It is so completely out of hand, I am thinking of turning myself in. And hope that someone would be willing to put one of those crime-prevention things on my person that keeps one from roaming around. Thinking that it might keep me from going to another garden shop and buying more stuff to plant?
Some of what I accidentally came home with today is more towards the necessary/legitimate end of the scale. Two big bags of cow _ _ _ _ from the hardware store, and a huge bale of peat from the garden shop on the north side of town, to make some really good homemade dirt after adding some time release fert. and some fluffy stuff.. To mix and put in a 'trough'/trench that my handy-dandy shovel wielder will dig.
Hoping someone I have had an ongoing conversation with is going to come and dig up some small azaleas, where they have been struggling across the front of the house. It is a place that gets nearly no direct sun, but west facing, with lots of light. In pondering what might be happy there, I am hoping some plants that are mostly greenery, variegated that might do well in filtered sun will do well. I have had some stuff sitting in pots for over a year, waiting for this place to become their new home: variegated hostas and Solomon's seal.
So: thinking I am ready to proceed, and hope to get it done before it rains in the next couple of days. I have a full calendar until next Monday: volunteering two days at the plant sale at Botanical Gardens, and on the work schedule for two days. I doubt anyone has every volunteered to be sentenced to 'house arrest', and offered a limb for the monitoring device without being under duress. I think that if it really happened, I'd either go stir crazy, or have the entire yard rearranged with so many plants moved around it would look like the desert movie set of 'Holes'. Or worse case scenario: take up TV viewing???!! :(
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
it's really shaping up...
Before:
That big empty space in front of the house - the long rock-hard, clay strip between the foundation and the concrete of the driveway. That inhospitable space where nothing had grown in thirty years in looking good.
I wish I was smart enough to put photos here, because I WAS smart enough to take photos of the 'before' part, and when I find the camera, and get another lesson in how to use it, will take some 'after' pix. to demo. the remarkable change that has occurred in about a year's time.
I sprayed the sparse little sprigs of weeds and grass with deadly chemicals, and had a couple of big piles of semi-decent dirt brought in to add some variety to the strip - about 6 feet wide, by maybe 20 feet long - where I wanted to plant stuff. The plan was to put in perennials that would sort of take care of their-self, and not need a lot of attention. During the driest summer in memory. So they actually did need a great deal of attention in the form of frequent watering - but it looks like most everything survived. Some were so hardy they bloomed all winter: the fact that we hardly had any noticeable winter needs to be mentioned here. The really interesting part is about 80% of what I put there I already had, and just moved from one place to another - so don't have a huge amount of funds invested in the space that is really starting to look good: you should see my daisies, blooming their little heads off.
I've accidentally planted a few more little things out there in recent days: some foxglove I started from seed last summer that seems to be much more tolerant than I expected - it might be a perennial if protected from too much cold. And some interesting 'native' plants I didn't mean to buy in Chattanooga over the weekend. Plus some sort of little happy daisy-like thing called 'bellis' that followed me home from the garden center at Wallyworld. With a little supervision, my most excellent hole-digging accomplice relocated some azaleas, and laid lots of brick edging, scattering pine straw to make it all look neat and tidy.
It's really shaping up... now: if I can just keep out of the nurseries, garden shops, plant sales...
After:
And: oh, by the way: I am volunteering this weekend at the annual fund-raiser spring plant sale at the Columbus Botanical Gardens, 10:00 to 5:00, April 12 and 13. Can I get someone to hold my cash stash, and promise to not to give it to me when I grovel, whine and beg?
That big empty space in front of the house - the long rock-hard, clay strip between the foundation and the concrete of the driveway. That inhospitable space where nothing had grown in thirty years in looking good.
I wish I was smart enough to put photos here, because I WAS smart enough to take photos of the 'before' part, and when I find the camera, and get another lesson in how to use it, will take some 'after' pix. to demo. the remarkable change that has occurred in about a year's time.
