Best/Worse and What did I learn today? Friends pt.37

Thought we'd start this Monday morning with a new thread...

Although it is extremely cold out there the drive in was wonderful, even saw a rainbow..must be a good sign..light snow and rainbow mix...lol..

Gita, must tell you that over the weekend I took your seeds and divided them in 3..one set put in growing pods, the 2nd on wet tissue in plastic ziplock and will keep the remaining 3 to put into the ground..let's hope there will be survivors..lol..how's the leg?

Ruby, looked at Canadian Tire flyer and they had a shredder on sale for $299.00 am tempted but then keep wondering if burning the debris is just as good and with regards to leasves, my leaf blower shreds so I'll have to think a bit more on that purchase..I had some lovely coleus as well last year..first time I really got into them and lordy there were so many different colors/types..maybe I should also go on the lookout for seeds..

Judy, when you embroider do you not use water soluble paper, just a damp cloth makes it disolve?? Got a kick out of picture of kids in Easter duds...Sophie came along with the family, she'd just got her new hairdo for Easter and the vet chopped her up..4 nicks in the skin, almost bald..she sat on the couch to enjoy Easter and almost all photo's taken were of her..lol..now that's sad, there might be a few of the children though...

Carol, how did dinner go with family? Did you get the snow we got last night? Loved your holiday photo's, went back and looked at them, bet you are wishing you were still overlooking and enjoying the ocean..

Cat what have you been up to of late??? miss your posts (oops just went up and saw that you posted...still need to wear out skivies right? listen to our other friends here and they are getting 80 degrees..to die for..perhaps we'd all better go visit them..we winter people need sunshine..it's starting to get overwhelming..

Laura, you'll be sleeping but probably back from your vacation as will Jeannine..hope to hear about your days off...

Rachel..where are you 'sweetie' you are missed...

Shar, Ethan still with you today or have they gone..you are having enjoyable weather aren't you??? You'll be gardening today I'm sure...

Haven't heard if my 'secret' pal got her pressie...waiting patiently..yet another to go out this week..also got my 'windchime secret pal' name so off it goes this week...truly a lot of fun..

Will be a long day here today, everyone has appt./after appt. and I'll just be trying to fill in my day..

Just remembered, wanted to make appt. for my car on Friday morning..might as well kill 2 birds with one stone (yuk) have it serviced while I get cat scan..
so am off...will be checking in more than once today..lol

Well, I just lost a whole post!!!

Hi Betty. I'm doing ok just still trying to get everything caught up. There's a possibility they may detial me to KS for at least 2 weeks, so I'm trying to get loose ends tied up in my offices, just in case.

My Mom is doing ok, just takes time and she's not the worlds most patient person! She's learning to take things a little easier

Good Monday morning to everyone. I cannot believe that I slept until 6:30 this morning. The latest that I have slept in at least a year and a half. So, I feel really, really behind this morning. Sitting here and reading Dave's Garden is usually what I am doing before daylight After my hand full of medicine takes affect, I will get up and motivate a bit. I need to take some papers to Tax Man at some point today. Thought I would do some after Easter decorations sales too. Oh yeah, and there is a grocery list that has been sitting since Friday.

I am really happy to report that for some reason John decided to spend the last few days weeding and then putting down a cardboard barrier in some of the back yard flower beds. More power to him, I say, and less for me to do. ha-ha At the moment the sun is out and bright, but there is a possibility of some rain later on. Hope I have already gotten out and am back before it starts though.

Sharon, I just read you Rose-Policeman piece. You are a wonderful writer and kept my attention with every word that you wrote. So, I would say that all in all, you are truly a very gifted woman. I am glad to make your acquaintance.

Hello to all others. I enjoy reading about everyone's days.

Ruby

That is definitely one of my pet peeves Cat, losing a long post. It has happened to me more than once on here. Has anyone ever asked administration what might be the problem with all this? Might be a solution out there somewhere.

Ruby

Thanks, Ruby, it was fun to write, after I got over the embarrassment of it all. I still see my young cop driving around my block, sure wish he would stop by and help me get the rest of the roses planted!! It will be warm this week so I'll get it done.

Hi Betty, you sound better today....you still have the appointment Friday, right?

