New to site and mostly new to African Violets, too

I think I get it from my g.mother. She lived to be 93 and active in her home. Her home was lovely and she loved to look so pretty. She loved clothes and jewelry. Always dressed up and especially for her bridge club. She loved gardening too. A beautiful lady.

Sally, she reminds me of my mother. I don't know how I could be my mother's daughter. When she passed away, I didn't want any of her jewelry, etc.........as I don't wear it. My sister in law took all of Mom's fancy pancy things. Mom loved bridge and belonged to the same club with the same ladies for over 52 years before the first one passed away. Mom always had everything beautiful and perfect in her home.

I am just the opposite............that is why God makes everyone unique and able to be true to themselves.........whoever he created them to be.

That is true. Everyone is very different. She does sound like my Nana with the bridge and all. She also started a garden club years ago in Katy. Late 40's maybe.

When my grandmother passed away back in '86 , we all sat down and figured out that she had grown and taken flowers to the church every Sunday without missing for 56 years of her life. That is who taught me to garden.

When I was about eight years old living in a small rural town of three hundred folks providing flowers for the church was closely guarded honor. There was a committee. Much to do and much pride when our flowers were at the alter.

Somehow the beautiful commercial arangements purchased today do not carry that level of functional importance. There more than likely would not be gardener growers in large enough numbers to cover the need with home grown flowers.

I speak of the time following the market crash in 1929. We had no money so we improvised with lots of church and family events. We did not have a nickel for boughten fish hooks so we carved and heat hardened them. Our fishing pole was a sapling as there was no big box sporting goods stores at that time. Ice and milk were still being delivered in horse drawn wagons. The nearest doctor was eleven horse and buggy miles away. The first airplane had not flown over our village in 1935. We swam, bathed and fished in the old mill stream. Dad and mom brought me into the world in 1936. The first single electric light was installed in 1937. Horseshoes was the highest organized game in town. Baseball was soon to follow.

Somehow I do not think many of us really know the joys experienced living the much simpler life of that time period.

So neat about the flowers at church, Gail! How wonderful.

I know simpler times were great, but I would dearly miss all of the medical help of today, air conditioning etc. Morals and values, that is sorely missed!

I don't know about other people's family members, but mine lived longer than we are living today. And all they did was live a clean simple life eating out of the garden. I don't think they ever saw a doctor. (at least not very often) Our environment is just not as clean today as theirs was........

Better health care is sometimes questionable. I just discontinued taking half of my prescribed steriods. So far so good! Maybe in time I can halve them again. I told the doctor I would like to die in better shape than I'm in today. He might still be trying to figure that comment out. :) Maybe I should try eating a little horse manure instead. I try to bring a little of that biology into my stews and salads.

Oh, gosh, I know my grandmother was saved several times near death with heart problems and fractured spine and my g.father etc lived a long life with the great care they had. I would not trade the care I have had and still get. I had several very rare problems that I had surgery and wonderful care with. I am very thankful. The lucky lived long lives, sick people just died early years ago. I am sure glad we don't have polio, measles etc. to fear, unless people do not vaccinate the poor children. I have heard all of the terrible stories from my parents about polio. Just a tooth infection would be horrible without endodondists. Now we can keep our teeth. So many wonderful things we have now.

I'm actually ill again. Mom and Dad are taking care of me while my husband is getting everything ready at home. The movers come Monday. Then we have to wait two more weeks for the new house to be ready. The stress is too much so I am mostly in bed.

My sis and family are going to take care of my violets and birds. My little dog is here with me. I wish it were all over and I was well.

I am on meds and rest. Watching "Gone with the Wind" and other great movies with Mom every night.

This message was edited Sep 19, 2009 10:12 AM

I am so sorry you are not feeling up to par, Sally. Your dear husband is having to do all the work.......

It won't be long and you will be in a new home with everything settled in.

People..........for the dial up members like jannich, we try real hard not to let a thread get longer than 100 posts. Whenever someone is ready to do it, would you please start a continuation of this thread .

Take care of yourself, Sally..........I truly am sorry you don't feel well.

Anyone have a clue as to the white 'things' growing where ears should be showing?

Doesn't seem like mildew or anything...just maybe white roots? it's time maybe for some ears..but have white 'things'...? the picture I took just shows what I am describing..not a very good picture

Thanks..

Do they look rather like small, misshapen leaves? If so, they could very well be leaves that have developed under the potting mix and are white because of a lack of light. As they are exposed to more light, they will green up, if that's what they are.

Sally, feel better- the time will pass before you know it!

Reviving this thread to say that I have taken Nichole's advice and used a cake container to isolate several SM and M that I just received from Rob's. It works nicely.

Thanks Shanika!!

What also works well is the container that a cooked chicken comes in . . . if the top dome doesn't already have vents, poke a hole or two, and you're done! But - for those anti-poultry people out there - larger ziploc baggies work well too. Just breathe into them to inflate, put in your leaf cups and/or plants, and zip most of the way closed - and you're set!

Those deli chicken containers are also great for Episcias that need really high humidity.