Yet More Seed Snatching

Oh dear lady I'm a Boilermaker, and we just get a bigger torch tip. (we build and repair big boilers like power plants and paper mills have)(knew someone would ask).

So much for possibly crotching one's self trying to balance on the edge of a dumpster with sugarweed around. Torch open the sides of those dumpsters for us all sugarweed! I'll just take my ittie bitty acetylene torch and set it back on the shelf.

Good idea equil. . .if this line of think'n continues, we're gonna have more than the funny farm chas'n after us. . .LOL I do like my tools though. . .kills me when I buy somethin and the guy says. . .'present for your other half, huh?' and I have to tell the poor soul 'no, it's for me'. . . .get the strangest looks. . .

ROTFLMBO, Girl, that will still be handy somewhere.
An aluminum fold up pool ladder is the trick. 'It has hooks at the top, and is easily lifted over the sides so access is available on both sides. It's a must have for solo diving.
Elastic & Velcro back brace,("s) are also handy for when my eyes are stronger than my back.
27 years in heavy construction does take its toll.
That's me on the right doing some volunteer work recently.

Are we all the kind of women who really love getting tools for presents??? My hunnie picked up a brand new laser chop saw for me and I was thrilled until we realized it wouldn't do 30 degree cuts. I am hanging on to my old one, too. Heaven would be a new PINK screw driver set no one else would use and lose.

I wanted to clarify about throwing seeds to the winds. There is a guy who works for and rides on the Skunk Train in No CA. He makes these mud balls full of wildflower seeds that he throws out the window of the train into the wilds and forests during the trip. That gave us the idea to use up our extra seeds. We don't do this on private properties, just the wild areas and forests.

Absolutely no invading even your worst enemy with an invasive pest plant of any kind. I have planted public
roadsides with native, re-seeding favorites of mine. I always thought of it as Lady Bird'in. I really like the mud ball approach. Would keep birds from eating my efforts too. (They don't know any better.)
I love power tools too. Maybe you could make a wedge to brace your wood against to get a 30 degree cut you need. mainly, BE VERY CAREFUL. Sidney

Oh sugarweed! You're my kind of woman! Now hop in that tractor and come to Illinois and bring your blow torch woman! I know where there are dumpsters that are so big I can't even get in them. I even tried to pull my car up to them to stand on the hood and couldn't get in!

Oh ladyanne... please educate the guy who rides on the Skunk Train in No CA that wildflowers doesn't = native plants. Tossing seed out the window is a great idea providing the seed is native to that region. If it isn't... poor people like me (and hundreds of others) have to volunteer to go out and hand pull everything that is deemed noxious or exotic invasive to give any native plants a fighting chance. In areas where there are no organized volunteers, this plant material goes unchecked. Oxe-eye daisies will naturalize and are included in canned mixes. Sadly, Dame's Rocket is included in many of those mixes too. These plants "naturalize" all right but they certainly aren’t indigenous to anywhere in the US. Pretty much every state has a list of plants that are safe. Please give your friend a link to the native plant society for his state or a link to a Wild Ones Chapter. Those people are absolutely awesome and ten to one odds, they'd provide your buddy with enough seed material to toss mud balls indefinitely.

Public areas such as "wild areas and forests" might be the last vestige for native plants in many communities. Without them, it is quite possible "for an American to live their entire life without seeing an American plant community". I know this to be factual as I take kids to areas where I volunteer and so many are in awe and claim to have never stepped on anything other than lawns.

Regional landscaping has other intangible benefits. Most notably to the tax payers. Following are comments from Bob Bryant, editor of Public Roads, and Bonnie Harper (Twin Cities Chapter of Wild Ones), roadside vegetation coordinator for the Federal Highway Administration:
"...states have discovered many benefits to roadside wildflowers, including a major reduction in maintenance and costs as a result of less mowing. Texas, for example, has documented a reduction of roadside maintenance costs of about 25 percent- about $8 million per year. Other benefits include: increased wildlife habitat and biodiversity; improved erosion control; enhanced aesthetic; increased planting success with hardy native plants; strengthened partnerships with natural resource agencies and volunteer groups; suppressed noxious wee invasions, which are costly; and a demonstrated commitment to the environment."

