Poppyless in Seattle (well, Woodinville, really)

Katie - did you see that Dan Hinkley is going to speak in Woodinville in April 2008 (you lucky gardener - a touch of gardening envy!). Seems a long way off right now, but I'd check on tickets immediately. Interesting topic, Dry Lushness.

Katye - beautiful!!

Laurie - wish so much that I could go see Dan Hinkley. Surely there will be a big crowd there. I'll be down in Olympia (Roy, actually) lure coursing two of my dogs. Showers are predicted, with a 40 percent chance that they'll really happen. I'm sure it'll be much like it was in April . . . wet, wet, wet. I'm excited, though, to see what kind of interest in the lure my two youngest will have. We don't have that many chances up here to run, since the Silkens aren't AKC, so I have to take every opportunity. And of course it WOULD be the weekend that Dan Hinkley is here, wouldn't it?

Katie - APRIL 2008(!)
yay - you can plan wayyyyyyyyyyyyyy ahead!
Woodinville equals Molbaks, unless it's an organization that is hosting him.
Laurie - where did you get this info?

Hoping for a dry Saturday, and i don't care about the temperature...

Laurie: I know how that goes I'm back to the work work too after 2 weeks vac. every couple days I have to play catch up on the treads, Still no word of Pixy? miss her. and far as doing a panorama I don't know what pic program you have. I have photo smart by HP it came on the program disk to install my scanner. I just love it I can make albums, edit, and a bunch of other things I'm still trying to figure out. You have to get a HP printer it comes with it., I have a old disk I can send you, but I don't know if it will work with your system.
And I am looking into the plants, but it is so dry under the trees, not sure about this yet, thinking on some sort of drip system. got to wait till next spring to see if all is well. But really really want that waterfall.

My little Tyler is in the dog house today, DH took him and the big girl to town and he jump out of the car and ran all over the parking lot and would not come to DH, my DH was asking people to grab him, he is such a little ####.
Katie59 do you train dogs? And did you know the kitties tails where formed that way because the sacks that they where born in where to small, and the tail could not grow like they should have, I have 2 that have tails that are that way. My female has had 2 litters and they all had tails like that.
Can't wait to see where you put the poppies.

And yes the cats around here rule..././.. Everything

Oops. Katye, thanks for pointing that out. Laurie, I missed your entire point. Sorry. I'll blame it on the fact that I was competing with the cat for use of the computer. LOL I'll put Dan on my calendar for next April. He's at Molbak's this weekend, so I'm guessing it will be Molbak's again

Tilly, scary about Tyler. My dogs do the notorious sighthound thing and take off if they're not on a leash. They intend to come back, but it may be awhile. And in the meantime, they are likely to get hit by a car while they're chasing little things. I'm guessing that you got him back. Whew!! My Vana got hit by a car a year and a half ago now and was in the "hospital" for a couple of weeks. It's miraculous that she survived. They did a good job.

I don't train dogs, per se. I have three as pets and I co-own the other two with a breeder friend. I/we will breed them if we find another Silken that is conformationally and temperamentally complimentary. In the meantime, I will show them at the rare breed dog shows and lure course them if they seem to like it. I'm not, however, one of those people who will drive forever to get to a show. I do read up on training techniques and on how dogs learn as sort of a hobby, though. It's amazing how well they learn if we communicate with them in a way they understand.

Interesting info about the cats' tails. I thought it was just a trait they picked up from their grandma, who has a little kind at the end of her tail.

I do need to get out and take pictures of the beds. I just keep thinking that I'll get things "finished" before I show anybody. Who am I kidding? LOL

Got the last of the lawn mowed this week and the roof cleaned and gutters cleaned today. I'm ready for the rains. I heard on the news today that we have over a week of rain ahead. One system out in the Pacific lined up after the other. Sigh.

OK, I am reaching for a silver lining that i am certain is there somewhere...
Storms lined up like waves in the islands....hmmm.. the wells won't go dry, the moisture lovers will have big grins on their wee plant faces, and gardeners will have more time to clean their neglected homes. How's that?
Also - it's a great way to get exercise - running outside to work when the rain ceases for a bit, and back inside when it starts up again.

I can't remember the last time that I mopped the floor!....

What's a mop? ........what floor?

Well there's this thing next to my washing machine that's collecting dust.......... I think it might be a mop?!

Better check again-this time of year, if it's kind of furry or dusty and has lots of legs could just as easily be a spider. ;)

I saw one run across my deck yesterday. Doesn't sound extraordinary, but I'm nearsighted and didn't have my contacts in yet..................

