way ahead of myself....

Well, I'd better flip the flap jacks if I want any help from my crew.

Saucy

Thanksgiving:

I have a family...that surprises and astounds me.
I have a son in law who was wisely chosen. He values and is attentive to his relationships.
I needed a friend...and have so many that I haven't even met them all in person.
I asked for a flower...and I got a garden.

Elegantly phrased, 'bug.

For the first time in I can't remember I'm just finishing "first thing" morning coffee at it's 10:30!! The days of hibernation are here, methinks.

Yes, Chelone, we got a killing frost the day after the Zinnias got semi-zapped. Only tender that made it through, other than the self-sown tomatoes which I swear could make it through snow, was my Pineapple Sage. Since it lives in a big pot, protected by lots of tall stuff around it, on the southwest corner of the house, I figure its probably a Z8 micro in that 3'x3' area. Everything else is in the process of getting yanked.

Did manage to salvage some basil for drying, though. Red Rubin looks mighty fine dried! If I could only get the leaves to stay on the stems :-)

Interesting BA pics, V! It's always Spring somewhere, yes? Don't let the work situation bring you down. I think it's a general malaise in attitude these days.

Great things to be thankful for, Marie!

Gonna go soak up some sun.

Martie

Walking Ein a couple days back, we chatted with the owner of a Saluki, so I've also been wishing Cynthia would pop in so we could discuss such elegant creatures. The owner was on a bike, and I asked (knowing nothing about the breed) how long/far could the dog run. I see lots of people dragging dogs along while they cycle, and it always concerns me. Apparently, no need to worry with Salukis.

Overheard conversation at botanical sale yesterday. (All manner of means to transport plants were seen. The sale provided some wagons but apparently not enough):
Excuse me, but that's my wagon.
Well, it was empty, you weren't using it.
No, really, it's my wagon.
But you weren't...
Ma'am, that's my wagon I brought from home! It's my wagon!
Believe it or not, this conversation extended for another two minutes. Some plant-obsessed folks get a bit thick-headed. And it ended with everyone glowering, the interloper grumpily removing her plants, but the wagon finally back with its rightful owner.

Looking at the garden yesterday, I decided it looks like the garden of someone who attends too many plant sales.

Buenos Aires -- highest number of psychoanalysts per capita, lots of dog-walkers, and a great reading town. This may all be imagined since it was not vetted through Google. Now, there's a fine-looking owl. The Renaissance Faire...it's been years. Back in high school, a bunch of us would go and wander bemused among the gesticulating, oratorical flourishes of faux Elizabethans. It would always be scorching hot, and the becostumed folks in their heavy velvets would be noticeably sweating.

The Santa Ana winds are upon us, electrically charged and swirling full of all manner of junk which turns my brain to sludge. The mornings finally feel like autumn, slightly chilly, a relief after unseasonal temps into the high 90s last week. We don't change our clocks til Nov. 2nd this year.

Some neighbors are attending an afternoon lecture today by Dr. Helen Caldicott, the anti-nuclear advocate, and I may cycle over. Might as well keep the glum news coming!

All the apple talk has convinced me I need to do something with apples today. Good luck with the trellises today, Saucy. I heard on the radio yesterday (NPR Good Food) that your bees are also pollinating your neighbor's gardens up to 3 miles away! And that my Argentinian ants are part of a gigantic coastal colony that spreads from San Diego to San Francisco. I'd rather have your bees...

Happy Thanksgiving to Woody, 'bug and Julie.

Good morning

GB - what beautiful things you are giving thanks for!

BVM project will continue to next spring as the stone mason who will build a dry stone grotto for her cannot start till then. It will also help as nursey stock is pretty low right now and looking rather tatty. I'll have fun planning the plantings in the dark months.

Today is anything but dark - one of fall's most glorious days. I just finished making a batch of quince jelly and some gluten free french bread. I have fond memories of eating the two together in France a lifetime ago and am hoping to recreate the pleasure.

As soon as bread is out fo the oven we are heading to our local ski resort with good friends to ride the chair lift and enjoy the fall colors. The children enjoy climbing up and down the steepest slopes too - last year I thought I would pass out half-way up one of the double black diamonds. I'm not sure I'm in any better shape this year:0( Still, it's a fun outing and one we all enjoy. DH is home, recovering from too much work and jet-lag but willing to give the slopes a go.

