Best/Worse/What did I Learn Today? Come sit awhile and share your day..newcomers welcome

Good morning.
Iris, I could never remember all those plant names you are posting. Common names, but not the others.
28 degrees right now. Supposed to get to 55 with rain, but drops again tonight to 32. Praying that rain doesn't freeze the roads. People can hardly drive on dry roads...
Betty, I have never cared for square quilts, I usually add wider borders to the side, or shorter ones to the bottom of a quilt.

Just saw this on the news. So sad.

https://abc7ny.com/baltimore-francis-scott-key-bridge-collapse-maryland/14571840/

Morning, i just put furnace up again, that howling wind is so strong you can feel it come through the windows brrr

Can’t seem to get enough hours of half decent weather to be able to garden outside.

Iris, I am amazed at the ways you garden economically. I don’t compost as I never got the jist of doing it successfully, best i do is at very back of property is what was a treed lot and small bogg I throw all my leaves, if I was able to work better with the soil I am sure it would be great. Yesterday I printed off a miracle grow recipe, I’ll use the miracle grow I have now but once it’s gone I will change over.

Hmmm do you think with lo the dead. Or fallen l8ned I have that I could fill bottom of my planters?

I bought some seeds from $$$ store, seem to be growing. At the back shed on the side I will decorate think I will buy a Walmart container of wildflowers, few bags of earth and see how they do.

Lindakay, looked at the knockdown rose shrub I planted for Todd, ends of branched are green so hope it survived and will have yellow roses this year. Know you have to keep your receipts incase they don’t survive, hope I put it in glove compartment if my car just incase… have to come up with better idea

I am in awe of all you ladies do in the gardening & landscaping. I keep telling myself to focus INDOORS until it's closer to done, THEN I can worry about starting on this tiny little property.

Linda, that was very sad. I hope they are successful in making a full recovery/ rescue of those that are still missing.

Marie and I got her jewelry Armoire assembled this morning. I got help from the elders (missionaries) and put 2 of the area rugs in place this afternoon. Last night I worked at moving the shelving units and boxes. Today I need to complete the touchup from when they installed the baseboard, cover the nails & dab paint.

We listed a bunch of things on Marketplace to sell and got a few things sold. A car load donated and more to do. Sometimes it feels like 1 step forward to BACKWARDS! lol. We were too tired to cook last night & I went out & bought takeout.

I went to a luncheon for the older ladies of my church. I have to force myself to go to activities, I know it's the ONLY way I will get to know people and feel connected to my new church family, I just am not good about attending stuff alone. .

Good morning All! I havent been on Daves Garden in quite sometime. We just moved into a new-old home. I only brought 150 pots of perennials from my gardens, Now to decide what Iam going to do. ;) starting with 2 4ftx8ftx30" raised beds for veggies. and its 39 and grey ,come on sun!

Welcome huggergirl. Never a dull moment, with moving and getting settled in.

Afternoon, brrr light rain from time to town, it’s a damp cold but they are promising sunshine for long weekend so here is hoping, so need warm weather.

Welcome back huggergirl, just know you were on this thread before correct? Luck you to be able to bring your pretties with you, look how much fun you will have to find just the right spot for them.

Lindakay we must have cross posted, turned CNN on to watch updates, how absolutely devastating for all. Any news on Jaye, did she get to go home?

Pat, I’m not too bad about going somewhere alone but I much prefer to go with someone. Am sure it will take you no time to meet some friends, as for the gardening, no matter how much work gets thrown at you, you are always on top of everything and find time for other things so I just know we will hear you say you bought flowers, hanging baskets etc. filling holes with dap then sanding is quite time consuming..is the long arm working? I give you until after Easter and you will have a quilt on it.

