wow - everyone in the ne feels pretty down - i remember sherrie and i were wanting some rain about 6 weeks ago when everyone in jersey and ny was getting it and complaining while it was missing us - now i see jersey and ny getting some sun now and them and we've had rain and then more rain - i have to admit i did not really feel their pain at the time - now i know i do and then some.
grass needs to be cut, veggy garden needs some sun and warm temps also needs to be sprayed to delay the blight and fertilized - and the jm's could use a drying out period.
I Feel Gypped!
that slug shot is unbelievable noreaster
Ok, not only to we have to deal with mammoth slugs and the rain, something *&(%^ ate my &%^& lettuce this morning!!! Ripped it right out of the ground. I guess strategically placed dog poop bags have lost their effectiveness.....
ARGH....
May I recommend a good book? (Since we can't go outside and play in the garden today) The Western Society of Malacologist's Field Guide to the Slug by David G. Gordon, published by Sasquatch Books.
I picked one off the screen of my kitchen door yesterday, higher up than the ones from the siding. Flash flood watches in this area right now. I am putting off going in to work for at least another half hour.
I also have a field guide to roadkill, but I have never decided whether that was a real guide or someone's seriously warped attempt at naturalist humor.
Kassia, my new rose {still in the pot} Hot Cocoa is putting out buds. Haven't had a day to put it in the ground since I bought it for 3.00 off of Lowe's clearance rack!
Martha
This message was edited Jul 2, 2009 10:02 AM
Maria - golden doodles are cute, but I think they lose a lot of the golden retreiver in the combo. Most I've seen look like light colored, less curly poodles or (if unclipped) english sheepdogs. Supposedly good for folks with allergies since they shed less (does any dog shed less??)
I'm stuck up - my first dog was a golden and I've been spoiled. I could adopt all of them if I could....
My favorite site to surf for available goldens for adoption is www.magrr.org - Memphis Area Golden Retreiver Rescue. They are awesome!
Hopefully your rain has started to taper off, I can almost see sky at this point. Now to try and convince the puppy to go outside and chase that varmit that ate the lettuce!
Martha = have you been to the "Roadkill Cafe"?
That's a big EWWWW!
Martha
is that sas"squash" books martha?
"Roadkill Cafe" as a matter of fact I have tamberlin! LOL
If the sun doesn't shine tomorrow I am seriously going to have a nervous breakdown.
I have identified three types of slugs in my garden- a small beige one that dies instantly with the ammonia/water mix, a dark gray one that dies, but leaves a body behind, and those hulking orange beasts with the ninja skills that take quite a while to die and then completely dissolve into a puddle of slime (so gross). Also have some snails.
My SIL's parents have a couple of rescue Goldens and they are wonderful dogs.
As a former breeder of cocker spaniels, I conside the mixes just mutts. I'm glad that the rescues are finding good homes.
i've been to the roadkill cafe as well
tamberlin, I would adopt one or two if I were not as old as I am, but you can imagine what a wonderful company Samson has bee since my husband passed away almost 5 years ago?
iris, I feel the same way, doodles are only mongrels. I know of some one that bred them sold each for $1.200.00. Recently when I told someone I have a golden he asked which one, now I must add retriever
Would yo believe he came to cut the lawn just as a new storm arrived?
All the poofy crud the garden has gone through - ok. I did not mention that my arm hurt around a month ago. I did something to the muscle on the top of the forearm. It got better but then 2 days ago the pain came back. I think I tore a ligamint, I cant pick up a gallon of milk. Oh happy days.
Incredible downpours again overnight.
Feel better, Sherrie.
I should mention that the late start for me resulted in trying some 'experiments'. For the first time in years, I did not fertilize my roses. Result - no difference whatsoever. Same with the clems.
Also, I did not cut back my Annabelle hydrangea. Result - best they have ever been. Taller - about 6 - 7 feet, and way more blooms. So far, the blooms appear a bit smaller, but that's probably from the lack of sun.
I also experimented with some butterfly bushes. Cut some to the ground as usual. Others about halfway. Others not at all. I'll see what happens there.
all my joints ache from the damp. I've got the dehumidifier running 24/7 in the studio, since my artwork does not work if it's too damp. Andrew gets really skeeved if he gets a slug on his fur - just freaks out until he can get it off.
Victor, I've only fertilized once this year. Seems to have made not a bit of difference. So far no blooms on my hydrangea (generic blue type) yet.
Oh well, I'm hoping the mist stops soon....
It was a cold winter so that could explain the lack of bloom.
Yes, it was a cold winter, but strangely, I'm seeing hydrangea blooms gearing up all over town...usually people just have a few blooms down near the ground. And I know they didn't all winter protect, so I don't get it. I've got blooms coming on mine, but they are staying pretty small because of the gloom and cold, I think.
I have two large, mature mopheads. The one that is somewhat sheltered by the house and gets southern exposure is blooming great. The more exposed one only has a few low ones.
