Daily Musings Page 4

Oooh poor cherry treee, cold weather is marching toward the east. Nature does present us with the unusual. I wonder will the same tree blossom again in the spring when it might have a chance to also make berries? Anybody know?

I was born and raised in the Catskil mtns of NY and married and raised kids for nearly 20 yrs in the Adirondacks. then I ran away to warmer climes. ~Blooms

Blooms, the flowers are only on a few 'sucker' branches, not on the entire tree. It's also an Ornamental Cherry so no fruit will be lost. Just weird.
Is any one else getting ready to put the snow tires on their car? I know that I'm in the minority but I like my snows.
Andy P

I'm ready for big puffy flakes, but we had rain for two days and a chance of sleet. We rarely have a two day rain, but it was great! 2'' and almost 3/10'' total. It was over 60* all week, so we got X-mas lights up, brought the fake tree in and I finished decorating it, and the house yesterday. I've gotten 8 flower catalogues and have lists made from 2 of them. :>)) Busy busy busy!

Andy, I'd say having snow tires on by Saturday afternoon might be a plus It's gonna get colder and maybe snow. At least I think that's what the weather channel said.

Sally, you didn't get snow? well, at least it was warm enough for the rain to soak into the ground that will help come next spring. Making lists from the catalouges is good, LOL, it gives a chance of dreaming before the reality of checkbook steps in.

here's the snow and ice getting ready to slide off the roof this noon.

we're looking at some rain here today before snow this weekend. frankly, we could use some. it's been beautiful...great for getting that outside decorating done. but the plants could use some water before the ground freezes.

We tied a the record of 68 degrees in Boston, today.
Rain and high winds are predicted for Friday.
Andy P

Blooms, we got a little sleet, but they even said it wasn't going to be a traffic hazzard. You did get some snow didn't you?

Andy, we broke the high in Iowa City. Guess we all got a warm spell.

Today's little north breeze is just too big of a change after all that warmth.

I made a vegetable seed list out today. Blooms, I make a wish list, and yes, when the checkbook comes out, it's, ''I wish I could order that!'' I've hardly ordered the last couple of years, so this year I'm just writing the check(s). I have an 84' shade bed that is just bare.

Blooms, better watch out when you open that storm door, LOL. It could all come down on you ~ but you know that....

Billy, the shady area of the yard is the next challenge here, too. It's not even down to 'bare' yet. "Au Natural".

Woe is me. I'm waiting for the next shoe to drop. It's been an eventful day.
Gotta run.
Andy P

I have double trouble. It's under two walnut trees. Time to drag out the jugalone list. Garden Gate magazine did an article on planting under walnuts in the first one's they put out. Good time to review it.

I'm hoping Ligularia will work. I've wanted them for a few years, but never had room. I'm ready. I also need all new Astilbe. Planning on different bloom times to make them go farther. Now I want something that isn't common.

Well the other shoe has dropped. They say that things happen in threes, it did.
Not counting a large job that had to be postponed because of illness.
It all started yesterday morning when I saw these flashing blue lights behind me.....
Then in the afternoon my hot water tank gushed all over the place. Fortunately I was right there and kept it from flooding the basement. But it cost me $1200 for a new one this morning.
Lastly, it may not sound like much to you but.. My favorite radio station (the only one I listen to) moved out of range. It was always weak but listen-able. I can get it through the laptop but then I have to connect it to auxiliary speakers because the laptop sounds like a kids toy.

On a brighter note, my new (used) laptop is almost ready. A more powerful IBM ThinkPad T40. If I'm absent for a day or two it's because I'm lost, lol. I will have to set up the wi-fi, printer, camera and who knows what other software to get back in the game. I'm very unsure of myself in that department.
Andy P

Hang in there, Andy. If things do come in 3's, you're done for a while. Sorry about the hot water tank. My sump pump gave up today, but that's not such a big ticket item. It's probably a good thing you got the laptop before all this happened, or you wouldn't have wanted to spend the money. Will the place you bought the laptop from answer questions for you if you get stuck?