I sprayed the sparse little sprigs of weeds and grass with deadly chemicals, and had a couple of big piles of semi-decent dirt brought in to add some variety to the strip - about 6 feet wide, by maybe 20 feet long - where I wanted to plant stuff. The plan was to put in perennials that would sort of take care of their-self, and not need a lot of attention. During the driest summer in memory. So they actually did need a great deal of attention in the form of frequent watering - but it looks like most everything survived. Some were so hardy they bloomed all winter: the fact that we hardly had any noticeable winter needs to be mentioned here. The really interesting part is about 80% of what I put there I already had, and just moved from one place to another - so don't have a huge amount of funds invested in the space that is really starting to look good: you should see my daisies, blooming their little heads off.
I've accidentally planted a few more little things out there in recent days: some foxglove I started from seed last summer that seems to be much more tolerant than I expected - it might be a perennial if protected from too much cold. And some interesting 'native' plants I didn't mean to buy in Chattanooga over the weekend. Plus some sort of little happy daisy-like thing called 'bellis' that followed me home from the garden center at Wallyworld. With a little supervision, my most excellent hole-digging accomplice relocated some azaleas, and laid lots of brick edging, scattering pine straw to make it all look neat and tidy.
It's really shaping up... now: if I can just keep out of the nurseries, garden shops, plant sales...
After:
And: oh, by the way: I am volunteering this weekend at the annual fund-raiser spring plant sale at the Columbus Botanical Gardens, 10:00 to 5:00, April 12 and 13. Can I get someone to hold my cash stash, and promise to not to give it to me when I grovel, whine and beg?
adopt a soldier?
I can't sleep. I can usually lay down with reading material and have to wake up to turn the light off within thirty minutes. But it didn't work this time. P.j.s on and teeth brushed by 10:00, in bed with my book, turned the light off, then got up and went to the other end of the house, to start writing letters, and cleaning off cluttered counter-tops. It's been a productive night thus far: two letters and one postcard written, a big pile of paper in the recycling.... and maybe time for bed at 2:02 a.m.
I came across a column I cut out of the paper about a month ago. I made copies to take to friends I see on Wednesday nights, in hopes of recruiting some others to want to adopt a soldier. The article was written by a Savannah resident who has started a program to have people write to Army members serving in Afghanistan. You who know what a wordy person I am, and how I single-handedly support the USPS with stamp purchases won't be suprised. I just emailed the coordinator of the program to get me connected with someone who wants mail. If you think about what They are doing, whether you are a supporter of the administration/Department of Defense or not - you have to be thankful there are young men and women who are willing to go, do the right thing, and step up when called upon.
The group this article referenced is the 3rd Infantry Division from Ft. Stewart. If you are interested, the website is www.adoptasoldier3id.com. How can you not want to get involved?
I came across a column I cut out of the paper about a month ago. I made copies to take to friends I see on Wednesday nights, in hopes of recruiting some others to want to adopt a soldier. The article was written by a Savannah resident who has started a program to have people write to Army members serving in Afghanistan. You who know what a wordy person I am, and how I single-handedly support the USPS with stamp purchases won't be suprised. I just emailed the coordinator of the program to get me connected with someone who wants mail. If you think about what They are doing, whether you are a supporter of the administration/Department of Defense or not - you have to be thankful there are young men and women who are willing to go, do the right thing, and step up when called upon.
The group this article referenced is the 3rd Infantry Division from Ft. Stewart. If you are interested, the website is www.adoptasoldier3id.com. How can you not want to get involved?
the 495 mile (x 2) round trip
There were actually two trips - which means that I must have driven a thousand miles in the past week - and that is probably a conservative estimate. But I had the opportunity to see lots of folks I am crazy about, in addition to lots of beauty-full spring sights, so I'm thinking it was really good trip x 2. Plus I visited three states - if you count some odd parts of the one I've lived in all my life - as I accidently went places I have never been before and did not actually mean to go when I went.
Starting last Wednesday: I went to FL, just barely, over the line into the panhandle to meet the Ocala crew. We went to Tally for lunch and took turns smooching, nuzzling, tickling, bouncing the fat baby. A quick stroll through the nirvana of plant nurseries, in a drizzle, where I surprised myself by not making a purchase. The tomatoes were tempting, but when I remember how disappointed I was with lack of production from last summer's efforts, I'm still thinking: zinnias and marigolds for me. No, they are not edible, but they are reliable.
