California Backyards

It always grows that way. That's why I like it too. It is down a little more because of our heat wave, but not too much. It mostly just fried the blooms. It does spread and I usually pull the outer corms when it starts going where I don't want it. Easy to manage.

I was rereading this thread, and realized that I missed out on the mud pies. Don't know how I missed that. I love mud pies, my Grandma Nell, used to say that we have to eat a peck of dirt before we grow up. Then she'd take is in to the tub and scrub us with a brush til we were clean. My Grandpa Skinner, used to tease me because I hate to wear shoes about me being the "Blackfoot Injun", in the family, which would make Gma Nell mad. She wanted to pass for white and would never talk about her Indian heritage. You got to wonder though, especially when I was having my wild moments (hiding in trees from her and teasing her, or getting incredibly dirty making mud pies!), she'd call me a "Heathen little Indian". Every one else called me by my first and middle names when they were mad at me. I figure at some point, she had been raised where being called a "Rotten little heathen Indian", was a bad thing. In those days, if you could pass for white, you did.
My G.ma Rene' used to scrub us down good with soap and a stiff brush when she caught us making mud pies. Must have been the red Oklahoma dirt. My Dad would just laugh, and say it would wash off. : 0
I was rescued by my parents when I was two weeks old and moved here to CA, except for the year we lived in NV,and the year I lived with Dad in OK, I've always lived in So. CA. Most of it in the I.E. (how pretentious! Short for Inland Empire).
Actually, Dad was in CA, when I was born, preparing a place for us to move to, and if I could have waited 2 more weeks, I'd have been born here. Two of my brothers were, so I guess the family was bouncing back and forth between OK and CA. I am so glad that CA won out. Tornadoes terrify me! Earthquakes, well we lifelong Californians are pretty blase' about them, aren't we?
There are so many things I wanted to say after reading the thread. Granted my life experiences are different from all you women, my brother and I worked our way through college rehabbing houses for Real Estate agents who wanted them repaired to rent out or sell. I've always done the home repair work. I built my courtyard paved with brick, one at a time, except for when friends came over and helped me to get some more of it done. It still isn't finished, but I'll keep working on it one brick at a time til it is.
I want to applaud those of you who have discovered that a power drill isn't much different that an electric mixer used in the kitchen, that some saws are as easy to use as the electric knife, and that sander is a lot like ironing (I used to hate ironing!), and that you don't have wait for some guy, to build you anything.
wcgypsy, I am so very impressed with the your arbor above, you are really going to enjoy that. I like the views too! My you are on sloping ground aren't you?
SoCal what a nice gift for your Dad! I am also very impressed with the walkways in your garden, but what do you mean that you have to dig them walkways up and center them? Do you mean level them? I really like what you've done with your space. I'd prefer my neighbor think I'm eccentric. I do really like the way you've laid down a good foundation for your plantings, and can't wait to see what you do when you get back from vacation. Hope it is a good one!
KC, as far as I know, as long as you have spark arrestors on your outdoor oven you are okay. If it has a chimney it needs a spark arrester. I know that it's quite common in Riverside County for open fires. There are burn permits required if you want to burn brush (especially tumble weeds!), cooking fires are allowed, and I haven't heard anyone say that I can't use my woodstove. DH just met with the fire captain last week to show him our fire rings, explain when we use them. They allow us to have warming fires in December as long as the wind conditions are okay. Too windy, we don't even ask. Things may be different in your county but I should think that you'd be okay as long as you observe basic safety precautions. Defensible space. Well, you've got that already. After John completes Snickerdoodle (?) Alley and paves that area around where you want to build your Pizza oven/outdoor kitchen, you'll be even more protected.
Okay, I'll try not to be such a stranger. I know I missed some other things that I wanted to mention, but I'm going to give you all a break. : - )
I am so very impressed with all of you and your projects.
DP, thanks for that link. Almost died laughing. Then I made DH read it last night. Still made me laugh! Now I'll be scouring the thrift stores for a used tripod!
WIB!
SW

Totally OT, but you have all got to see this photo - FrangipaniAZ just had her baby:

http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/fp.php?pid=6998212

Beautiful "Madonna" photo---I don't think I looked that beautiful and serene after my son was born!

"Madonna" was the first thought that came to my mind, too.
Since Critterologist 'had' her baby this month, too, DGers have a lot to celebrate.

