We got a third light rain. Grateful for whatever we get. Still very hot and humid. The electrician came out and repaired the one I thought was dead and helped the one one that is dying. Cost for home visit and repairs - $25. Love Mexican labor prices.
We've had a lot of branches blow down, long with a ton or so of leaves so we're doing lots of clean-up. We are lucky to have the arroyo on three sides so we can dump the organic trash where we are building up the soil.
stay safe, all. No hurricanes on our horizon.
katie
The coconut wireless - chat threat 2
Good morning everyone.
Gray skies and looking sad here this morning, but it will only be scattered showers and thunder storms; nothing to worry about. The plants need it. My 150 or so adenium seedlings are developing nicely and fattening a bit. Go babies, go.
I also need to fertilize everything again. With all the rain we have had in the last month and the sandy nature of our soil, I guess every molecule of plant nutrient has been washed away clean by now.
Take care, all.
Sylvain.
Finally. Rain is our forecast for the weekend. Only 20% but I'll take those odds over 0%.
Hope you get that rain Christi!!!
My adenium is blooming right now. I need to get a pic of it. Now if my hibiscus would open up I would be escatic!!
took the rain out of the forecast.......sigh......
We got a little rain the other day, but are still down about 30 inches per the news. No rain in sight here either. My front yard is totally burnt. The back is OK.
We made a little rock garden / waterfall just off of the patio. I scrounged up plants from all over the yard to put around it. I just love it. The little plumerias I grew from seed from my big yellow one. They are now three years old. They might bloom next year. I will enjoy it until the first freeze, then everything will either have to be covered or put up for the winter.
It has been cooler here. It has been in the low 60's am and in the 90's pm. Finally!
Here is a picture of my rockgarden / waterfall. Christi, I still haven't seen your hut!!!!
Jeanne
Hi, everyone.
Texasgal, that is one nice rock garden. I have plumeria seeds I picked up recently. I should really plant them.
Rainy season here in South Florida is really earning its name. It's sunny like all get-out in the morning. Then puffy white clouds move in around lunch time. Around 2:30, we start hearing thunder rumbling in the distance and dark, ominous clouds replace the pretty puffy white clouds. By 3PM, it is raining buckets, with lightning and thunder. It only lasts 20 or 30 minutes. Everything gets drenched and the sun returns by 6PM. I am not complaining. We had a touch of drought at the beginning of summer. That was no fun. I wish I could send some of you suffering gardeners a share of the rain we are getting.
Take care.
Sylvain.
You are so lucky-- you get more rain on the East Coast then we do on the West Coast-- I am SOOOO Jealous!!!!
Aloha everyone,
Just trying to catch up on everyone's news after being MIA for a couple of weeks...
Christi, I hope you have had some rain by now - I know that your temps are down somewhat, but the 90's is still hot! So sad that all your trees are dying and more wild fires are raging, it;s been a tough year for Texans.
Jeanne, your patio and rock garden are just lovely. Are you sure you don't live in Hawaii? Your garden looks so Island typical with the 'nana's, schefflera, orchids, etc, etc! Thanks for posting the pictures, I really enjoyed them.
Sylvain, (or anyone else) I have some seed pods on my Plumeria (Maui Rose, I think) I am not sure when they are ready to pick as they always seem to drop off the tree and germinate while my back is turned...anyone want some?
My eye surgery went well this time. It only took 15 mins compared to the 45mins the left eye took, and the healing seems to be coming along well - it sure makes a difference to have drops that I am not allergic to! Our dd, Laurie came out to stay and helped us so much around the garden. She cleared 5 truckloads of palm fronds from the edges of the garden and even tackled the bougie's (my most hated job) and got them more under control, despite being scratched up all over. We still have one truck load to get to the green waste yet, but the place looks loads better!
The star fruit are still ripening by the bucketful - I brought some into work today and cut a plateful up for visitors to try. It's strange that most people don't know what a ripe starfruit tastes like, I imagine they are too fragile to ship to the mainland although I am sure you folks in Florida can buy them when they are orange/yellow. With the samples out on the counter they are going like hot cakes!
Well I am supposed to be working!
