Scattelogical ramblings and desultory humor - Almost May

AYC. here's a pear from Farmerdill to go with your house.

Kieffer Pear. A real old one.

Yankee, Looking good! Your wall is beautiful!

Thanks - I'm still working on it around the sides and the back.

Memory, you're going to have so much fun plant-scaping!

Katye, you said: "But when you have a small slice of land to grow on, the food source plants would come first, followed by herbs, etc."

Interestingly, that's how cottage gardening got its start.

YankeeCat, what a charming house. Love that you're even planting curbside.

Gloria, is that Dill's pear? I follow his comments. He gives such great veggie advice. So knowledgeable.

Katye and Harper I'm grateful every day for our slice of land and all the gifts it provides.

Pam, I'd be a butternut squash. That would be three foods in one; dairy included. Stores well, is versatile and can have a gorgeous, golden tan with out worrying about skin cancer!

Rainy day here. I'm shirking house chores.

Maypoplaurel. I notice from your red hair that skin cancer would be something to avoid. Since I had an outside job for some 15 years in the Southern sun its something I worry about also.

We did work in loose cothing fully covered and I always wore a big hat which was my signature.

I have (had) dark hair and pale skin (blue eyes) but i notice I don't have many wrinkles compared to other women my age. -- thanks to that big hat I guess.

I haven't avoided it Gloria but am good at catching it early. Problem is they cut or laser a lot for the tiniest spot. The right side of my nose is grafted and they blasted me in the sternum. Looks like another spot on my right forearm is starting. I'm head to toe screen every day and try to go in during midday, but 75% of total life exposure is usually before the age of eighteen. I was a fair skinned reddish blonde baby. Always loved the outdoors and I have a lot of trouble not trying to cheat the devil here.

Gloria - dittos on the hat comment: it works. We don't have excessive sun here due to the maritime climate, so it's great to be out in it. Still, the necessity to protect oneself is important.
My comments (post #4895179) from way back up regarding the "slice of land" came as a result of a conversation I had with a teenager in regards to how much work my 1 1/2 acres requires. My point to her was that I appreciate this work, as there are many throughout the world who have no land, nor access to it whatsoever.
If they do, 100% of it might be devoted to growing food crops/herbs in order to survive; "landscaping" is not a priority.
It was an interesting discussion in that it gave a perspective to one so young that knows nothing (first-hand) of life outside this country, and caused me to reflect once again, on what we have & often take for granted. It was a reality check for me: be grateful for what you have, and do your very best with what you've got.

Hey Cat, a nice cat silhouette would look great in that space above the awning! Or any nice piece for that matter. Maybe a copper butterfly or dragonfly? There is a DG member who does great copper stuff.

Great sentiments, Kate!

Victor - I've never thought of decorations on the outside of the house. Looking at the picture, a big terracotta sun would be nice up there, too.

Yes - one to match the color of the shutters.

We have a steel sculpture of a sun over our front entry. I'll try to photograph it when we get back. A terracotta sun would look great!

I have seen the Terracotta sun(s) online - I'll try to remember where. I wanted to get one & seal it so it could be left outside, but was told that they "flake" if subjected to below freezing temperatures.

I had a glazed piece and left it out all winter. It went to the dump last week. Better safe than sorry. I'd bring it inside to keep it safe for the winter.

Maybe a rust iron sun? My next door neighbors say that they are bringing me a yard and a half of mulch - guess they think my yard needs tidying. Well, it does - but so does everything in my life! I was sad to cut the set fruit off the peach and asian pear. :( But next year - I will have tons of fruit.

This message was edited May 4, 2008 9:20 AM

That's the spirit, AYC! Positive thoughts for next year!

OMG I missed the whole day.
Cable,internet and digital phone have been out since 5:00AM Just came online half an hour ago.
I missed the chat. It's amazing how much I depend on those things.
Couldn't even check the weather.

I had the same problem twice in the past five days. Welcome back!

I thought the decoration over the door was such a great idea that I just bought an old tiller blade on ebay to use. It kinda looks like a sunflower / sun. I just have to spray it with a rust finish and then seal it and climb up on the roof . . .

Cool! My design consultation fee is in the mail!

Perfect! Yankee Cat!

You can cover it during eclipses...

And wear sunglasses...

Welder's helmet!

It really is going to be perfect, Cat. How big is it?

That roof looks pretty steep, Cat. Be careful!!

That is fantastic! It will be beautiful. Yes, I agree, don't do anything but spray for rust. I think mine might be made from the top of a steel drum. We got back to Atlanta this afternoon, and I went outside to take a picture. The sun was on the wrong side of the house. I will try tomorrow if I can figure out DH's lenses. He will probably not be able to help for the next few weeks.

L

Yank that will look great! I think it's just perfect!!

Love it Cat!!

And Victor, I owe you a fee for my new corner garden with all your JM advice!!

It even has sunspots on it!

No charge, Deb! Good luck and hope it turns out great. Take pics throughout the season!

Thanks Victor! Will do. And right now I keep staring out the window thinking of how it will progress.

So, for all the fans of JM's...I got back to Atlanta and there was some really unusual traffic in the 'hood. Our neighbor was part of the Atlanta "Spring Garden Tour of Homes". According to the paper in our driveway..."over 160 varieties of Japanese Maples will be featured in this garden." Does that qualify for a tax credit as a tree farm (lol)? One hundred sixty varieties? I'm more impressed that the Japanese can hybridize all these plants than my neighbor being able to plant them on his lot.

Anyway, went to pick up my decrepit van that had a dead starter and was towed. Drove by the house and want to know...who provided the perennial landscape that looks like about ten thousand in instant botanical garden? I really need to make a move.
L

Wow - that's a lot! I'd love to see that. Many are hybridized outside of Japan.

Yes, well you would have to buy a ticket and take a ride a golf cart. Thought that would stir your soul. You're so easy.

L

I'd prefer to walk - slowly.

We should all walk more slowly and tread more lightly. A better world...yes?

Am I falling into another U turn? Did it have that many trees and how much land? Were the trees there? I am getting set up for a zinger here I can feel it.