here ya go ms kristi. I remember getting upset about rainy days, but as I got more into gardening, I've learned every day is good, not to mention beautiful.
On a rainy, well yes, gloomy day like today, I like to look at the sky and observe the multiple shades of gray, from almost black to blinding silver. On a windy spring/fall day, I like to see the grass dance. On a hot, sunny day, I bring my profane language inventory to the front of my brain, so it's readily available when I want to complain about it being too hot, he he he
Isn't it a glorious day to live in Texas?
LOL Voss, complaints about heat. I hear them so often from Texans! I've adopted myself into the state so not sure I can claim to be a real "Texan," especially since you won't hear me complain of the heat hehe, I LOVE it hot! I am so so sad it has been sooooo cold out lately. DD and I like to enjoy the neighborhood parks and bike rides daily and have been unable to.
Anyone ever seen Crowellli's garden in Houston? Well I just LOVE it. You look out into the yard and everything is STILL in bloom there! To look out my windows that'd perk me up in the winter here but she's got 4 years head start on me, lol!!!!!
I've got to get moving in this yard here. What a barren landscape. But ah, so glad it IS in Texas. :)
Tir, I hate the cold, too! I had to take the oldest DD to the doctor last week and his nurse asked me if I was ready for the cold spell that we had coming. I told her that I hate the cold and she said that we really, really need it to kill the bad bugs. Well, that put it into perspective for me. Just like the gloomy, rainy days, I can now appreciate some freezing days, too! As long as I think about it through a gardener's eyes, that it! LOl
Necia
Ah, yes, - cold weather and sickness. They go hand in hand according to one source. The weather has to be cold for the "germs" to grow and bother everyone. What a mean quirk on Nature's part. And you see people running around w/short sleeves and wonder if they have lost their minds! A lot of them will say that they are" toughening themselves up " when in reality they are tearing themselves down. When we had 5 little ones and sicknesses ran thru the family every winter I hated winter. Now that those same 5 are grown and have their own families I don't hate winter so much; I just want it to be over............
Ann
Is there any place that is exempt from some/any kind of undesirable weather phenomena...at some point in time? If so,...my bet would be...there is some kind of "pest" that caused misery to humans or the plants they want to grow! That's part of the experience and challenge(s) to overcome while living on this blue sphere.
I believe that no matter where we're living (climate zone,...to be specific)...there's plenty of beauty to behold....it's relative to the state of mind we're in....what we decide to witness. Most gardeners I know,...appreciate the miracles (whether they know them as such or not)...of the living beauties they nurture...how amazing it is that from the tiniest seed can grow a remarkable living thing...or that we can remove part of a plant and with a little care,...help it to become a replica of it's donor. We're all kindred because of our interests in these things...our fascination.
I will admit that I love living in Texas (4th generation - almost 5 but my triple Gr. Grandfather couldn't wait and was born on the La. side banks of the Sabine River as my quad.GGF &GGM were coming to Texas)
but I've been blessed to be able to travel some,..(even if only on the N. Am continent ) from Alaska to Mexico and can't help but be envious when I read about how some botanist or enthusuast/explorer traveled tp places I've not been... to discover new beauties....that so many of us now enjoy and nurture...(and some are still doing so today)!
I believe I could easily adapt to living in other areas ( Alaska or Maine or Brazil or Australia ..etc, etc. for examples)...and be happy with what I had to choose from that would grow in that clime,....and be just as enthusiastic studying the indigenous flora & fauna.
Texans have inherited a unique "attitude" that was like a seed planted in the early 1800's....that developed... influenced by the same "pioneer spirit" that was inherent in so many other cultures in our country (and other countries as well)...being self reliant because you had to be...yet willing to assist others because of the benefits that came from doing so....and probably the greatest influence was being a soveriegn country/nation. That alone was the foundation of "Texas Pride", IMOP....an "attitude" of being proud of what we had become!
Not better than anyone else in other parts of the world,...but unique.
Most REAL Texans I've known & know STILL can be partially described by the Boy Scouts creed....Helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, etc. and if we boast a little,...it's only to amuse ourselves and others
with the outlandishness of it all!
I guess that, primarily,...is the reason I still love Texas...because of the state of mind...the inclination to be kind & generous to others.
As far as dealing with the heat.....ain't much different than those fine folks dealin' with the slightly chilly air at Lambeau Field last night....we just suck it up and keep goin'!
edited to correct spelling & such
This message was edited Jan 21, 2008 11:14 AM
This message was edited Jan 21, 2008 3:55 PM
Having grown up in the north I can say, for my preferences, I much prefer Texas. I didn't find people to be friendlier (though I don't dispute that's true) but the weather sure is friendlier! And that's enough for me!