Something to ponder from the Wild Ones New Member Handbook please…
“No matter where we landscape, there is one, big common “why” for all sites- biodiversity. Let’s think metaphorically for a moment…
Driving to visit relatives living half a continent away, your family would rely on highways, service stations, restaurants, and inns to survive the trip. You might not make it if the pavement were available in only limited areas, if service stations pumped only diesel fuel, if the restaurants served only cabbage and hot sauce, or if the inns had room for only three people per night. The same holds true for other life forms. Without a safe corridor of passage, a source of food (with the correct fueling ingredients), and a place to bed down, an individual animal or insect will not survive, let alone go on to raise another generation”

“The Natural Landscape is needed everywhere- and in quantity. Those plants and animals who dwell exclusively in forest interiors, for instance, become locally extinct when the overall size of a woodland is reduced, thereby leaving only habitat only for woodland edge species. It isn’t habitat fragmentation alone that undermines the survival of a diversity of live, it’s sheer, over-all mass.”

OK... I feel better. I've said my piece! Carry on with snatchin and grabbing and diving and all the other fun stuff!

And what a terriffic piece it was.

Thank you sugarweed! Now will you reward me by visiting me in Illinois and bringing your blow torch? I'm thinking if you bring that nice rig of yours we can show you some northern hospitality. Naturally, we'd all want to hop on the trailer and go for a snatchin and grabbin and diving mission!

A few corrections to what I wrote-
"suppressed noxious weed invasions"
and
"survival of a diversity of life"

sugarweed, I'll make a road trip worth your while! I can take you to the Wetlands Demonstration Project, The Illinois State Beach Park, and the Volo Bog! Check those sites out! And then there is the Morton Arboretum and the Chicago Botanical Garden as well as the Mitchell Park Domes up in Milwaukee! Oh the places we could go!

Can I entice you with nice Immortal reblooming iris divisions? How about some nice hosta divisions? I'll have quite a few next year? Now if you're a native plant purist... it's ok to toss a cyber brick at my user name for offering you those plants BUT... they're not aggressive or invasive and they are very well behaved!

Dear Equi and Sugar, I made mention of that way up there on our thread, no no no foreign seeds flung on to natural habitat, no no no, bad bad bad girls and boys, It causes such havoc on the endemic life there, only sow in peoples gardens, the ones that look like doodoo, that don't take care, who's grass weeds have taken over, brown sad lawns, and empty flowerbeds, Yeh, We shall replenish and enlighten them with beauty!

First the rig was not mine. the pamplet was mine. Second, I found this site and will join http://www.fnps.org/pages/fnps/membership_form.php
Now, I may have to learn how to drive a Tractor trailer to make it to real retirement.
Since you know that, am I still invited?

Sugar, way to go, I'm going to do the same here in Northern California!!!!! http://www.ebcnps.org/ , Let's educate!

You know, with all these 'weapons' we're accumilating, we're beginning to sound like gardening 'Super Heroes' battling.... battling.... battling what??

Equil

Going after garlic mustard with an acetylene torch is kinda like hunting moths with a bazooka. LOL! While I really like the idear of flaming things...but it only kills that which is above the ground. For the real, deep satisfaction that comes when you know you've killed the root, too...Round-up is your friend!

We are battling the stingy people who make it difficult to get to the treasures within the deeps of the dumpsters! Sheesh! Dumpsters that are 7' high??? What's this world coming to! I couldn't even fling myself up and over that one to take a peek! I just know I missed out on a real treat!

Hanna1... got an idea- why don't you start a new thread over in general conversation to see who is a member of what. I'm a member of a few organizations but maybe I missed a good one somewhere. You could ask people to list the state they are from and what organizations they belong to. That would be kind of cool to get a listing of what's out there in the different states.

And dear sweet sugarweed, take a plane and come and get your Immortals and hostas! We've got a neighbor who has a few tractor trailers. He hauls shavings for all the horses around here. Worse case scenario, we sweet talk him into driving a flat bed he has. We could bolt lawn chairs to the bed and go cruisin. Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

I don't know him personally, but he is one of the more aggressive nature conservatives in the area, so I am fairly comfy he is not causing havoc, as we do not. Carry on!!

I loooooove it! Get him to join DG!

Ok I get it now, 2 busses, and a trailer, WEEEEEEE, Oh and a Cow, I forgot, got to bring that cow from overseas, remember guys, and the cat's and those (no watch dogs), got the non flamable diapers girls, Hey Dyson, where are you, need those uniforms! I think we're good to go now, spreading the seeds, Hey, I just remembered, yes I have flung myself over them trash bins many times, lot's of good stuff in them, furniture, toys, my DH said when he was young he did too, IMROTFLMBOF, use to get boxes for when i moved many years ago, fascinating stuff in those bins, so I bring my step stool, don't forget to bring it inside so I can get out, I'm comin out yer way, cause here, they'd think I was robbing someone, would have guns on me, may even shoot me, take me away, ha ha, gosh, It's past my bedtime, I need my rest , I'll see ya later!!! sweet dreams Y'all!!!!

