CA's & SW Gardener's, Let's Introduce Ourselves2

I can't believe how warm, bright and sunny the last week has been. It is hard to believe it is Jan. I should be out pulling weeds too, but got a kindle fire for Christmas and I'm hooked. My plumeria plants still have leaves on them, poor things don't know what to expect of our weather.

I received a Kindle for Christmas also....have even learned how to down load books from my library!! I decided to go way back in school and re-read "Girl of the Limberlost". I think I read it originally in the 8th grade. Jo

Hi everyone. : - )
Whew! Am I glad the Holidays are over. Although, I have to admit Jo, that I love my Kindle too. You can take your whole library with you on vacation. Now if only I can figure out how to upload photos and send emails through it. LOL!
Mine is a hand me down from ES, so I don't have the instruction manual. So he'll have to show me.
Sami, mine lost all their leaves and they are in a sunny place in the gh. Go figure.
Beautiful weather all over, a Chamber of Commerce, picture postcard weather.
Is anyone interested in having a Round Up this year? I've talked to DH, and he didn't say no. He just remarked on what a shame it was that we couldn't meet outdoors because of the iffy weather.
We've hosted the RU for the last two years, and while we enjoy doing so, and are willing to do so again, we'd like to see more people get involved, and come out for it. We were thinking it might be better to have the RU at a more centralized location, if one could be found.
So before I start a thread on this, I'd like to find out what the So. West Gardeners feel about this.
We've had folks coming in from AZ and maybe NV, but some of our DG'ers right here don't come to the RU's, and it's a real shame.
So much fun, good food, good company, and Plant Swapping! : - )
Y'all let me know what you think, and we'll figure out where to go from there.
Walk In Beauty~
SingingWolf

Count me in. What would be concidered a central location? Is it possible to send dmails to calgardeners who might miss this thread or who don't really follow the forum. I'll look into it. Will this be potluck? I can do deviled eggs and mac salad and pasta salad. Those are the three things I can make that I know won't kill anybody. Also a couple of cases of Shasta or maybe some of those frozen lemonade concetrates (wait, this would be a party so we could have both). And COOKIES!!!! What time frame are we looking at? Ok, enough for now, I'm off to figure out the dmail thing.....Robyn

I would love to come again....but having lost my dear friend Donna...I don't know if I could....she will certainly be missed.

I have a blue toe and a lime green toe today...my Dr. removed the toenails on both big toes this morning....he put different colors cover bandages on them to represent the two main political parties...since he has to listen to me talk politics all the while he is working on my toes!!

Hugs to all....Jo

Count me in too SW. I'll help all I can.
Jo, we should continue enjoying the RU's just as Donna would want us to. She'll certainly be missed but not forgotten.

I sent out some dmails. Please forgive me if you got one and already knew about this or if you got two. Is the round up for all of California or do south and north do seperate?

Singing Wolf, you could look up your Kindle on the internet and retrieve the manual.

