Best/Worse/What did I learn today? Pt.42 Visit with Friends

Gita's 2nd post..

Here is the Mama that was all cut back and re-potted and is now fully re-grown.
See! Do not be afraid to do this...This is in about middle of July...I keep it on my front steps--gets very little direct sun--maybe some early morning sun...

HI Betty,
I grow wisteria over the gazebo. It has had a few blooms only twice in the ten years since it has been planted. They don't last long so I don't worry about it..as I want the greenery,

I am writing to you from my daughter's home Looking after the grandkids when both parents are on afternoon shift.

Today I got the little wrought iron cafe set painted and also my white wicker rocker and two small wicker tables.

Clouding up now..but it was sunny most of the day.

Have a good evening..kids are playing outside now..but they will want the computer for MSN later. What did we ever do without computers.

I got my first one in 1995. Windows 3.1 then..had to learn all the technical terms..went to a few classes..and then just read a lot on the computer to solve problems or to learn more...and asked a lot of questions of people who were more experienced.

The reason I mention this now is that yesterday I came across my little hand held tape recorder..and on one of the tapes was a lesson being given on Windows 3.1.
Sort of took me back....
.

Hi folks,
I have been in my gardens for 2 solid days, probably doing what Betty was doing, but using 2 days instead of two hours to do it. Tired, but a good tired.

I missed the wisteria conversation, but will share this with you anyway. Let's hope this is the right picture.

now that I think of it, I probably already posted this since it is already green now. Anyway......here it is again.

Beautiful shot Shar..sometimes one needs to work as hard as you have in the garden..it's a way of dealing with feelings and being closer to the Lord..always a calming effect...

Carol, know about computers and losing our priveledge once the kids visit..first place Kyle heads for when visiting..will you stay all week or do you go each and every day while they are on afts. - shift work..yuk..

Just got home, not only too cold but I'm too tired to play outside tonight, so I have my evening figured..I'll have a bite to eat (already made) bath, get something to paint while watching the 2hr. Dancing with the Stars - 100 show special this evening...

Just as I got to the corner here in town I saw 2 little gaffers and realized they were mine so I turned the corner to park where we could visit..I was impressed, here they were 10 and 12, made posters, bought lawnmowers (told me they spent their money on brand new, non gas/non electric mowers, the same type we had in my day-hold on kids I'm not that old) anyway, there were putting up posters..I told them that as they are doing grass cutting perhaps they'd like to expand their business..I love cutting grass so wouldn't need their services for that, but there is odds and ends in the yard I could do with help..so we agreed that on Thursday evenings - between 7:00 - 8:00 pm I would hire them for 1 hr. only and would pay them each $10.00, I asked them if they would like me to draw up a contract..lol..Kyle said no he trusted me...I almost chocked..just before leaving who pulls up but DS Greg he also just getting home from work, wondered what we were doing so I told him we were having a family meeting, said he'd better get home and get Melanie..Kyle and Noah said they already cut one lawn and didn't get paid, that was at their sitters, but Greg explained to them that it's good PR, do a lawn, do a good job and word will get around..now Kyle wants to paint little signs to say "Cut by the Pauze boys...get yours cut by calling...." wonder how long this will last..nice to see them interested in earning a living at such a young age...so better have my $20.00 on Thursday night...to tell you the truth, they drop by at least 2 times a week and I give them that much for treats..so this way, it will serve two purposes..

Well, I'd like to work on my 'Red/White/Blue' project so better get myself organized before this burst of energy escapes me...

Do have a nice night..

Best of today...a few d-mails that took me by surprise, made me cry (good kind of cry)
Worse of today..being emotional all day..poor guys at work weren't sure if they did something wrong, every time they looked at me I was wiping tears....lol
What did I learn..ah yes, new business in the family..

night/night

Wo, what a beautiful wisteria Shar. Dang. That is what you get in the south.

Aren't we all envious of Shar's garden...pays to play all day out there..look at the beauty you get for your returns...

