Afternoon, these 'roadtrips' are making me tired..wow..2 - 12hr. days of non stop shopping, bit much for me but all the girls enjoyed..glad to be home..had an early Dr.'s appt in Toronto, on Friday they had called to say my appt. was moved from 11am to 9 a.m. - worked better for me in the long run, managed to get back from USA, do the Dr's appt. and still make it to work by 11:30
Called to see how the furries were and Cathy said we'd been hit by a hard rain storm last night and lots of my gardens were flattened, that wasn't good news, otherwise, all was well on the homefront except that Jeff and Julie were on the waterfront kayaking when the storm hit, one park wouldn't let them put up tent, said not a policy to do so..my point of this is, 'is it policy to put someone back in a kayak when you know it's a danger to them?'..drats...Greg my eldest had a retirement party to go to, I was away so that left Greg to find a friend to go pick both Jeff and Julie up and transport their kayak and supplies to another trent lock..Jeff must have been angry enough because in his last posts on his blog he used 'bad words' unlike him..not nice..when he calls tonight I'll have to give him the 'what for'...glad they are safe though..
winds are coming up and it's getting cloudy, can feel a storm brewing..
Carol, that's good advice, will have to go read the blog..I'll tell you, I just can't handle Sailor when there is a storm, never saw a dog fret like she does...
Piper sounds like a lot of work but you are enjoying having a puppy in the house again aren't you...how is Lorna doing?
Jen, we agreed that July 18th your baby would be born??? can you tell me what happened ???
Laurie, did you get to go to any of the activities?
Don, sounds as though the weather you are having this week is what we endured the last 2 weeks..hot and lots/lots of humidity...
Just had lunch, could almost fall asleep..pretty sad when you come to work to unwind isn't it?
What's happening in your neck of the woods friends , July/10
Betty lol Sorry I tried.. This baby just doesn't want to come out for no one... I'm on the same boat as you, I could just go to bed for the night right now..
growum - I remember when my male dog (rolo) was about a year old, we were camping up north and they had a firework show, so we took him with us.. It started and he took off yelping like some one stepped on his paw, he was so scared.. We ran after him, it took us about an hour to find him.. We were so worried we wouldn't find him and that he took off into the forest.. Turns out he ran into a ladies camper and was under the table.. she left him there, and came walking to find his owner.. Poor little guy.. Now he just barks at the noise..
M - we've had rain on the forecast for about 4 day before yesterday, when it finally rained.. Boy did it ever hail and all, about a quarter of an inch balls.. It rained all last night, I'm surprised out basement didn't get water again..
DonM47 - hopefully you will get that rain your waiting for, just please dont send it my way..
jen
Jen, when was the actual 'birth' date? you are over now aren't you?
It will be an early night tonight for sure..can't keep my eyes open..
Betty, although we have the hot conditions, it is generally dry with low humidity. This area is Semi Arid. A couple hours west of us in Osoyoos, they are actually a "pocket desert".
Although we were promised rain this week, the forecasters have now changed their mind and it will continue to be hot, and no rain in the forseeable future. :(
No betty its not till july 30
Carol thanks that was a good link. I found after I came in I just went about mu business and she settled down. I have heard that before if you try to calm them you are just reinforcing the behavour. Stay calm and they will calm down too. Actually thought the noise might be hurting her ears. Sad when you can't explain things to them.
Had an email go around at work today - someone had a kitten dropped off behind their house, Poor little thing had sores on it's mouth and eyes - looked so sad. They had one picture of it looking in a mirror like it couldn't believe what it looked like. My heart went out to it but I don't have room for a kitten right now - hope someone took it.
Betty I did go to a few things - the opening ceremonies, farmers market and parade but really hot. I felt sorry for all the people dressed up in bands they must have been hot. It ended down by the river and I guess most people were just jumping in the water when they arrived.