Attention other sewers/crafters etc!! (wish Babs were here). David wants to dress as Mozart (from Amadeus) for Halloween. He's been perfecting his laugh for weeks. Any ideas for the costume?

Mary

A wee coffee break here..last cup for the day. Ive already planted Poppies , and am contemplating the kale. No frost last night. It was 44 when I got up-a long way off from freezing , but Im sure the embattled Brug was not appreciative.

Denise,there is no such thing as too many plant sales. Just buy six of everything and put three in one grouping and three in another. And of course who has room for this ? Not me ,nor you either I fear. Yeah, sweating Elizabethans-that would be in the Thousand Oaks days..right ? Rather horrid. Even when the Faire was in Marin we always went on the 5th or 6th weekend as it had the chance to be cooler.

How funny Saucy, that you mentioned the NPR puzzle in your post which I read not 5 minutes after listening to it ! Will the Pansies hang in over winter for you?

Lay-offs (officially Reduction In Force) were pretty unexpected I would say, there was a very small core of people who knew they were coming and an even smaller one who knew who was on the list.I heard virtually no buzz or gossip around the company ahead of time. There were even a few managers let go this time which has not been typical, but those folks did get severance packages and most are eligible for re-hire. This being California, one cannot just willy nilly lay off only the slackers, as there must be a correct ratio in the group by gender, age, ethnicity etc etc. to protect the company from lawsuits. So if you have 10 people you would really like to get rid of because they are c or d players , and they are all women over 50, you pretty much have to come up with another plan, unless your workforce consists of all women over 50.

Ok enough of this ! Going to go back out in the sun (and wind) and plants some Kale

Later

Kathy in Napa

I'm in from a rather full day outdoors (remembered the sun screen today). This is the third day in a row of glorious high pressure, cerulean skies, and temperatures in the 70s. It's been absolutely beautiful outdoors, just the sort of day my father always loved.

I dug out a rather large patch of Panicum "Prairie Sky". It was about 30" in diameter and it was rather like dividing a Brillo Pad. I have the best part of a dozen divisions parked along the north wall of the house's foundation, their fate hanging in the balance. They may just go to the compost pile since I can't think of place that would be good for them (dry and really sunny). The grass is very pretty, but it flops, probably because the soil is too moist.

I dug out a bunch of Stachys (Helene von Stein), divided it and planted it around the base of the Stewartia. There's plenty of sun there and the ground was vacant. :) I've shoved a couple of Dicentra spectabilis in some of the lower places, too. I have a lot of Echinacea waiting for the biggest Miscanthus to be evicted and have to figure out a way to house it temporarily. I'll probably just dig a trench and plop the plants in until it's time to move them to their new site.

I spent a lot of time fussing over the "Blue Star" juniper today (and my forearms are glowing from the pricklies). I shook the lower branches to get all the old, dead needles off. I cleaned them out from under it. I repeated the process several times moving around the shrub. Then I went back over the whole thing cutting out the dead branches deep inside it. I nearly filled the wheelbarrow with the trimmings! It looks a lot nicer now.

I laughed at the mention of Elizabethan dentistry. There was a funny story about an encounter she had with a dentist called in to address a persistant toothache. Seems dentists were largely toothless as a result of yanking their own teeth to show the patient how easy it was to remove an offending tooth! And sweating Elizabethans was probably a lot closer to the reality of their world than we want to know. All the ladies wore pomanders at their waists to cover the daily stench of the palace... eeewwww.

The boiler is now off and it's safe for me to enter the rain locker. I'm very dirty.

Oh! by any chance did any of you listen to today's "This I Believe" essay on NPR? It brought tears to my eyes as I listened to the essay and thought about 'bug. It was a beautiful essay. Check it out, it restores hope.

What a great listen, Chelone! Needed more Kleenex and remembered a conversation with my Dad a few days back.....

Dad: I need to thank you, Mar.

Martie: Why, Dad?

Dad: For having your surgery when you did.

Martie: Ummmm [or something similar]

Dad: You saved me a ton of money when I sold my stock!! LOL

Maybe you had to be there.....

For some reason was thinking about you a lot today, Kathy, and hoping that Oregon will be sooner than later. Your house is back on the market?

Good to hear from Denise!! I think I'll refer to you now as master information getter and call if I need research :-)

Gardens are taking winter shape.

Later!