Waaahhhh...got left behind!! :(( Posted on #41 and here's Judy, tapping on me shoulders telling me you all are here!! Thanks Judy!
Will just have to play catch up later...love all of you and...again...
Blessings Galore!
Jaye

morning all,

shar, your wisteria is a beauty! bet you tired working the yard for two days.
how are you feeling?

bev, what is that lovely white flower?

vicki, (wispering) dont you just love it when they cant prove you wrong!oh i hear you on long weekends!
lol funny story, when dh is nowhere to be found.. look out in the middle of the street all the guys are there, guess its the meetings of the minds(oh brother) so my crazy neighbor is watching us..
after i got home decided to cut alot of dead branches, roses ect so i had a pile on the sidewalk, asked dh to help me put it in the bins.
he yells across the street "dude hope you got a good nap" looks like your undertaking alot of manual labor there?
mine pops off with ya when i met her she said i had potential..
my neighbor looked at me and said you know better now dont you?
i shook my head yes he busted out laughing and dh had his back turned..ha ha got away with one!!

carol. how fun you get to spend time with the grandkids, do they live far from you? on your grounds have you grown a smoke bush it has dark purplish leaves, one of the landscapers gave dh one said it grows to about 15 feet, im just wondering about the roots dont want to up root anymore sidewalks lol seems like that is my forte...

hi dawn, how are things out your way? is it heating up if we could get rid of that wind it would be great!

laura, you know we will all be your girlfriends :)

hello ruby, jaye gilli hope your all well to

gita, i have lousy clay soil and have tried wisteria but it never seems to take off what additive can i use in my soil ? i got another one and would like to try again.

betty, guess were both looking for jail time lol you with burning me with destroying money lol , oh thank you i know where i went wrong i should of used smaller beads but also should of strung them up individually, laying them all togeather then gathered them up as a group , rather than stringing them up one by one.
yes those are the plastic ones i got at t j maxx there plastic they were 1.99 a peice,
oh there you go boys want to start their own bussiness nice to hear that! so sweet i like the idea of a sign on lawns!
oh i had to tell you about the good in people, the birdhouse swap my buddy was removed,and the hostess is sending me a birdhouse, just tickles me to death how the girls are just wonderful over there, just cant wait!
well i have to go get ready took me forever to write this morning , not a good multi tasker lol
evryone else have a wonderful day

jaye, lol betty too funny! thinks shes excited to

Liz, That is a Dogwwod tree. Going to storm so may not hear from me for couple days. LOVE ALL. BEV I will jump in if I can.

I'm most excited for the 'red/white/blue' swap, I'd share what I'm doing but there are luuurrrkeeerss out there and besides Liz you are one of the particpants..shucks, can't wait to get mine posted out but won't get my name till the end of the month..have my gift for my 'secret pal' here and will get it posted on Fri. or Sat. then I'm all caught up for at least a few weeks..

Yes, the boys were so cute, took me by surprise when the said they bought the new manual push (no gas/no hydro) lawnmowers so they could go 'green'..imagine.. so hopefully they will get some jobs, grandma will try to keep them busy!

Judy, thanks for the information I requested, it helped me get my mind around my project..lol..couldn't wait to get back at it, spend 1/2 hr. this morning before leaving for work..

Liz, your ice cream sundae glasses look pretty clear..mine are frosted to some degree, maybe if I add a couple pieces of frosted glass it will tie it all together..must do some visiting at $$$$ stores this weekend to look for bead strings..know walmart has beautiful ones in their craft dept. but costly...YUK/YUK was told our store in Midland will become a super store and they'll be closing the craft dept. down..not that I buy a whole lot but enought that I'll miss it.. glad you will get your birdhouse after all..
Know I love mine..decided to take it out of the birdcage holder and put it back on the back deck bakers rack..looks prettier..I'll find something else for the metal rack as once the vines grow much of what I put there will be lost to greenery..

The sky is completely black out there, keep calling for bad weather and we've missed it so far but think today's the day..

Just e-mailed Jeff to see what his plans are for the weekend, if he's coming up Sat. or Sun. as I want to make arrangements with Mom to visit her at the cottage and also want to go to Penetanguishene to grandma's grave to put flowers so there's lots to do..

Jaye, wondered where you were, thought perhaps we scarred you off with all our gabbin...