I started reupholstering a chair after the boys left, and now I have a mess from it. It needed some re building, and took longer than I thought, but think I will get it done today. I hope. It is a little cool, so outsied will wait one more day.

I am sure you all had a Happy Easter, so enjoy this new week, our first week of spring!!! We have pear trees blooming all over town, also forsythia and daffodills. It is very pretty to lok out in the distance and see the hint of green on a lot of the trees. Won't be long now!

Back later after I tackle this chair again.

Shar, it must smell lovely when walking nearby..this morning I spent about 10minutes looking at the big oak tree at my front window in hopes of seeing just one little bud opening..no go!

Yes, my appt. at the hospital is Friday 8am and my car appt. is 7:30 am..they said they'd drive me and pick me up after my appt. then I'll get some shopping done and still have most of Friday to myself..

Good Morning!

Yes, I hope you all enjoyed your Day yesterday.
The rains are to come by end of the week. I am glad, will wash away the winter ikky and bring our plants to bloom.

Went to our cousins and had a really nice time. Plus, to my amazement MIL, didn't go but cousin told me how she really appreciated my helping her when she needed it. That made me feel really good too. MIL, isn't so good with compliments so hearing through the grapevine is ok, at least I know she was happy.

Ruby, wow...you must have needed a good sleep. So nice to hear John is helping you with the gardens, heheh, he got the garden bite...this is a good thing!
LOL maybe he could build the living bird feeder for you. My Dh, was all excited to report all the birds at the feeder, told him to catch a photo or me. hahah, said he wasn't too swift to find camera in a hurry.

Shar, Nice indoor project...sure to be lovely when you are done.


Cat, Oh my...just frusterating when that happens. I have learned, now to do long, long posts in word and copy it in. Glad to hear your mom is on the mend.

Dawn, I love to sit and look at my garden spcaces, dream about how it will look when it's all done. Glad you take the time to do that as well. Gives it a better appreciation then at all your hard work. I do this at night, LOL I call it my night vision.

Liz, hope your day is going well.

Betty, My day is fairly quiet too.....Kids are on break this week, so hope they get to organizing their rooms...LOL but then again that would mean a mountain of laundry for me. LOL, again, I didn't know they make such a paper, I just use regular old copy paper. Normally, don't do such intricate so removal is usually quite quick. I have some really thin paper that i use for beadwork, but the pattern I used had to be printed from the original. I would show you but, i have been in search for my camera cord for several days now...can't imagine what the heck happened to it, grumble,grumble. Anyway, I am glad you enjoyed your day of quiet this and that.

Did you bring a couple glasses to work on? I look forward to seeing what you paint on them. Question, Do you know if there is a pen that you could write on glass with? Hmmm, will have to take a treck so hobby/craft store.

Yes, there are many that can be used..Michaels carries a good variety..

Good luck with the kids cleaning their rooms, lol, am sure they will get waylaid by something much more fun, especially as it's March break..

I'm almost finished my gazebo feeders, got sidetracked yesterday by housework/wash/mending and resting..knew the girls would be there today so left everything, including the sawdust on the tables..one would never know I worked so hard last weekend cleaning that craftroom..wish I could install mine but must wait so I can cement in the post and then find the proper flowers..yours is not planted as yet .. unlike that Liz, we girls have winter still with us...

The young girl who is getting married in October is doing fall colors so my thoughts were painting a branch with fall leaves trailing to the bottom of the wine glass..I don't know, will have to do several before I come up with what I want..then I'll be at it...really wasn't that interested in doing them because I've done 4 or 5 big weddings with them and I now find them boring but she almost 'begged' what could I say..lol.. but yes! knew the yes was coming when she came over on Friday..knew for sure yesterday when she dropped off all the boxes..glutten for punishment aren't I..oh well, the money I'll make will be spent on something special for my yard..that will please me to no end..

Cat got my seeds a couple of days ago, thanks, I know it was hard to have to do now after the mom thing. I appreciated it. Thanks for letting me in.

judy I love to plan the garden and the spaces out and later see them come to life as you imagined they would and it to feel how you imagined it would feel.

I know at my old house, the year we got divorced all my 8 years of planning and laboring all came together. I almost hated to leave just for that garden. I sat and looked out the window in my den and thought this was all worth it to see this view from this room. It came out more fantastic than I could have imagined.