Later,
Jenn
Thanks Sylvain and Jen! I'm trying to make it look as much like Hawaii as possible! I still don't have my hut, it's still too hot to be out there working on it. It's supposed to be 99 with no rain in sight. I need to water tomorrow. Our Mexican Fan Palms need cut back badly but I was trying to wait so we could use them for the hut.
Jen, so glad your surgery went well. I pray your healing will continue to do well also.
Jen you are so sweet to take your visitors fruit! How nice! Yes I would love some plumeria seeds! Thanks!
Hope everyone had a great weekend!
Jeanne
Hi, everyone.
It's so great to read that your eye surgery went well, Jenn.
I went to Home Depot yesterday to buy a large (24 inch diameter) pot. Oy, the price on those big pots! I'm going to have to check Craig's list. Maybe someone is trying to unload some large clay pots on Craig's list. One never know, does one?
I could get a plastic pot ressembling terracota for $22.00. Then, I noticed that a lot of them didn't withstand shipping so well and had broken rims. Things didn't bode well. For $10, I could buy a slightly imperfect clay pot. It turned out that the imperfection consisted of tiny hairline cracks on the clay's surface inside the pot around the drainage hole. Cracks or not, the pot still rang true when gently hit with my knuckle, so I came home with what has to be the world's dirtiest clay pot. It was covered in a black dusty substance that may have been soot. My hands were filthy, my white T-shirt will become car-washing rags. I hope that black stuff washes off my shorts. Florida is no place for big boy pants in the summer. But I got a great pot and the philodendrons I'll put in there are already lined up for potting this morning.
We haven't received any rain in the last 2 days. I hope we get some today. I don't want to have to look at brown and dying stuff again. We had enough of that at the beginning of the summer. And I'll say a few prayers for all my gardening friends who are living on the dry side.
Take care, all.
Sylvain.
Good Morning. Today is Mike's birthday and we are doing the usual. Nothing. Had some friends over last night to watch the ballgame between Dallas and New York. Not usually interesting for me but the head coach of the Jets has a twin brother that is the defensive coach for Dallas. Played a close game and most of all showed that the people cannot be bullied into not gathering in large numbers. A feeling of patriotism ruled the day. Now if only some of that would rub off on the people in Washington, DC.
Jen, relieved that the eye procedure was successful and not as worrisome as the first time. We still have no rain and none in sight, Had a slight reprieve for about a week with temperatures in the 80's. That is over. 98 yesterday and predicted to be over 100 today. TEXAS IS STILL ON FIRE and the likelihood of more fire is very high. High temps, humidity in the teens, and winds 15-20 mph makes for a boiler maker condition. The paper is posting hints for the old growth trees everyday. Warning that our landscape will be changed for the next 100 years. Everyone is very paranoid. Smelled smoke yesterday and discovered it was a neighbor getting his barbecue ready. Even that is a hazard.
Oh, Sylvain, if only you could send us a big round of rain.
Jeanne, will send some seeds! I need to find out when to pick them - the seed pods look ready to me but haven't yet split open. Anybody know?
Christi, so sorry that life has been so very difficult this summer with no end in sight yet. What a horrible thought that the landscape will be changed forever because of the extremities you all have had this year, it's heartbreaking.
Happy, Happy Birthday to Mike - please give him a big bear hug from me!
Great buy on the pot Sylvain, I hope you managed to clean up okay!
Early morning here and I am looking out of my window at a beautiful big bright moon hanging over the sea - it's gorgeous! Have a good day, everyone!
The moon has been gorgeous.
Jen, I would wait until the stat to split. If you have an old panty hose you can put over them when they burst they will not spill out. Thanks so much!
Jeanne
Sylvain-- I have had great luck at estate sales and demolition sales finding massive pots-- 5 for $100 was one deal this spring. Check out the paper and look for high end sales and you may be able to save some bucks. I am overrun with small orchid pots if you need any of those and would be over this way. I hoard the big pots though!
Been pretty busy here!! Had to work on Saturday then go meet friends to go see The Help. Great movie by the way. Lots of laughs and tears. Got home around midnight then had to get up again at 3am to get ready to hit the road at 5am. Yesterday was my neice's birthday (7 years old) and we drove to Des Moines, IA to help her celebrate. Took my nephew who woke up again when it was daylight. I tried to go back to sleep and he wouldn't let me. Kept yanking my arm and telling me it wasn't dark so I can't sleep!! Grrrr... He's only 4 but I will get my payback somehow. LOL. We both slept the whole way home though. lol.