Dawn not sure which sites I've been lurking on but have seen some beautiful photo's of your garden..for a girl who said most of the work would be done next year you sure did accomplish much...

Was up so early this morning, managed to get 1/2 hr. in on my 'swap' project and then took out my flower pot patterns as I'm in a swap there that as well..found the one I was looking for..while I'm at it I'll make 2 because I gave one away a few years ago as a gift and really wanted to keep it, promised myself I'd paint another so .. brought pattern in to do a tracing and then I'll be organized..

Bev, we're going to have much the same weather her..looks so very dark, almost scarry...

betty, if im not going to solder a peice of glass and only use foil wrap what do i use to keep the edge from un foiling???? do i hit it with the solder gun or use glue?

question is why are you putting foil on it anyway...

omg you are that fly on the wall!!!!! lol
because i was lazy to sand it, im such a party pooper lol and fil has the sander

I would wait and just sand the edges, pick up some extremely rough sandpaper and run your glass piece along it, or you can purchase a 'stone' for little money..don't foil..

Hi everyone,
Being lazy today..dull outside..

You asked about my grandaughters...
They live about 15 minutes drive from me. so I just spend the evening with them...after school till 10:15pm when their dad gets home.
I take Hayley to soccer practice and Dana to dance class when needed.

Liz you asked about Purple smokebush..I don't think you would have any trouble with the roots at all.

I have two..one near my deck and the other out in the Secret garden..which has not done as well as the one near the deck..but were bought at the same time and place. I like the purple leaves . They are late in leafing out here. This was taken last year. Another pretty purple leaf shrub is the purple Sandcherry. I have one by the garage.

Betty..those boys will build muscles pushing those mowers..good for them, to take this on.

Much the same weather here Carol..dark sky..hoping for the rain so the forecast will change for Sat. & Sun.

I also have a 'smoke' bush, bought it last spring, doing ok but think I planted it much to close to the red maple tree..when I meet Suzanne at her house her neighbor has one and oh my God is it large but stunning when in bloom...

Nice to have them living so close..

Dropped into Home Depot last night and checked out the shrubs..have the holes dug but wasn't sure exactly which I wanted..skyrocket junipers won out..told Greg last night which I wanted so would guess he'll deliver 3 over the weekend...spend time looking at roses, shrubs, not a lot of perrenials out as yet at least not at HD...saw the sandcherry and thought I'd check my garden shrubs for tags, not so sure I don't already have any..

Think I'll make it a summer project to make a design, mark what I have and where, see what I want more of etc. might be interesting..

Gotta go pick some red rubarb and take it to some friens. I still have some in the freezer and hate to see it go to waste. Gotta hurry up and try to beat the rain. Looks like we are going to be wet for another week or so. I have so much to do in the garden. Oh! Well take the bad with the good I guess. Talk later. HUGS BEV

Rhubbarb...yummy, please, please may I have the leaves..still have more walkway to make..hope they'll be large leaves..lol

Cathy, this year I got major bloom issue with my roses. All my floribundas compete with each other on who gets the most blooms. Amen to that!! I fed my roses whole bananas last year. Sandra from Midsouth gave me a couple of antique roses...I do hope the Japanese Beetles won't bother them.
Love wisterias. Plenty of them around here that I see choke the lives out of host plants. But they are so beautiful when in bloom.
Shar..you forced my hands to create something for ya...hope I have enough time to finish it! So, when is the cut-off date to mail the not so secret swap?
Rhubarbs..I bet the leaves make beautiful moldings for walkways. Ain't that a shame Betty, that no plants can be mailed to you?
Starzz will purple smoke tree do well in hot Southern climate? Love the foliage.
Oh boy! I guess y'all know how sneaky Betty's been..trying to make the RW&B swap date sooner. I can only tell you one thing about your pal...you'll like her!! Lolol!!
For those of you facing bad weather, plz. be safe.
Blessings Galore!
Jaye

I'm just teasing you all about the red/white/blue swap..I can wait surely I can, but if you think I can't, then a d-mail would be in order Jaye...lol...
In the past few years I've done hundreds (no kidding) have groups come over usually in June and the driveway if full..use regular cement only..I've not lost any to weather conditions... so am already getting calls from individuals wishing to make some..shucks, maybe I can have midnight madness and teach in the few hours I have left..must be getting my energy back...