I will have to think about the RU. Sharon

Usually, Robyn, what we do is decide if there is going to be enough people who are interested in attending the event,
Then we'll start a couple of three threads. One is to sign up for the RU. This is the thread where we discuss the date of the RU, and the location, and DG'ers are supposed to post on that thread to let us figure out exactly how many will be attending..
The second thread is for who is bringing what to the Pot Latch (Pot Luck). Come on Jo, we'll make sure to get the good chocolate milk. : - )
The third is for seed, plants or other things people want to swap. Then we'll get a hold of Terry from Admin who'll make sure that the threads get put at the top of the CA Forum (a sticky).
That will be bringing in more people.
When I had the energy and time KC and I would write to new members living in CA, welcome them to DG and send them a personal invite. We've collected a few folks along the way.
Jo why did you loose both your big toe nails? I know those colors well. At any given time I have several of them colors covering my legs, proclaiming to all who see that I'm clumsy.
One last word to Jo, I agree with weegy about Donna. She will be there with us in spirit, and she is always in our hearts. If we can't spend time talking to our fellow DG'ers who knew her, well it's kind of harsh. I don't have anyone around here who knew Donna to talk to about, except you guys. It's a good thing to keep our friends' memory alive. Remember too, that I'm a legacy and probably wouldn't have joined DG when I did, but for my Dad's passing. Even though that happened in 2008, so
many of his friends and acquaintances reached out and helped me out. We have to pay it forward. Donna was one of the first here in CA to reach out to me. : - )
I don't intend to forget her, but I want this to be a celebration of life too. I do hope you can come. I wouldn't mind getting another hug from you. : - )
The last question you asked, Robyn was about the folks up in No. CA. They don't usually come down here, and I forget why they don't have one up there, but it was a good reason. They probably get together in small groups? I'm not sure. But as you can see we do get folks from AZ, NV and So. CA.
I'm kinda tired right now, so I'll check in over the weekend and see if any one else wants to jump in here. Lets hear from some more folks. You don't have to be shy.
I promise I only bite my food. LOL! : - )
Thanks for volunteering weegy, you are protecting our fellow DG'ers from my horrible coffee! LOL!
I knew I could count on you. : - )
I should mention that we sometimes invite our non DG gardening friends to join us too. It's all good. : - )
There will be more discussion on the other threads about places and dates, but if something absolutely won't work for you datewise, it's best to let us know asap.
Okay y'all have a great weekend. : - )
Walk In Beauty~
SingingWolf

You are both right...and a little meditation under the Grandmother Oak to remember Donna would be good for me.

My toes nails had become ingrown and had fungus under them so they had to go. I'm surprised that they don't hurt like I thought they would.

You know my mantra is "Never miss a DG Round up if at all possible to attend"! The Virginia/NC group is already asking me when I can come.

Onward with the planning process! Jo

Good to hear Jo. I sure would like to see you. Take care of your feet.
SW, there is no technique to making coffee but if you don't drink it, you don't know what it's supposed to be like! I'll drink any coffee, weak, strong, flavored..mmmmm coffee. I will handle the food thread also and have Terry make your threads stickies. The first 3 weeks in May is out for me, Emma's mom is having a boy around the second week of May! Grandchild number 4!
Looking forward to hopefully meeting new members and of course seeing my friends here at Dave's. It's just not the same typing to friends as it is talking face to face.

I'm fairly new to Dave's Garden, so haven't ever been to a Round Up before. I'd love to see what it's all about!

It's all about good times! Plant trading, good people, good fun and educational all wrapped up in one!

Weegy...I agree with the coffee thing....I am allergic to coffee and my DH "taught" me how he liked his coffee and that is the way I now make it for any one that won't drink Hot Tea with me.

DGD. Amy is "out to sea" but should be states side by the end of March...so I may be able to talk her into hosting me and bringing me to the RU....we'll see. Jo

It would be wonderful to meet her, Jo. She sounds like such a wonderful young lady.

I am in for a RU. Can't really host it here (before 12 animals, I would always be the party place), but am willing to help. I am working on a gal in Temecula that I 'met' through a Freecycle ad, lol, to join DG. They will likely be moving to San Diego, but still in our realm! It would be nice to see some of those SD No County DG evacuees join us too.

Robyn, glad you are jumping right in, especially as a new member!

Lynda

I would love to meet up with you all if it's here in Southern California! I live in Los Angeles, but would drive to Northern San Diego out to Riverside or up to Santa Barbara depending on where you all choose.

This is going to be so much fun.

I might be able to make something in so Cal this year depending on the date.

Thank you Robyn for the wake up call, so to speak, like I said in my note I'm definitely interested and will jump on in the morning to see what's being said and how I might contribute . Gosh I miss you all...here's to green thumbs. Talk to you all tomorrow
Lara

Well good morning all ! I haven't been on DG for a few years, but sure do remember some of you - and am truly sorry to hear about Donna :(

I got a nice email from Robyn, and decided to renew my subscription. We moved down to California from Oregon a few years ago, and just got too busy with the kids and their school, running, etc.

I don't know why the northern group doesn't meet up ?

