Hackberry Trees, etc. #8

Just dropped in to say hello. I am running as fast as I can and still not get it all done today. I guess that is why there is a tomorrow.

Take a deep breath, Sharon.....yeah, there is tomorrow.
You all have a good day, I'll be back tonight.

Some roses still in bloom....poor scraggly critters.

They still add colour, Sharon.

Got up to about 60 degrees today. Great weather. Only problem: it's also easy digging for a squirrel who's just dug up a few of the bulbs I'm planting. Plant
small bulbs at about 4 inches. But it certainly won't go down the 12 inches for the large bulbs.

The squirrels just got my last green tomato that I was going to fry tonight. I had been babying it for days, and thought the squirrel couldn't get to it.

Boy was I ever wrong! I missed my fried green tomatoes. Had them a couple of times last week, but this was my very last one. Sigh....

Thought I might have to shoot a squirrel.
But I have no gun.
And my neighbors would have objected.
And I don't know how to shoot anyway.

But I sure am great with an arrow.
But I don't have a bow either.
Or an arrow.
Ahhhh well.

I miss my fried green tomatoes.

Sharon,
sorry about the last green tomato.
Have never eaten one, but will talk to Carol about eating a fried green tomato.
Am sure I've seen green or greenish ones in a grocery store. Or maybe that's not the same?
Was actually thinking I would like to hit my squirrel on the head with my spade. I prefer the voles/mice. They're much more destructive to bulbs here, but you can't see it going on.
Had better get to bed.
Nite,
Charlie

I need a recipe for fried green tomatoes. I tried and they were terrible..

Oh, you don't know what you are missing, Charlie.

Sharon....maybe it's an acquired taste. My fried green tomatoes are wonderful, trust me.
Hang on, I'll see if I can find my recipe, which I don't really use, but if I try to write it without looking, I'm bound to miss something.
Be right back.

Actually there is no recipe for FGT, but I wanted to check my mother's cook book just in case she did something magical with hers. She didn't, so here goes....

Start with green full tomatoes...the little ones aren't good.
Slice them just a little less than 1/2 inch thick.
Add salt and pepper to both sides of the slices.
Dip in cornmeal, both sides, and be gentle so you don't lose the juicy part.

Fry in very hot oil until bottom side is nicely browned, then turn and brown the other side. This takes only about 3 minutes or less per side, but you have to be sure the oil is hot.

Drain on paper towels...that's all.

Easy easy easy...and don't let any body tell you to use an egg batter or flour, you really don't need it. Of course if that's what you want, go for it, but most of us who grew up with them only use cornmeal.

the end.

Thank you young lady. Have a great day. Yesterday I had a temporary crown from the dentist. I have a very small mouth and it was the second tooth from the back. It was close to water boarding. 40 minutes of torture. But this morning I feel fine.

Thanks from me too, Sharon.
Sounds like it would really go with pumpkin martinis.
And I do trust you too!
I will be reporting back.

Just came from observing a Town Council meeting. Very interested in how they deal with (or are allowed to deal with) things like developpers. I do feel that the majority of the Councillors are a pretty conscientious bunch.

SK...heaven help you when the permanent crown is placed....whew! You know how dentists' chairs are? Well, I scrunch down and down and down, till he can hardly find me. I know he mutters when he sees my name on his schedule.

Charlie...I wish the best for you in the development industry. It isn't easy watching what happens when you know it isn't best for the environment. Maybe it will work out well for your own area.

I have been searching for a palm, one that can be potted, to replace one I had as a child. I wasn't sure of the species, but knew I would know it when I saw it.

Found it today, and I am so excited...Here's a photo, and I think I will be writing an article about it soon. A nice gentle story about a treasured plant. It needs to be trimmed, and it needs a new pot, but isn't it pretty!

You all have a good evening...I have run myself ragged today.