Other than that, no mopping here, either. Very soon, and carpet cleaning, too.

The spiders are in full force in our yard. Every morning when I go out to feed the critters I end up walking in to at least 3 or 4 webs. After apologies to my leggy friends (I just hate ruining all of that hardwork!) I wipe it off my face and move on down the path. Why is it that they always put them about 5 feet high? Hits me smack in the face, my hubby on the other hand it hits in the chest, lucky guy!

Rachie - I agree. I hate to ruin those beautiful works of art. Yesterday I saw a spider literally moving sideways in the middle of the lawn. She was attached to something (not blowing), but I had no idea how or what. And when I was worried about the dampwood termites flying around the house earlier in the month (as they are wont to do this time of year in the rain forest), I was grateful to have my little spider friends' webs sitting around the house as though protecting it from intruders.

I noticed the other day that I had walked through a web and hadn't even yet bothered to wipe it off. Methinks I'm getting a little too used to living with the wildlife. LOL

I always think of "The Far Side". Wasn't there one where they were trying to catch a human?

I sat and watched a spider build a whole web one day (was supposed to be weeding, I think). It was really neat to watch-and I couldn't believe how fast she was. I think it only took a half-hour or so.

They are amazing little creatures. Spiderwebs with morning dew on them are one of my favorite little wonders of "Fall!" When I was a kid my parents and I would count the ones on the fence all the way out to the end of the driveway (where I caught the school bus.) To this day I am still captured by the intricate design of them.

So glad I am not the only (spider)web watcher - I look ridiculous in the greenhouse ducking and bobbing around to avoid breaking them.

Katye, the information about Dan Hinkley is on his website under events/talks www.danielhinkley.com nice website. worth a visit.

Tillys my worst fear is of Rumple dashing off into traffic - so much so that I have only been away from home twice in the past 10 years. I have tried leaving him in the care of a very qualified dog sitter - and I literally have nightmares of finding out he has gone missing. Oddly - I could almost tolerate finding out he had died, better than finding out he was missing - it is that uncertainty of not knowing what was happening to him that is just gut wrenching for me. Not a great confession for a psychoanalyst (we are supposed to be terribly well sorted) - I am all too aware that I am much too invested in my dog - but I guess I need a flaw or two (she says choking - just ONE or TWO, I wish! I don't even own a mop - that's how often I consider cleaning. AND stacked up rainstorms in our house just means that I finally get time in the Greenhouse! Which I am much more likely to clean than the househouse. I'll clean the tool shed before tackling the bathrooms - fortunately, DH is much more houseproud - he hoovers and does tiolets! Bless him. What a good man).

Gotta dash - walk dog (yea!) and back to workwork. Its Thurs, and I go home tonight!

Oh, and Tills - thanks so much for the HP info - I just replaced my printer with HP, and it came with the Photosmart set-up which I just skipped thinking I couldn't be bothered. Now I will bother - brillant stuff and I want to do interim pics of the wild garden (which I think I have made look much worse on the way to getting better. I have a huge lasagne bed in there that looks like the local dip!) I may need a bit of guidance from you, though, IT is not one of my better skills.

This message was edited Sep 26, 2007 7:57 PM

Laurie,
I'm with you on the "missing" thing. We have had our dog Cinder and Cat Georgia for 11 years, don't even want to think about them crossing the "rainbow bridge" one day. Had to put our other dog "Mo" down a year and half ago because of brain lesions, the Vet said there was nothing we could do to make him comfortable and God knows I would never let one of my 4-legged children suffer. I still miss him everyday. Thank goodness we have May (8 year old cat) Cleo (6 month old cat) Chai and Stormy (bunnies that we saved that no one wanted anymore, age unknown.)

P.S. Would love to see updated pics of the Wild Garden!

I thought I was the only one who stressed about my furry family when I was away from home. People tell me I need to get away, but that just worries me more. Laurie, "invested" is the right word, for sure.

Rachierabbit, I'm so sorry about Mo. I will be facing that BIG DECISION in the next couple of years with my Whippet, Nick, I'm sure. He suffers neurologic deficits from spinal problems from a running injury years ago. Earlier this week he had a pinched nerve in his back and just couldn't get comfortable. It was an awful evening. Fortunately, he's rested and is better now. Feel like a doged a truck with that one.