I have a new friend who gave me lilac tree seedling last year dropping in shortly, she message last week and said she was cleaning out her MIL’s apartment and found 2 sewing baskets and would I like them, she just called to say she would be in the area could she drop in, drats I usually have baking that I can offer along with tea/coffee, best I can do is hot cross bun warmed and buttered. i had to go to 3 grocery stores to f8nd hot cross buns, at Walmart when I asked the greeter said I was showing my age, like me it’s not Easter without hot cross buns but younger ones have no clue as to what they are, hard to believe lol

Oops company is here, be back in a bit





Got home, made a salad and it’s now time to sit for a spell, Peighton comes at 4:30 and i want to see that the machine I had repaired is ready for her to quilt that kitty throw that has been on the frame for 3 weeks due to repairs, a nap is in order but think checking all Is in order 1st.

Too much walking this morning, had my chiropractor session, went to Service Canada to put paperwork in for my 10 year renewal passport, they don’t give them away for sure, $120 5 yrs or $160 for 10 years, got the 10 years, doubt I will travel then but one never knows….did groceries then stopped at Garden Gallery. Garden Gallery did me in 😜, the garden decor is beyond beautiful, their settee sectionals start at $1,500, you can be guaranteed one didn’t come home with me but so much more could have. They had these electric light orbs that can be used under umbrella’s, under decks etc caught my eye, they come in 3 sizes, $29.99/$39.99 and $59.99 for largest, of course I bought the largest and now trying to figure out where I will put it.

Welcome back huggergirl, glad you rejoined us! :) You will have so much fun planting all your treasures in your new location, and watching them thrive. I was a military kid, so I have picked up and moved the majority of my heirloom/uncommon/pricey perennial plants with me during a relocation, quite a few times. Any easy to replace or cheap plant, would typically be left behind when I moved out.

39F & grey won't prevent me from gardening. But over 100F and sunny sure does!

I can find lots of garden related things to do outside during 39F cool/chilly, overcast conditions. Learned to from living in South TX, where I had to grow mainly Winter gardens because the Summers there are much too hot to garden during, and too long. We're talking 40 or more days in a row of temps over 100F. :(

In 39F and grey, I may be building or repairing raised beds, turning my cover crops and/or soil improvements like compost under, potting or repotting plants, Wintersowing cool loving seeds outdoors, sowing warmth loving seeds indoors, and taking care of any Winter crops I have growing outside, which are either under cloches, protected by being under a patio roof & up next to the heated house wall, or growing under row covers. I periodically take breaks to warm back up inside, reading seed catalogues or looking at content on websites like DG, in between my chilly outdoor activities... And this is only a partial list of what garden related activities I can do when 39f and grey. :)

Please do keep posting. I'm excited to read your garden developments!
Iris

Hi LindaKay, and everybody!

Betty- I am good at recalling plant names, but terrible at remembering people's names. I can recall faces pretty easily, but not names. It's apparently connected with me being on the Autism Spectrum.

I've been praying for all those involved in, and economically affected by, the bridge collapse disaster.

The common name of the Butterfly- beneficial wildflower I found in my backyard is "Prairie Brazosmint", formerly called "Prairie Brazoria". I hadn't ever heard of it until this year. It's uncommon and tends to only be found growing near rivers and streams in TX and OK.

Yesterday in the garden: mainly watering.
First harvest of 2024:
Harvested about 1 oz. {small handful} red stem Swiss chard microgreens, & served them as a colorful, contrasting garnish on top of green asparagus, chicken, & cream soup I made for supper.

Wildlife in the garden: Spotted a mating couple of cardinals. They eat some of my Brassica seedlings and sometimes, also eat some of my sprouting recently sown seeds, but they are beautiful and uplift my spirit, so I don't begrudge them eating from the garden. :)
Today in the garden:
Over an hour of weeding & transplanting, followed by sowing 14 ft. Pollinator blend Wildflower Mix in the Cottage garden. A 9 foot row next to mixed Brassicas in rear of garden. Then a 5 foot row on the formerly wild left side of the garden. Mom in law doesn't like it looking wild, so anything not identified as a beneficial native plant had to be yanked, or transplanted further out into the un-maintained areas of the property, & replaced with a row of my Pollinator attracting flower seed mix.

