Thought I'd move us into a new room...been raining all week , maybe moving over into a new room will bring sunshine...
Moved us from here:
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1000144/
This message was edited Jul 2, 2009 9:53 AM
This message was edited Jul 2, 2009 9:54 AM
"M" good for you...everyone should have a spending spree in a nursery...just think of the beauty you are creating...
rain/rain/rain...not light rain but heavy rain..so much in my gardens are down because of it..let's hope sunshine they are calling for this weekend makes them stand again...
Got a reminder call from my art teacher..I forgot I enrolled 2 months ago in a 'memory book' well memory be dang, I forgot all about it, now I have to rush to get all the supplies and do homework before Sunday..wouldn't you know, calling for spectacular weather Sunday..oh well, can't cancel out now..but, keep thinking of the $100. being spent on the class and how many plants I could buy for same amount..lol
Thanks for the move Betty ..
Re the shrubs .. I am sort of committed to trying to do that every year .. supposed to be good for the environment .. and the SALE was just way too tempting :o)
You'll probably enjoy the ... memory book .. class immensley .. is it like 'scrapbooking'? I haven't the 'stick to it tiveness' to do a class like that ..
Got my haircut .. grousing about it now .. I told her to 'shorten it up' she sure did ... always say .."the difference between a GOOD haircut, and a BAD haircut is 2 days ' LOL
Ahh well .. my hair grows quickly !!
Overcast here today .. going down to 8C tonight .. AKkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk ..
Take care
~M~
Hi folks,
Thanks for the move, Betty.
Marilynne - I hope the haircut improves as it ages. I always figure the first shampoo tells the story.
Went with a group of friends (formerly Red Hat) to the National Gallery this morning. They have an interesting exhibit on the Art of Papal Rome - http://www.gallery.ca/raphael/en/index.htm
We are FORMERLY Red Hat, because we decided not to pay $20 each to the governing body of the Red Hat Society for a lot of "benefits" which we can't access in Canada. We now call ourselves "Something Purple" when we are the "aquafit group".
Now have a pile of mulch on my garden and it's drizzling. I think I'll go work in the rain.
Ann
Betty you should get some sun soon, we've had lots so it should be moving your way. Do you think you could send a bit of rain our way. we could use it.
So Tuesday we swapped out van for my dad's 2005 F-150 4x4 pickup with all the bells and whistles so we'd have a good vehicle and drive for our road trip to the Yukon. Yesterday it developed a terrible squeal from one of the left tires. I called dad, it's never happened before, take it to the dealer. I left it at the dealer this morning at 7:30. Just got a call, nothing obvious but the rotors are very rusted and 'might' be the cause. They can't be retooled, so new ones for all 4 tires would be over 800 bucks. Waiting for a call from dad cause I don't have 800 bucks for the job. He and mom leave first thing tomorrow for a train trip Vancouver to Ottawa area and returning on the 18th. We're planning to leave on our trip on Monday. We don't need this trouble right now. We had planned to load the truck with garden waste and take it to the municipal waste yard, and a load to the recyclers. I hate sitting idle when I've got so much to do and no way to do it.
Ahh, ~deep breath....~ please excuse my ranting, time to repeat the Serenity prayer over and over again!
Linda
ps, am trying to get used to my sisters digital SLR we borrowed for the trip. This is a hibiscus that we received as a small twig from Echoes at the first Canadian DG roundup held in Victoria, I think in 2003.
ooooooooh beautiful colour on that Hibiscus, Linda!!!!
Linda, isn't that the pitz...just when you are all ready to leave for vacation...hope things work out for you..love the Hibiscus and thanks for sending sunshine..I'll be sure to send the rain while you are away!!!
"M", so far this season I've bought about 7 shrubs, 3 trees....so glad you say I'm helping the environment...what I now do is go to all the local nurseries and when they discount their trees/shrubs to next to nothing I'm there....