I'm just thankful that Mo and Cinder had so many great years together! Since she doesn't have Mo to boss around anymore she tries to boss the cats, like that ever works! She ends up getting bossed right back!

Hi Rachel, Katie & Laurie, You can add me to the furryworriers group, too. I love traveling but mostly take very short trips for that very reason. It's easier because I have cats only (that are always indoors). I haven't found a pet sitter that I trust and every time I've boarded them it seems they decide to have an expensive medical crisis. I've kind of come to the conclusion that they're better off at home for 2-3 days (even if they are alone) than being stressed by the whole boarding/kennel experience. My cats don't see lots of people and are pretty shy, anyhow. Most visitors never see them-including the last pet sitter I used.

I've lost probably more than my share of furry friends, and it never does get any easier.

Yes, my DH also vacuums-he also does the lawn- I do not like mowing! So, we joke that he vacuums the lawn...
Growing up, my dad was on bathroom cleaning duty. He, uh, earned it. He made a comment to my mom about her cleaning and started lecturing her on how he had to do it in the Navy.....You can guess the rest....

Susy-
Your mom sounds like mine. You don't like how I do it then do it yourself! My kind of gals!

Susy - love the way your mom's mind works!!

Kathy
Still looking for someone to complain about my bathroom cleaning

I have lost many of my Furry friends, But what is strange is I never as yet lost them to the road and I live on a bad road. And I do not have a fence. I have taught them how far they can go, until I got Tyler, He is the most hard headed animal I have ever had, even my 4 cats don't go on the road. My driveway is 70 feet uphill to the road they think is to far to walk. and I have 50 some acers behind me that is natural wetlands.

I don't have a mop, If I need to clean the floor I use a sponge my floors are so small. as far as bathrooms go I do it cause I don't trust my DH he does good with every time else.

Dmail me Laurie if you need help.

I had a beloved cat disappear June 30th of this year (probably a coyote victim) and I still weep over his loss. He was the world's dearest cat - didn't have a mean bone in his body (and probably didn't even know how to fight back). I still find myself hoping he'll come back, but I know better - he was such a home body and loved me so much. I found several tufts of his fur on the lawn. Darn. I shouldn't get started.

My house is a mess and will stay that way. Between working part-time, spending two days a week at the folks house, a day/night every-other week with my daughter and new granddaughter, and with a great grandson due on Halloween (his mom, my oldest granddaughter, will have no help available except me), I have plum run out of time and energy. I still hope to get some gardening done, but a lot of it will have to wait until Spring.

Sheesh. I'm tired.

Murmur you have earned enough credit to leave the housecleaning - my goodness, girl, you have enough Heavan points to get us all in!

And I have to say what a thrill it is to be NORMAL about fur-worry, I do get a bit embarassed about how much I love that terrierist. (GAwd he was a pain this morning - one of the guys brought his lovely retriever bitch this morning - and Rumple just pasted her. HE owns all the people that come in HIS garden - and if SHE thinks she can come and sit near anyone, let alone get petted - and then WHAM! Fox terrier decks Retriever and keeps her down.)

And Gwen - wow, you have an AGA - in the US? And on an Island?? I am amazed. But then I have one of the big American Wolf ranges. We rent out the second oven as a spare room when its not in use. I was a bit surprised just how BIG it is. Love it - I always think of it as cooking with a Porsche - just roars when you light it. EXcellent.

I'll tell my mom you all approve. She's definitely one of a kind, but I bet she'll get a kick out of it.

Murmur, I'm so sorry about losing your special cat.

Laurie, terrierist-LOL!

Your stoves sound fabulous! I wish I had a gas stove. I've got gas hot water, gas furnace, gas fireplace, but did they plumb gas to the stove? No!!!

Laurie, was this the accommodation you were offering?

Its warm. Although we do have a tendency to save it for adolescents - I'm sure its sound proof.

But we have a guest room too. Heatings a bit more tempermental though, and the floor slants. And if you are over 5'8" you do have to duck to avoid the beams. But hey, its a 16th C. house - and they may have been a tad shorter in those days. Or the attic room? Which really is an attic room, but you can stand up. In the middle. Just don't move left or right.

