What's happening in your neck of the woods? #23

I'm glad you mentioned that Fancy had been chewing on a beet, otherwise it could've been something awful.

I'm glad you mentioned harvard beets. I love them but haven't had them for years.

I hate shopping, like ~M~, I go in, get what I'm after and I'm outta there.

No news here.

I heard a funny noise in the kitchen just now and tracked it down to the corner where the dog crate sits with dog food on top. The noise again made me look up at the window and I saw what you see ( badly) in the pic. Its the underside of the tail of Northern Red Tail Flicker! Clinging to the top of the window frame and pecking away at something. There have been a lot of both Red and Yellow flickers around recently. A few weeks ago there was a whole flock of young ones pecking around on my grass.

This one flew away before I had a chnce to try for a better pic.

This message was edited Oct 21, 2009 4:17 PM

WIll be scarce for a bit ... Lorna had a fall during the night last .. she fell on her stump and there was extensive damage done. After 14 hours in the emerg of our Regional Hospital the surgeon saw her .. and .. she is facing ANOTHER amputation, this time ABOVE the knee .. not a good thing ..

Sad day here for sure ... prayers and thoughts appreciated

~M~

oh Marilyn........ poor Lorna.
Yes, you most assuredly have my prayers for her and I'll be thinking of her, and you, always.

Bless you both for all you're going through........

Oh Marilynne, that's awful. Good thoughts, prayers and hugs sent your way. Lets hope the staff are all excellent from here on in.

Linda

Prayers coming your way for Lorna.

Calgary today:

High Forecast +11ºC or 52ºF
Condition: mostly cloudy
Temp: 3ºC or 38ºF
Wind: SW 9 km/h or 6 mph
Relative Humidity: 60%
Pressure: 101.0 kPa or 29.83" falling
Dewpoint: -2.6ºC or 27.3ºF
Ceiling: 21 000 ft
Visibility: 64 km or 40 miles

Altitude: 1084 m or 3556 ft
Latitude: 51.12º
Longitude: -114.04º

Sunrise: 8:13AM
Sunset: 6:26PM
Daylight Hours: 10 hrs 12 min, loosing about 4 minutes per day

Here's a sketch the kid did. Still have 2 Hybrid Teas to move from a pot into the veggie garden for the winter. The garden looks very bare now. A neighbors kid rang the door bell the other day and had a look of major concern. He wanted to know what happened to all my flowers. He thought someone stole them. He had trouble understanding that they all froze and will be back next year. It was quite funny.

Nice day and yesterday too. I managed to get pretty much everything cut down that is going down. Another 6 bags in the garbage! Wish I had space to compost all that stuff. I once looked for people to take it for their own compost but it was not very successful. Now just wandering around picking up 'stuff' that needs to be stored for the winter.
My tubes of mulch defrosted so I put another layer on the new hosta bed.
Next job is to put out the extension cords , and bases for Xmas decorations. Nice to get that done before it snows and gets really cold!

Marilyn hope Lorna will be OK.

I am having a bad day. Here is something for everyone. This is not meant to be about religion. Please be kind to each other.

The fact of the matter is that everyone struggles or faces difficulty at some point in their life – people of faith included. “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a great battle,” said the ancient philosopher Philo of Alexandria. Or as Joshua Halbersam, author of Everyday Ethics, puts it: “When you judge other people, remember one overriding axiom: Everyone is having a hard time. Everyone is insecure. Everyone is hassled. Everyone is tired – we all need more sleep. Everyone wishes he had more courage, more money and better social skills. Everyone wants more glamour in life, and we all desperately need more laughter. Few can figure out how they ended up living the life they lead. Don’t be misled by flippant talk; it’s a battle for everyone out there….Give people a break. It’s not easy doing a life.”

Taken from an article written by John Longhurst, in the Winnipeg Free Press a few years ago.

Marilynne, will call later.

Brenda - thank you for that. It's so true, we all should walk in each other's shoes and, at some point in our lives we do.
As John Longhurst says - "Everyone is having a hard time. Everyone is insecure. Everyone is hassled. Everyone is tired"

I try to remember that when I get frustrated. This am, I told one of the physicians (when they were complaining about McDonald's staff not getting things right) that I try to remember when I had MY first job, and I'm sure others were gritting their teeth about me.....