Can you imagine I have the micro furnace on at my feet here...frozen..so damp..still raining..not sure I'll ever see sunshine again..lol
Here's a photo of the whole plant. The first picture really captured the true colour. I have such a hard time getting true reds and blues.
Still no news about the truck...
WHOA .. Linda .. what cruddy news re the truck !!!! Have nothing much to say but, I;m sorry you're going through this .. it is SO stressful ... and being left sort of IMMOBILIZED really does make one NUTS !!!
I am thinking ONLY good thoughts for both you and your parents ...
The Hibiscus is AWESOME !!!!!
Ann .. I hope you got to work with the mulch .. even if it was in the rain ..
Lunch with the GURLS tomorrow .. will have to go to bed to ensure my brain is in TOP condition LoL .. teachers, nurses, pharmacists and psychologists .. an interesting mix !!!
Take care all
~M~
Nope. I DID go out in the rain, but all I got done was to prune back my peonies that went brown last week and were rather unsightly. I'm about to put all my gardening clothes in the washer and myself into the tub to get the insect repellent off.
I noticed the flags half-mast for Romeo LeBlanc when I was downtown today. My Ottawa daughter met his daughter Gen during the 2 years I had her in private school (after having 45 in her grade 7 class) and since they are both into horses, they have remained good friends.
Well, into the tub I go and I'll hope to work with the mulch tomorrow. Have to do it early though, because the RCMP is doing a musical ride at their west-end headquarters - almost walking distance from DD's house and we are hoping to attend.
Ann
Enjoy the Ride Ann.
Marilynne, that should be a good lunch, no shop talk though..
Betty, thanks for the good wishes.
So I got the truck back, paid 90 bucks for them to tell me there's nothing wrong that they could find, and still have the squeal. I'm not impressed.
I've loaded the truck up with waste so I can take it to the recycle place in the morning. I do miss having the convenience of a truck except for parking and filling the tank.
It's past my bedtime, the house is starting to cool off finally.
Linda
Looks to be a gorgeous day here in Thunder Bay .. 22C and SUNSHINE ..
Lunch has dwindles to just 2 .. and that's OK .. figgrin my bud is going to be quite surprised when she sees my hair ..
The RCMP Musical RIde was just here in TBay .. very well attended, as always ..
Right now I am out to try and STOP a crow (or 2) from CAWING me to death .. jeeze Louise .. what is UP with these noisy birds .. add to that an itinerant Blue Jay who is squwaking as well, and you have NO sleeping in in the quietness of the country !!
TGIF
~M~
Keep your fingers crossed re the musical ride. I'm not sure what happens if it rains, but it won't be as pleasant. I'm hoping that sun in Thunder Bay might reach here tomorrow. Not likely today.
Ann
Some of us in Southern BC will be wishing we could spend time with you in the East this afternoon. Highs forecast for mid 30's....whew!
Morning all, not raining but close to..guess I just have to wait until "M's" sunshine gets here then send it to you Ann..I've seen the Ride in Barrie and in Ottawa, certainly is spectacular...praying for no rain for you....they are calling for a lovely weekend though and here I have to spend all day Sunday in a Memory Book class...
OMG went to play with portrait of grandson at class last night and Carol thought she'd show me book binding so it will not be as confusing on Sunday with the entire class there...not impressed..not that it's difficult but they are just explaining it with #'s/arrows, there has to be a better way so this morning, hard job I have, I've made pages and am going to do a few and figure out how to explain it to others as Carol thinks I should be a 'helper'..it will be fun though to go through all my photo's to make the inserts, but, before doing that I really should know if I'm making it for me or making it for someone else then I'll know who to go in search of in the photo box..(you all have one of those boxes I'm sure)!!
"M" good luck with the birds..on Canada Day my kitty did a bird in..I wasn't happy..maybe he thought he deserved a holiday meal..you know, I do know it's part of nature but I don't like it!