Amanda, what a sweet auntie! With him only four you will have plenty of opportunity to "get even" later..........Take some really cute pictures NOW and save them for future use.....like when he is dating.........haha.....Glad you enjoyed your movie........
Sylvain, good luck with finding your pots. I hoard pots also, but all of mine are small ones. Anybody in Texas need pots? I did have someone give me some very large plastic ones for a very good price a few years ago.
It is back in the three digits here and is forcast to be so for the next two days.....unreal.
I did get to water this evening in the back and then tired out as usual.
Jeanne
We finally got rain. It has started to cool off some!
Hope everyone is fine!
Where is everyone? Sylvain did you go on another cruiz?
Jeanne
Hi, everyone.
I hope that you are all fine. It no longer rains sideways every day here and the temperatures have started falling by a few degrees. I hope that fall brings rain and bearable temperatures to all of you beset by 3-digit temps and severe drought. At the beginning of summer, most canals were very low. Some of them went completely dry. Many artificial ponds suffered the same fate. Then came the daily rains and everything is back to normal. I have only had to water the "shade garden" under the car port, where no rain ever reaches the pots.
Jeanne, I have not been on another cruise. However, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I will be sailing on my 5th annual Guys' Cruise on January 17th, for 10 days. Oh, and I have read that because of hard times, the light at the end of the tunnel has burned out and it won't be replaced.
Let's revive this thread, please. I so enjoy reading you all.
Take care!
Sylvain.
Went to Stephenville Texas yesterday with our BFF (kwel talk) for a short day trip. Mike and our son went to Tarleton college there and wanted to check out the old Jake & Dorothy's famous chicken fried steak. Not too bad, but you know how memories are.....it was always better back when. Enjoyed the day but it is dairy country and sad to see all the pasture land burned to a crisp as well as dry ponds, creeks, rivers and dead trees everywhere. I don't know how they can possibly predict this far ahead, but, "they" are saying another 9 years of this drought. Still believe only God the Father knows these things and mankind is just too big for his britches. Beautiful day here today and that is the most I can handle at one time so am going to enjoy it. Like, Sylvain, I really miss everyone.
UP here in New jersey they would be happy to send you some rain. I have had 22 horses scratch from the Grand Prix due to sloppy ring conditions. The leaves are beginning to fall without showing a lot of color. I have long pants(!) on today and the weather is very cool -- into the 40's tonight. ONe more week here and then I can start for home and back to warm weather. I got most of my garden in-- decided to do containers this year since I leave to go work in Ocala in January-- no sense planting stuff that takes longer to get ready. Just need some parsley to finish it out. I have tons of volunteer basil and still need to move a few plants-- hopefully the snakes will have moved themselves by the time I get home.
We need rain here too. Been awhile since we've had any and the ground is dry. But it's not too bad since it's also cooler out. Leaves are starting to change colors and it looks like it's gonna be a good season for color.
Believe it or not, I'm still alive, and kicking. Tend to lurk rather than post.
Anyhow....have had good rains here and the lake is up to where it should be. It got a little scary a couple of months ago when it was down so much.
Been pulling out a lot of stuff for can't keep it all any more. If anyone is around me, mail me and I will give you my phone number and we will get together.
Hugs,
Hap
The weather has forced a lot of downsizing here. Can't continue to pay $350 per month for water. Oddly, now that the temperature has moderated, only 91 today, the plants think it is spring and are putting on lots of new growth. Probably around mid November we go from 91 to 31 overnight. Anything that can live with these extremes is a keeper. Sadly, most of what I had was tropical and the sun's rays fried them crisp. One thing good, there have been no mosquitos this entire season. Glad to hear from you, Hap.
Most of Kansas is now under a red flag warning. If we don't get rain this weekend we will be too. No rain for over 15 days now so with the falling leaves under a fire danger.
The entire state of Texas has been under a burn ban now for over 2 months. As of tonight there is another wildfire in the Bastrop Texas area where 1700 homes and thousands of acres burned about 3 weeks ago. Seems there is no end to this prelude to hell.