Had a conversation today and the topic was 'death' not the nicest of topics but we were saying that will all the technology they have re replacing limbs, organs etc. it's too bad they can't do same for parts of the brain or order that all the knowledge we've amassed (?) doesn't get loss in death...poor sould that would get my 'part' of the brain..can you imagine...lol..

My brain will cost the most, cause it's hardly used! Oh my!!!
Betty, that's good to read you are getting some energy back. Perhaps you could do some instructional videos on your craft.....oh oh...DH just called...said I got packages...ttl...love ya!!

OMG almost had a heart attack, someone took my toy away, tried to access DG and no go for what almost a 1/2 hr...heart palpatations going on...phfff so glad I'm back on..

Jaye, what's in the packages, is it your 'swaps'...back to the swap thread incase you post what treasures you have received..

Real Summery weather here--sliding into Mother's Day! That date is our official frost-free date. I bet the Garden Dept. at HD will be rocking and rolling.....It already has been the last 2 weekends. Those people--just can't wait! I guess they lucked out as we have not had any weather near frost lately....

And while I am at it---HAPPY MOTHERS DAY TO YOU ALL MOMS AND GRAND MOMS OUT THERE!!!!!!!!

Liz-----------I have never grown a Wisteria and do not know what to recommend to you for soil. If all else fails--go with the ole' standard: Dig in some Humus and good garden soil. Make sure it drains well. Maybe add some "Dynamite" or "Osmacote" fertilizer. Mulch.
Please post your question on the Vines Forum.

Betty--------Please tell me where the name "Penetanguishene" came from and what does it mean? Is it an Indian name--as many of these adder names are? I'd hate to have to spell that if I was in 1st grade!
Good for your grandsons--getting the push-mower. My HD carries 2 models of it. The simpler one is $69.99 and the fancier one (bigger wheels--maybe 4 wheels??) is $129.

It makes me remember when I still lived with my Mom, that is the only mower we had. I used to push it around--many times using my hard stomach muscles to do so. I guess they got even harder......

Jaye------------When you say you fed your Roses whole bananas, just how did you do it? Cut them up? Just squish them and dig them in? Please tell me! I am a believer in all these "alternative" ways of fertilizing......

OK! Got my lawn mowed this morning and all swept clean on the sidewalks. Then watered everything. It is hot--and things are drying out. Came in to "chill" and then will have a quick shower and head off to work--3-10PM. So much for today!
Off tomorrow and Friday--except Friday I have a "look-see" back appt. with my Dr. that did my varicose vein surgery. Everything is great and it seems--for now--they are all gone. That is, until they start coming back in the future.....they always do!

Waiting patiently..........In about a week, my Peonies will be open as will the first Rose blooms.....That is the MOST dazzling time of the year for me in my Garden!

Gita

Here is my "Multi Blue Clematis" just now blooming. It is so lovely!

Wow look at them...beautiful..just went back into my photo's and found one where my garden was starting to bloom..so enjoyed but you all get to walk amongst those beauties..

Yes, Penetanguishene stands for 'white rolling sands' and is an indian name..as a youngster (this is where I grew up) we just called it Penetang.. just down the mouth of the bay is where, lordy I keep wanted to say Christopher Columbus arrived..can't be so, must go and research this, don't want to lead you astray..anyway the Martyrs Shrine is about 5 minutes from me and so is Fort St. Marie they've rebuilt and have tours..quite a history area..also the 1st Naval fort in the area...all of our missionaries were tortured and burried, Pere Breboef was one of them now named a saint by the Pope, his bones were found and are at the shrine...only about 2 missionaries and indians escaped death at the Fort and travelled by canoe to Christian Island which is quite a large Indian Reserve...good luck at the Dr's.... need appts. just to keep you from killing yourself in the garden...I was at HD last night, a youngster was there, I looked at and decided what trees and shrubs I want this weekend and then on a roller flat there were some what I would call last year roses but about 4 pink lilac trees so I though I'd buy them..asked how much but he said ' don't know' asked if he could find out 'can't right now my supervisor is off until tomorrow' ok..had to come home without them..they sure did look healthy....