I left the house and let the cheater keep it to keep my credit good. That is why sometimes I would go over there in the spring and steal seeds and take pictures of the yard for many years after. I would sit under my willow and feel melancholy that he got to enjoy my labor and money and tears.

I'd do it again though because the kids still lived there and still do now and always loved what I did. Their dad has not taken care of things as good and last summer he lost the Globe willow and is about to lose the weeping willow too. Moron. Do your willows all have beetle borers in them where you live? Here they all have them and you have to treat w/ systemic atleast 2x's a year. All the vinca major and the Algerian Ivy will die if the tree dies because it needs more shade, atleast the ivy does. Idiot!

Dawn, may this project be your 'dream garden'..you are certainly working hard towards that goal..you've got class lady..here they warn us about having willows because of septic systems..remember my neighbors (as a child) had a weeping willow and it was as graceful as they come..always wanted one!

Best of today..got the final call that everything has been accepted, in lawyers hands and will be in Barrie beginning of May (hopefully)

Worse of today..think Suzanne was having a difficult time this morning..I met her at my brothers, she drove in, I got in the car and she started to back up full speed, actually nipped the snowbank, tires just a humming, in fact I said, 'it's ok Suzanne, let me out and I'll drive myself in' then she calmed right down...I will be glad to get to Barrie, she's always saddled with me, not fair..so when we get to Barrie there should be no reason I can't drive myself, except perhaps in stormy weather...felt bad for her having the responsibility of picking me up day/after day and for me, feeling badly because , well, just because!

What did I learn...patience is a virtue...

Night/night all!!

Hmmmmmmm.....Betty, you think her mood was because she is driving you? That may have nothing to do with it at all, but you are exactly like me in thinking I have done something wrong when others around me are in a bad mood. I tend to jump to conclusions even while participating in some groups on here. If a regular poster goes missing, I assume they left because of me. That is not usually the case, but that is where my mind goes anyway.

Weeping Willows are sucha lovely tree. I always wanted one too Betty.

Dawn, I love the story of you going back over to that house to enjoy your gardens. I don't blame you a bit for doing that and it sounds a bit like something I would do.

You folks have a great day!!!

Ruby

morning all,

hope you all had a nice easter, just been busy around the house and work so no time to post. boy that new girl now has a extended three weeks off from the doctor.. then no restrictions! just cant find good help!

shar, what kind of a chair are you tackling? its been warm here but we still have cold mornings.

betty, will this appt be to go over all of the tests? hope all is well with that, i feel bad for you with all that snow still, when will it melt?
the new building is a sealed deal oh how wonderful! maby suzanne was having a bad day, dh stopped the gardners so i wonder who is going to cut and trim things??? not me lol

dawn, with all the seeds and goodies your getting your yard is going to be lovely this year full of life, will be nice to see it all.

judy, that was a nice thing to hear, even thought it was throught the grapevine! my mil irritated me, she said she didnt think we were comming up she thought "the greeks got us today" eww what is that suppose to mean? we spend more time with them than my family.
ruby, how is your weather are you warming up yet?have to laugh at the comment above ruby your just wonderful! do much of the same thing lol

hello to everyone else hope you have a wonderful day

This is my 4th day off and tomorrow I go back to work. Of course it is truck day! Good exercise!

Ruby the same here. I assume too many things sometimes. But it does depend on who it is.On DG I don't think that but I get the feeling there are several people that don't like me on a different forum. But it is also their loss if they don't get to know me better.

Betty that is great news on the move. Just in time to enjoy the good weather.

I'd love to have a weeping willow but they are such water hogs. Are there any small ones out there that will live in z4?

Dawn the loss of your gardens must of hurt. But to still be able to enjoy them. Too bad he is brainless and won't take care of them. How much gardening do you do now?

Judy we didn't get rains but a dusting of snow over night! LOL It just won't let go yet. But you know all of a sudden it will be here. How are the kids doing? Rooms cleaned yet? How is the birdbath project coming?

I have heard someone say they saw robins. Will I haven't seen any yet but the Sandhill Cranes are back. They were yelling at the dog the other day. A good sound to hear! Seeing geese fly over also.