Also sowed 20 Arugula seeds 3/27- a germination test. Seeds leftover from a 2023 seed packet, 1/4" deep, in moist compost. Pink ceramic seedling sized pot. Set in indirect light on covered rear patio table, next to an Amaryllis pot. An internet search says they need light to germinate, so I may move them to a brighter location tomorrow.

The oak trees produced a MEGA crop of acorns last Fall. Folk wisdom has it that when this happens, it is typically followed by an Extremely Wet Summer here in TX. Because of this, I am probably not going to sow heat loving crops that dislike wet, overcast, boggy Summer conditions, until Fall. Such as eggplant and okra. The other factor in this decision is most if not all of my local stores sold out of eggplant and okra seeds. By the time I could get some by ordering off the Net, I would be later in the year than recommended to sow them.

Did a pantry inventory today and removed everything expired, then cooked up a batch of succotash using various things that were close to expiration. I'm pretty tired from all my activity today and starting to get sleepy. I think I will have to do my seed inventory tomorrow!

Good night ladies,
Iris

Iris, you are harvesting! You go girl!

Huggergirl, welcome back. ONLY 150?? LOL

Linda, do you feel like you are fully settled in now? Please tell me that WE WILL eventually be settled?? LOL

We have not seen Sharon post in a bit.

Betty, you have been a MUCH better daughter than your mother ever deserved. You & your sister have put up with so much over the years, it's a miracle and testament to your overall goodness, that you have not washed your hands of her & her nonsense.

Another LONG day. Sharon & I moved and assembled shelving units. We got 2 set up in the longarm room!!! Marie spent the day taking pictures and writing the ads for me to do the posting on Market place to sell off some more stuff.

We got the garage door opener sold, I am happy to have it OFF the driveway and pocket money too! It rained HARD for part of the day & wouldn't know it, we had to come in & out of the house and POD. Sharon & I were both soaking wet and bruised from man-handling the shelving units.

Our contractor came today and put up the reel for the overhead power outlet. I sent him home with most of the leftover sheetrock supplies, mud, texture etc. We still have NOT found a contractor to put in the dog door. No one wants to touch this stucco exterior!

Pat, sorry to hear you had a bruiser of a day yesterday. Ouch. Hope you heal up soon.

Why not install the doggy door into an exterior door such as the back door or a side door, instead of trying to get a doggy door installed into a stucco exterior that nobody wants to deal with?
Every doggy door I've ever had installed into my homes was put into an exterior door. There is even a kind of doggy door that's made to attach onto a sliding glass door.

Did have sunshine but clouding over
Long weekend for all so hoping it’s nice for everyone.

Iris, that is our weather today, lots i could do as well if only the wind would die down.
Lordy you do keep busy, was smiling this morning as I divided seedlings into about 40 more pots, had i not run out of potting mix i bought Wednesday i could have used all the pots Darlene sent me, anyway I had to chuckle, have no idea what 90% of them are, had labelled them but ink on paper and dampness, puff, writing is no longer. Most of what I am growing will be for pots vs ground so whatever is ok with me. Drats, you reminded me I haven’t gone through the cupboards since fall, i imagine most will go 8n the dump. Too bad you couldn’t divide the gardens in 1/2, or one you you have front, other back.have a challenge of sorts and each do your own thing??

Keep checking on posts from Dianne and Sharon as well

Pat, mom is coming Sunday for a week, sure hope no antics. She called last night to say she had a little mishap, she wanted to turn into a parking lot at Bingo, car got hung up over the curb, needs s9me work,,after having Covid and being so ill I don’t think she should be driving but you can’t tell her that. That over the head power cord is just what I need Pat. You will be able to advertise putting furniture and shelving together for people, that or write directions for firms for their instruction, to me they are difficult to understand. Could you not put the dog door in the door itself? If i ever have things for sale you will be the first one I ask on best method.