Back through south GA, where the wandering part occurred. It was certainly educational: and the lesson learned is that one should not try to navigate in unfamiliar territory with a map from a different area. Meaning I was trying to find my way out of north Florida using a Georgia map. Those country roads I found myself on were So Very Not on the map. It all worked out in the end, and I got back to civilization before dark. I'm the one who has a reputation for saying: 'we're not lost, we just don't know where we are'.
Home on Thursday night, to unload, and re-load and head to Decatur on Friday morning. Just muddling around, after a short nap, having monster burritos for lunch, then on to TN (if you are counting, state #3). And more muddling/puttering through out the weekend. I'd found hydrangeas, nice sized, good price that I bought and watered for a couple of weeks, to take to TN and plant. It seems there is some sort of magnetic attraction to plant sales, nurseries, garden shops this time of year, so there was more stuff to plant, water, anticipate brightly colored summer blooms. I do try, have the best intentions for Not buying more stuff - but it just jumps in the car with me. Like the little kid who drags home the mangy, dirty, hungry orphaned puppy: 'it followed me home, can I keep it?'
Back through Decatur, and on the road to home, where the neighbors seem to be sneaking in their dirty laundry. I'm certain I emptied all the baskets before I left, and washed, dried, folded, hung up everything in a clean RTU state: so where else could all that stuff have come from?
Starting last Wednesday: I went to FL, just barely, over the line into the panhandle to meet the Ocala crew. We went to Tally for lunch and took turns smooching, nuzzling, tickling, bouncing the fat baby. A quick stroll through the nirvana of plant nurseries, in a drizzle, where I surprised myself by not making a purchase. The tomatoes were tempting, but when I remember how disappointed I was with lack of production from last summer's efforts, I'm still thinking: zinnias and marigolds for me. No, they are not edible, but they are reliable.
Back through south GA, where the wandering part occurred. It was certainly educational: and the lesson learned is that one should not try to navigate in unfamiliar territory with a map from a different area. Meaning I was trying to find my way out of north Florida using a Georgia map. Those country roads I found myself on were So Very Not on the map. It all worked out in the end, and I got back to civilization before dark. I'm the one who has a reputation for saying: 'we're not lost, we just don't know where we are'.
Home on Thursday night, to unload, and re-load and head to Decatur on Friday morning. Just muddling around, after a short nap, having monster burritos for lunch, then on to TN (if you are counting, state #3). And more muddling/puttering through out the weekend. I'd found hydrangeas, nice sized, good price that I bought and watered for a couple of weeks, to take to TN and plant. It seems there is some sort of magnetic attraction to plant sales, nurseries, garden shops this time of year, so there was more stuff to plant, water, anticipate brightly colored summer blooms. I do try, have the best intentions for Not buying more stuff - but it just jumps in the car with me. Like the little kid who drags home the mangy, dirty, hungry orphaned puppy: 'it followed me home, can I keep it?'
Back through Decatur, and on the road to home, where the neighbors seem to be sneaking in their dirty laundry. I'm certain I emptied all the baskets before I left, and washed, dried, folded, hung up everything in a clean RTU state: so where else could all that stuff have come from?
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
more absconded lily plants...
I was so impressed with my self - getting all those things planted and not having to quit due to misery in my back area. I decided to push my luck. But it seems to be holding up pretty well, so I guess I am doing better than I realized.
I had a little volunteer project to get done after work at the church,, so I conveniently absconded with ten more pot plants. I got them planted this afternoon. And just called the receptionist to tell her to save me the rest of the ones that were orphaned, so I can go by and get them, to decide where to plant for annual flowering delight.
I also planted a half-dozen fox-glove plants that I started from seed last summer. Surprised that they survived the profound neglect that occurred, while being completely ignored, over the winter, but now that the sun is out, and the days are warm - Fair-weather Friend Me - has been so diligent and devoted. I mixed up this wonderful concoction of potting mix to add to the holes, and got them snuggled in, watered and hopefully well-pampered. The ones from last summer are huge - the package said they might, possibly, may be perennials if planted in the right zone - so I hope I have foxglove forever. With another dozen or so to put in the ground, I am really looking forward to deciding where to plant. I think they are the neatest thing when those tall spikes shoot up and start blooming.
We had about two dozen left over Easter lily plants, when I went to work on Monday, and marked them all down from $5.99 to $1.00 just to help them get good homes. They were all gone in about thirty minutes. But you know me: I'd rather have $free than $pay.