I just found this thread.... what an absolute scream!

Hey, sugarweed, if you ever wnat to learn how to drive a big rig I'll be happy to teach you! This is mine http://www.dstartz.com/Truck.jpg and it would be a nice intermediate step from pick ups to tandems.


ladyanne - the picture is a hoot!!! Too funny!

Hmmm... dstartz, nice rig. I gotta brain storm. You shoot over to FL and pick up sugarweed and bring her to me and anyone else from DG along the way. You can give her driving lessons on the way up to IL. There's Immortals and hostas in it for you. Now, how do we get the gals from the west coast and Alaska? ladyannne is somewhat of an artist (see the van she decorated in one of the threads that this thread is a continuation of) and I'm thinking she could spruce up your white paint job in no time flat and we'd all be on our way to snatchin and grabbin and divin in style! Now if I could just remember who had the pool ladder!

Well, I just saved my first picture of a truck. That's possibly a sign. Let me do some research.

http://www.dcr.state.va.us/dnh/invlist.pdf

I am trying HARD not to laugh out loud and wake up my family!!!! So we have 2 buses, 2 tractor trailers, etc etc. By the way - although not as much a tool lover I am a lover of 'stuff' that is interesting to work and manipulate! Gosh girls wish I hadn't already sold my motorcycle! Course I am getting a bigger one - the other one was just too little! So go ahead and add that to the list! I can ride 'point' - LOL. Course someone will have to tote the no-watch dogs!!

Terre - you made me choke back a big laugh! Sunroof! Of course!!! Wish I could wear my son's diapers while I sit here at the pooter!

Ladyannne, I swear I have seen those pink tools somewhere. Just can't remember... I believe they were in a catalog. Sounds to me though they probably wouldn't be made for 'real' use - since you are most certainly not just hanging pictures! :-)

By the way folks - here's a snatchin' pic from last night. This poor old Coleus was just sittin' outside in a pot waiting for the frost to come and get it!!!!

You guys are so funny! Finally finished reading this thread and now I need to go back to the 2 previous ones!

Are we bringing a nurse to change the Depends or do we have to change our own?

Ladyanne you crack me up! I can picture some innocent bystander coming by and seeing you in the dumpster getting your picture taken!!! LOL!!

Equi, It does my heart good to know that there are people like you out there volunteering to do the work and educate kids! You GO girl!!!!

And why not cut to the chase and use a garbage truck as one of the vehicles! Just take the whole dumpster with us! (Except the stinky stuff and the vermin...have to figure out how to weed that out...)

We should start a new forum for tool lovin' ladies!
My daughter has gotten the bug from me and last year she got a chain saw for mother's day. For her birthday this fall she got a leaf blower- she was jealous of mine. And my grandsons think it's pretty cool that Nana drives a (F350) dump truck at work.
:)

Ocean, you drive/have access to a dump truck???? Oh, the possibilities!!!!!

Sugar, think I will stick to using the old chop saw for those cuts. I only use them when I am building the octogon bird feeders, and I build lots more of the log cabin type, 45 degree roof. I have a healthy respect for power tools and thankfully, a minimum of scars, lol!! OR you could come do em for me? Hint, hint....tee hee.

Ocenagirl drives a dump truck!
You've been holding out on us woman!

I have to fess up, it's me in the photograph of the dumpster. I sent it to ladyannne as a joke. The mosquitot/fly netting over my head was a gift to me from Jessamine who is a member here at DG.because I am hyper allergic to insect bites and was having difficulty working outside without having to take benadryl which was making me sleepy and sluggish. I have the coordinated full upper body jacket too! Eat your hearts out ladies and gentlemen!

Oh what have I missed today, had to be with relatives, We have the motorcycle brigade, etc etc, sounds more like a parade now, ""OH I LOVE A PARADE'' a dumpster queen, a truck driver for the dumpster! What happened to our quiet, hide and seek goods stuff?
I did my deed today, snip snip!!

Even had the relatives into it, lol

Hanna, you rogue, you! The quiet stuff is still there. It's like high fashion. You've got to go extreme and rein yourself back in!

Why would I do that? I had so much fun, I was deadheading girl!!!!

Such beautifull gardens at the Retirement Community, they just forgot to deadhead some, I helped, I was dressed for brunch still! I don't know the name of what I got, do you?

Looks like you raked in some good cuttings, Hanna... that is, you and your crew! LOL! Not familiar with the yellow flowers, though it looks as if you've got some sedum cuttings.