Hi everyone... talk about misfortune Andy... sorry to hear that... the joys of owning a home! but at least we can plant whatever we want!

I have cleaned out an area of the garden for a rock garden next year and I have a big shaded area in the back that moss is growing... it's amazing how cool and damp... but I feel concerned about planting there because Bambis (bad bambi ate some leaves from one of my roses this morning!!!!!) would eat the plants... they eat hostas right???

Billy, what is Lingularia???

Andy, you have my simpathy... when I need to set up any computer related thing I call my friend Mike and my nephew Philip... they are so geeky and nerdy guys... I could learn this thing but is too much work! I rather go gardening!!!!

sorry Gram, I think you are a bit of a computer geek also right??? software I can handle... but hardware and all this complication of setting up and etc... is too much for me ...

I am a software geek..there is a difference. I can handle the hardware if it behaves. I have several PC's in my office at work and one of them froze up on me. Couldn't get it to reboot for love or money. Left a call at the help desk which they never returned(one of the things they don't know is the meaning of the word 'help') So yesterday I unplugged the darn thing. It's fixed!! Some people at work think I'm a genius...some think otherwise. It's all in the eye of the beholder LOL

Andy, if I can be of any help I will certainly try, but it could turn out you know more than I do ;0)

I am fortunate in having a geek who makes house calls. But i did have the experience of fixing a hung up laptop by unplugging it and then pulling the battery and putting it back in. For some reason it picked up working as if it had never been cranky.

Always wanted ligularia too, it wants more dampness, humidity, whatever that the desert does not supply.

Gram, yes the PC place is within walking distance and they take care of me, if I'm patient. I've decided to do the swap on Monday, if anything goes wacko I'll only have to wait over night. They are closed on Sunday.
I also want to vote on the photo contest, can't miss that.
Because of the water tank I had to go to the bank this afternoon. I wasn't in a very good mood before I got there, then I saw the lines. The teller line was almost out the door. Give me a break. It's the first of the month and a Friday. I had to move money to the checking account at another bank. I think it's time to move my savings to the other bank where there are no lines and 4% interest for the next 6 months.

On another subject, PhotoShow # 14 is ready. Late Summer '06. That was another thing I had to get out before the big switch. Once I up-load it to my Gallery, it's safe. See it here http://photoshow.comcast.net/fantasyfinishes/ if you are not cross-eyed from the contest. lol.
We are having a nasty wind/rain storm now. Poor Sarah is nervous. She is such a wimp but a lovely wimp. I will not walk under the big trees in the back yard, we can hear some cracking and thumping up there. Lots of deadwood up high, out of reach. High wind warnings are up until tomorrow.
What a chatterbox I am tonight, it must be the stress, lol.
Andy P

I have all my banking set up so I can transfer funds online. I only go to the bank if I need something notarized or have to get into the safe deposit box.

The wind/rain is bad here, too. I'm hoping the power won't go. We made it thru the last storm. There are so many loose branches hanging from that bad storm here in October, I think there will be a lot on the ground by tomorrow. And tomorrow it turns to snow. We were hearing a banging sound and were kind of afraid to check...my garden cabinet isn't latched and the doors are banging. At least it's not the roof coming off! My granddaughter was putting aways some things for me...should have checked when she was done.

Gram, I'm old fashioned. I like to deal with a person, I don't even use drive-up windows.
I just checked the back yard, there are a few branches down, nothing big though. Sarah is so nervous now she is like Velcro. I hope she doesn't loose her dinner, that's all I need.
I have a motion sensor light switch for the basement, all I have to do is open the basement door and the light comes on, cool. On very windy days, the light comes on by itself. Very strange. The wind isn't blowing in the basement.
Andy P

It's pouring here too and the wind is howling, but we are on the "warm" side of the storm.....so I guess thats a plus!
Andy, so sorry about your "series of unfortunate events" (sorry, loved the book & movie) but it can only get better. My son got a little chuckle out of the blue lights. He lost his license Nov. 7, gets it back Dec. 7...because he hadn't had it for the 2 year probation period, they took it. He worked all summer, saved up his money bought a car and the day after he bought it (first time driving it) he got caught speeding! He didn't feel quite as bad when he read your post. LOL
He had to dig deep in his wallet for his fine($186.00) so he needed that chuckle.