I think people tend to forget (when they know a skill well) that others may be where They were when they started, and someone taught them things........and were tolerant.

ok, climbing OFF my soapbox LOL

~Susan~

It’s not easy doing a life.”

What an absolutely wonderful piece Brenda. Very apropos for me for sure ....

The wind was from the east off of Lake Superior today .. BRrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr ... trying to scoot across the hosp parking lot loaded down with TIMMIES coffee proved to be a challenge .. almost stopped dead centre and drank one !!

Lorna had NO surgery today .. her temp spiked quite high .. she is on several IV antibiotics .. MAY have the surgery Saturday or Sunday .. a wait and see proposition ....

My gardens are pretty bare too Joanne .. some cabbage and turnip left in the veg garden waiting for a bit more frost.
We have a skiff of snow that stayed after a bit of a snowfall on Thursday .. looks kinda pretty ... AKkkkkkkkkkk did I actually type that !!! LoL

Take care all

~M~

High Forecast +6ºC or 43ºF
Condition: rain snow mix
Temp: 1ºC or 33ºF
Wind: NW 11 km/h or 7 mph
Relative Humidity: 96%
Pressure: 101.3 kPa or 29.91" rising
Dewpoint: -0.1ºC or 31.8ºF
Ceiling: 1 000 ft
Visibility: 2 km or 1 miles

Altitude: 1084 m or 3556 ft
Latitude: 51.12º
Longitude: -114.04º


This message was edited Oct 24, 2009 9:13 AM

Rained al night and then turned to snow, very wet and heavy - bet a lot of tree branches will break off from the weight unless it melts off before nightfall.
Looks like a day for sewing dog beds!
A sample of finished and ready to sew beds. Fund raiser for Sheltie Rescue.

Morning everyone..lordy it's been quite a weekend, so much to do, productive but sure do need more than a few hours of sleep don't I..

"M" I'm so sorry to hear about Lorna..you must be terribly worried...

Brenda, what a beautiful post..copied if ok with you and will post on another forum I'm on..you know, if you just sit with people and talk you can see why some are walking around with a frown, even those smilling have inner concerns..so yes, best not we judge...I'll make that my moto for the next while..tks

Ohhh that's white stuff isn't it..PLEASE don't send it my way...should have been outside on the weekend to take the pond pump out of the water..best I do that tonight..if I procrastinate much longer the pond will freeze and I'll be buying a new costly pump next year...put that on my 'to do' list..lol..

Wow fancy, look at the sewing you've ahead of you...do hope they brings in mega $$ at your fund rainsing event..

OMG starting next week and each week until Christmas there are mega craft shows going on...do all of you, or any of you attend these shows...nice gifts can be purchased at these sales...

I'm going to USA (yes, again-if I keep this up they really should give me dual citizenship) on the 6th..lol..have my Daves Garden Workshop kits to post and mega swaps (thanks goodness they are already in boxes) I am ahead in some things...

Imagine, adrenaline acting up, went to bed after 8pm as I was mega tired, woke up at midnight, tossed turned, finally got up and worked on costumes till 4am, back to bed, up at 6pm...only but an hour or so left of hand sewing and Ernie and Vampire chicken costumes ready to sent to Toronto for Caleb and Braedon, thanks goodness Kyle feels he's too old to 'trick or treat' and is doing a haunted house with a friend for the little ones, and Noah, he died his hair (streaks) bright hot pink for his costume which he is designing on his own or I'd be in mega trouble...

Have you all started your Christmas shopping as yet???? let's get at it, soon will be here..(give me a slap will you!)

Enjoy your day..

Betty you are welcome to use the quite as you wish, Of course you would give credit to John Longhurst and Joshua Halbersam. I will dmail the whole article to you. I am very happy to see you back, busy as ever.

Marilynne, praying for a Lorna to have a good day of recovery.

Today is going to be another nice day for working outside. As I don't see too many left in the forecast, I better get out there and finish up some things that I won't even admit still need doing.