Martie

I heard the essay this morning while taking a drive sometimes I do this on Sunday mornings when there is no traffic to speak of-I dont go far, maybe 10 miles each way on back roads.I took my camera this morning but the light was not right and I will wait till our fall color is a bit more evident. When the essay came on I was on one of my favorite stretches, a road through vineyards that is lined on both sides with mature walnut trees. Ironically it is called Oak Knoll Rd. I thought of bug too.

The wind was and is still blowing so I cut the garden chores short and came in the house to make chili. It is just bone dry the humidity must be about zero. Ive applied Burts Bees lip balm repeatedly. At least its not hot wind, which is what our Denise gets to deal with down in the LA environs. Dodger baseball comes on at 5pm, prior I will do a WALAT to pick up and put away the tools I abandoned when I came in out of the wind.

I thought of Martie today as I was ripping out Asters which have taken over pathways and even threaten a patch of bearded Iris if you can imagine such a thing. They are just everywhere. I decided to just start digging them up this fall to try to at least reduce the population by half.

Mary, a Mozartian wig is a must, correct shoes, tights , breeches, and a mole. I must say that in my many years of answering the door for trick-or-treaters I have yet to encounter Mozart !

Cant wait to hear how the progress on the GG goes for Saucy..

All for now A wave to all , Thanksgiving greetings to our Canadettes..

Kathy in Napa

Good morning...

Long, tiring weekend, but fairly productive. Things have been hopping around here. Dear dear son decided last week that he was going to replace a few rails on our post and rail fence that runs across our back lot line. A few turned into half of them, then once he put a few new ones in, we both decided, let's go with all, then when he was trying to get the new rails into what looked like sturdy old posts, three of them snapped off, so it was back to the store for all new posts. So this morning, we have a brand new cedar post and rail fence installed. He has one section he is still working on, but he did a really great job and it looks fantastic. You don't realize how bad something looks until you have something new to compare it to. :-)

I remember my Mom would suggest to Dad that they paint the kitchen or the Living Room and my Dad would say...oh no, we will end up painting the whole first floor. And of course he was right as we proved time and time again.

If that wasn't enough excitement around here, Dearest Daughter after starting her first 'real' job about 5 months ago, has decided to get into her first apartment. She just signed a lease yesterday and will be moving out in three weeks. She would love us to be happy and excited for her and in many ways we are, but there is quite a bit of sadness as well.

So, that is what's going on here. Not feeling too with it this morning and DD would like me to go shopping with her for furniture. So...out to check the garden and time to get ready to head out this morning.

Sorry I am behind...Lovely photos and hope the Canadettes had a great Thanksgiving. Lovely sentiments GB.

bbl...pm2

Fondest wishes for a happy Thanksgiving to all our Canadian friends. Sometimes it can be hard to see our many blessings for the trials we face, but they're there if we make the effort to see them. Kindly remind me of this truism in the future. ;)

I've never encountered a Mozart on Halloween, either. I suggest snagging some surgical hose for the white stockings that were de riguer in the 18th. century. I further suggest that the breeches and waistcoat be in a bright, vibrant color (tourquoise, yellow, blue, or a deep rich pink). Many people forget that such bright colors were a sign of status and wealth in that era. Naturally, the shirt should be fully cut; the cuffs should be gathered at the wrist with a lace trimmed frill. More lace should trim the cravate. And the shoes should really sport a heel, a shaped, stoutish one about 1-1 1/2"; if possible the shoes should match the breeches and waistcoat. Men really knew how to dress in those days! Wouldn't it be a scream if powdered wigs came back into vogue... imagine what that fashion statement would do to automobile design.

I have to admit I was surprised to find no new posts this morning. Must be that everyone is all tuckered out from being outdoors and squeezing as much recreation into the long weekend as possible. That's good.

Overcast this morning, but the sun should return later this morning. Not sure what's on the grill for the day, could be more gardening or more "lumberin'". I would like to see one pile finished and the next one begun. To be really efficient and less tedious it's really a two person operation. Do you find that once you get rolling on cleaning up a garden you get really involved with it? I am still working on a relatively limited area to the exclusion of other blighted parts of the yard.

Yesterday the helpmeet suggested a ride to a local orchard for apples (Martie!) and cider. I vetoed it, being unwilling to take to the roads with all the traffic. By our calculation every visitor to the area has driven by the house at least once in the past 3 days, lol. Maybe we'll go today or tomorrow afternoon.