Sharron, for 45 minutes I had my feet raised trying to get away from not being able to breath. I thought that was interesting. I was chocking because of no air because of all the water flowing down my throat. I was chocking, and she, the assistant, said breathe through your nose. I continued to explain, If I could I would, My Dentist called me last night to check on how I was doing. I said I had been water boarded. He said he just wanted to make sure I was OK. He knew I had a rough time because I had such a small mouth. He also knew I was kidding,. He has been my dentist for14 years and this is my first procedure I have needed except for cleaning in 14 years. . It is a good thing I am your twin and held up the family banner. I wanted to just get out of the chair but just held my breath for 45 minute and they were done. I guess I should stop grinding my teeth and then I would not need a crown. Have a great day tomorrow. I am smacked for the total day tomorrow. Many disabled gardeners that I need to help with their roses. Suppose to be in the 50s by Sunday with high winds. I will be inside.... I freeze under 80 degrees. I will check in tomorrow evening if I have the energy, Have a great day. Female Schnauzer is having a problem. She will spend all day tomorrow at the Vet. She is 11 and has a thyroid problem along with a insulin problem. Recently her back legs have no strength, 'When she tried to stand up her back legs collapsed. Keep Madeline in your dog prayers. God bless you Twin...

Well, I can't sleep. Again.

Now I have to worry about my next dental appointment, which is not till March, I think. Thank God for small favors, maybe by March my mouth will grow and it won't be so painful. Or maybe my dentist's fingers will shrink and the tools will grow smaller and the water will only dribble and not spray. And I will breathe, maybe through my ears, since no doubt my nose will be flooded too. I growl through the entire procedure, no matter what it is. You did very well, SK..upholding the family banner.

Welcome to the world of women's fears, Charlie. I am sure you are gnashing your teeth. But there are very few events any worse than the visit to a dentist. Mammogram comes to mind.

Sending Madeline an angel to watch over her.
I am going now to try the bed thing again.
It didn't work the first time and might not work this time, but I had dark chocolate in between, so it really didn't matter. If I can't sleep I can always eat more chocolate.

G'nite, my friends. I am wondering about Christie.

Sharon, that palm is just the thing Buddy likes to snack on. Really clears his system when he vomits it up!

Have a mouth full of bridges and crowns myself. Joke to the dentist about him claiming ownership of a lot of the contents of my mouth. Think I must have had so many root canals that I don't feel much discomfort from teeth. And quite honestly, I used to find the dentist's a peaceful and friendly haven from the turmoil at the School where I taught.

The dental event that really did caught my attention was a dental abscess I had in the past. In the interests of positive thought (so far at least), I don't use the word pain. But dental abscesses must come pretty close to it.

Thinking of Madeline.

Charlie

Well. I had a cat event tonight.

it was dark when I came home, and you must remember I have Jazz and Daisy who are inside cats, but now I also have Cupcake, who used to live next door, but when they divorced and moved away they left Cupcake behind, so she now is my outdoor garden cat who lives in my garage and goes in and out at will. She adores me and the feeling is mutual.

She meets me at the door when she hears my car returning, but tonight as I headed for the door I didn't see her, but I could hear her, so I called out a greeting thinking she was just saying Hello, and went on inside. I fed my Jazz and Daisy, then I changed into comfy clothes, then took food out to the garage where I feed Cupcake. I called her, but she didn't come, so I whistled, she always comes to my whistle, but she didn't come. In the distance I could hear dogs barking, and very faintly I thought I could hear Cupcake.

I went back inside my house, grabbed my running shoes, and headed outside, turning the porchlights on as I went. I called her, she answered..."where are you," I said. She meowed...I tried following the sound, she sounded really upset, I looked in the tree, but no Cupcake...seemed the sound was above my head. It was quite dark, so I couldn't see beyond the rim of light the porch lights provided, I started back toward the house for a flashlight, and happened to glance up, and there was Cupcake on top of my brick arches. The arches connect to the roof line and she was racing from one end to the other and back again.

I tried to coax her down, but she wouldn't jump. I couldn't reach her since the arches are so high, and she must have climbed up the birch tree, then couldn't jump back onto it's trunk because of all the branches.

So I go back in and get a ladder, place it beneath the middle arch. Still I couldn't reach very far, just to the top of the arch. She came to my hands and cuddled, but I couldn't get hold of her from beneath to get her down. Finally she leaned over and I grabbed the back of her neck, she yelled the entire way down the ladder, but we are both safe.

Not sure how long she had been on the roof, but it could very well have been all afternoon. She is one happy cat, and I on ly have a splinter from something I scraped on the way down.

The end.

Quite an adventure! So happy to hear about the rescue of Cupcake, Sharon,
plus your safe return to Earth. Got to be a bit careful, stretching out off ladders and grabbing frightened cats. Still apart from a splinter, all's well that ends well. Sounds like the girl needs a good talking to. I'm sure you'd never box her ears!