Rain has stopped, sky is blue, oh how I wish I could also be home doing leaves...love my trees but OMG come fall what a mess!

Calgary today:

High Forecast +10ºC or 50ºF
Condition: partly cloudy
Current Temp: 6ºC or 43ºF
Wind: N 13 km/h or 8 mph
Relative Humidity: 49%
Pressure: 100.3 kPa or 29.62" rising
Dewpoint: -3.6ºC or 25.5ºF
Ceiling: 9 800 ft
Visibility: 64 km or 40 miles

Altitude: 1084 m or 3556 ft
Latitude: 51.12º
Longitude: -114.04º

Sunrise: 8:18AM
Sunset: 6:20PM
Daylight Hours: 10 hrs 02 min, loosing about 4 minutes per day

Bluebird Clematis

We have a rain/snow mix this morning. Yuck! The first time seeing "white" is always the worst. :(

Not good, if you all have it it's sure to be here shortly...yuk is right!

Rain today but that's ok, sure beats snow..

Brought in some projects today to entertain myself..hope it passes the day!

"M" how's Lorna?

I haven't heard from M this morning, but her dmail last night was distressing. I know Marilynne would appreciate our prayers for Lorna, it's just one complication after another.

Another warm but windy day in MB.

Brenda - I heard from my sister yesterday that Winnipeg is cool, and dreary (cloudy)...good to hear it's warmed up. She's not good on windy days (lung cancer and has some pieces missing so finds it impossible to walk & talk). I'm praying for her - apparently a node is growing on her left lung, she had a biopsy on the 13th, and will hear on Nov 3rd. She hopes to go to Toronto to get the node lasered. She wants it to "zap the he** out of it". She's "tired of these tests and hates them" (as if anyone Likes them, eh?)

I sure hope they send her to wherever it is she can get this done.

~Susan~

I didn't know you had a sister Susan. Sure hope her test are negative. Maybe they could send her to Calgary. The Cancer center there has had a very good rep. Then you could be with her.

Warm - yes, but it's all relative. I'm calling 40°F warm, these days. Supposed to go to 46° today. Sun looks like it may make an appearance.

I have 3 sisters (from eldest to youngest - Evelyn, Alice, Ruth), and a brother (he's the youngest of the 4 - Stan). I'm the "baby" of the family lol.

I'm praying for Alice - she's gone through so much. She's older by 10 years, so this is difficult. She's 65 and has had this for about 15 years. Some times it's ok, and other times like now, it's difficult. Like any cancer, she has her "ups and downs".

I know the Tom Baker Cancer Center is good, but her surgeon is opting for a new laser treatment they have in Toronto.

~Susan~

So many in need of prayers...will they ever find a cure? They've made such strides but lordy, so much more is needed...

Sending out prayers for your loved ones!

My daughter says that as you get older, your cells break down, and you're Bound To Get Cancer....... yuck, what an outlook!

High Forecast +2ºC or 35ºF
Condition: mostly cloudy
Current Temp: 0ºC or 32ºF
Wind: NW 18 km/h or 11 mph
Relative Humidity: 81%
Pressure: 100.7 kPa or 29.74" rising
Dewpoint: -3.2ºC or 26.2ºF
Ceiling: 14 000 ft
Visibility: 64 km or 40 miles

Altitude: 1084 m or 3556 ft
Latitude: 51.12º
Longitude: -114.04º

Sunrise: 8:20AM
Sunset: 6:20PM
Daylight Hours: 9 hrs 58 min

WOW, less than 10 hours of daylight: loosing about 4 minutes per day

Love your Halloween Pumpkin Pot, Joanne. I have "bad Hair" days like that. lol

Chocked on my lunch Don...yep, have had a similar hairdo as well..
Susan, that doesn't sound too positive..we're all getting older...

I know, Betty - but she's in her 30's, it's a negative age I suppose lol
She calls it the "natural breakdown of our bodies".
Everyone "breaks down" at a different rate - look at Grandma Moses!! Just started getting going in her 70's!! What a painter, eh?