I can't wait to see the trellises assembled, Saucy. And wonder if there will be any good tabletop shots of Thanksgiving chow...

We're well stuffed this morning still - great turkey dinner last night at BIL/SIL's place. The kids are almost all grown up now - time flies....! Nephew is in first year university and niece is still in high school but suddenly looking very mature - and VERY tall! Puppy Dexter was boisterous and happy. He's going to be a lovely dog when he's grown up. He's going to be like their first Airedale. Hughie was a marvelous dog - big, friendly, loved people, other dogs, walkies and cuddles! Gracie, their second one, was adopted as an adult and she was nice but more aloof. Dexter is very people oriented.

BIL is a bond trader - institutional, not retail, so I was very interested to hear how last week went for him! I figured it was either crazy-busy or dead in the water. He said it was a bit of both; that bid and ask prices were very far apart. I hope this week is a bit more normal in the markets!

It's foggy out this morning but it's going to burn off soon. Yesterday was like that - we went for a nice walk by the lake. It was foogy near the lake but sunny and nice a few blocks away.

PM2 - pictures of the fence...?
Saucy - pictures of the trellis...?

Still working on the trellis...it is beautiful, though! I am trying to figure how to get it in place - the elevation gently slopes, so we're going to work on that aspect today.

Just wanted to pop in and wish the northern bunch a Happy Thanksgiving. GB, those are wonderful things to be thankful for.....I hate being put on the spot for any question, and will try to remember to make my list before I go to enjoy turkey with Nick's family :)

I am feeling motivated, so I'm going to get outside! I have dirty birdfeeders to clean and a deck to whip into shape for winter.

I checked our leaf castings yesterday, and they came out beautifully....I'm hoping I can sneak another session in before this week is over and the leaves truly pass.....

I'll talk to you later....

Saucy

Yes Woody, yesterday the turkey was stuffed, but today I AM STUFFED!

There was the bird, the cornbread stuffing, the gravy, the cranberry sauce, the sweet potatoes, the roasted Fall vegetables with rosemary...the wine too. Then the pumpkin pie and whipped cream... BURP!!!!

Friends:
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Big Bird:
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Today I'll be ordering some books for book club. We were supposed to go on a Thanksgiving day hike, but there just won't be enough time for that this year. Too bad.

Vita the cat is curled up in DH's suitcase at this moment...She wants a vacation from Phoebe?

Ciao!
'bug

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Hmmmm...I wrote a great big long "Happy Thanksgiving" post with a little story about the origins of Canadian Thanksgiving, and about my little darling looking like an angel in the choir yesterday, and about getting up at 5 a.m. so that most of the dinner thing is ready...then lost it when I tried to insert the above photo. Had no trouble with the photos this time *LOL*

This little log building is one of the original homes on the piece of property. It is used as a storage shed now, and sometimes as a playhouse for the owners' grand kids. It is right behind our back yard and we love to see it in it's setting as the seasons change. I will try to remember to take phnotos of it as the seasons change to show you how cozy it looks!

I hope you all had a great week-end and the Canadian contingent is enjoying the extra day off!

I'll find some batteries for the camera and post the 'bird"!

Cheers,

Julie

Julie, it looks like you live in Finland! I just love the cabin. Don't ever let them take it away....

I still dont have my computer back at home so when I get to work on Monday Im shocked at all the weekend chatter. Saturday was a lovely fall day with just enough breeze to keep the bugs at bay. The majority of plants are indoors and organized. I spent part of the day collecting seeds. We havent had frost yet so the garden is looking quite good, so because of that I havent done much cutting back. The most dazzling thing in the garden right now has to be the rhus Tiger Eyes with its orange, yellow and red mixture. Yesterday was windy and a little rainy, a good day to relax with a book, mess with the indoor plants, call Florida and nap.

I havent had a lot of time to read but I sure have enjoyed the pictures.

We havent had a bum shot for some time so heres one from the beach collecting shells. What a cute bum it is though.
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This is from the nursery before they left.
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More later
Michelle

Aaaw, I love the butterfly shot Michelle.

You asked about why Peru. Well they wanted exotic, far away, somewhat affordable. A complete mindset change. Today they should arrive in Arequiba. I hope they deal well with high altitudes. It seems to vary according to the individual.

What lovely photos this morning. Julie - the little log home is like something from a fairy tale!