Never!!!
But yeah, all's well!

Good nite, Charlie....have a great big beautiful day tomorrow!

Hi Sharon,

Don't know what it is with this house, but insulation not put back in basement yet. Also guy who came to level the hardwood in the kitchen (subsequent to basement work) said he can't until a carpenter has shaved/ raised several areas. Half kitchen floor is up awaiting the carpenter's visit to discuss this tomorrow.

Weather continuing nice and can still comfortably plant bulbs. We're having the nice weather, usually it's B.C.. Carol's brother in Vancouver laughs he's jealous of us. Nice to see winter weather being shortened at this end of the season. It's easier to take it in March or April, because growing weather is just around the corner.

Charlie

Ugh, don't you hate when you have a messy area and have to wait on others to get it cleaned up. Bet it drives Carol crazy, especially since it's in the kitchen.

I have been glued to this computer for what seems to be hours, so it was nice to take a break and see your comment on the bald cypress. I do want you to be sure to take a look at it. It should grow in your area, at least the info says it will. It is a pretty tree.

I love unusual trees, and I also love trees that were planted by the birds or critters. I have the oak tree story coming up with a surprise ending. Well, truth is, I love trees. I would surround myself with them if I could.

And flowers, and bushes...

Now back to my writing. I hope you get that kitchen floor repaired quickly, otherwise Carol is going to be a little upset. Nothing worse than problems in the kitchen. And I'm thinking you've had a long wait for the basement problem too. It's like that here, though, takes a while to get things repaired. Maybe that's true everywhere.

So have a good evening, and I'll check in on you tomorrow...stay warm...it is getting a little chilly at night here. 'Bout time, I guess.

Hi Sharon,
Hope you had a good day too. Weather here still miraculous for this time of year. Actually still planting some bulbs and had to get some blood meal because of squirrel interest. Sunny and very pleasant.

You're certainly right about the kitchen disruption. Work going to be done next week. Weather so nice the contractor is occupied working outside.

Picture below is Buddy using my slippers (stacked laminate flooring in corner behind). The area he's lying on is his favourite place (in the living room) to vomit. It's also precisely the place where my feet rest when I sit in an arthritis friendly chair to watch TV. We won't be replacing the carpeting though until Buddy joins his ancestors.

The challenge now is where to place Mr Messy Eater's bowl and plate. They are currently obstacles to traffic through the hall. We're working on how to stop him, when he eats, from knocking his crunchie bowl down the stairs to the basement. We're trying to keep his food away from where the floor is up and flooring is stored.

Charlie

Oh my.
Buddy is one huge cat.
Maybe he should have his own room, just for dining.
What we go through for our furry friends!! I am still having trouble keeping mine out of the houseplants I just brought inside. They pretend they are in a jungle, I think, and lurk constantly through the branches. I need to do some moving around of the plants.

Our weather is still wonderful...About 70, with lots of sunshine. I am thinking I need to water those things I planted a little more heavily than I have been doing. Maybe they'll be OK.

I have been so tired since I had that sinus infection a few weeks ago. The older I get the longer it takes me to regain my usual energy. Don't know if it is me or if it is the age, but it's something.

Here's another rose blooming again today.....

And another one...

Enjoy your day tomorrow....we'll talk then, I'm sure.
Good nite, Charlie.

Great roses, Sharon.
Sorry about sinus infection.
Carol has sinus problems periodically. Very Uncomfortable.
I still think your cats must be saints compared to our one!
Love that sunshine.
Nite

Good grief, I thought it was November...but my rhododendron is blooming.
It blooms in April, what...did I miss Christmas? It has buds all over....
Craziest thing I've ever seen.

Sorry, I have sort of abandoned you lately. I'm one of those people that gets "down in the dumps" ever now and then and it is better not to share. I have been lurking.

Will try to do better.

Chrisit

Hi Christi,
Great to hear from you. Wondering what you've been doing. Missed you!
Tried to respond last night, but was a server problem.

Hi Sharon,
Interesting re rhododendrons. Suspect that may not be a helpful thing.
Know very little re rhododendrons myself as they have to be grown here in raised acidified beds.