Hello all! Been a crazy, busy week. Windy, warm & rainy here too. We've been breaking records for warm weather.
Kassia, YES deer LOVE hosta!
Andy, Hang in there.

ok... I am NOT getting any hostas in the back of the house... I am so mad with Bambi right now... at least they didn't eat my roses in the summer... well, I sprayed with garlic and other smelly things!!!!

There are so many people here on DG doing secret santa's and Christmas swaps that it got me to thinking about Christmas as a kid. I have been known to be sneaky, but almost always in a good way! LOL
When I was a kid Dad would know some family that was having a hard time and he would look at me and wink and say " Miss Muffet...I think it's time to play Santa and his Elf." Off shopping we would go, back home to wrap them and then planning how and when we would get the presents to this family's house. I usually got to stay up late the night of the big "drop off" and have hot cocoa with Dad while we waited for the family to settle down and put the kids to bed. That was when we usually took advantage and ran up to the door with a garbage bag full of gifts. I'd wear my brothers ski mask and old coat so they couldn't regonize me if they did happen to see me. I'd place the bag on the door step, ring the bell or knock, and then run like the devil back to the get-away car! Dad would fly down the road(the only time I ever saw him speed!) like a mad man and we would be laughing like fools!!! I can't tell you how good that made me feel and what a lesson Dad was teaching me. I am still sneaky around the Hoildays..cant help it....it brings me to much joy.
Now my brother is braver than me: Christmas morning he goes into the city, finds a homless person and takes him to breakfast. He will not give the person money, alcohol or cigs. but he'll buy him a warm meal and give him a warm blanket or overcoat. This is our Father's legacy and it gives us great joy to carry it on. So if im ever sneaky to any of you, (and I have been to one) please forgive me...it's how I was brought up.
Happy Holiday's! Celeste

Very touching story, Celeste (Pixie).
Thanks for sharing.
Andy P

That story is quite an inspiration. I hope it becomes an epidemic. It takes a degree of courage to step out of your comfortable life and put yourself out for someone. People are sometimes afraid of doing something they've never done before. But what a feeling of exhilaration it is to do something so basic, as your brother is doing! If only people would discover the warm happiness that fills your heart by helping people who have less than they do.

See, you don't have to have a lot, to find someone who has less. Just look around, maybe step outside of your usual boundaries. Open up and give of yourself in order to know what it feels like to receive.

Make the next few weeks before Christmas count for something good. Help a stranger. Everyday.

Thanks, Pixie!

Pix, you do have the best stories. what a neat family you have!

Thanks guys!
Gram ~ Your not mad at me for being sneaky? Or you just don't know yet????
Neat family??? Not sure if thats how id descibe them!! LOL If I told you some of the things my brothers did as boys....neat would not be the word you used!

As a little girl I had a secret Santa. Every year from the time I was 5 until I was 22 I got a Christmas card in the mail from the same person. I saved all the cards, and every year it was always the same handwriting. Inside there would be a $5 bill and no signature. I begged my parents to tell me who it was, but they wouldn't. They said if the person wanted me to know they would of signed their name. When the next Christmas came and no card came in the mail, I knew who ever it was had passed away. I backed tracked and thought of all the people I knew who had passed since the last Christmas and was shocked to realize who it was. My Father's barber, Mr. Forsyth had always treated me with love and kindness, and he had indeed been my secret Santa for 17 years. My Dad confirmed this for me and I cried like a baby for I never got to tell him how special he made me feel, and how grateful I was for his secret love.
So you see, I have been "tuned" to be sneaky and love every moment of it. I only hope my sneaky tactics bring as much joy to people as many have brought to me.