Susiebell - have you thought of running a range off bottled gas (do you have that in the US?) thats what ours runs on. Incredibly economical here, I only change the bottle once a year. all of our heating is either from the oil fired boiler (general background heat) or from wood burners in the two main rooms. We also have a Rayburn (a lower tier Aga) that is wood fired (that's the only heating in that end of the house - weird). Basically, we walk in and out of warm spaces in the winter. Kinda exciting really - feels very seasonal, and stops the christmas tree from dropping. The house in London does have gas, but the heating there is just as odd - bottom and top floors are always 'coolish', and two middle floors are toast. And heavan forbid if anyone flushes a tiolet while you're in the shower - it just shuts off. So annoying - something to be said about a new, well plumbed, house. But then, I'm not to sure i would fit in with all those nice right angles - I think a slanty floor, and mismatched walls is what I am comfortable with. Somehow lets me be a bit slouchy.

Sounds wonderful Laurie! It' called character my dear :0)

Yes, I have been described that way before - I've always wondered what they were really trying to tell me. sort of like being told that you 'have a style all your own' - hmmmm - another words, get some dressing help!! Ohh, sorry, did you mean the house?

There just jealous of how "eccentric" we gardners are!

Laurie - Your house sounds magical. Reminds me of when I got to go along with my aunt, uncle, and cousin to a trip to Great Britain in 1973. I was 12, with the most incredible ability to daydream about my ancestors and the country they came from. We stayed in some bed and breakfasts out in the country in both Scotland and England. That was my first introduction to so many things - a fireplace in the bedroom, a four-poster bed, and my favorite - down!!! I loved curling up under a down comforter at night.

Someday I'll get back there and do a repeat trip of the countryside - there's just so much history that a day-dreamer like me can get lost in.

Kathy

I would love to see some pics then I really could day dream at least for those of us that have never lived in a real house mine is store bought and it came with wheels.
No matter how hard you try to hide it with plants its still a mobile home.

Yes, Tilly, but I'll bet you that Laurie will tell you that old houses come with lots of surprises and that they don't always (read: never) come at the right time!!

Mary, no matter how you feel about it, I suspect you have made it into a home!!!

Yes it is all mine, except for the mortgage. And still I love it.

Hello fellow gardeners! I am finally back and sorry to have been away for so long. One day runs into the other, then weeks run into more weeks.

Kathy, did you ever get seeds to the purple annual poppy? I have seeds from this one:

dmail me if you want some

Mary, I will post some pictures, I would just love it if you knew where I lived. I so envy the popping in (even with 2 hour drives) that some of you do. I do that in my imagination.

I do feel extraordinarily lucky to have our house, but not just because of its architecture, its mostly because it really is our home. I think that is what feels so good, having a place that really welcomes me home (regardless the eccentric plumbing/heating/electricity), some place that I feel I belong, and I feel content. Every Thurs when we finish work, we manically gather up dog and doings and chuck them in the car, and then head south, and I am transported to a happy place - I am heading home! I think that is a feeling so many of us share on this thread - at least that is my impression - whether your home is on an island or comes with wheels, we've all looked for, worked on, and are creating/maintaining our happy place.

Well done us. Keeps me balanced. Most of the time - well, it would get boring if there weren't some out of kilterness.

Here's to happy places. Cheers (its THURSDAY - 4 more hours!)

PS - I just loaded the photosmart software onto the printer/computer.

Laurie, do you garden at two homes, or just the one that you obviously love so much?

Yes, I, too would love to see photos of your home, Laurie! I always have an active imagination going when I read your posts.

HI Laurie,

I've been meaning to get back here and answer you, but I wasn't sure which here was which.....I'm not sure that the bottled propane or gas is allowed here in the city. I'd be more inclined to look into it if we were out in the country. A gas stove is mainly on the "When we get our next house" list. My house is regrettably devoid of character, I'm afraid.

SUSYBELL, How can it be devoid of character when you live there? what nonsense.

I only sort of garden in London. Our house in town is in a mews - I'm not sure there is an equivalent in the US - they are the small alleys at the back of the big houses. Most of the houses were either the old stables or servants quarters for the bigger houses that look out on the posh streets. We don't think our street ever had stables, (there was a large commercial stables on the high street. The coaches would have been on the street level and the horses on the upper level), however the house does abutt the old laundry of the house behind. So we have no garden. What we have done (along with our neighbour) is colonise the pavements outside our houses and the area across from us to create a potted garden. I'm in the process of redoing some of my pots - (I find plants do have a shelf life in pots) - but Ruth, my neighbour, seem to be able to grow hers on to real trees. I don't know what we would do if the city ever cracked down on us - there are about 200 pots all together. Fortunately no one ever walks on the pavements in our street, we all walk in the street.

I will photograph.

And I will try to get some house photos too.

On my list.