I was telling DH about a holder for the window tho hold hummer feeder. $6 and Then $6 for postage. asked if he could make it. After his show was off he went out and made me 2 of them. I had the right kind of suction cups. Hope to be able to still get them. Now can hardly wait to use them. One of my favorite feeders is the one on my front window. It doesn't hold up very good.It will either leak or break. It is the second one I had to buy. Here's a picture. I want to see if he can do a bit better on looks. Might be able to sell a few?

Morning all,
I too, am one who loves the graceful look of a weeping willow. But they need a lot of water and the roots can be destructive.
There is one near a stream about a mile from me so I will have to be happy with seeing that one.
But the idea of sitting under one in the heat of summer is a lovely thought.

I have a very happy Easter with all my kids and Grandkids. I met one of my grandkids new boyfriend. He seems very nice..the four eldest grandkids each brought their BF/GF.
Unfortunately my camera was on a wrong setting up and the pics I took are all fuzzy. My grandson got it back to normal at the end of the evening though.

Dana had her 10th birthday while I was away..as a birthday gift I found her a Hanna Montana T-shirt at Kohl's..she is a big fan of the TV show. She was all smiles..

Starzz she is a cutie! Isn't it nice when you find the right gift for someone!

Yes..thanks Ves...

We have robins here now..but snow still covers a lot of the lawn and garden..just a few green patches.

I planted a few MG seeds yesterday..and I am trying some seeds I saved from a tomato plant I had in 06....Cherry Express.Came across them in rumaging through my gardening things. Nothing ventured... nothing gained I guess...

Isn't she adorable...bet you made her day Carol..

Well the sky was bright earlier this morning when I left but it's now gray and heavy..calling for yet another storm, not so much here in the city but at home..not sure it will ever end..was hoping it would be the last but apparently there is more to come over the weekend...guess we're just starting to get stir crazy lol..

Ruby/Vicki we're much alike, wonder where this feeling of our 'being' the cause of everything that goes wrong in the world, is it of our own making? or is that somewhere in time, someone put that into out minds??? hmm something to think about today..

As for the weeping willow, I did have a septic bed but am now on town water/sewer which comes in from the front of my yard..surely a weeping willows' root system can't travel a few hundred feet, or could they..will go into a few nurseries and check it out..won't put it close to pond though as the root system could break through the liner..

Liz, nope the appointment is for blood work and catscan, then I have to wait for the results, however, my Dr. has just been operated on and won't be back to the office for some time..so will ask the hospital what they do in this case, is there someone else who deals with issues should there be any??? Is your yard very big that you need gardeners or is it what's done in California??

Vicki, we love you, that's all that matters....some threads are so clicky, NOT the case with all of us, we welcome lurkers and all try to make them feel welcome..which is a wonderful thing..bet you are not looking forward to going back to work after 4 days off and knowing the truck load of work that is waiting for you..talented hubby, nice to have the feeders..last year while in Meafor I purchased a windchime type hummingbird feeder and it's all glass and holds I believe 4 hummingbird units...bought it at the end of the season so as soon as nice weather arrives up it goes..

On the weekend I brought out the 8x10' painted floormat for the back deck, did some decorating on it..as soon as we have more than 5 days in a row with no snow, I'll be taking the plastic off .. think I'd better wait perhaps till the end of April..what do you think?

Carol, before we get too busy we should try to meet mid-way for a visit on a Sat. or Sun. do lunch..something exciting..lol.. would cheer us up I'm sure...

lol its a convience thing lol

Thank you Betty! I know I sometimes ask too many questions and some people don't like that. But how else do you learn some things. I do go to that thread because there are some people I really like there.

Morning Liz! I have a DH to do that stuff! LOL

Carol, I as well have been starting seeds and have been trying placing seeds on wet towels, putting them in plastic ziplocks in hopes of them germinating..now I've many gourd seeds and tonight I have seed pockets and will try my luck at those..my trouble (each time I've tried this) is that they grow, however, they get so big and stringy waiting for planting that they die off..so I will be very caring this year and perhaps even transplant them into larger containers..