GB - such a festive table setting and scrumptious looking turkey.

Michelle - how wonderful to see Kenzie. She is growing up so quickly! Do you have a trip to Florida planned?

I spent the morning planting 350 daffodils at the garden job. It should be lovely in the spring. I had purchased a huge sack from a wholesale nursery and they were by far the best bulbs I've ever seen. They were all double, many triple nosed, plump and not a moldy one to be found. My own garden has some very pretty areas right now with a mass of pristine white anemone, tender sages in full glory and lots of verbena bonariensis. Considering it has been so sorely neglected it is somehow holding it's own and still a pleasure to walk through.

I am achy all over right now, partly from this morning's endeavors, mostly from climbing the ski hills yesterday. However, I have 3 spare hours before doing the music lesson run and I'm determined to get a bit more done on the bathroom vanity before indulging in a long, hot bubble bath.

I'm hoping to work on Mozart tongiht - thanks for the suggestions! Chelone - did you finish The Other Boelyn Girl?

Have a great day everyone

Mary

I feel a need to post and let you all know I'm not ignoring you. I just can't seem to get out of catch-up mode - I'm talking about life overall, not just here on the idylls.

I'll sum up my work day by saying that I dumped my most-excellent lunch all over the office kitchen floor, had to run out to buy replacement food and was then short-changed by the cashier at the fast-food restaurant. I was almost in tears out of sheer frustration when the manager told me they would have to count the drawer before giving me my correct change. (There's many a day that I would have believed that I wasn't paying attention and had used a $10 instead of a $20, but for some odd reason I had checked my cash at least 3 times before I paid.) Well, I did have to drive back at the end of the day, but the manager refunded my entire lunch AND gave me a coupon for a free meal.

So I used a little of the "hush money" to buy brownies for the office tomorrow. They're the ones who had to listen to me rant this afternoon...

Tonight I pulled in about a third of the tender plants. If I do it in stages, it won't be as bad, right? I did all the small pots tonight. Tomorrow I'll do the big pots. The "heavy-lifting" job this evening was moving all the furniture in the family room downstairs because the carpet cleaner is coming tomorrow. It seems that the dogs expressed their displeasure at our vacation in this area...

And in my spare time I am putting together a photo book of our trip for my DH. Shh - it's a surprise.

The brain is telling me to say good night!

V.

Wow, lot's to comment on this morning, even though last night was a tad slow around here.

Julie, how old is the "Hansel and Gretl" cottage in the picture? I'm always interested in how long an area has been "settled" (1600s for my area). And I smiled at a mental image of you serving dinner to guests with everyone seated on a bed, plates in their laps. ;)

I keep forgetting you are puterless at home, Michelle. How's that workin' out for you with respect to productivity at work, lol. Kenzie really is looking very grown up, of all the Idyll kids she will stick in my memory as the one where I really noticed the change from toddler to little girl. You must miss her a lot. And I have to say your borders have looked smashing in every shot I've yet seen. Late season gardens are such a delight.

Good to know the Canadettes enjoyed a delightful holiday. That table looked so cheerful, but I'm a sucker for pretty settings anyway. I even eyed Woody's Yam Crisp recipe idly (idylly?) thinking it might be a nice surprise for the helpmeet who loves yams (not nuts about them, personally).

Woody, I'd forgetten you'd been involved in banking in another life. I've really been trying to wrap my brain around the whole financial/credit debacle of recent weeks with questionable success. I've winnowed it down to a couple of critical issues: under capitalization, investment in "vehicles" that were not fully understood by those doing the investing/trading, and myopic focus on short-term returns to keep dividends up for shareholders with little thought for long term stability. I don't consider myself a dope but it's tough stuff to try to understand. And I'm once more aghast at the greed, unwillingness to assume responsibility, and long-term consequences for many, many people. I'll bet is was fascinating talking to your holiday host.

We worked on "lumberin' operations" again yesterday, cleaning up two more piles of cut rounds and getting them stacked next to the barn. It was a perfect day for it, crisp and cool. Looky at what I discovered on the tarp that covers the splitter:
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This is the first of this variety I've seen here in 17 years. Usually, it's the black ones with yellow spots. He was moving pretty slowly until the warmth of my hands gave him an energy boost. He's back in the moist, rotted leaves to the north of the barn now. :)

I don't want to work today, but have to so it's time to wrap this up and get rollin'.