Sadly,...I've witnessed some of our society (Texas included) become more self-indulgent and more inclined to be rude, disobey rules and laws, slowly drifting away from the characteristics that made us stronger....guess that's why I emphasized REAL in my comments about Texans...my opinions,...my observations....yep,...there's some real "sticks-in-the-mud" .....even in Texas!
OH, LOL!!! Yes "real" southern style Texans, they ARE nice folks. :) Just so hard to lump all in one category these days since yes....what is happening to humanity? Okay, back to the regularly scheduled program. Go Texas!
Opened up the Texas forum and my heart got all warm and fuzzy. I'm so gad you did this, Vossner!
Tir - we in Texas are happy to have you amongst us.
Willis - you made me warm and fuzzy too. I loved your post. Just loved it.
I think I'm the only one here who actually enjoys the cold weather. Not because of being outside but I love fuzzy socks, big sweaters, a fire and hot chocolate or tea. And snuggles! Can't forget about those.
OH YES! Those ARE good reasons to love our Texas winters!!!!!!! I just can't wear socks though. In the garden, to the store, even in the winter I can only wear flip flops....LOL, SOMETIMES up north I'd trade them in for socks and tennis shoes. I'd go barefoot in the yard here except for fear of dangerous bugs. LOL. I like to tease DH so much that we don't have bugs in Michigan. :) Gets him riled.
We put down the granuales for ants and I tell you we never have problems with them. It's the spiders and scorpians in the lawn that worry me (though rarely meet one, thank goodness).
Tir - I'm like you...i don't like to wear shoes when I'm outside. It took my DW numerous years to accept my grubby feet as I returned to the house at a later time (nothin' that couldn't be remedied with a scrub brush & a little soap!).
I was...(perhaps ..still am) a "nerd" or (known back then as),...a bookworm many moons ago...and studied, captured
and at times, kept....just about every varmint that crawled on it's belly
or six/eight legs....in the areas I explored.
I delighted in catching the poisonous ones, especially!
I had a "scientific" collection of preserved reptiles and amphibians
that would appall (although sometimes fascinate) all my relatives, friends...(especially my sisters' friends)...when they dared to enter my room and look at all the creatures submerged in formaldehyde within
the various mayo & pickle jars (very "scientific")...located within my bookcases.
Saying all this to explain why I'm not the least bit afraid of any of the
creepy critters...I do try to be careful, especially when clearing brush & debris on the property. With the exceptions of fire ants, asps, wasps, bees, and horse flies (all painful)...I've not been bitten or stung by anything poisonous yet...and don't intend finding out what it's like. I have been bitten by several different types of non-poisonous snakes & lizards...not too bad.
It may have already been mentioned,...but part of the "good side" of cold weather....all those critters are holed up somewhere...out of the way,...leaving free reign to the bare-footed...or flip-flopped! :~)
edited to correct sp. & grammar..at least what I cauight
This message was edited Jan 21, 2008 3:53 PM
This message was edited Jan 21, 2008 3:59 PM
I like the creepy critters myself.
And I'm like ya'll....you will rarely fin shoes on my feet when I'm at home. There's just something about letting the toes be free.
Isn't this a lovely, rainy day?
WillisTx - You have the most eloquent way of putting things! Your description of a REAL Texan (even though not born here) was simply amazing. Thank you for that. It's a keeper and I'm keeping it!
Barefoot. Omigosh yes! But I do have to wonder about those people who wear shorts, strappy tops and flip flops when it's freezing outside - to the mall!
No, this isn't a lovely, rainy day. I wanna be in the garden. But it's Texas! Maybe tomorrow...
Y thank you ceejay...I'm blushin'! :~)
Nolan,...I meant to say earlier...that I'm pleased you've enjoyed it.....I thank Vossner for startin' this thread...this thread is more along the lines of discussion
that I enthusiastically enjoy!
Lee
This message was edited Jan 21, 2008 8:21 PM
WoooHoooo ~ come on Summer! Barefoot is o.k. I don't worry about the creepy, crawling, slithering things. Its' the presents the dogs leave that I cringe at! LOL
Necia ~ you go back and tell that woman that I grew up in Minnesota where the ground would freeze 8 feet deep. Those bugs were bigger and badder! Even the mosquitos were larger than the Texas coast mosquitos. The ants must tunnel deeper or go dormant too. I don't think it would even seriously dent our bug population, so sorry.
WillisTx ~ loved your passion for Texas. Not from here but passionate in different ways. I tell people I have the upper hand, I know what it is like to live other places, I chose to live here! People are the same everywhere but the courtesy and ethics are more deeply ingrained in Texas and I love it! Thank you!