Did the walkaround in the garden this morning...near the back patio in the thick of the yellow tall flowers there is such an odor coming from the area..not sure what is dead, but something is..I'm thinking maybe the other night when there was such a ruccus with the racoon that perhaps he injured an animal that just went to hide and die...not sure how long that smell will last but hoping not much longer...
Linda, are you still going to chance going north with the vehicle?
love the hibiscus color..it's a tall one isn't it...
Mom just called, reminded me that she's running out of her special margarine and when would we go across the border so she can purchase some...expensive margarine I'll tell you...not this weekend for sure..on the 12th I've a niece having baby shower so there goes that weekend so told her we'd leave the 17th and come back 19th..that made her happy...
Portrait so far...my labtec just doesn't do it justice...
Don, you are hogging all the nice weather...you must share with friends !!! We`ve had 5 consecutive days of rain, not just mist but torrential downpour...
Ah, yes, I was a aware. My daughter is vacationing in North Andover, Mass, just south of you and she has been telling me about the nasty weather. Supposed to get a break by Sunday though. Our forecast is for showers finally on Monday and temps some 10 degrees cooler. It will be nice. I'd love to fill my rain barrels again, but it's doubtful we'll get enough to do the job. Have a great weekend everyone. ^_^
Happy Birthday fancyvan.
Hope your day was wonderful...
Thank you!
Happy Birthday, Carol!!!!
Hope the sweet guardian of your spirit makes your days special for your Birthday, and always.....
-Susan-
Happy birthday, Carol - at least you have a few hours left of it. Keep celebrating all weekend. I wish a many happy returns.
I'm hoping some of that nice weather gets to Ottawa this weekend. We bailed on the Musical Ride - still drizzling and it had been raining all day, but DD went with the DGTwins and said they had a good time. We DID have a nice dinner with them before they went the MR.
Have a good night.
Ann
Happy Birthday Carol.
I sure wish I could send you some of this heat we have. We're breaking records for high temperatures. It's still hot and not even a whisper of a breeze. The truck said it was 30 today. Speaking of the truck.... that squeal that they couldn't find a cause for is louder. We also got rear-ended while we were parked. Somebodies Granny backed into us. Nothing serious, just a mark on the bumper. Now I'm worried, waiting for the next event, as everything comes in 3's. Tomorrow we go to a wedding in the afternoon, Sunday we pack and we leave first thing Monday.
Too bad you got rained out from the MR, they do put on a good show.
Here's hoping... think of Meatloaf singing this.... that 2 outta 3 ain't bad and nothing more happens to the truck.
Linda
Belated best wishes for your BDay Carol :-)
Am hoping our weather in Thunder Bay stays status quo .. 22-24C and sunny .. quite pleasant I must say
Dump run and a trip to town on the agenda for today ..
ENJOY
~M~
Thanks for the birthday wishes. This was supposed to be party year ( I celebrate every 10 years!) but I didnt get things organised early enough so it is put off until next year!
Didnt do anything special but it was a pleasant day nevertheless. Made cookies for Sunday afternoon (No snow either!)
We had quite a noisy storm late Friday evening, thunder so loud that even my nearly deaf dogs were wondering what was happening. At one point it sounded like hail on the roof and I got up and went downstairs to check the garden expecting to see a white lawn but things were OK.
This morning the dogs and I are off to an acreage about a hour outside town to do a home visit for Collie Rescue- a family who want to foster.
Tomorrow all the judges for the garden competition ( which is the folllowing weekend) will be in my yard which is being used as a test garden. Should be interesting. I am a learner judge this year.
The garden is actually looking quite nice at the moment even though it is several weeks behind. My Japanese Tree Lilac is in full bloom ( a month late) and the scent is almost overwhelming - I think half the neighborhood can smell it.
Happy July 4th to our friends to the South!
Drats, didn't get to you on time...Happy Birthday Carol!
Finally the sunshine is coming out...high winds and cold though..sure wish I could find what is 'dead' and 'hidden'..yuk..sure doesn't smell nice near the back patio..