Weather still exceptionally good here for November. Some of your great weather. Was a bit overcast yesterday, but back to lots of sunshine today.
The Mei Kyo (picture) hasn't had snow on it for several weeks. But still got the snow tires put on today.

Charlie

End of the pumpkin martinis (for the season).

Carol's just researched peppermint martinis for Christmas!

I sure am glad those pumpkin martinis are over and done....yech, yech, yech.....mint sounds much better!! How 'bout chocolate mint!!

Be back in a while, just got home.
Great blooms up there, Charlie!

Time for Wheel of Fortune.

later......Christi

I bet I could beat you at "Wheel of Fortune".

What?? Is that the one where you fill in the missing letters??

Nahhhh, I'll beat you every time!!
(Can you tell I watch a lot of TV? Not at all, not even sure why I still own one.)

Hi Sharon,
Been going through minutes of meetings.
Making too much error.
Love chocolate mint (Tim's favourite too).
Back tomorrow,
Charlie

Have a good night, Charlie...
And also a good night to Christi and our other Sharon in Las Vegas.
See you all tomorrow.

The sun is out and it is warm unless you are in the shade. Going to finishing planting spring pansies today and take more cuttings. Have a great day.

Frost on van windows when went out this morning. Was parked in shade on north side of house.

Still pretty comfortable outside. In fact, an excellent day for gardening, but not much garden to garden. Soil in sunny locations hasn't started to freeze at all.

Saw three wild turkeys at garden #2. Very svelte compared to their domesticated relatives.

Frost....ugh! Not there yet, but probably sometime soon.

Here's a tree I decorated for the shop where I do their displays. This is the first of about 4 I will do for them....i doubt I'll have the energy left to decorate one of my own.

That is really good, Sharon.
Love the interesting colour combination: works very well.
Meticulous distribution of decorations throughout tree.
Very nice balance of the different shapes and textures.

You could be laying out a flower bed!

The shop is consignment, more vintage than anything else, and it is a beautiful place. So the tree was decorated with the contents one of those boxes one buys at an auction, not knowing what was inside.

BUT..inside was a treasure of old velvety flowers, dusty rose colored magnolias, and some handmade pinkish fabric sachet things that women kept in their lingerie drawers. I cleaned them up the best I could and used them all to decorate the tree.

Since it is a consignment shop, and we try to encourage the reuse of all things, I thought it perfectly appropriate. The gold fabric you see comes from a set of used chair covers, the kind used to cover banquet chairs. They are about a foot wide and maybe 10 feet long, with a pocket sewn into the middle to cover chair backs. The long ends could be tied in bows on the backs of the chairs. So I just flattened them all out and wove them into the branches. It works.

Yes, like a garden, maybe.

Well Twin Sister, you are really talented. But I am with you. After doing one of those I would not be able to do my one. I stopped putting up a tree two years ago. I do put out Christmas decorations and I have a gold ornament tree and I do hang my favorites ornaments. I was a total Christmas nut before I got sick and retired. Now I am busy at giving all the treasures to our children. We had a family meeting a few years back and asked this question. "Would you rather have gifts or cash and buy what you want"? Unanimous answer, Cash....All our grandchildren are in their teens except for two. At first they got so many presents it was embarrassing. And I was the culprit. I watched one year in horror as they tore through gifts, threw them over their shoulder and screamed NEXT. I did not need to be told by their parents, I knew I was wrong. They now only get 5 presents. They also have to give two presents to underprivileged children. I take them shopping for the presents with the lists of what the children want and need. We have been doing this for 5 years. This has really opened their eyes. This year is going to really blow their socks off. We will be paying utilities, buying food and helping pay rent. I have been raising money in the neighborhood and the neighbors have joined in and want their children to be joining us. They think it is time their children see the real world. A couple of weeks ago one of our neighbors traded in her Porsche SUV for a V W 5 seat SUV. Her daughter did not want to be driven to private school in the V W. Her parents called me and I met them at their driveway the next morning. There was this sweet young lady, 14, sitting in the front seat looking very sad. I asked what is wrong and got nothing. Then her mother told me she was embarrassed to be seen in a V W. I immediately responded gently, what, are you out of your mind. Having an expensive car means nothing. Well one month later she is fine because a whole bunch of her friends parents are getting rid of their expensive cars. Vern & I have always been frugal with cars. Do not ask me what I spend on gardening. I have another story for the limo.. It will have to wait.