We had/have rain !!! 2/10 of an inch so far .. and more to come .. so .. smack me re my comment on the meteorologists ^_^
We do as you do with Abby, just give Lilly a pat and a snuggle and continue on with whatever it was we were doing .. with the magnitude of a few of the claps of thunder today .. well .. BOTH Lilly and I would have been heading for under the bed, but, since she's the only one who fits .. she won LoL
Little Piper just gave a surprised look when the one huge clap came .. and I kept on reading my book .. he went back to sleep ..
The thoughts of cruelty to animals is something I try not to think about .. know it happens .. but I guess it's the 'out of sight, out of mind' thing .. I do support out Humane Society though ..
MUGGY here .. best get my shower in .. off for a bone density study tomorrow ..
Take care
~M~
Hi all ^_^
Anyone watching 'LOIS the CorpseFlower' by webcam from Houston .. it looks like perhaps today may be the day she UNFURLS and .. well .. blooms and smells !!
Its been fascinating watching both the flower and the people visiting the flower and commenting on its progress.
Still doing mega puppy chasing here .. vets appt was good .. Piper now weighs close to 5 pounds .. in his maturity he will top out at 18-20 pounds.
We got LOTSA rain yesterday .. and today looks like another hot and humid one ..
Enjoy all
~M~
Hot and humid here as well "M", my dehumidifier went on the blink, should be out shopping for one, everything feels so damp..last night there was a lovely breeze so I thought why use the a/c..shut it off and opened all the windows...lordy about 2am I couldn't breath so before leaving this morning I shut all the windows and turned it back on..got my hydro bill, off prime time usage was over 66% so I'm thrilled with that..do you have the special meters??? I'm trying for around 80% so off to a good start..
"M" it's all the love and care Piper is getting that results in a good report card from the vets..
Saying we might have rain today, but then they said that yesterday and no rain...sunshine predicted for the weekend..Collingwood where I'm going to the Elvis Festival sure is hoping for sunshine so that the hundreds of thousand spectators can enjoy..geeee I sure had a great time last year!
Hardly worth my being in the office this week, so quiet, barely a call..traditionally though last 2 weeks of July and first two of August are always the same..people just don't want to worry about their finances during vacation time..
I'm watching Lois too Marilyn. She sure is slow. Have you seen any of the youtube videos which show time lapse of the flower opening?
Having some nice weather here although often short but intense storms in late afternoon.
Have made a decision today to adopt our latest foster dog, she is 13 years old and a sweet girl. She came for a visit today and she and Bailey basically ignored each other and when she met the cat he hissed and she left so that is fine! But I wont take her until Monday as I have a busy weekend.
In fact there is a lot going on here this weekend: Ride Thru Time at Lougheed House, Winning Gardens viewing weekend, Folk Festival, Rose Society show and probably other things too! I am at LH all day Sat and gate sitting a garden on Sunday afternoon..
Here's Abby a couple of weeks ago just after she was groomed.
Carol .. Lois the 'corpse flower' seems to about to bloom out .. I TRY not to watch, but DANG it's difficult .. and .. there is another one of the plants about to bloom in Minnesota .. this one is named 'Perry' .. so .. I have the 2 pages minimized on my taskbar and as I cruise by I hit it and have a looksee ... glad we'll not be able to SMELL her when she/he blooms out LoL
Been a wondrous day here warm and NOT too humid .. have had the dogs out most of the day .. here's hoping Piper thinks he should sleep til 6am instead of 4am .. last might I was sitting in the living room with him from 1am til 2am .. and he wakened for good at 5am .. I AM SLEEPY!!!
Carol Abby looks lovely .. good luck with the adoption ^_^
Betty .. I got side winded by that 'throw the windows open and let the cooler air in' trick too .. woke to an extremely HUMID house at 3am ..
Out I go with the dogs again ..
Take care
~M~
Carol, what a beautiful dog..I'm thrilled that you will soon be a new mama...speaking of mama's, wonder how Jen is doing?
