Hackberry Trees, etc, #7

Hi Sharon.

Christi, Sharon may be tough, but she's got a point (about a camera)!

Charlie, how has your day been?
I've been musing about my cat, Jazz. When I get a twinge of vertigo, which I do sometimes, Jazz walks down the hall leaning against my leg...as if to keep me from wobbling into the far wall of the hallway. That's the only time he ever does it, when I am wobbly from vertigo.

My friend tells me that cats just do that, lean against your leg. But Daisy doesn't do it, only Jazz, and only when it seems I might wobble sideways into the wall. Weird. I wish I knew cat language.

Not bad, Sharon,
Not entirely happy about being at the school, though at least it's just to garden. The kids I taught have graduated and now I just feel sorry for good classroom teachers who're not allowed "to call a spade, a spade". I'm a firm believer in student rights, but the rights shouldn't include the right of a very few students to highjack a class (even if their parent is on the Parent Council).

Jazz sounds like a very sensitive cat! Very helpful compared to Buddy.
The latter just runs in front of your feet in a desperate rush to reach the food plate, whether it's meal time or not. Not good, since I too have a bit of a balance problem (in my case related to arthritis). In my case, I wish Buddy understood human language, including dire and terrible threats!

How about your own day?

I think I told you about doing displays for the shop uptown. So that's what I did today. The displays sell as quickly as I can get a new one up so it keeps me hopping. But it is fun to come up with a display that works. And mine always work. We are good at what we do, each of us, I think.

Tomorrow I'll stay home maybe. I want to do some house work more than I want to share my talents with the shop people. I am just in a home mood. And I set my own hours anyway, so it'll be a good thing,

I had an episode with dehydration last week, and I am now on Pedialyte. Do you know how embarrassing it is to go into a store and ask for Pedialyte. It is for children, good grief. So I asked cute doc if there was anything else I could take to bring my electrolytes up to par, and he said for my size, 4 little bottles of Pedialyte per day would be perfect, no more, no less, and to leave it at that for another week or so. I go back for a blood check on Friday. i do hope I can graduate to something a little less embarrassing to ask for. Sigh.

Whatever works, though, I don't want to go back to my agony of last week. Not fun.

And tomorrow I need to weed too. I have one large bed that I have neglected. It is a daylily bed, but over the years has begun to accumulate other things. Dahlias, 4 o'clocks, artemesia ....I think that's spelled wrong. Some very controlled bamboo, a few daisies, coneflowers, just odds and ends that folks have given me and I kept extending that bed with them. I really need to get it more organized. It is probably thoroughly embarrassed being such a mixed bed. Maybe tomorrow.

That's the plan anyway.

The shop displays and retailing sound like a lot of fun, Sharon. But so nice you can chose when you want to do them.

House work and weeding! Not such fun. At least a change of pace?
Sure Jazz and Daisy would rather have you at home.

I didn't know what Pedialyte was. I might have guessed it was something to do with kids (pais: Greek), but at least you're not going to a pae(e)diatrician!
Seriously though, I'm very glad to hear your doing what you need to for good health.

Had better get to bed,
Nite Sharon.

Hello, guys. Didn't forget the camera. Purposely have not taken it out of the case. To take pictures of the ongoing agony of the destruction is not appealing. We happened upon vacant FEMA house yesterday. Typical waste of our tax money. I could really get kicked off DG were I to say what I think after seeing all of this. The people are lovely. Friendly, and very hard working. The two DH are gone to buy shrimp off the boat this morning. I protested that our condo will not have a good aroma after cooking it here and we have found some really fantastic food establishments.

Very newsworthy, Christi.
Wish we could say a bit more than we should.
The people sound great.
That they work at getting past the ordeal of (post)Katrina really says a lot for them. The shrimps and the really fantastic food establishments are win-win: great for visitors and helps the local economy.
Charlie

The home boiled shrimp was great. I am very adept at peeling them but this was the first time I had to "head" them as well. Sharon would not like it at all. They have eyes. New Potatoes and corn on the cob went in the pot with them. A little french bread and we had a feast. Tonight is our last night here and we have reservations at Emeril LeGasses' Fish House. Do either of you ever watch him on tv? He has moved from Food Network to the Green Channel. One night we went to "The Blow Fly" for soft shell crab. Oh, what decadence every meal here has been. The last mentioned has been in "Southern Living", "Emeril Live" and "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives". Many places here are famous outside this area. Start home tomorrow with no particular route picked out as yet.

This is about my limit to be away from home. Anxious to see my family and my Mattie and Chester. Our little Erin started dance lessons this week and I know she has a lot to tell. Payton is advancing in here class and I expect she will be dancing with the professionals very soon. I am so proud of her.

Feel hungry, Christi.
Don't know of the chef? you mention, but he sounds worth knowing about!

Nice picture. Too late for me to do this sort of thing (actually never was a time)! But great about the girls. Good for Payton. Takes a lot of self-discipline.
Very cute when the little ones (as Erin) start.