It's so sad all this agony that you all have been going through. Wish I could send some rain over to you.
Hap
Jen has been in bed with a "frozen back", can hardly move or be on the computer for very long. Has been on muscle relaxers and pain pills, so keep her in your prayers!
I have had an upper respiratory infection, so have been down as well for over a week. Just can't shake it......If it don't clear I will go to the Dr. as it has been almost two weeks. May have to get some antibiotics. Rag weed has been heavy, so think that is the problem, but NOTHING OTC has helped whatsoever......Any remedies suggested?
May have to go eat a can of jalepenos to shake this.....don't laugh....Im serious.
Glad to see everyone here ......Jen says, don't forget her........
Jeanne
No way we will forget about Jen!! I do feel for her though!
Try Vitamin C, 1000 mg three times a day with OTC Claritin. It's worth a shot!
Hap
Thanks Hap! I have been on generic Claritin......but have not taken the VIt C yet......I do have some, so will find it and start taking it as well.
I have taken benedryl, generic Claritin, Phenyledrine, dayquil, and now Alkaseltzer plus cold and cough. I do feel a little stronger. Last week I was sooooo weak I could barely stand up. With the fibro and my immune system down it knocks me off of my feet, literally.
I am seriously going to go find the jalepenos.........and the Vit. C!
Thanks!
Feel better, Sweetie!
Hap
Thanks, I do feel a little stronger today. I am not near as congested today. Thank Goodness! Maybe all of this rain washed the ragweed away! We sure needed the rain!
We are sooooo thankfull for it!
Where have I been? Had no idea Jenny was down. She is just a little thing and does the physical work of two large men. I must call her. Will have to figure out the time difference from Texas to Maui. Thank you for letting us know, Jeanne.
PK
Maybe it's from this thread! I have the crud as well! From the neck up, I feel horrible! Haven't slept for 3 nights now. I can't take over the counter stuff 'cause it knocks me out!
Hope everyone is feeling better. I finally am. I think it's the change in weather bringing in different pollens. Messes everyone up.
It is much cooler out. Eventually we need to get out and get some things repotted before winter sets in.
Hope everyone is feeling better. I finally got over the allergies / upper respiratory infection and then had to have a root canal in a molar. I have a temporary crown and will go back in a couple of weeks for the permanent crown.
It is supposed to be 46 Sat and Sun mornings so we moved the plumerias, ferns, majesty palms and some of the airplane plants, misc, closer in by the rock waterfall so to create a little "microclimate". It's close to the outside of the house, so maybe they will get some warmth. There are tall banana plants and other plants behind them also. I hope to be able to leave them there thru the winter if it is not to harsh. I know I will have to cover them up with a sheet like last year, but it would be easier than having to move everything out to the gazebo and hang the plastic.
Hard to believe we had such harsh summer days, and now time to worry about a freeze within the next month or so.
Hope everyone is well.
Jeanne
Jeanne,
I am glad you are feeling much better and yes it is time to over winter all the tropicals. I have some one coming today to help me bring them in. I have to much and with a bad back I can not take a chance.
Golf is winding down and championship tournaments are over but then the Holiday celebrations starts. I still plan to play as long as weather permits and has girls buddies to play with. Roger has his own group and enjoys more with the guys.
Root canal!!! I had that done this year and will be glad when the lower braces will come out. It will be nice after all the dental work is over. it was my daughter who paused for it to have it done after i retired.
How is your sister doing?
Best regards!!
Belle
Glad you are feeling better, Jeanne. I still have problems with my right shoulder but Iii'm going to Ca. next week and will see my doctor on Thursday. I'm also ordering a brace.
While searching for a new-to-me van I met a person who has been going to government auctions to buy vehicles for twenty years. He's in San Diego and will help me get something. I'm relieved as I don't know much about them.
I got a Dmail from Jennie (Bravehearts mom) and she is able to be up a little. Still having problems with her back and going to physical therapy. She and her DH Frank have each had two or more surgeries in the last few months. Keep them in your prayers.
Tony is grinding part of the top off a metal barrel so we can make biochar.
I slept well the last two nights and am grateful after a night with no electricity and many barking dogs.
hugs, katie