My tummy is feeling really yukky right now, Colin (office lawyer) just came in and had a letter that he wrote up to Bill re $$$ owed to me..I've not pursued this in 4 years, managed for survive on my own but time to close that chapter..doubt this letter will bring any $$$ but worth a try, then the only solution would be to take him to court, and I don't know that I would do that...Colin is acknowledging a letter Bill wrote, including a $2,000 cheque and stating that he would see a lawyer so that his estate should something happen to him would deal with the matter and pay me..then we had a travel trailer in both name, new vehicle in both our names, a gift of a double wide trailer set up as a studio (which he sold)...seeing the letter just brings back many good/bad memories...not good!

Betty it is possible your seedlings need more sunlight! Does your back porch get much light? If it does can you leave the plastic on longer and use if for a greenhouse when it does warm up?

Now that's an idea, it would get a lot of afternoon sun..hmm..looked at those small greenhouses they sell - $500.00 probably not much good for anything right?

Betty it sounds like the porch would work and you could still sit out there and enjoy the sun and the greenhouse smell! I can picture it now! If you can find a way to keep track of the temp especially at night. You won't want the seedlings to get to cold if you decide to go this way. I'd probably do it this way before spending money on a greenhouse. Also think of the convience of it being right there. On a sunny afternoon it should be hitting 80 degrees. My greenhouse does and it is on the west side. Just sun from noon on. Plants do real good. I have an electric heater in there.

I'm going to get a heater and put it inside and see what temps I get..how wonderful it would be...

Betty is it a solid floor? I'm picturing a deck type floor. Am I wrong? I can see it working when we get temps above freezing. Sure doesn't hurt to try.

The deckboards are really tightly set together but the entire bottom of the deck has been closed in...so I would imagine that a heater just might keep the area warm, plus the vent for the gas furnace gives heat as well..worth a try for sure..

Sounds good but be careful of the gas vent. I don't know a thing about them! I'm getting excited about this! Does your dryer vent out that way also? LOL

Have you read sjw over in (Parking lot) reports on the shelf she bought that can be used as a mini greenhouse for under $20. She has 2 of them set up in her big windows. Her sister did it also. Now those might work on your porch also and give them added protection. They even bought lights to use with them.

On my way to check...as the the gas exhaust, my area is not airtight so is ok..because it's under the deck and has an opening it's ok..just some of the heat rises...

Good to know about the gas. You might have to go back a couple of days. Or else just ask sj she will be happy to point you in the right direction!

Good afternoon all. Secret pal alert. Secret pal alert. I received a beautiful note card with my secret pal's favorite quote which is:

Live with intention.
Walk to the edge.
Listen hard. Laugh.
Practice wellness.
Play with abandon.
Choose with no regret.
Appreciate your friends.
Do what you love.
Live as if this is all there is.

M. A. Hershey

If these things are done, all should be well with a person.

Also in the envelope was a packet of Sweet William which I will start soon along with a few other seeds that I have been wanting to start.

Thanks secret pal. I will have fun sowing the seed and will keep the group updated on their progress.

Thinking of taking a nap, so I will talk with you gals later on.

Ruby

Betty,

Set up a light shelf for your seeds. That is what everyone around here does. Jill has written about 3 articles on seed starting. Click on her name and at the bottom are all her published Articles.

I put out a bit of money and bought a black, wire shelf at target for $25. Then I bought 2-three foot long shop lights and then bought the 4 light tubes for them. The price on these blew me away! They were $6,50 each--and did not come in multipacks. 4' tubes are much cheaper! If you have a space--get yourself a shelf that takes 4' shop lights and you will be in business.

Here is my little set-up. If I already posted it--sorry! You really DO need more light than just from a window. I am happy with my set-up, and next year I woun;t have to buy anything.... I have it in my bedroom by a S-facing window. The heat vent is right under the bottom shelf and that is where I kept all my seeded cell packs. When they sprouted, I moved them up under the lights.

Gita

Here are my assorted seedlings of all kinds.
The really big ones are my Moon Vine. I am so happy they came up! I soaked these in wet towels in a baggie as well--and the Hyacynth Beans also. I think it helped a lot to "soften them up"....

The white tray the sell packs are sitting on I got at Ikea. They are great! have high edges--solid plastic--you can water from the bottom-- and easy to move.

edited to say that the markers are all cut up mini-blinds. Free! and so useful! You get a zillion out of a handful of slats.