Just started to rain here, not heavy but just enough that I'll not have to water the gardens
Carol, lordy girl you are busy, non stop, guess it keeps you out of mischief...my plans for the weekend will be to go to Collingwood for the Elvis Festival, always a lot of fun! saying it won't rain so the organizers will be doing a happy dance for sure
Imagine, didn't even go eat the fresh corn I picked up tonight, afraid that once I sit that's the end of me so busy downstairs doing Christmas Quilt blocks..machine is embroidering the inserts...if I keep at it, I'll have the 3 I need for August ready so I can mail tomorrow..trying to keep ahead of my commitment...
Machine says, 'change color please' so best I go check things out..
Wow, that's early to be up "M" when you aren't going out to work...how's the training of the nurses going?
Have som white phlox blooming..they seem to bloom later than the colore dones...
Hope you've all enjoyed your day, your gardens...
Oh another Abby, isn't she gorgeous!
Rain yesterday, hot today and rain again tomorrow. Managed to get the lawn mowed tonight or at least most of it - I have an electric and it ran out of power just before I finished. Usually do it over two nights but because of the rain coming I thought I would do it all tonight. Oh well I will get the rest done when it dries up or maybe it won't even rain.
Snow peas and broccoli out of the garden now and a few new potatoes the other night - yum!
Betty it is only the weekends this summer that are busy, nothing much going on during the week!
Carol
Abby looks lovely! I know she will feel right at home with you both there to help her.
Will you get to see any gardens or sitting at one in particular?
Betty and Marilynn you guys sure go 90 miles an hour !
Two Abby's , now we can have a big and little un and Growum I believe yours is the big un.
Here are some baby Hosta's the seeds were compliments of Violann and I have tried to keep their labels straight. This is one of 3 trays!
Ann
Ann no I am not seeing any gardens except the one I gate sit. But I did see the big winners when I was judging.
Do you have any of the 'mouse' hostas amongst those seedlings? I lost a couple of my new ones this past winter so will plan to replace next year.
Ann, I usually divide my hosta's in the spring, clumps, usually take, are those grown from seeds? are they miniatures...I've been making some hypertufa containers, they are curing at the moment, the containers I saw while on vacation in Ohio had miniatures, miniature plants as well, so adorable...will go on the lookout this spring..
You all must have gotten my rain, had perhaps 20 drops and it passed us by, sun is shinning, say it will be a hot and muggy day..
Think it's worse that winter, at least winter I go outside and do things, in this heat you come home and stay in...
Carol, were you pleased with who won on the garden tour?
Laurie, nothing like looking outside and seeing freshly cut grass..
Bit tired this morning, was up late, joined a Christmas Quilt block exchange, need to do 3 blocks a month so last night I was full of vim and vinegar so decided to get them done..will post today..so far I'm not lagging behind..these blocks are due August 15th..give me a bit of a breather, next batch due September 15th. Next time I feel I need a project to entertain me I'll get those done..
Am sure non of the quilting girls lurk here so I'll post a photo
These were June/July blocks (yes I was late with the June blocks)
The August blocks
I'm a recipient of the August swap, didn't have to send one to be included in my bag of goodies but thought why not, otherwise I'd not make one for me!
Meant to show you the pretty birdbath I picked up on the weekend..now where to put it, that's the question..
Betty - nice quilt blocks. The plants Ann posted were seedlings from some of my hostas. Won't know how large they can get for maybe 5 years, but since they are open-pollinated seeds, they could get rather large though most of my hostas are moderate in size.
Ann - they are looking good. Now try to cull the ones you don't want. LOL I managed to get rid of about 80 seedlings when the Ontario Hosta Society visited my garden. I had them potted in cups and labelled as to pod parent and they actually went fairly quickly.