Have a great day, and thanks again Robyn for the nudge -
Tracy

It's nice to hear from everyone. : - )
Weegy, we'll talk, and get those threads a going. Call my cell, okay? I'd call you, but never know when you just got one of your adorable g.babies to sleep. : - )
Thanks too for the advice on coffee. It's an acquired taste. I don't drink coffee, and the closest I came to brewing it as a kid was making Mom her instant cup of coffee before I left for school in the morning.

I normally wouldn't say anything on this thread, but over the weekend my favorite SIL (DH's family) was admitted to the hospital with a liver ailment. She's been going through a lot of tests. This morning MIL called to let us know that she has contracted double pneumonia. Serious stuff. She is in ICU, and can use all the prayers we can send her.

On the brighter side, it is always great to meet new people and old friends who share common interests. RU's are FUN!
I'm glad you reconsidered, Jo. It just wouldn't be the same without both you and Donna. It would be great to finally meet Amy. : - )
fritchie, keep me posted about the next UCR Botanical garden sale, please? Good to hear from you too!
QG, you rock! Can you pick up some De Jong's, I should wait for the food thread. LOL! : - )
Lynne, I don't think we've met yet, but I am looking forward to meeting you a great deal. : - )
monkeymomr aka Robyn, your enthusiasm is infectious, go out and inspire more DG'ers to attend! Love your enthusiasm! : - )
Tleaves, it'd be great to meet you, and we'll try to find a date that most everyone should be able to attend. : - )
IDBlond, it'd be great to see you and the kids again, if they can make it. : - )
Redtootsiepop, I've met you on another thread, I think. Always glad to hear from you, and you know what, it's been way too quiet this past
summer. I don't remember why the DG'er's up north don't get together, but believe that Imapigeon was the one who told me.
Has anyone heard from Samigal?
I'm missing a lot of people these days. Don't know if they are just lurking, ill, or even belong to DG anymore. Our DG community is
changing, so I think it's really important to have the Round Ups where folks can get a chance to meet face to face, it's just so rewarding. : - )
Enough for me for now.
Walk In Beauty~
SingingWolf

Thanks for the welcome Sleepingwolf. I've been to 1 roundup, but got so busy that I had to lay up my trowel. One person I recall that I no longer see here on DG is KaperC. I enjoyed meeting her+ DH at the previous RU.

TLeaves...I think I met you once....was it at one of DrDon's? Jo

Jo, you are stuttering, lol.

My first RU was at KaperC's in March 2009, which convinced me to become a 'paid' member so I could be part of the CA and other member only Forums. I had been using DG for about 9 months before that. Everyone was a blur at that first RU, and unfortunately did not remember all I had met. Having 2 that year (Sept at Weegy's) helped gel more names.

I have 'seen' Samigal at some other (s?) Forums, so she is alive and kicking! Redtootisiepop I remember seeing your name before, cuz it is so cute, but no for a while.

SingingWolf - Just picked up some of that yummy choc milk there this AM! I was checking out their straw bale prices as I am thinking of growing the tomatoes in them again this year. Two years ago I got a reduced price on them since they had gotten wet and started to get moldy. That is just what we try to achieve to grow veggies in them! As a side note, I did get your message about the hay. Troy is working with DH to combine DH's list of folks from the Hay Co-op with his clients. All very 'political' as to why he needed an interim place to sell his hay, but we knew exactly where his new place was when he said Wickerd Farm! Also, I did get those citrus trees covered against the Dec. cold nights. I used tomato cages, Christmas lights inside and flannel sheets, torn, on the outside. They look like some kind of bizarre ghosty images. The dang lights have one of those blinking features and they are near my bedroom windows!