Carol, are Japanese Lilacs suppose to bloom later?
I purchased a miniature think it was Japanese mock orange..omg the flowers aren't like regular mock orange....they are almost like frilly daisies, scent also is wonderful..
Got side tracked, put the 'diaper cake' (got carried away with almost 200 diapers-3 rolls of ribbon and now I have to go shopping for everything that gets attached..then I've the class tomorrow for the 'memory booklet' well, got 3 cut out..lol..one being Christmas for a christmas gift...don't smack me, it's coming and you'll be sorry....I'll be ahead of the game and you'll say
'now why didn't we do what Betty did' you know you will...lol
I also managed to around 30 pkgs. of seed in the ground, couldn't find them, found them last night so if they don't do anything this year, perhaps next..all perrenials...
guess now that I'm organized for class tomorrow, nothing more I can do to the cake, it will be bath and jammies time for me...
Happy July 4th to American friends....
For those of you out west, enjoy your evening...
My Japanese Tree Lilac.
Always blooms before the regular type. Mine is usually in bloom about the May long weekend.
Wow, that is some extravagant diaper cake! Very nice Betty.
We won't be able to enjoy the evening for a few hours yet. We usually take the doggie for a walk in the evening, but over the last week or so, that has been close to 9:00 pm before it's cool enough to go. Our thermometer reached 35.4 today. Only 1 more day before we start to cool off.
Wow - that's some towering Diaper Cake, Betty! btw - I usually start planning Christmas dinner, and gifts, around September. Maybe it's a hibernating thingor something - nesting in for the winter lol, but my sisters used to get so upset that I'd invite Mom that early, and have her for the day - mind you, I'm the youngest, and therefore had the youngest grandkids....
Carol, I don't believe I've ever seen a Japanese Lilac in bloom. They look a little fuzzier than the local lilacs I have in my garden. Very pretty effect! Glad you had a good day for your birthday. Enjoy being a learner Judge- I'm sure it'll be fun!
I enjoyed working in my friend's garden today - pulled a lot of tree suckers in an unplanted-for-years garden. Had to pull up the 15 yo landscape fabric, and the old wood chips. Better than going to the gym lol Immediate results!!
-Susan-
Carol, that tree is amazing, still one or two more to purchase this summer, I'll be on the lookout for a Japanese lilac for sure...must be stunning for passerby's to look at...
Don, omg, you've got our heat...imagine I've had the furnace on these past few days! Hot like you've had it isn't any better than the cold is it..while I've the furnace on you've a/c on...
Sun is coming out, hope it's a nice day, although I'm in a workshop..just getting things together than have to leave..will pick something up along route for lunch i.e. premade sandwiches..
As I'm sitting here I'm sneezing..catching a cold I think...
OMG so funny last night, not sure if I mentioned my youngest 39 decided this year to do something totally different for his holidays..he went out and purchased all the micro equipment for a 2 week Trent Waterway trip - 440 miles and doing it in a Kayak..hey, he's never been in a kayak and on his own..I'm not thrilled about that I'll tell you...anyway, he decided yesterday to go for the weekend just to get the feel..my eldest son Greg dropped in shortly before noon and said Jeff was on his way in Georgian Bay to 1st lock which is Port Severn where we lived on the lake throughout their growing up, so he's familiar with the area..however, it was overcast, high winds, waves about 2 to 3 ft.
did I say I didn't like this, having him out in these conditions worried me..
He called me about 6 pm to tell me he was camped at lock 45, told me his experience with the weather and said that the kayak which is 18 ft. and a day well couldn't fit all his gear..he wanted to bring everything with him that he will bring when he leaves on the 15th to see if it fit...the only thing he didn't purchase was a super micro mattress, the one he bought although very small wouldn't fit in the area he had so he left it behind knowing that when he leaves on his trip he'll not only get a 20' kayak but will go to Bass Pro and get the micro unit...