Feel stupid, no knowledge of hosta's and yet I love them...Ann, are you saying that I can keep the seed pods from the flowers? would I plant them now or would I wait until spring? for the containers I'm making it would be wonderful to have them just bigger than Ann showed, could always transplant later as they get big into the gardens...
Hi All
In looking at the parents that Ann had labled these were seeds from, I don't believe any are mini's.
I am happy to share if any of you are down/up this way.
Carol none were "mouse's" and I only have a Blue Mouse ears that I could share when you come this way. I have some other minis that I could share unless you are sticking to the "mouse" theme.
Pleased to hear that you have seen all the best gardens, did they give you any idea's?
Betty, Christmas alread? you are very organized!
Ann, I have BIG difficulty culling and not saving the cull's, LOL.
Good idea about sharing though.
Ann
lol, you sound like me, hate to throw even the wild flowers away..culling wouldn't be my thing..
Well, the swap is so that come November we can all do something with the christmas themed quilt blocks so we had to start June and go right through to Nov. with 3 blocks to make each month..so far so good..of course we got to pick the block design we wanted..makes things easier..
Just went for lunch, oooh hot dog at Canadian tire..eat light, eat cheap, had to buy a bag of vermiculite and perlite for containers..lol gee if I gave up eating I could finance more craft projects...
Ann I am trying to collect all the mice!
I lost Country Mouse, Frosted Mouse Ears and Cat and Mouse.
I will be looking for Royal Mouse, MIght y Mouse and Snow Mouse next year.
Carol
I will keep an eye out for them as I cruse around the greenhouses. Too bad only have Blue Mouse ears at this time.
Ann
I can get most of them from the Hosta nurseries in Ontario- have seen a couple of minis in the greenhouses here but no mice!
I presently have 'Blue Mouse Ears', 'Holy Mouse Ears', 'Frosted Mouse Ears', 'Mighty Mouse' and 'Cat and Mouse' from that family. Have 'Snow Mouse' and 'Mousetrap' back-ordered. Also have 'Country Mouse' but it's a totally different family. Most of them bloomed this year but none set seed.
I WILL get seed from 'Lemon Frost' this year and maybe 'Little Red Rooster', both of which are minis. I will also be dividing and selling some of my minis next spring and if you are interested would entertain doing a bit of mail-order as long as you covered my costs for postage. I'm beginning to think about what I'll be dividing.
http://www.giboshiarekore.com/seeds.html has some good advice on growing hostas from seed. Most important is to realize they won't look like the parent plant though they will have some of the characteristics. Most of them will be solid green or yellow. The greens might develop into blue in time if they have blue in their heritage.
Also important to remember that it will take about 4-5 years for them to reach maturity and they could look VERY different at that time than they do in the first or second year.
Here are MOST of my mice. They have a watchful cat looking over them, but he doesn't show in this pic.
Oh I had not come across Mousetrap! I also found Blue Mouse Ears Supreme somewhere.
Who have you ordered them from? Shades of Green has several of the ones on my list
I have them all in the ground -they might look better in a large pot I suppose.
Nice how you have them surrounded by greenery so they don't get lost..
I'm going to make more hypertufa pots this weekend, bought the necessary supplies, will leave them until spring so the chemicals don't kill the plants, come spring I'll focus on going shopping for similar to yours...
Breaking news...been thinking about quiting again, spending more time at home, of course a part time job of 2 days a week would be nice, so yesterday, gave a 2 week notice...
Looking forward to it actually!
Betty - I hope you find the 2 day a week job.
This is the pic of the Mouse Garden that I was looking for yesterday. Shows the whole thing though the individual mice are not as clear. It's a container I found at Loblaws a couple of years ago. Would buy another if they had them this year.
This message was edited Jul 23, 2010 11:08 AM
Is it like a hypertufa pot Ann? lightweight?
It's not too heavy, but not hypertufa. Has a pedestal base.