Off to see Tim downtown (downtown Toronto). He's making a surprise birthday diner for Carol (only has Thursdays and Fridays off at present). Then going to see Julia and Julie (right way round?). Mentioned it when both you and Sharon said you liked it.

Know how you feel. Super holiday, but nice to get back home.

That's called "low country" what you just ate, Christi. I love low country. When I spend time with my relatives in Savannah, that's what we eat. One big pot full of little red potatoes and corn then in goes the shrimp. Nooooooooo, don't tell me shrimp got eyes...noooooooo....

And a little bag of spices to perk up the pot. I love love love low country.

Love the picture of Peyton. You have a safe trip home, and remember only the good things. People are people wherever we go. I am sure you have boosted their economy considerably.

Good morning, Charlie....I am off to the shop on this rainy Friday morning. A beautiful gentle rain. Then tonight my boys will be here, I think, so that will be fun.

You all have a great big beautiful day.
I'll be back tonight.

No boys tonight. They decided it was raining so they stayed in Chicago.
Fine with me, I am tired and need some me time.
The older I get, and the more I am alone, the more I value my 'me' time.
Selfish? You betcha.

Charlie, how was your day?
Happy Birthday to Carol!!
And yayyy for your Tim. What a great son you have.

Hi Sharon,
Just got back (out twelve hours).
Sorry to hear boys delayed, but as you say more time to get things done.
Not re selfish, but (for me at least) re energy levels.

Canadian Thanksgiving and Carol's birthday on 12th (this year) and 16th, respectively. Tim will be working (TTC: Toronto Transit Commission: driving) on these dates, so he had a lunch (turkey and birthday cake) to cover them today (day off). Did it all himself including getting presents and card, from him and myself. Presents: DVD player for TV, DVDs and a Julia Child book. After saw the Julia and Julie film, as said. We all really liked it.

Cake:

Card and gifts:

Wow! What a great son and a great birthday!. I love his home, and the paintings on his walls. You told us something about those paintings once, and I have forgotten what you said. A relative did them, sorry, I can't remember.
Ms. Carol looks very happy. I like her sweater, too. It must be colder there than here.

Oh, cool golden yellow chair, too!

Arranged to go to Hogan's (an old Canadian inn: old by Canadian standards: perhaps (1870?)) for Carol's birthday, on 17th, with two old friends. Had hoped Tim could also come, but couldn't due to his job.

Got to get down to some more gardening. Asters, fall monkshoods and mums still fine, but lots to cut back and need to do spring bulbs.

Been trying to copy Christi's hours and get to bed relatively early, due to shin.
Going to take at least another month to finally heal and don't want to give myself excuse for another accident. Got to use only full daylight for gardening and be as awake as possible.

I didn't realize the extent of the injury, I guess.
I'm sorry, Charlie. At this point in our lives we all need to be more careful.
I need to practice some self restraint as well, and stop burning the candle at both ends.
You get a good rest, and have a great day tomorrow.

Tim is heavily into retro furniture and accessories, Sharon.
and also insisted on saving some old and worn furniture that came from Carol's parents' home. One of his projects is to get some of it re-covered.
He wouldn't change the yellow though. Carol's Mom was not very maternal, but when Tim was a late teenager and young person, he and his Grandma became quite close. The paintings were her's (earlier ones) and she loved yellow.

Good for Tim. I am glad he has surrounded himself with his Grandmother's favored things.
They are very beautiful.
And though I don't wear it, yellow is a wonderful color.

That makes two of us. Didn't recognize it myself either, Sharon.
I tend to be an eternal optimist and strongly favour positive thought in personal matters. Unfortunately, we can't continue to ignore or will health, as the two of us probably realize. In my case, an added aspect is the poor circulation in the ankle and foot due to arthritis. Seems easier to ignore arthritis than some secondary arthritic effects.

Had better get to bed. Want to get some pictures of the fall monkshood tomorrow. Back then.

Your friend,
Charlie

Rest well, looking forward to the pictures.
Best to you, Charlie.

Good Morning. Start home today. Last night's dinner was yet another spectacular experience. This town has some of the best seafood in all the world. Had red snapper last night for the first in a very long time. The service was superb, you would have thought we were royalty with no hint of snobbishness that comes in some places.

You have raised a wonderful son. What a truly thoughtful thing to do. I noticed the glass insulators. In that I have been a collector for most of my life and once had an antique shop, I have dozen or so of the insulators myself. I use them for pattern weights when I sew. Now that has been a long time.

Rained here very hard last night and this morning it is beautiful and the water is calm. Talked to Kelly yesterday and it seems Mattie and Chester have moved next door. Gregg said just to leave them, it was better than having them stand at the gate and bark continuously. I am at a loss as to what to do to return the favor. Have collected a sack full of oyster shells and read they are good for a koi pond to keep the ph correct. Will have to research further and then will offer them to go in their pond.

Like a barn sour horse, when it is time to go home, you can't hold me back.