Being a mom I couldn't see my baby sleeping on the ground with a sleeping bag inside a tent, uncomfortable all night so off I went to Walmart, got an air mattress, cheap plastic one as he'll have to leave it there this morning, no room..lol...and drove myself to Lock 45...he just laughed...
Told him I NEED a schedule of where he'll be those 15 days, at which lock when so I can make a nightly trip to see if he's ok...
MOMS....
Enjoy your day, got to run...
Oh Betty, I can just imagine how you feel. Mom's never stop worrying about their kids, no matter what age. I am sure he will be fine, and probably appreciated your effort to make him more comfy for the one night. It is so hard to let them fly...isn't it?
I'm in from the garden. I'm itchy, sweaty and in need of a hot bath - coming up soon. Got a lot done in the first sunny day we've had for what seems like weeks though I know it's not quite that long. Actually, I think I was in Vancouver during the only really warm, sunny stretch we've had. (and it rained in Vancouver).
My garden is not yet ready for next Saturday's garden tour, but it's getting closer and it will be presentable tomorrow evening when it will be toured by the gardeners and those who are working the Strawberry Social which is part of it. They will all understand if it's not quite ready for them, especially given the amount of rain we've had. I think there's only about a quarter of the mulch left and I have some large areas in the back yard where I can throw it by the bucketful.
Need to get out tomorrow and get one or two more Calibracoa of any colour that will go with red. One of my hanging baskets got too dry while I was away. I obviously didn't get it as wet as I should have before leaving. Last week, I thought I'd lost only one of the plants in it, but it's now obvious I lost them all. And I need a few bright Impatiens to fill in a spot in the back yard where we dug out a big tree seedling. Then I SHOULD be done buying unless I find some bargains I can't resist.
Off to the bath.
Ann
Well, I won't have time in the morning to say - See you later - We leave for the Yukon catching the first ferry over to Vancouver and we hope to make it to Quesnel the first night. We'll be back in 3 weeks, I'll post a slide show then.
Linda
Looks as though we're all busy with our gardens .. as it should be ^_^
Had a wedding party here later in the day on Saturday .. a lovely young couple .. about 20 all together in the group. Bridesmaids were in a MOST gorgeous shade of pink .. had they have come on Sunday .. well .. they would have been BLOWN half way to Barrie !! Lordy it was windy here Sunday ...
We never charge for the wedding pics (use of the property) always feel the families are already paying dearly for the photographer .. usually ask for a donation to a charity if they really feel they owe something for standing on my grass having photos taken of their day.
SHEBOMBA Betty .. that diaper cake is MASSIVE !! Will it be a centrepiece?
As for the 'worried Mom' syndrome .. I doubt that that ever goes away ..
SHEESH .. deer in the garden !!!
~M~
WHEW !!! Only a few peas missing !!! I failed to turn on the electric fence last night .. beautiful deer .. hope she can 'sense' the electric field !!!
Someone (I am guessing) shot a bear near here last night .. big 'KABOOM' around 1130pm .. because the homes out this way are so spaced appart .. it's hard to tell where the BANG comes from .. still makes me nervous .. always hope the animal was totally 'dispatched' as opposed to being wounded !!
Think I'll let Lorna drive to the end of the road for the newspaper before she goes to work and bring it back to me .. don't want to get half way down the road and be greeted by a wounded bear !!!
Lots of weeding etc to do today .. hope you all have a super week !!
~M~
Linda, look forward to your Alaska photo's..lucky you...safe journey..
Ann, did I miss if the Musical Ride went on or not? I feel we've not had spring yet let alone think about summer...it rained 6 or 7 days here last week and it's so dark, overcase and heavy with rain clouds that we can kock off another summer day..I'm almost tempted to put on my micro furnace..damp/cold here in the office...you just don't know how to dress!