K8ndakay is your weather warming up?

Got my order from Amazon re faux stained glass sheets for the kids for Mother’s Day workshop, not what I was thinking of getting but might work out..will try one over the weekend, if ok I’ll order enough for 25-30 kids.

We've had a glorious 2 days of sun. I needed a hoodie but was able to get a lot cleaned up outside. The TH and I tackled their enclosure today. I should say I tackled their enclosure because all they did was lay in the sun and watch me. Took a break from splitting wood. My trigger finger for the splitter was telling me it was not happy.

LK how is your puppy? I bet she is a big girl already.

Deb are you going or have any of your dogs in a show this weekend?\

Betty I'll be sending you what patience I have left during your mom's visit. You are a brave soul to have her for the week. I wouldn't have lasted 24 hours with my mother. If she really is getting to you you could go to a motel for a night.

Pat you are really getting a lot accomplished. I know your list of to do's is long. How is Stanley doing?

Susan I know you are busy. Hope all is well with you.

The TH are here with long faces - it's time for them to eat.

Stay safe over this Easter weekend.

That was ambitious of you Dianne, did you have the winds to contend with? Hopefully you and the TH can enjoy the next 4 days. Are you almost finished with wood splitting? Is this cord of wood for for this year’s burning or next?
Do cottagers come up for Easter or do the wait til May 24th?
Great idea re motel, she is not bad when she is with me, fighting more between Sharon and her ( shaking my head). Sharon leaves early Saturday for the Finger Lakes NY dog show and will bring mom up here when she returns Sunday/Monday, guess it depends how Kinik makes out in dog-p show.

Promising myself that a I will not get out of bed tomorrow at least til 9am

I had bought a big box of kitty litter yesterday Wal-Mart staff put it in my cart, then into trunk, called Greg and he dropped in on his way home from Noah and brought it in
See, am learning.


Ari finished her Raggedy Ann tonight, next week we will start on Raggedy Andy. A friend Susan dropped off 2/sewing baskets, Ari and I went through what there was and made a sewing basket for her and 1 for Peighton.

Worked outside for an hour then brought in and sat and changed batteries in solar lights,some in garbage and about 20 more to go

Welcome huggergirl!
Yes, Dianne - I'm busy, but it's a good busy. I got "bowler of the week" for my 5-pin bowling game last week of 239! I think that's a personal best. Got a certificate for a free teenburger from A&W, so got it & brought it home for dinner.
Yesterday was a mixed bag, but I'm so happy about my trip to Winnipeg in 2 1/2 weeks that everything is sunny-side up for me. I went to the courthouse for the 3rd time to put in the paperwork & was told AGAIN that the Commissioner of Oaths did her job incorrectly. This time I was told to come in with my friend who served the papers & get her to sign them in front of the court admin to make sure it's done correctly (and free, but then the Commissioner of Oaths in town hadn't charged anyway). So, I'm going in on Thurs April 4th with my friend (Dianne) to get it done AGAIN. Hopefully the 4th time is a "charm". Then I went to my cardiologist, then to get Jane's chicken that I can't find the version of anywhere else, and other bulk shopping at bulk stores. After that, I went to my neighbouring town & got my birthday dinner at Smitty's (for free, during my birth month).
Michelle has given me plans for my visit with them - 2 days of seeing the bulk of my family, and once for lunch with my brother (that no one else in the family wants to see). I'll go to a friend's for lunch with him & his wife. I'm SO excited to see everyone. Two & a half weeks & counting!

Goodness. Everyone is so busy.
Betty, I love that raggedy doll she made.
Jaye is home and doing pretty good.
Pat, yes I am finally settled. A few things still in storage. Guess I will find it when I need it. My puppy Lizzie is growing like a weed. She went through her first heat and lost some weight, but 92 pounds as of last night.