Today is a slow starter for me. The skies are a mix of cloud and blue. It is cool, but I still sleep with open windows while I can. I'm often conflicted by having the furnace on and my desire for fresh air.

Because I am solo about the farm this week, I am unsure what the day will offer. I think I will ignore responsibilities for a day or two and "veg". I will only need to feed the pets and do some walks with Phoebe. We'll just wait and see. Maybe take a few photos of the asters and sumac that are so pretty at this time of year.

I wish Sarah were around to tell us more about your salamanders Chelone. Her undergraduate thesis was on salamanders. That was her life before turtles. ;)

The blue jays are making their NOISE!
Ta-ta
'bug

Ahhhh, Chelone ! It's a salamander! I saw a black and white spotted one years ago, before I had a digital camera.It was a lot 'fatter' than yours. When I was a child we had red ones beside our house where the water ran out from our sink.

Well, I'll just pop in before this idyll ends and say hello and happy autumn to all. Count me in as another that is finding life/work so chaotic, etc., that it's hard to find time for anything other than breathing.

It looks to me that I should ask to have Chelone or Saucy come visit me and they might get my bum out into the garden to do much needed chores there -- a wonderful weekend of 80 degrees/indian summer temps has been lost to me from over-scheduled appts and meetings/work last weekend - Im dearly regretting it -- I suspect next weekend will be 50, as I have vowed to take the weekend to try to do some of those garden chores.

So interesting to see some yummy Canadian t-giving and insect shots - as always, one never knows what to find here, LOL....

Hope you get some chill-time too, V, and sorry to hear of the RIFs, Kathy -- there's a bit of that starting up in this area too, altho not at my firm - Im just happy to have steady employment now, I believe.

Wave to all!!

--Cindy

It's fairly quiet at the office so I took the opportunity to catch up. How about a few belated comments?

As to the discussion about first grade and learning to read, until I read someone else's comment, I had forgotten that my mother bought me some "learn to read" workbooks before I was in 1st grade, and my mom and dad had a big arguement about this - my dad thought that teaching reading should be left to the school. I also remember feeling like I was looking at something "illicit" when I did get my hands on those workbooks.

And the 1st grade nun impressed upon me so well that we needed to stand still by our desks when we prayed at the end of the day, that on the one day I had to throw up, I did so very quietly, right at my desk. Sister Albert was kind enough to tell me later that day that I could have "broken rank" and run for the garbage can in that situation.

And a belated Happy Thanksgiving to the Canadians. Sounds like a lovely day was had by all of you.

Sometimes I think that gratitude is a muscle that we forget to exercise. At church this past Sunday, I unexpectedly pinch hit for the reader who was a no-show. If I had had the time to think about it, I would have been nervous about reading some lengthy passages cold. As it turned out, one reading was one of the rare passages that I know quite well, and the gist is to focus on the positive. (Rather timely for most people after last week, and these readings are set well in advance.) Anyway, I was reminding myself of all this on the way to work yesterday, but I still let a relatively minor incident (the lunch fiasco) all but unhinge me. So I shall try again today!

Kathy, sorry to hear about the RIF's. That's always an unsettling experience to go through, even when you are are the lucky side of the equation. I think one of the reasons I feel so out of kilter lately is that I think we are a bit overstaffed at the moment. The boss says we finally have the right team in place and he wants to have everyone still in place come selling season, but if it was my decision I would be very concerned about our level of payroll. So then I wonder that perhaps there will be a payroll reduction - as in me. There's an uncomfortable situation with an employee who is a good friend of the owners; this person has a habit of working quickly and not checking the results, and I end up doing a lot of clean up. Well, I made an error this year, which was easily fixed, but I've heard an awful lot about it. At another company, I once worked with someone who was trying to have me fired. I felt like I was being paranoid about it as it was happening; it was very hard to deal with on a daily basis. After the other person was fired and I had to clean up her files, I found some correspondence she had sent to someone else that actually said she wanted to have me fired. It was somewhat of a relief then to know I wasn't imagining things. But now those same little alarm bells are going off in my head. The owner here is far more ethical than at that previous company, but I'm still uncomfortable. Contingency plans may be appropriate?

So now I am looking back and thinking that this post is not in keeping with the Soaring Spirits title, but it does make me feel better to get this all off my chest. Someone take it away with a hew thread, and I promise to be upbeat on that one!

V.