Jaye, here's a photo of my last batch of stepping stones..

Think you can see them in the walkway...

Like your stones and have always wantedto make a birdbath out of my big leaves but TIME TIME TIME where is it???? BEV

Bev, I think we need to move closer to Betty. She has indeed a beautiful garden and I just love all those sitting areas.
My boxes are not from the swap :D One is from a kind hearted DGer, Tropicman..who is a respected primo resident of Tropical Gardening, now called Tropical Zone Gardening. This man here has a tropical paradise right in Kansas!!!! Y'all have to check out his threads sometimes.
Second box, the long awaited clematis that I had won off eBay. Love those perennials. So easy to look after. They love to sunbathe, yet must have their feet cool!
Gita, whenever the bananas get rotten, which is very likely here since DH hates them, I just dig them in the rose beds. I knew of the peels being beneficial, but it would be a waste to throw the fruits away too.
Off to play now!

Guess who loss her cool...lordy I must not be well..lol..never make a public display..did today though..Suzanne (SIL) was in awe..I never speak rudely to anyone even if I think I should..

Here we are at Wendy's, got out for lunch 1 hr. late and our little restaurant we go to closed so had to backtrack, anyway there are about 20 people in Wendy's, we walk up to order desk and there are 2 men - mid 40's whom I thought were talking extremely loud with each other, so try to order over their voices, that's ok, go to the table and look over and my goodness they are both running a warehouse order company from the Wendy table, each talking to different customers, then calling their company, placing orders etc..this goes on for a good 15 minutes, then he get up and says to the other 'guess lunch is over' by now I'm agravated so I say to them, 'thank goodness, next time do everyone a favor, if you've no time for lunch and you have to bring your work to lunch then for God's sakes stay at work! - it's annoying to work all day to come out for lunch and yet feel like you are at work'...they just looked at me and grinned, but maybe they got my point..the gentleman eating next to me and the lady behind me said 'well said'..where are manners...if Wendys is being used as office space it should be boxed in...funny how some things get to you! lol

You go girl!!!! I bet I have pulled a semi full of weeds today trying to get a placwe for my seed plantings. BEV

Sounds like you are really busy Bev. Don't work too hard now. I do know that I hate weeds to though. They sure can muck up a garden if not tended to.


Betty, I can see you now in Wendy's. What were these guys thinking? Hmmm.......

Okay Gita, I read the reply about the plants that you have given me. Will put the bamboo outside tomorrow in a semi shady area. I am trying to think of where I will want it to be located permanetly. I will take a pic of the pregnant onion tomorrow also and let you make recomendations. Oh your Begonia's are lovely. I truly want mine to look like that. Mine is just one long cane. It has grown quite tall now, but I will follow your directions and hopefully get mine looking as good as yours do. Twenty five years is along time to have a plant. I have a few that are coming up on that age too.

Hello to all others. I still have other forums to read, but will most likely wait until tomorrow morning. I had an early outing today and got off schedule. Liz, thank you for always including my name in your posts. I really appreciate it. Some others of you always say something directed towards me too and it is very much appreciated. One of these days I may remember to be able to acknowledge each of you who speak to me. I hope that a community thank you will do for now. All of you are very special to me.

Ruby

Judy said something to me the other day that triggered a memory..it's a year ago we started this voyage of friendship, some stayed with us for a short time, some drop in from time to time and of course many of you have stayed for the journey...

Went back and had a look at some of the posts...

It's almost time to leave for the day, let's see how quickly I can type..lol

Shar, you have just lost your beloved but made the effort to join us..your son had visited with you and you enjoyed with he and friends the beautiful 'lighted boat parade' and later visited with an old friend who had been south..you were telling us about your garden, how your red daylillies were in blom and your were making at least a dozen trips a day to look at their beauty..you had some words of wisdom for us...

"the older I get the more I believe beauty comes from within, the smiles on our faces, the way we treat others and the sincerity of our words...."

Judy, you were a little intimidated, frightened of not being accepted, you took a step forward and also had words of wisdom...