Wow, beautiful photo!
Critter had a baby? Now how did I miss that?
Laughing at self. : - )
WIB,
SW

SW, there are about 8 threads about her experience on the Prayer Request forum. I heard about it from someone and checked it out. It's been a fun ride with a very happy conclusion. She and her husband adopted a baby girl and called her Joyanna. :-)

Here is the latest part: http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1031916/

Way cool, KC. Thanks for the link. I'll write her and tell her how happy I am for her. I've run into on a couple of different forums. She is so sweet.
WIB!
SW

Critter and her husband are 'officially' the foster parents for another week and a half. The birth mother has 30 days to change her mind. Joyanna Marie was born on August 16th so the prayers are now for them to be able to keep her.

30 days to change her mind?! Is this like buyers remorse and 72 hours? Sooo unfair...

There are lots of different adoption laws across the states. Jill knows the score going in, so she understands it's a possibility. It may seem unfair on the one hand, but when I think about a mother giving up her child, I wonder what the circumstances might be surrounding that. It also makes me think that it's not a bad thing to give her a second thought on it. 30 days does seem like a long time to wait when you're counting seconds, as Jill must surely be.

Adding my prayers for the baby to be in a safe, warm, loving family. Jill certainly fits the bill. I appreciate your sharing the "news" with us. You actually got to meet Jill in person, DP, and I've only known her online. Where she is one of the kindest and most sharing/caring people. Maybe I should say that she is a very giving person. All I know is that I've never heard a negative comment from her, and she builds people up, instead of tearing them down. She'll be a great parent.
It's not buyers remorse on the part of the bio parent, but an act of unconditional love for her baby and a sacrifice as well. It's hard to know what other people have to live with (or without). I believe that if this baby, is meant to be with Jill, she will be. The Creator puts people in our paths for a reason. Maybe the bio mom, will change her mind, but if she does, she'll probably be a better parent for it.
Still I am praying that Jill gets permanent custody. Another Leo in our big family! Only a couple of more weeks to go.
I will pray every day for them too!
WIB!
SW

I was fortunate enough to meet Jill and her husband Jim. They are both incredibly kind people. I've never felt a more loving vibe from two people. They are wonderful parents and hopefully they'll work their magic on this little one they call Joyanna.

Great name too! Still keeping them all warm in my heart and prayers.
WIB,
SW

SW, Here's that pink Canna I told you about. It's a Tropicanna. I had never seen any Tropis that weren't orange, but this one is.

This Ruellia jussieuoides is evidently very happy right where it is. I planted this very sickly quart-sized plant in May.

Had three tomato seeds in an envelope in my pocket in June. It kept falling out so I just scratched them into the dirt while I was weeding. I had no expectations for them as it really wasn't the time of year to plant seed. This is what came of them so far. This plant is just LOADED with marble sized green tomatoes now. I don't expect they'll actually last until I get any of them. The plant is in the parking lot. Kinda hard to hide those beautiful red orbs once they ripen..

Here's what my cannas look like across the front of the parking lot. It certainly beats that green hedgerow that used to occupy those spaces.

I imagine lots of people smile seeing those colors everyday, DP!

Where to start.
Love those Pink cannas with the variegated leaves, very unusual and way pretty!
The Ruellia jussieuoides looks happy now!
Hopefully you'll get to eat some of those maters! LOL! Fried green maybe? Keep us posted, I'm curious to see if people realize what they are and swipe them. Human nature always fascinates me. Too bad you can't put a hidden camera to catch the mater thieves in the act! LOL! The visual is cracking me up!
I know if I had to park in that lot, I'd be smiling every day to see those beautiful cannas! : - )
Well done, and I can't wait for the full tour.
WIB,
SW

This is the same parking lot that I got a really nice Daisy stolen. I imagined that guy getting caught and having someone ask him what he's "IN" for. If I'm ever in jail for anything it's gonna have to be for getting caught embezzling 20 million dollars. It's sure as H*** not gonna be for stealing Daisies!!!!! (or tomatoes)

I was checking the WhatBird.com site this morning - saw a Northern Flicker on the bird bath - and found this Oriole feeder. What a great idea!