I am an Okie by birth but have been here 9 years now... I can say there is nothing in the whole world like Texas, there are no people like Texans, and there is nothing anywhere like Texas pride.
LOL - Podster....we have 5 spoiled rotten dogs that are too lazy to go very far from the house....so I totally understand your sentiment!!
I just wish their "presents" were as worthwhile as horse or cow manure,...wow ...I could start a great compost pile with their contributions,...that is ,...if they WERE like horse or cow!!
BTW - are any of y'all aware of Monterey Mushroom Co. in Madisonville, Tx? I have made several trips there to acquire a truck & trailer load of compost material to build more compost piles for my use. In case you haven't been there,...be aware that the "material" is totally organic but raw & smelly..and I mean it is hot, hot, hot!
The mushrooms are grown on the outer surface of long, cylindrical
sausage-shaped rolls of a mixture of what looks like some type of seaweed-lookin' plant matter mixed with what I think is fresh pig/hog manure, chicken manure and who knows what...all held together with
what I think is a stretchable,plastic mesh tube.....this roll being about 3-4 ft in diameter...(if I remember correctly)...and various lengths. It smells horrible (any of you been close to a swine farm before?) and generates methane gas like crazy. I was told by an employee there...that they use each roll only once per growing session.....planting the various mushrooms spore in slits that are cut into the roll...thru the mesh bag. ( btw- the employees all wear masks & latex gloves, plastic aprons,etc)
After they harvest the mushroom crop....they dispose of the growing mixture...hauled out by forklifts and dumped on a conveyor that carries the now loose material to the top of a small mountain of
composting manure & plant matter....that is offered for sale at a very
cheap price...they're glad to be rid of it. The last time I was there (a yr or 2) it cost $20 for as much as you can carry....in my case, ...a truck & trailer loaded to the top...(they use a large front-end loader)
Now,...you don't want to wear your good reeboks, boots or anything else that you don't want contaminated by this smelly stuff...'cause it is everywhere on the ground ...around the steaming, smelly mountain of
RAW compost material!!!
I don't recommend that one tries to enrich or build a compost pile with this stuff....if you live within a hundred yards of someone else...especially if they are downwind from you during prevailing winds.
They won't appreciate it! You will need to have a rural location.
Believe me though,...if you till this stuff into your soil and mix in leaf/plant material to boot....my goodness...does it turn out beautiful!
I have earthworms the size of a garden hose....(oops,...the Texan in me came out) rich & fluffy after about 2-3 weeks,...(if you till it again after 1 week or so to mix it up) I highly recommend it....but it comes with the price described....disposable clothing & shoes & gloves needed when working with it - i.e.: moving the mat'l from your truck or trailer to your compost location....and I recommend that is done ASAP.
The last time I obtained some....it rained that afternoon & evening,...so it was the next day before I could unload it....and yes,...it was a bit heavier to shovel.....but the delay gave the mass time to cook more in my truck/trlr and...(insert bio-hazard warning here)...the methane gas was almost unbearable...as I dug deeper into the pile....the fumes would almost make me blackout....I had to hold my breath each time I approached the pile....it's not easy to exert yourself that way without breathing....ooooowweeeee!
I laugh about it now,...but it is worth it!
Well,...once again...I've gone on & on....but I thought y'all might find it interesting. I recommend mushroom compost...most definitely....but composter beware!!
That is very interesting Lee, I wonder how safe it is to eat the raw mushrooms grown on it?
I think the key to successfully using mushroom compost is to let it compost - don't use that stuff when it is too ripe! It has a very high pH (alkaline) and can be very problematic in many growing situations.
ROFL...well this thread really gave me a smile reading all the posts.
I agree with barefoot but I am not sure about it here...already made connections with a scorpion in Sept in my bed so not wanting to meet with my feet nor meet up with any snakes or fire ants.
compost...I am going to look up feed stores in the area and see if nay of them can give me a name and number for someone that would love to part with extra manure LOL
as for the dog gifts luckily both the old beagle that moved her and the german shepard I got form the rescue go down to the front corner of the yard and make their deposit so it is not where I walk LOL
Well,...I started to say...that if you were to see the environment that they're grown in...you may have 2nd thoughts about eating them....but I was assured by the employees I talked to...the mushrooms are virtually sterilized by multiple hi-temp washes....they have to, I guess...to keep them safe for consumption....hasn't stopped me from eating mushrooms....but I'll admit that I always examine & clean any raw mushrooms I intend to consume.