"I believe that out of every bad there is some good!" as well you had taken in a young girl who would have otherwise been on the street..update on her please!

Darius, we enjoyed your visits...your words of wisdom were

"Friends care and support you even when Doctor's do not!"

Trop, you said you discovered James Brown volumes stored on your computer and spend the day doing the boogie....lol so like you..at about the same time you started to wear 'mini-skirts' got a whole lot of whistling came your way...oh those wolves' - still wearing them?

Gillian, you found us and entertained us with your family and life in the north..we so enjoy watching 'motherhood' from your posts...

Maria, you were with us for some time..having difficulties as well, just losing your DH also I believe fighting cancer..you had been out riding around, enjoying your day, so much so you got lost and ended up in the boondocks..

Vickie you were just starting to work on your raised beds last year, hopeful that they would be in bloom by fall..dear hubby was helping move the larger rocks..also were having difficulties with the 'fishies'

Tangie, you wowed us with your gardens and that beautiful home..we longed to visit you, you were so charming!

Laura, you were introducing Rylie John Meek 8lbs. 9 oz. and 51 cm long..

My words of wisdom

" strangers were just friends we had never met..how very true.." and I've met many friends since Best/Worse and what did I learn today #1...

Jeannine, you had just gotten Murphy and he was having health issues..your son played for the Rangers and beat the Cardinals 10-0..how proud you were...

Nap, you were visiting Letchworth State Park and sharing photo's.

Wuvie,
you described an outing at an antique store where a man and a woman were out shopping and wanted to purchase a cupboard, while they argued I believe you bought it from under them and then had to hide in the store as not to be seen..

Araness you were trying to get the insurance company to cover costs of your injection medication..did you succeed...

Lordy it's that time, girls are waiting for me, hope you enjoyed a brief trip back into time...

Oh Betty, what a trip down memory lane that was. Touching and poignant. I guess we have all grown a little wiser and a whole lot closer since that time. Thank you, sweet lady.

The wisteria I have is Kentucky wisteria, and is not nearly as invasive as other, looks the same, but isn't. The blooms on mine are slightly more lavanderish. I have never fed it, never paid much attention except to get the shape like I wanted it...the umbrella shape. I have a small table and chair under the one in back, where I sometimes sit for morning coffee Some of the birds will come within a foot of me. We just sit and watch each other.

Jaye, our Secret Pal swap runs May and June. Cutoff will be June 30, and we will start all over again. And yes, bananas are good for roses, my friend Zuzu tells me. I put a banana in the bottom of the hole I dug for each of mine when they were first planted. Zuzu is great with roses, so I am trying to do whatever she tells me.

Here is the iris i have been waiting for...It is my favorite.

Sharon, That is a beautiful iris. I see you have other plants growing among them. I have been afraid to because I was afraid the others would shade the ground from drying and would rot the rizomes. Here is my first bloom of the year. It is one of my repeat bloomers but lost the names. Bev

morning all

gosh shar your garden is lovely! gita im so jelous you are about to 'bloom'! well your garden at least lol.

Betty that was lovely, i remember all those things.... nice trip down memory lane.

I am off to the post office to find out the best way to send my SP gift. Now remember gang, mine can take some time to get to you and yours to me! its a long way to the land of Oz!

hugs to you all today

xx

Hi Laura, hugs right back to you.

Bev, it is so hot and dry here in the summer, nothing bothers these iris. The last ones I showed you, the slightly lighter shade of dark, are my repeat bloomers, and they are the only ones that are slightly isolated. That's only because they are beside the double driveway and don't want anybody to step on or drive over any flowers. Some of my yellows i have had for more than 30 years. Sometimes i thin them out, and check to see if they are appropriately visible and above ground...but that's about all.

Love your whites, that is one color I have never had. I really want an peach colored one now, that will be my next purchase.

Shar, I love irises and unfortunately never retain their names..that's before DG..
Before DG too, I've mulched my irises and they've bloomed prolific for me. I happily don't mulch mine now.
Here's an unknown that should be named Orchid Twin!
Betty, again I thank you for leading me here. Now I can say, I exist.
Blessings Galore.
~Jaye