Praying all goes well with your visit. A week is a LONG time when it's not pleasant! Here in the US, if a someone does not think another person should be driving, you can report them to the state and the state CAN ask them to come in for retesting. I believe the report can be anonymous. The mishap in the parking lot might be enough of a reason to question her driving safety now.

Several years before my mom's death, when she went in to renew her drivers license, she was limping and the testing department required her to retest.

The fenced yard is only accessible from inside thru the patio door. We bought a "smart pet dog" that reads the chip so it will let the dog OUT, while keeping the cat in. Things are still tentative between the Jenny & Stanley but going in positive direction. So far, no fireworks and we hope to keep it that way. We keep them closely chaperoned for now.

We've had a LOT of rain, this is a DESERT, it's weird to have this wet of a spring.

Longarm was moved into place but the computer battery was deader than a doorknob so they are recharging it and will come back to test it all.

Dianne, Luca is in Michigan for the weekend at shows that started yesterday. Yesterday he was Best of Breed and also won 2nd in the Hound Group. He's come a long way from where he was a few short months ago!

Oh Deb your heart must be bursting with pride. Way to go Luca!!

Congratulations Luca and Deb. That is awesome.

Had a bit of sunshine earlier, now clouded over, think rain is on its way.

Thought I posted earlier this morning while having coffee but guess I did not.

Susan I am sure your trip will be amazing, not a wonder your tummy is sunny! Congrats on the bowling w8n, bowling is something you enjoy. How on earth can that department screw up so many times? Hope is will be your final visit.

Congrats Deb, great win for Luca and you. How many dogs do you now have now since last breeding, full house I bet. When will you get Luca back?

Pat I did not realize the machine has a battery??

Very interesting about the system to let the dog out, you must do a lot of researching. Hmm,learning more each day, didn’t realize your area was known for being desert, is rain something you want or need?

Lindakay , Lizzie is one big dog, does she take you for a walk versus you taking her? Good news on Jaye, let’s hope her hospital visits are no more.

I got up during the night, as my right foot hit the floor I knew I was in trouble, room kept going round and round so I tried to get back in bed but felt myself fall in slow motion so i put my hands out to grab dresser but hit little side table beside my bed,..
Hit the corner of my eye, no cut but a bit,of colour and really sore and headache. I did go outside this morning and swept front deck, washed the furniture then set the outdoor rug rug down, wind came up so i have been resting since 11 trying to decide seeing I should be eating pudding/jello/soup wether to go to Greg’s for eats, still have an hour to think about it.

Betty, any logical reason for the dizziness last night? I'm so sorry you got hurt. The battery is on the computer portion of the longarm and since we have not used it in so long with Phil being sick, dying, having houses to get ready to sell and MOVE...

Susan, here's hoping they get it right this time! Congrats on the bowling!

Linda, Lizzy is getting so big! Do you intend to breed her or have her spay soon?

Deb, Luca is tearing it up! Go Luca!!

"Since Washington is known as the “Evergreen State,” many view it as a land of forests and gentle rains. The Tri-Cities, however, is a dry land area located in southeastern Washington, averaging only eight to nine inches of precipitation per year." I am tired of all the rain in the last month & half! We are known for having sunny days. "the average sunny days from 1988 to 2017 was 238 days," And lately we are NOT seeing those sunny days! ..

The Jenny & Stanley plan is really going well right now. We have had them out together all day & it's been funny to watch. Jenny is totally nonchalant, doesn't monitor the cat's whereabouts at all. At one time she pressed Stanley a little too close and Stanley boxed her with an open paw, no claws. They have touched noses a few times. Stanley went into stalking mode once but corrected when I said his name.

I'm not ready to turn them loose in the house without one of us home, but I think we got this!

Betty, falling down frequently due to dizziness used to be me, from August 2023- Feb 2024. Fortunately my medical care team were able to fix the problem with medication.
I hope you feel better soon!