Had an appointment this afternoon. Nurse said that she had just 2 grape tomatoes. Her garden & neighbor's which she helped plant are a mess. It even hits the pros.
I know that goldendoodles are mutts, but my fav dog was a mutt---lab & Giant schnauzer mixed---it wasn't a planned cross,, & we got her for free, but I would take her any day over the purebred airedales we have had! My niece had a goldendoodle living across from her----I visited her & this dog, who did not know me from Adam, got a ball, & began playing with me. It's too bad folks are charging big bucks for mixes, but I think a lot of purebreds are too finely bred, with too many illnesses, & bad dispositions. I'll get off my soapbox now.
I happen to agree with what you just said,Thomaston, it is just awful for people to purposely breed dogs with some that are not the same breed. I am not against mutts in the least, it is just that fools pay for pets that are mongrels
My Golden(retriever) was free too with cetrified papers. The young man who raised him was not able to take care of him anymore. Samson was 9 month old when I got him and used to city living, had to be on a halter and in a grate when left alone every day, now he has 3 acres to run about with an invisible fence to keep him save, he is just a wonderful, loving pet.
I've met plenty a mutt that I've really liked. A friend of mine has a goldendoodle that is a therapy dog and a good one. They go to Children's twice a week I think....
Andrew has his share of medical issues - many are most likely inbred problems, but not knowing his lineage, I have no clue. We just got over our second hotspot infection of the year - not surprising with this bleeping rain...
Oh yeah, maybe we should not malign slugs too much - the Kid's Nat'l Geographic claims that at least 20% of our DNA is idenitical to that of a slug.
I think I might have to draw a cartoon of an exasperated gardener talking to the slug and saying "so now I have to call you "cousin"?"
I'm signing off, have a nice sleep everyone - there is sunshine on the horizon according to the weatherman.
I have known plenty of happy mutts. High prices for mixed breed come from ignorance, both buyers & sellers. As far as purebreds--you should know type of dog. for example i would have trouble living with a terrier. Our minds just don't mesh. I don't like the 'inbreeding' excuse. It is the use of the wrong parent somewhere along the line, no matter the type or ancestry of the dog.
I think I would have trouble with any small dog, I'd rather have a large dog with hair issues than one that would think he lives on top of the furniture or even the bed.
Watch out some very large dogs think that they would like to live on top of the furniture. We should really be in the pets forum.
FYI - Slugzillas on the windshield: do NOT operate wipers!!!
I must say that many slugs here fancy the side of the house, or windows up high (even car windows). Perhaps they all like to rappel & now we have evidence of such slimy activities.
But I really want to see Mr. Spidey - kudos for such a strong web!
I'd join in on all the complaining but I'm too depressed! If we don't get some sunshine soon, I'm going to....(what can I do???) Probably later in the summer I'll be wishing for rain but right now I've HAD IT!!!! I've never had slugs before; this year I have tons. My newly planted grass is rotting from being constantly soggy and my rose buds are falling off before they even open. I want to cry :(
So much for not complaining :o)
On the positive side, slugs taste like chicken.
Suppertime!
"Oh yeah, maybe we should not malign slugs too much - the Kid's Nat'l Geographic claims that at least 20% of our DNA is idenitical to that of a slug.
I think I might have to draw a cartoon of an exasperated gardener talking to the slug and saying "so now I have to call you "cousin"?""
Oh my! That might account for the love/hate relationship I have with them. It's mostly hate, mind you, but as I was watching one eat some lettuce this morning, almost in slow motion, I thought he looked kind of...well, almost cute. And then I had to kill him, and I felt bad.
Oh, now that's tasty!
I made this picture my wallpaper today. It was taken in a rare moment of sunshine and it cheers me up to look at it.
Why do people pay that much for a mixed breed ( twas a mutt, back in my day) dog? I think it's one of the better scams going. Probably not illegal since they tell you it's a mutt, but how do they convince people that they are worth it?
I suppose if the dog looks at you with its cute eyes, you probably have to have it, but I don't think I would go shopping for a mixed breed dog.
Martha
wow - "sunny side up"!
I really like flowers that glow - this one does exactly that.
Beautiful flower, seems all flowers look great when not beaten down or not given a chance to bloom in this weather
Songs of Joy - what type of water lily is that? It's magnificent! I'm still waiting (3yrs) for mine to bloom. I thought I saw a bud when feeding the fish the other day so I am hopeful.
Victor - Ewww!!! Don't you think they'd be more like steamed clams or oysters? Escaragot? maybe sauteed with some garlic butter and parsley? Maybe we can make the best of an icky situation.... they eat earthworms fried, don't they? Somewhere?
Please, I am having breakfast!!!
Wow! that was SuperSlug!
We had a cold winter and a very cool spring. Given that the mean temperature doesn't change much year to year, I think we are in for a brutally hot summer.