Improvise QG, that's how we do it around here. : - )
Sad about the politics involved, and I told DH that you wanted to start a Hay Co-op. I would have handled it differently, but it seems to be working out okay.
Really nice people own the hay. Their son has Asperger's which Troy (Dad) says is a high functioning form of Autism. Their son comes alive when he's sitting on a horse.
Which is why he bought the hay, which has started a hay price war! LOL!
DH, Code Enforcement and Jim the Wood Guy, are working out a deal where the hay stays, improvements are made and all the since all the studies have been done, the wood lot and hay yard will share the same plot of land. The entrance for the hay lot will be off of the dirt road and separate from the wood lot. But we'll be able to amend our conditional use permit. Code Enforcement is working with DH to make it happen. We'll still be hit hard some day if we ever go to develop that corner and they widen the road though. At least we already paid for the fire hydrant.
They've been trying to take away our Rural Residential Zoning, thereby limiting our options on what we do with our place. I want to keep most of it the way it is. I want to bring some of it back to what it was.
More on that later.
You know that I never had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Don. Heard some great things about him. Sure would like to have him show DH the benefits of making good mulch.
I still keep in touch with KC among others, and they are always welcome here. : - )
I should ask for the ruined hay for my gardens. I'm not sure if our own straw got covered. I need to check. Can you believe the rain the last couple of days? It was wonderful, even if most of it fell during the night.
I'll check in tomorrow and see what we need to get doing.
WIB~
SW

T-H-A-A-T-S all Folks! HAH~! Jo

Too funny Jo. : - )
WIB~
SW

Hi Jo! Yes the RU I went to was at Dr. Don's and we did meet. I hope all is well with you. Not sure what year that was and I can't say I recall everyone. I remember many of the DG-names of the folks that were there, but I'm terrible with putting names to faces. I remember meeting Dave ("the Dave") who was easy to remember becase he looked like his pictures here on DG. It was a really nice day. KaperC invited me to her RU and I really wanted to see ?Breezedale?, was it? But, I was smack dab in the middle of a giant work thing. SW - tell her I said hi if you think about it.

Yes, I remember that RU well...Dave was our Guest of Honor!! Lovely time...as are all our RU's. Jo

I'll make a point of calling her and passing along your message. : - )
Jo, I've got a surprise waiting for you! Tee Hee! : - )
WIB~
SW

OH my goodness...is it a handsome gentleman with a motor home that wants to meet an old lady that likes to travel? LOL Jo

No, Jo, and it's not chocolate either, but I know you'll like it. TEE hee, and a giggle too. : - )
Got to go.
WIB~
SW

Well, this group is fun as I remember.... wish I was closer. Is Imapigeon still around - loved her pics of her on-going work,,,,, she's from Gilroy if I remember?

Hope everyone is surviving all the rain ! I know we need it, but miss the 70's!

Hi all, don't want to put a damper on this fun group, but we have had a sad event here. Here is what I posted on FB and another Forum:

Today I am thankful for the sweeter memories. Dear horse, Ginger jumped over the Rainbow Bridge today to run and fly with Lucky who went ahead in Dec. 2007. Again they will be able to run like the wind together in God's pasture. We thank Him for sharing her with
us since April 2005!

Here is a photo of white Lucky and Brown Ginger taken 4/07 as they begged fro French Fries at the living room slider. Baby horse Colora joined us in 12/07. She is the only horse left and is still out there in distress - calling out to Ginger. The last week has been a blur of Vet visits, special feeding and pain medication. She likely had 'stones' in her intestines and they just shut down. Barely drinking and not poo-ing. She suffers no more

I am thankful for a caring vet (and one who reduced his rates by less than 1/2 after the first visit. And I am thankful for a service that was thoughtful when they came to pick up Ginger after being put down.

SW, my DH had started a Hay Co-op and the first 2 loads were delivered in April at a FANTASTIC price. I was with DD as she worked all day those 2 days loading hay into the Coop members' vehicles. She is one strong puppy, but that was alot more than the 4 bales she is used to loading into our hay shed. We did get a couple more loads, but DH was never able to get prices as good as those first 2 times, then there was a problem with the gal he started it with and then all his medical problems. DH has worked with Troy and has given him all his Co-op members' info. He has only been over to pick up hay once at Troy's new location on your ranch.

QQ, I am so sorry for your loss. I hope you are able to find solice and comfort. Robyn

I am so sorry for your loss, dear heart!! Jo

Oh I'm so sorry to read this.

So sorry QG. Ginger was a nice looking horse.

So sorry about Ginger. I had a dog Ginger that passed about 2 years ago. Maybe they are running around talking about having the same name.

So sorry to hear about your beautiful horse :(