I call it "Purdy"

No, definately not sedum, a large plant, so pretty, I got as many seedheads as I could for me, and anyone else who wants them!!
Well here I am again, sleepy, off to bed, will dream of our escapade so much fun will be had by all, Is there anything We're missing??? Gas money? Do the dogs do any tricks?? Maybe We can juggle those chainsaws, that ought to bring us some lunch, you think, and with all these vehicles, We can round up all you gals up, no need to fly, drive your own car, I am soooo ready for this! I think We need extra porta potties at the rate we're going, so who out there drives that truck?

hanna, toddle off to bed with visions of stem cuttings dancing in your head. The port-o-potties will be found, the truck will have a driver, and the little doglets will have backpacks and do tricks... trust me!

hanna, your husband photographed you and you photographed your husband and let me get this stratigh... he helped you snatch? What a husband! Mine's good but yesterday when I told him to stop the car because I saw something really tasty... he told me I was nuts and to use my credit card. Spoil sport!

You all are killing me!!!! Hanna that is too funny!!! Great haul! Way to help those folks out with all that deadheading!!!

I have a busy day today of dead heading, Hanna, you are a real inspiration. Sidney

Twas the nite before leavin’ …

(use a recitation ‘rhythm’ similar to,
‘Twas the night before Christmas’)


Twas the nite before leaving, when all through the buses
Not a creature was stirring, least to say … us’s ..
The Fiskars and baggies, the gloves and step stools
We’re seed snatchin’ mommas and dumpster divin’ fools!

The gardens were silent, the plants all at rest
All needing relief and a snippin’ at best
Long went by the wayside .. overgrown with neglect
In need of dead heading – and begging respect.

The choir robes were hung all neat in a row
The triple D t-shirts were ready to go
The heifer was silent, all done with her moo’s
All ready for mornin’ .. were all of our tools

We’d settled in dozedom .. long awaited good sleep
Just started to count seeds … was supposed to be sheep
When out on the pavement, there arose such a clatter
Up jumped Magpye . to see what was the matter.

The moon in its glory .. and oh, was suuuum bright
Clearly showed Equil, Terre_, Sweez, and Cherishlife
And lurkin’ nearby, shown by the moon beams
Was none other than .. our very own, Weezingreens!

They’d arose from their tents .. to start early the day
Left the rest of us dozin’ .. while planning our way
Dyson, and RB, and Ladyannes other half
Were long cutting Zz’s after going over city maps

Now, abreast of the layout .. and bee bonnets on hand
Ready to place on their heads .. if met by demand
Shovels and trowels made such awful clatter
There too, of course, was sugarweeds pool ladder!

Magpye folded beds, and readied the coffee pot
Supper dishes can wait, for there’s not a whole lot
Snacks’ll be called for .. once we get back
While sorting the bevy goods from the beds we attacked.

No stone left unturned, not one plant left unthrashed
Ladyanne, NC, and hanna .. got the dumpster de-trashed
Tazzy’s hind end was the last that we’d see
Over the side, with a thump .. and an extended ‘whew-wheeeee!’

Now, out comes oceangirl, dstartz, and JodyC
Dodecatheon and ceeadsalaska zone3
Then creeps trufinov, vswilliams and Judycooksey
Philomel ! Kayaker ! .. Whar the two of yall be?

The tables are set with the markers and pens
For upon our return .. the real work begins!
Divisions of cuttings, seed heads - some plants there’s few.
With a bus full of goodes .. and all kinds of ‘em too!

How far will we go .. Will there be any end?
I think not folks .. We’re seed snatchers, my friend!
No dumpster shall defeat us, no boundaries prevail
If a lil trouble befalls us .. we’ll simply post bail!

But it shall not be long .. till the gardens we bound
These beds hold our treasures, there great ones are found.
Business, public and private .. gardens lay wait
For arrival of the snatchers – we come soon, and come late!

We’ve done our fine deeds, and shall call it a day
We’ll check the agenda - for our next escapade
We’ll toast our marshmallows and eat a snack or two
Until the next time …When we may come through!

And then in a twinkling, or, should say: a ‘vvvvroooooom’
The vehicles are cranked .. spit and sputter a tune
We’re all packed and loaded ... with a pledge nary to impede
The triple D .. Cleptobotaniacs .. A mitey proud bunch, are we!

- © Magpye
11-15-2004

Created .. in lovin' fun, shared respect, and some utterly awesome enjoyment .. with all
of the rest of you guys!! .. (with, jes a wee lil touch of insanity, fer xtree spayshall flavorin') .. LOL ..

And dedicated to none other than .. our own, the 'Weez' (weezingreens).

See, also @ http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/468728/