Susan

Grandmother that raised me was 99 when she passed on..not of cancer but heart...

See?!?!!? my daughter can be a doom & gloom type - I have people say I'm too perky but I'd rather laugh than cry, even during stress!!
(yesterday notwithstanding!)

~Susan~

Hi all ..

Thought I'd pop in with a brief update.

Lorna is doing poorly .. she has 2 blood clots .. one in each lung, so, is receiving blood thinners (Heparin) IV to help her out. She has rec'd 4 units of blood so far .. her blood values are all out of whack.
She has severe pain in her amputation now .. trying to manage it is a challenge.
I did manage to get her up today for a bit .. little advancements each day .. but she is frightened of falling ..
I feel so bad for her ... this is really tough ..

Thak you al for your support ..

Susan .. I hope all works out well for your sister ..

~M~

AAK! just realized that I moved a rose into a spot where I had 2 Giant Alliums. It will be interesting what will happen next spring. I hate it when I rush stuff and don't remember the little details...something that started to happen after 40.

oh ~M~.......... poor Lorna! She must be going through pure He**........

Thanks for the thoughts, Betty, re: Alice....

~Susan~

I find this thread very unappealing to read. Doom & Gloom (thanks Susan, you nailed it and are one of the biggest contributors) everyday. Must we be exposed to this? It's a gardening forum for goodness sake. I'm not sure who Lorna is & why must there be all these updates? Perhaps D-Mail to interested parties may be more appropriate for those updates.

If you don't like the D-Mail option, then change the thread title to something like "Dealing with Life" or " The Prayer thread" and then innocent DG members interested in enjoying the trials and tributes of gardening won't be swayed into reading all about all these medical conditions and the sadness with dealing with them. I understand that there has been a lot of friendships developed here and sharing ups & downs is normal, but out of respect for others, please title your threads appropriately.

I will not contribute to this thread any longer. Toddles







This message was edited Oct 27, 2009 6:46 PM

I must respond. I wonder who else saw the above post before it was sanitized. I don't like confrontation or unease but some times I have to speak up.

As mentioned, there are some of us that have been here for a number of years, have met face to face, and have made some good friendships. As with most friendships, you Do share life's ups and down's. Sometimes it's easier to talk with friends over the computer because it makes one take a step back from the emotions and still get the support. Many of us have shared joys as well as our health issues. Most of us are active with d-mails and use them regularly. Sometimes though, it's nice to let others know what's going on. Asking for support and prayers is one way of asking others to share the load. If someone finds the information too much then maybe they should not go back to that forum. There are many that don't interest me after the few posts and I don't go back to the post. Others I check many times through out the day. Does it really matter who the person is that we are asking support for, so long as they are important to us. Some folks here are having trouble with all the doom and gloom. Well then go to other threads. Some of us find great solace in the support that is here. It's much easier having comments in the thread than having to do single d-mails to many of your friends here at Dave's. I imagine these posts will be pulled, but for now, I know that friends of mine are finding friendship, support and a bit like a family feeling.

I love to garden. But it's not all that I am. I am a person who has wonderful friends that care and support me and I do the same for them.

If you have a problem with this, post here and let the rest of us see what you have to say.

Linda

edited for grammar only

This message was edited Oct 27, 2009 7:17 PM

I read the original version, as did a few others I'm sure. I suppose that was the strategy anyhow. This is a busy time of night with lots of users. I will talk gardening with anyone till you are spinning in circles. I will also stand beside anyone needing support. Not offering any apologies for showing a little compassion to a friend in this thread. As for titling the threads, .....I think Linda said it well.

Almost every forum ( that I post on anyway) in DG has what I would call a 'social' forum which may have nothing in particular to do with gardening but the things going on the lives of those gardeners who have become friends here.
The title of this thead says it all.

I also agree with everything that was said by Linda (MG99), echoes and fancyvan above. In Canada we, unfortunately, have very loooooooooooooooooooooong winters and lots of discussion threads evolved from that reality.

Dave's started off as a very obvious religious gardening site and caring has always been a cornerstone of it.

M your friend Lorna and Susan's Alice have my best wishes re their recovery/battles.