Oh, oh, Pixie, now I've got to watch my step. If you've done something I don't know about it.

Yesterdays wind storm did bring one thing down out of the trees. That little bird nest from which the baby Mockingbird fell last Summer. I found it as I was cleaning the fallen branches this morning.
It's as clean as can be.

Yes, Gram. You had better watch your step when there are sneaky people afoot. lol.
Andy P

Andy ~ That nest is perfectly shaped, but sad that it's now empty. Will you put it back in the tree, or use it for decoration? Will a bird re-use a next thats been touched by a human? I remember reading about birds not feeding their young once a human has touched the baby. Not sure if that's all birds or just certain kinds.

Pixie's, Fairies, and Wood Nymph's are all sneaky is one way or another, some are good, and some are annoying and some are naughty. I'm hoping I will always be considered good. (grin)

Pixie, you touched my heart... you see I am an optimist and I still believe the strenght of the human spirit... I am lucky enough that I work in human services and every day I have the chance to do something to help someone... even if I get paid for it... but I do (work in human services) because I love people...
you are very sweet... sneaky and sweet!

Pixie, I think I'll make soup with it.
Actually it's been abandoned since mid-summer. I did notice how well shaped it is. Round, firm and so clean. There was a Robin nest in another tree that fell apart soon after it was abandoned. This Mockingbird nest is solid.
Andy P

Kassia ~ You may get paid, but they can never pay you enough for what you give every day....a piece of your self, your heart, your life. Namaste Kassia.
Edited to say: Nah-mah-stay I honour you..."Namaste is significant because it is a humbling gesture. Namaste is done as a recognition that we are all on equal standings, all of us are children of divinity. We are one."
Taught to me by another DG member.


Andy ~ It does look very sturdy and well made, which is why I asked about putting it back in the tree. Maybe they make it sturdy to re-use the following year with out as much work involved? I really have no idea....just wondering.

This message was edited Dec 2, 2006 9:23 PM

Pixie, it was WAY up there, easily 25 feet up. I couldn't put it back if I wanted to.

Celeste, Two beautiful stories. Thank you for sharing them.
Dave

PS the birds rejecting their young due to human touch is myth. If you ever see a fallen baby, but it back in its nest.

I found this bird's nest on a walk two weeks ago. Must be the nest of green birds because they were into to recycling!

there's a robin's nest in my juniper with a perfect shape like that. of course, I don't know if it would hold up if it was moved.

I didn't want to say anything until the check actually came, but I sold one my photos to a company (MasterTag) that makes plant tags. I guess they look thru the pics here and see if there's anything they can use and then contact the owner about buying the rights to use the image. I'm pretty excited about it. The family is teasing me about being a professional photographer. I'll bet a lot of folks here have sold a photo or 2 for various things, but this is my first.

http://davesgarden.com/journal/edit/showimage.php?eid=91971

Hey, gram, that's exciting! I've never had the good fortune to be contacted by anyone. Though I have sold a few things to people I know. Does that mean you can't reproduce it anymore because they own it now? Or can you show it to us here?

Congratulations Gram!!

Ohmygosh! This is a group of "rock stars"! Can I still play with y'all? I have roadie experience. (Really!)
Anyway - y'all got me to thinking about pictures of plants - then I thought about giving some of the money plants seeds I collected away with Christmas gifts to my family. OK (long trip but I need the company) then I remembered the seed packet patterns that are available as extras on DG - then I went looking for a picture of a money plant at DG to put on a packet - didn't find one - then I googled and found this one. Thought I would share this "money plant" seed packet with y'all. http://kids.creativity-portal.com/d/projects/money.plant/seed.packet.shtml

(I'm still looking for a good picture of a money plant in the seed pod stage - if any of you famous photogs have any to share).

Congrats. Gram!!