This message was edited Mar 25, 2008 3:31 PM

Here are my Tomato seedlings. I have 3 kinds--Cherokee Purple, Motgage Lifter and Sun gold (a cherry).

Just came to check in, wow stormy/stormy..Paul was at a meeting and he just called to tell us to get out of here..so gab tonight when I get home..

Hi,

Oh my gosh, I am so pleased! Have you ever wondered about people you knew and then just didn't see them for a long, long time.
There is this little old man that I worked with way back when I was 20. So I can say i have known for 26 years now. Anyway we worked together for about 8 years at the same company. He has always lived in the suburb that I work. I used to see him venturing around the town. Always did he walk everywhere, never drove,un less driven. LOL, he always seemed to be taking his trek at the same time I would be taking my break, so we kept up with eachother for many, many years. Well, now I have not seen him at all in the last year and a half! So I just assumed he decided to move to California where his daughter lives. Really, I have wondered about his well being in the last several months and today, was my answer! hahah, i was taking my afternoon break, and low and behold guess who comes hobbling up but my old friend Smitty!! We just hugged and hugged and cought up with eachother again. Brings tears of happiness to see him and at age 81 he is still quick as can be and will be going to California to run some race.
Ahhh, got to shake my head in pure and delightful amazement. Of course he warned me, don't go by this and this corner as the wind will blow ya right down, LOL...same old guy, full of happiness and always chattering about his next race...Way to go Smitty, still routin for him.

That IS my Best this grand, windy day.

Be back later to post to you all!

Crossed with Betty, Yikes be careful home!

This message was edited Mar 25, 2008 3:08 PM

This message was edited Mar 25, 2008 3:09 PM

Gita I am trying Mortgage lifter for the first time this year. Hope they live up to their info. Tried stupice last year and they were wonderful. Got the names from the tomato forum.

ves,

Would you have "The rest of the Story" on the Mortgage Lifter Tomato? I have heard this and that, but would like to know it all--as I AM a know it all......:o)

I guess I could Google it? I got the seeds from Melissa Jensen.

Are yours up yet? I think I seeded mine a bit too early. They now look like i should transplant them into 4" pots---then there is a long-long time before they can go out! Maybe 1st week in may...

Good luck! gita

Gita I don't remember where I saw the story for them. Mine are up but are kind of spindly. Got 5 out of 6 seeds. Keep a couple for myself and give or sell a couple. Mine are about redy to repot for the first time. Will be able to plant them deep and get a good root system on them!

Here are all my tomatoe seedlings!

ves--mine are a bil leggy too--but not as much as yours......
Thanks for reminding me to plant them deep!

From Googling the name. There were pictures too--but they did not copy....

MORTGAGE LIFTER TOMATO
(Lycopersicon lycopersicum)


In Thomas Jefferson's Notes on the State of Virginia, written in 1781, he lists tomatoes as produce common to Virginia kitchen gardens. Jefferson grew his tomatoes at Monticello in 1809 - the first summer of his retirement - and grew them until his death.
The Mortgage Lifter tomato was developed in the early 1930's in Logan, West Virginia by a radiator repairman, M.C. "Radiator Charlie" Byles. Without any experience in breeding, he made a successful cross of four of the largest tomatoes he could find - German Johnson, Beefsteak, an Italian variety, and an English variety. Radiator Charlie sold the first seedlings of his new tomato in the 1940's for one dollar each to customers who drove up to 200 miles for his famous plants that bore tasty tomatoes averaging two and a half pounds. With these sales, Charlie managed to pay off his $6,000 mortgage in only six years, and so the tomato was named Mortgage Lifter.

This large, meaty, mild-flavored tomato has few seeds and is the perfect tomato-sandwich tomato. Indeterminate plants bear pinkish-red, two and a half to four pound tomatoes all summer long. The Mortgage Lifter should be started indoors six to eight weeks before the last spring frost. Sow one-quarter inch deep in flats or pots, keeping the soil mix moist, not soggy. When several leaves have developed, harden off seedlings and transplant eighteen to thirty-six inches apart in the garden. Full sun.

Line Drawing from The Vegetable Garden by M. M. Vilmorin-Andrieux (1885).