I must say that all the Monterey mushrooms I've examined since....are always very clean looking. The mushrooms do grow on stems that rise above the mixture...probably high enough that they can be cut safely without (much) contamination...I don't want Monterey to think I'm trying to hurt their business....not at all,.....it's probably the best way to produce huge quantities of mushrooms quickly...and I believe they take all precautions to be safe...their business depends on it!
I bet it's safer than some of the meat processing plants we seem to hear about fairly often lately.
I did use caution when moving the stuff...trying to be safe...avoiding skin contact with the stuff. I wore latex gloves inside of another pair of leather gloves, a mask & rubber boots with my pant cuffs tucked in.
Thank you for the explanation Lee, you are right, with all the treatments i am sure they are safe. I do love mushrooms but prefer them cooked, seems to intensify the flavor. I especially like the whole caps cooked on the grill, they are delicious.
ceejay - I read the same thing about the PH of the Mush compost and believe it.....thinking about it... I added a LOT of chopped up oak leaves & pine needles - mostly what we have around...and considering my native soil is slightly acidic to begin with....it must have balanced the concoction closer to neutral, at least. I really don't know. I haven't had any problems with any of the plants...they're robust...(yea!)
Like you suggested,....I made sure the compost cycle was complete before I used it..... it had a good earthy smell.
Lee
Been working at the registration desk of the Dallas Market Center for the last eight days..11 hours a day Most heavily attended market in 10 years according to the count. Must have interacted with over 1500 people personally in that time. I was at a counter of 10 people with some 20 other areas scattered around the complex of 6 buildings,so you may multiply how many came through our area. We discussed only 3 encounters of people with "an attitude" and whoever was dealing with them at the time was able to bring them into a better "attitude" with first a smile and then gentle help. At this Super Market we have people from all over the planet here to buy. It is so encouraging to see that we are more alike than different. Could not say one was more friendly or considerate than another. One must be pre-registered to visit the wholesale market and because of newly instigated security we must ask for picture id for every single person. Then find how their company/or name has been styled in the system. They are patient and friendly through the whole process..thanking you profusely for helping them when you hand them the required badge to continue. I am exhausted but thrilled to the core by the experience. I only work January and June markets but always look forward to it. We must be at our desk by 7AM and do not leave until 6PM. This market was so heavily attended that the parking was a nightmare for everyone but they all took it in stride and said it was a positive sign for our businesses. Did not read the paper nor know what the news was all this time. Seemed the stock market was in sad shape but these people continue on with a can-do attitude. The human spirit is all but impossible to squash. We are blessed. Have missed you all.
LouC
We ARE blessed...and it is moving....to experience such harmony and good will among so many people....makes the tedious job move by so
much faster.!
Even though so tiring, it is so inspiring. I love every minute of it.
Louc - you are inspring, you just keep going and going.
I'm so cold today....can't warm up. Got the socks on and the fire going. I guess it's time to crochet more blankets!
It is very cold here too, but I did work outside, the city greenhouse where we grow the plants for the wildscape is going to be remodeled, so we are having to dig some plants and move them before they destroy them.
We moved Mealy blue sage, Salvia Farinacea; http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=SAFA2
Prairie phlox, Phlox pilosa; http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=PHPI
Golden columbine, Aquilegia chrysantha
http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=AQCH
We still have Turks cap and Coral berry to move, we potted about 15 flats of quarts and a few gallons, so it was a productive day.
Josephine.
Gosh, Jo. You are one dedicated lady and as a volunteer at that. There are few days I call indoors and this week is that kind of weather for me. Take care of yourself.
aaah...I apreciated todays grey too Vossner...It started out with a yawn, lifted my head off the pillow, looked out the window, and felt like there was no school today as I rolled back over in bed without guilt of tending to all of the projects pending, not that I won't enjoy them when spring hits us in a couple weeks..and it will...
Hi Christi, I'm hoping you used a cloudy day to recuperate!
Knolan..I need another wine party soon! and a trip to the market. I'm on holiday again 3 week next month.
Believe that nature takes care of all of us. While our plants recuperate from their summer show the weather makes us take a break as well. I'm with you Randy, good day to turn over and go back to sleep. Tonight, the fireplace, a glass of wine and a good book. How lucky can a girl get?
very lucky - very very lucky.
Well, I have to go to choir practice first.
Have fun.
siip...crackle..
wine... Shiraz by Lindeman...they have really put out a good Shiraz this year especially for 7.95 a bottle...!.
We find the cheap wine is often really good if you go Texan.
Yes, found a couple of good Texas wines....right Vossner and Knolan?
We are not wine snobs. Really like the wines from west Texas.
I'll have to call my daughter she brought out 2 bottles of muscat wine one was red and the other a white (yellow) the white was a citrus taste and the red was good too.
I like ones like resielings best