http://www.whatbird.com/store/p-1605-bird-company-jelly-jar-oriole-feeder.aspx

DP, I don't ever want to go to jail. Not nice places, no green and growing things. Used to work for the Dept. of Corrections. Hated it.
If I had to give a reason for going to jail, it'd probably be because I knocked someone on their keister for harming a kid or kritter. I've been known to get verbal in public, about the way some people treat those who depend on them badly.
Last time I felt that way was when they raided the house across the road, and the woman kicked out the guy they arrested's, dog. The dog was a hazard to everyone, running loose, and setting off the neighbors dogs. It was only a matter of time before it got hit by a car.
My BGF couldn't let her GD go outside and play, because their dogs were so worked up.
I asked the neighbor why she was kicking the dog out and she said it wasn't her dog and it didn't live there. I can't stand it when people lie to me. Especially, when I had seen it there, and it was trying to get back into the yard!
I almost smacked her when she slammed the gate shut on the poor dogs nose and made it bleed. Instead, I took the dog with me and called Animal Control. I know it got a good home. Animal Control guy fell in love with him.
Best not to go to jail at all. But if you do, be original?
WIB!
SW

Yeah....we were in Del Mar last week and it was really hot and there's a woman dragging her poor liitle Lhasa along on a leash and it would stop in the shade of a car and not want to move and she'd pull it along some more, out onto the hot asphalt and it would stop in the shade of the next parked car and I'm leaning out the window, yelling at her..."Hey! Your dog's feet are burning, pick him up for God's sake!" I was angry the rest of the day and Jer keeps saying, "Let it go'...but I can't. I want to go get the dog. Or they're riding their bike, good for them, but their dog's on a leash and the dog is running, running, running and it's hot, hot, hot and they never think about how the dog's feet are burning.

We have neighbors who take their dogs for a bike ride.......in the basket, bless em. Their little legs would never be able to keep up. LOL

They are good dog owners Sally, and there are a lot of jerks too. If my bare feet get blistered walking on asphalt, what do you think is happening to your dogs feet?
I know I waste water for the comfort of my pets, but it's well worth it to know that my friends aren't suffering in the heat! They have their own wading pool, I change their drinking water all the time, and I turn on the mister when it gets hot out back.
The basket idea for the short leggeds is a good one! : - )
WIB!
SW

I've seen people use those little doggie trailers behind their bikes, too, except I worry about cars. I'm a worrier.

Have you ever wondered why people push stollers holding their infants in front of them into traffic? How bizarre is that? I worry so much I won't cross the street until I look behind me to make sure I'm not going to get run over.
We worry too much. I think the little critters are probably safer in their little trailers than not. Especially since some people don't like others to mess with their pets, and some pets are downright cranky. At least they can't run off, and they get an outing.
I would have put my ES on a leash if I could have for his safety! He was always running off when he was little. He was a precocious little twerp. Actually got the idea while hiking Bryce Canyon. A set of young parents were there with their toddler, and I remember thinking how smart they were. Some of those trails were steep, and sheer sided. They weren't being mean to the kid, just keeping him safe. Think of it that way, KC. It helps.
WIB
SW

Not too much here in Fremont....Snow on the mountains and two weeks of rain! The birds r loving it tho!

Wow, you've got quite a gang there! Lovely photo.

Oh, I love it! We have a thistle feeder, but your sock is longer. We can't get that many at once on ours, they have to wait their turns...lol...

I like it! : - )
Great photo!
WIB!
SW

careful fnstf4me, the bird police will get you!!!

Regarding bird feeders.
I am so sad, to report I found a dead bird inside the cage of my one bird feeder. : - (
He had some how gotten his head trapped where the metal bars surrounding the feeder converged (the thing looks like an open globe with several bird hole openings, and he was underneath one). The cage was supposed to protect him from the predators. Not strangle him. I had to remove the poor little finch. Who'd of thought that that would happen. Just breaks my heart, so you all, check your feeders and make sure no one gets trapped in there. Even if it's raining.
I have since cleaned out both feeders, and refilled them for the birds. The birds don't seem to mind, now that they have a clean feeder full of food.
Hoping this saves some feathered lives.
WIB!
SW

Perhaps the bird police have other things to occupy their time now.....

birds, birds, birds - I love birds, birds birds - birds, birds, birds - I love birds, birds birds - birds, birds, birds - I love birds, birds birds

nanner, nanner, pfffftttt!

g,d and r

My budgies are laughing their heads off!!

^_^

I've started a new thread, since this one is getting long. Come on over: http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1071819/