My gardening update:
Finished doing inventory of my 2024 seeds. I still have about ten seed packs left over from 2023 because I was very ill last Fall/Winter and didn't sow anything. So now, been doing my best to get the 2023 seeds all sown before they expire!

Moved pink pint-sized seedling pot with 20 recently sown Arugula seeds (2023) from full shade, into a sunnier location because they need light to germinate.

Removed 38 radish seeds saved from Spring 2023, from their seedpods. Sowed them in a 9 ft. row in front of Cottage Garden, where Straw-flowers germinated and then drowned last Spring due to a tropical storm. Straw-flowers dislike being wet.

Sowed spring onion seeds (2024) into a 9 ft. row at left side of Cottage garden, which is partly shady. Spring onions can handle part shade.

Transplanted ten Native TX dandelion plants (2024) from their seedling pots, into a row in the middle of Cottage Garden. The native Brazos prairiemint plants I transplanted 2 days ago are looking happy.

Sowed 20 French Dwarf marigold seeds (2023) and 10 Chive seeds (2024) into a 2.5 gallon pot filled with compost, in partly shady area of rear patio.

Watered mixed Brassica seedlings (2023) in rear Cottage Garden that appeared to be drying out. My (2023) potted lettuce, chard & spinach seedlings are ok because they are not in full sun. They will need to be watered tomorrow morning.

Put about 2.5 oz of mixed variety Green bush beans (2023) in a jar of water, to soak overnight. They will be sown tomorrow.

Did internet research to determine when to sow my Southern peas (2023), and when to sow my cucumber seeds (2024). I believe they both do well sown from April 4-14.

Lizzy might be pregnant
When she was in heat my sons male dog broke out of his kennel and they hooked up. We will take her to the vet next week to do blood work. It wasn't planned at all.

Betty, sorry to hear that you fell. Did you go to the doctor?

LK, I don't know of a blood test to determine pregnancy in dogs. If it's only been a day or so, there is a med they can give that will not let the embryos attach to the uterine wall. After that, it's wait until 3 to 4 weeks, and an ultrasound to determine pregnancy. Good luck with the babies. When would they be due?

Betty, please take it easy.

Luca will be coming home after next weekend's shows. I wish I could leave him out longer, but, handlers are expensive. Maybe later in the year I can send him out again. We accomplished way more than I hoped these last couple months. I never dreamed he'd finish his championship so quickly.

This message was edited Mar 30, 2024 8:03 AM

Linda, was your son's dog the same breed as your Lizzy?

Contractor comes today to prep the cabinets for the countertops so she can start as soon as the material is in.

Betty - I agree, you Mom should be tested for driving capability. She certainly is a handful. Are you sure you weren't adopted? You're such a lovely person.
Pat - busy lady! All this work you're doing to get your new-to-you place all settled in!

Yesterday some seniors came with the board that our hardware store donated to us for a dart backboard. Wrong material - it's a beautiful piece of 4x8 maple the darts would break on, so one fellow brought a piece of drywall/installed it. He took home the maple & has said he'll do something more for us to make up the difference in cost. I'll paint the drywall & he'll install the dartboard.
While the men were installing the drywall, Estelle & I played crib. Short story - 2 members (men) have been hounding me about how the senior centre is "dead" and I should give up on it. Last Friday they had me in tears, They were there yesterday playing pool when the 3 came & it was a buzz of activity. I thought one of them was going to swallow his tongue & they both left without saying anything much to me. One of them is particularly foul mouthed and really makes me angry. Last week I'd offered to reimburse their membership fee ($10/year) but they said no. They tell me these things "for your own good". Hate that phrase!

We called the vet right after the digs mated. We were told there are no drugs in the us to stop the pregnancy. To come in at about 3 weeks for a blood test.
Yes, my son dog is also a cane corso. He is lizzies uncle. As they all came from the same family. Just different litters. It takes about 60 days for the puppies to be born.
Susan, don't let those ugly men get to you. They are just old and cranky.