Sharon, Mike declares next year our destination is Kentucky. wooohooo!

Absolutely...whooohoooooo!!!!
Great news, LouC....

You all be safe traveling, and let us know when you get home safely..probably tomorrow.

Charlie, you have a lovely day today, you be safe as well.
I'll be back tonight!

Hi Christi and Sharon,
Saw about haute cuisine in Child film, but sounds like Christi's been experiencing it too. Interesting what Sharon said re "low country" cuisine.
Raised in Europe, I would have taken that to be Dutch cooking!

Safe trip back, Christi. Sure Mattie and Chester will be more than happy to return home when you do. Sounds like they were lonely without their family.

Flowers getting a bit scrappy, Sharon. Late in season, though fall monkshood just out/coming out, as said.

Arend's monkshood (back garden):

This message was edited Oct 10, 2009 9:54 PM

Smooth aster still nice.

Also Alma Pötschke.

So pretty, Charlie. It is nothing but green here.
No leaf changing, no flowers blooming.
Only green.

Hi Sharon, a couple more:
New England aster at Garden #2, also today.

A strange one:
Summer flowering Trollius, but not this late.

Pretty, though, even now!

True, Sharon.

Only problem with flowering now is it delays cutting perennials back in order to plant the spring bulbs. Latter, my least favorite gardening job.

Can't make my mind up about single colour blocks of hybrid crocus or mixed colour blocks. Find I have to replace crocuses. Think they are the favorite bulb of the voles. Find continual cultivation tends to mix up the different colored surviving bulbs anyway. Also find ochre, white and white/purple-mauve striped (Pickwick) - in flower - are easier to see towards the back of a flower bed than purple-mauve ones.

Odd to be thinking about next April-May!

Not odd, I do the same thing. However I do prefer color blocks of plants, and try to do that as often as possible. Problem is, sometimes a white sneaks in among the purple and drives me nuts.

The paler colors, the pastels do tend to fade into oblivion in the backs of flower beds. Bright pink won't, but the others do.

Even with careful planning, I always have a wayward bulb that gets in the middle of where it should not be. When I move it, then I have a hole in it's spot everytime.

Geesh, I must be hard to please.

Sharon, you sound like a perfectionist like me!
Think we're too demanding on ourselves.
Just can't keep all bases covered with gardening.

The small pink bulb I use is Chionodoxa 'Giant Pink'. As said, the blue Chionodoxa is a terrible (for me) seeder. David did say 'Giant Pink' or 'Pink Giant' seeds, but in my experience it stays in clumps.

Have got some more pink double shortish tulips to plant (Angelique), which I really liked this spring. Need more spring bulbs.

Had better get to bed,
Nite, Sharon.

Nite Charlie,
Have a great tomorrow.

After a quick continental breakfast in the lobby we will be on the road again. We have

seen miles and miles of forest. Only color peaking here and there is yellow. Much of it is Black Eyed Susan and the other is what I call ragweed. All in the undergrowth is a very short fan palm. Of course, Louisiana is swamp land so I wouldn't want to to try to break through the undergrowth. We spent the night in Alexandria, La. Big college football game here last night and the traffic was horrendous coming through town. Also a children's soccer tournament and all the hotels were full. We are fortunate that we are in a brand spankin' new Comfort Inn with 200 kids and their parents. Mike just went to get coffee and he said the breakfast area is overrun. Only 5 hours to home! Yay!

Sharon, hope you are feeling better. And you, too, Charlie, with your injured leg.

Christi, closing in on home.
Interesting to hear about the plant life and people action on the way home.
We always start with coffee too.
Love the place name, Alexandria: know (knew) Alexandria, Va, quite well.
Hellenism and the few centuries from the founding of Alexandria, Egypt, is my favorite period of history.
Leg getting better all the time, thanks.

(Correction: Hellas is Greece: 2 'Ls': write the plant name helenium (named for Helen of Troy) all the time. Getting old, or is it just too much in the mind?)


This message was edited Oct 11, 2009 11:15 AM

Too much on the mind.
I love pre history too, all the way up till the Middle Ages. Then I no longer enjoy history. It just keeps repeating itself. Of course my point of view is that of the artist.

Be safe, Christi...and then Welcome Home.

Too true,
History keeps repeating itself because it's about human beings.
Can't seem to get beyong that!

Playing in the dirt today. Yayyyyy! Got some daylilies moved, next I am planting a hibiscus, a cutting from a friend. Then the mimosa, then the Mountain Laurel.....Fun day in the dirt!

Later, folks, after I have had my dirty fix for the month.

Love that: "playing in the dirt". It also goes by the name of heavy work!

Been cutting back perennials for a few hours yesterday and again today at garden #2. Quite enjoy it. Don't mind weeding either. Anything destructive doesn't require lots of intelligent foresight. So much more relaxing than having to think! And the fact that it's constructive destructiveness, and everybody is in favour of it, makes it socially exceptable!