Here's a better pic of the pot from a couple of years ago before I surrounded it with greenery. BTW, all that tiny sedum came from ONE little pot a year ago. It has the potential to become a real weed if I let it. I've also used it in other places in the yard and thrown away masses of it.
Ann in the last pic what are the two identical green /white hostas upper right and left?
How do you overwinter that pot? In the garage?
Great for the containers though..I had one hosta I washed the dirt off of, left it float in the pond, planted it come fall and it came back healthier than anything this year..
Ann
Very cute!! I would be willing to send you some $$ for some mice's or meeses. I will post a photo of my minis. I have some cute ones but only one Mouse. My mini's are in a raised planter so they show up better but I would worry about them being in a pot here.
Ann
Carol - the two white hostas are similar but not identical. The one on the left is 'Lakeside Elfin Fire'. Very fast growing. I divided it all up last year for a border and have 4 small divisions this year. This is a pic from 2 years ago.
The one on the right is 'X-Rated'. This is a 2009 pic.
I MIGHT be able to get a division of 'Blue Mouse Ears' next year, but my other mice are all too small to divide. And some of them are patented.
BTW, there's quite a family tree. Go to http://myhostas.be/sports/index.htm# and select Blue Mouse Ears if you want to see this better formatted.
Blue Mouse Ears (bb)
Sports:
Blue Mouse Ears Supreme (os)
Cat and Mouse (yb)
Green Mouse Ears (gg)
Mighty Moe ()
Mighty Mouse (yc)
Mouse Tracks (os)
Mouse Trap (wb)
One Iota (gc)
Sport:
One Iota Supreme (os)
Sports:
Desert Mouse (cb)
Lucky Mouse (bc)
Pure Heart (yg)
Royal Mouse Ears (os)
Sports:
Frosted Mouse Ears (gw)
Holy Mouse Ears (wb)
Snow Mouse (wb)
You've got quite a collection Ann..
Was out for supper at a lovely restaurant in Midland that I had no knowledge of, best food ever, then a movie, yikes 2 1/2 hrs. of not understanding a thing about it and coming out of the theatre meeting up with other viewers all having same outlook on it and nobody understanding the ending...had Leonardi from Titanic as main character...oh well, guess at my age I should be going to cartoons maybe then I'd get the plot..lol
Know tomorrow is the Elvis Festival competition in Collingwood so that will fill in that day, today, hmmm just not sure !
Overcast, hope it clears up..still have the humidity..got to buy a dehumidifier, everything feels so damp down here...
Enjoy your day
Holy Cow .. never really was ever aware of the intricasies re Hosta .. I have some .. no idea what they're called, just kinda like'em ^_^
In fact, I should take a pic as they are in bloom and, i imagine, at their peak right now ..
Busy days/afternoons and evenings here (and SOME nights) as the puppy comes to learn his routine, and, gosh I KNOW I shouldn't say this, but, it seems that he gets more 'informed' everyday .. or, perhaps I am just learning to read his body language a bit better.
My 2 nursing students will be done with mentoring in a week .. so proud of their progress .. they'll be welcome additions to the health care system where ever they decide to start their journey.
All they really needed was some 'one on one interaction'. Neither did well in a huge classroom with 20 or 30 other students, they had questions and concerns and never asked for fear of being dubbed 'stupid' .. sad situation that.
My flowers and gardens are doing well .. albeit the need to water is ever present ..purchased some Yellow Loosestrife and Mexican Hat (I think that's what it's called) just to fill in some spots that needed a yellow or rust colour .. all I have to do now is plant it LoL
Throwing out a question ^-^
When do you divide and re plant your DayLilies/ Bleeding Heart/ Iris .. fall or spring ? I have some serious culling/dividing to do ..
Just started to rain .. looks like another cup of coffee is on my agenda ...
Enjoy your weekend
~M~
Betty - I have a lot of hostas but of the 'mice', I don't have all by any means.
Chamberfest starts tonight. I'll be stage manager for the concert by Frederica Van Stade.