Good Morning to all, I guess I'm a newcomer here even tho I've been a member for many years....I used to be quite active but then life took me away....I'm back ! Dave's Garden doesn't appear to be as vibrant as it once was and I'm having trouble finding the forums I used to follow. for one is the Hoya forum....any suggestions, please ? Deb aka Desi

I show I'm posting on here....but I can't find them....please help, Betty ..JUST FOUND THEM !!

This message was edited Mar 30, 2024 6:29 PM

Deb, I recognize your name! Yes, some forums have been eliminated and other combined. Tough transition for some of us that loved old forums.

Linda, at least you will still have purebreds even if you didn't intend to mate them. Oh well.

Susan, I suggest you tell the men "If you are concerned about my/our well-being, take your negativity ELSEWHERE!"

Deb, I recognize your name! Yes, some forums have been eliminated and other combined. Tough transition for some of us that loved old forums.

Linda, at least you will still have purebreds even if you didn't intend to mate them. Oh well.

Susan, I suggest you tell the men "If you are concerned about my/our well-being, take your negativity ELSEWHERE!"

Posted on previous thread but back her on the last east..

Glad you found your thread Deb, do hope you make this one one of your regulars.

Lindakay, just like humans I also understood there was medication that could terminate pregnancy when just bred?? Lordy, know you were not prepared for that. Sharon has so much trouble with the males when her females are in heat, often she sends them to a friends who has a kennel.

Susan that was kind of the hardware store to donate the dartboard, i can see dart tournaments in the making. You’ve done a wonderful job getting the club on its feet, don’t let them bully you. Make 2 nice boxes with slits in them, on the front of one put helpful suggestions, on the other mark negative suggestions, then over the slit put a piece of tape and set them where these bullies can easily see them.

Iris that is one heck of a crop. Sure wish i was as organized as you, you have a profession gardeners vision on gardening. Such a professional. Thursday I dropped in at the Library, they have a catalogue of seeds both flowers and veggies, you can pick 10, they have them in packets so you get same day, the system wasn’t up and runn8ng yet, i ran in today, guarantees Tuesday they will be so bought earth to start them, bought wrong kind trout, bought earth for planters, not seed starters so will have to pick more up when i am in town Tuesday.

Sharon just messaged to tell me to call mom, she will pick up up at 3:00 tomorrow so guess I best have supper cooked for them as they will arrive around 5:30pm

Pat, are you finding materials for the various jobs you are doing with contractors difficult to get?

Been busy today, Mason was here from 9-10 then i picked up meds, went to meet John’s sister Dianne to get Belle & Cujo’s care schedule, security system etc. they leave morning of the 6th so I will be going twice a day for their care, only think that worries me is that they are 14, know I will fret if something goes wrong.

Went to town, took me 1/2 hr to get out of Walmart parking lot, a zillion cars trying to get out of parking lot and there is a set of light at the corner, so few can get through at a time,almost had a nap lol

Played with the Mother’s Day prototype, snag is the decals won’t stay on the glass long so in the morning I’ll give the glass a cost of finish to see if that does the trick.

Soup is ready, I’ve been running my fingers through my hair, sure sign I am tired and ready for bed.

Ohh almost forgot, when Greg dropped me off last night was close to 8:30, before he left light were out and I was in bed, well Mason asked me if I saw/heard all the police cars out front around 8:30pm, nope I must have dozed off as soon as my head hit the pillow, apparently is was a break in and police caught the guys.

I was telling Greg, he said with economy like it is there will be more break-ins happening .. all this in my quiet neighborhood, will make sure I am all locked up though!

So sad most of our neighborhoods are going through this.
Depsi, I do hope you will stick around.
DG has changed so much through the years. Many left and went to Facebook or other social media's.