Think on Saturday I changed clothes about 4 times...
now's that time to be looking for those plant/shrub sales...most nurseries are wanting to rid themselves of inventory...
Don, my grandmother raised me and she passed away at 99 and just days before her death she was mothering me..so, never goes away for sure...
"M" is it legal to shoot bears? I'd be worried as well that it's just wounded..
We've been getting a lot of high winds here as well...was going to go for a ride in the Foxy Lady on Saturday, went down to the bay and OMG the waves were coming into to shore so gave up that thought...did my course on the little memory booklet and when I came home saw that the Foxy Lady was gone for the day...Greg and Mel are without children for 2 weeks..lol...so out enjoying themselves...Kyle is gone to Trenton with cadets for 2 weeks..not sure how he'll enjoy army life but am sure it will be an experience...
I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, my loving family for less gray hair or a flatter belly. As I've aged, I've become kinder to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend. I don't chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or for not making
my bed, or for buying that silly cement gecko that I didn't need, but looks so avante garde on my patio. I am entitled to a treat, to be messy, to be extravagant.
I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging.
Whose business is it if I choose to read or play on the computer until 4 AM and sleep until noon? I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 60 &70's, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love ... I will.
I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and will dive into the waves with abandon if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the jet set.
They, too, will get old.
I know I am sometimes forgetful.
But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten. And I eventually remember the important things.
Sure, over the years my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers,
or even when somebody's beloved pet gets hit by a car? But broken hearts are what give us strength and understanding and
compassion. A heart never broken is pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect.
I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face.
So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their
hair could turn silver.
As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other people think. I don't question myself anymore.
I've even earned the right to be wrong.
So, to answer your question, I like being old. It has set me free. I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever,
but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be. And I shall eat dessert every single day(if I feel like it).
MAY OUR FRIENDSHIP NEVER COME APART ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S STRAIGHT FROM THE HEART!
MAY YOU ALWAYS HAVE A RAINBOW OF SMILES ON YOUR FACE AND IN YOUR HEART FOREVER AND EVER! FRIENDS FOREVER!
Betty: That birthday I had last week was #70. I too like being 'old'- In spite of the state of the universe I am happier now than I have ever been
When I Am An Old Woman
I shall wear purple
With a red hat which doesn't go, and doesn't suit me
And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves
And satin sandals, and say we've no money for butter.
I shall sit down on the pavement when I'm tired
And gobble up samples in ships and press alarm bells
And run my stick along the public railings
And make up for the sobriety of my youth.
I shall go out in my slippers in the rain
And pick the flowers in other people's gardens
And learn to spit.
You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat
And eat three pounds of sausages at a go
Or only bread and a pickle for a week
And hoard pens and pencils and beermats and things in boxes.
But now we must have clothes that keep us dry
And pay our rent and not swear in the street
And set a good example for the children.
We will have friends to dinner and read the papers.
But maybe I ought to practice a little now?
So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised
When suddenly I am old and start to wear purple.
carolvan
This message was edited Jul 6, 2009 7:56 AM
How wonderful Carol to hear you say that...
Funny things happened to me on Saturday,
coming back from town I passed a few street signs that said 'Strawberry Social' at the church in my home town, it was almost lunch so thought why not?
Got to the door and paid $6.00 and walked in,
Here were about 50 ladies, (ancient lol) all dress to the hilt, same hats/gloves sipping tea, eating sandwhiches and here I was, sitting amongst them, looking all around thinking WHAT IN THE WORLD AM I DOING HERE???? so laughing, have I finally come to this, a group of my piers...oh no, not me...can't be old...stayed and enjoyed but sure was glad to be out of there...now you KNOW that they were probably only a few years older than I and you!....how the years do go by...
Love the comments on aging as I approach being "officially old" in less than two weeks. Keep smiling.
Now, do you supposed I can manage to fritter away the sunny part of the day and try to get into the garden just when it starts to rain? think I'd better get off the computer.
Ann