I had a little volunteer project to get done after work at the church,, so I conveniently absconded with ten more pot plants. I got them planted this afternoon. And just called the receptionist to tell her to save me the rest of the ones that were orphaned, so I can go by and get them, to decide where to plant for annual flowering delight.
I also planted a half-dozen fox-glove plants that I started from seed last summer. Surprised that they survived the profound neglect that occurred, while being completely ignored, over the winter, but now that the sun is out, and the days are warm - Fair-weather Friend Me - has been so diligent and devoted. I mixed up this wonderful concoction of potting mix to add to the holes, and got them snuggled in, watered and hopefully well-pampered. The ones from last summer are huge - the package said they might, possibly, may be perennials if planted in the right zone - so I hope I have foxglove forever. With another dozen or so to put in the ground, I am really looking forward to deciding where to plant. I think they are the neatest thing when those tall spikes shoot up and start blooming.
We had about two dozen left over Easter lily plants, when I went to work on Monday, and marked them all down from $5.99 to $1.00 just to help them get good homes. They were all gone in about thirty minutes. But you know me: I'd rather have $free than $pay.
planting stuff...
I got home from work about 4:30 yesterday and started digging holes. I had sort of absconded with several Easter lily plants from the dozens dozens and dozens that had been purchased at church, and wanted to get them in the ground. So I got (more than I paid for) planted out in the Easter lily patch, along with several pots of hyacinths that were headed for the dumpster, but still colorful,and will be beauty-full for many springs to come.
And since I was on a roll, planted about 100 wee little spring blooming lily bulbs I had dug up from the lawn last year. Since I discover we are supporting a family of mice (again), this time in the workshop, I need to get anything even remotely edible out of that area. I had lots of bulbs I dug in hopes of selling on craig's list - with marginal success. So decided I would rather see them blooming at my house than give up my 'children' to perfect strangers.
I mixed up a pile of really good dirt, with osmocote, composted material, peat to stir in the sandy-clay mix, and will get more stuff that has been sitting around in pots put out this afternoon - when I get home from work.
And since I was on a roll, planted about 100 wee little spring blooming lily bulbs I had dug up from the lawn last year. Since I discover we are supporting a family of mice (again), this time in the workshop, I need to get anything even remotely edible out of that area. I had lots of bulbs I dug in hopes of selling on craig's list - with marginal success. So decided I would rather see them blooming at my house than give up my 'children' to perfect strangers.
I mixed up a pile of really good dirt, with osmocote, composted material, peat to stir in the sandy-clay mix, and will get more stuff that has been sitting around in pots put out this afternoon - when I get home from work.
Monday, April 1, 2013
about my friend Jay
I have something I need to tell you , and don't really know how you will respond. Probably not well, but this is something you need to know:
I have a friend from church who has been having some family issues, was put in jail by relatives and has been there for about two months. It seems like this individual has, from time to time, been in a contentious relationship with siblings, and in-laws, in the past. I think it must have been the 'in-law part' of the family was so itimidated by him, they had a restraining order that would prevent him from having any contact with them. He sent an 'innocent' little text message, and they called the po-po on him, and he has been looking at the world through vertical lines since late January.
I have been writing him frequently, as he is allowed to receive mail, but they read it before they give it to him, so I know I should not include any thing like a nail file or clippers. I recently discovered there is a program the county started as a pilot program with some grant money. It seems the incarcerated individual is allowed to can find someone to take their place. So if you can persuade a friend or relative to come inside, you can get out for a bit of fresh air, if the replacement agrees to wear the orange jumpsuit for you while you are out on a week's reprieve, enjoying a breath of fresh air and freedom. On R & R from the stress of life behind the locked doors.
I don't see how it can be all that bad: three meals a day, housing, clothing, comprehensive medical care, including any prescription drugs dispensed at no cost - all provided by the taxpayers.But I am sure the limitations on your activities can get tiresome.
I have agreed to go and spend a week at the Muscogee county jail. But will be out soon, as I have only agreed to do it for a week. He is hoping to find enough people who will agree to take his place that there will be someone different, a volunteer wearing the orange jumpsuit for fifty two weeks.
I hope you will write to me while I am away on vacation? Please notice the date at the beginning of this post.
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