Betty, thank you very much for the compliment. I have a professional growing style because I grew up learning how to grow plants & veg. from professional farmers.
My Aunt Adele & Uncle Ed on my Mom's side of the family had an Organic Farm & Organic cattle Ranch, 100 acres, from 1969-1999. I spent Summers on their land, as a junior apprentice. This was because I had significant talents at growing things & at cooking, and because I was an athletic child food addict, who due to high metabolism combined with huge appetite, would eat my parents out of house & home... unintentionally of course.

My Aunt & Uncle had a practically inexhaustible supply of food and needed my helping hands, especially at planting time and harvest time. It's due to their excellent tutelage that I know a lot about plants, professional growing, raising and maintaining crops, and preserving/cooking food.

I learned from them about heirlooms, seed saving, storing seeds, seed swapping, finding cheap seeds, beneficial native plants, companion planting, pollinator-attracting flowers, organic gardening, beneficial insect use, composting, seed starting, planning a garden, using the farmers almanac (now I use almanac.com), how to make & use a gardening calendar (I currently put gardening reminders on my Google Calendar), biodynamic gardening, basic botany, and much more!

In the garden today:

Watered the leafy greens seedling pots (lettuce, chard, spinach, etc). Watered the Impatiens seedling pot.

Sowed about 2 tsp. Pollinator Mix seeds (2023) into a row near the middle of the Cottage Garden, after removing LOTS of crabgrass from the area.

Sowed 58+ seeds, 3 rows x12 feet of pre-soaked, mixed varieties Green bush beans (2023) in sunny areas of Cottage Garden. Labeled the rows w/ empty seed packets.

Iris, did you live with your Aunt & Uncle a good share of the year so you could be there for planting and harvesting?

Good morning everyone.
Happy Easter.

Happy Easter, everyone! :)

Pat, conveniently, my Montana relatives' planting time was after I finished my school year. And their harvesting period was in August, ending a few days before I had to start school in the Fall.

My Aunt & Uncle lived pretty close to the Northern border of Montana. On average, their last spring frost occurs on May 20 (Zone 3b, elevation 2585 feet). (This is after some warming of their climate. When I was a child in the 1970s-1980s, their last spring frost occurred around May 30).
On average, as a state Montana has approximately 95 days between the last and first frost. Due to being Zone 3b and in the mountains, my Aunt & Uncle only had about 80-85 growing days, from what I recall.

Found a nice Easter surprise today: an organic purple yam (Ube) that I tossed into the compost late last Fall due to being half rotten has sprouted up several rooted sucker plants. Dug them out of the compost with a long-handled shovel (in case I accidentally wake up a snake or mouse in the compost pile).

Put on garden gloves and transplanted these yam starts into the Cottage Garden, where I had just removed a few square feet of Straggler daisy, AKA Calyptocarpus vialis, a ground cover plant whose yellow daisy flower ranges in size from 7mm to the size of a dime. I have hundreds of Straggler daisies in my rear lawn and shaded side yard; don't need any in the garden.

Found what looks like a wild groundcherry plant in Cottage Garden, near my transplanted Prairie Brazorias. Decided to leave it there, & see how it develops.

Sowed a 12 foot row of Navajo Tall Tagetes marigolds, as companion plants to my Green beans in the Back of Cottage Garden. Sowed about 6 Celosia cristata seeds which someone sent me as bonus seeds, at right end of mixed Pollinator seeds row, same area of garden.

Tomorrow, I plan to start transplanting my veggie seedlings from seedling pots into the Cottage Garden. :)

Happy Easter everyone!!

Ah yes, planting season is yet to come here, but sure looking forward to it!
Right now it's ice & snow still, but the weather's turning nicer finally.
Betty - they donated the backboard, and the dart board was donated by a member. I'm going to go paint the drywall backboard today so it's there for tomorrow.
You're right on calling them bullies - that's what I've been mentally calling them, and if they try to talk like this again, I will verbally call them that! My coffee cup there says "Positivity Please" but obviously they haven't been reading it lol