ahhhhhhhh, and she's reading Harry Potter???
back when my kids were small.... there really weren't home computers
I did some gardening, mostly a perennial bed ... which i'm still devastated that the gal pulled most of it out....
and it's a weed bed... i had it weed free.
CLOSED: Fall Piggy Swap #11
Cute!
Here's the USPS page with First Class Mail Rates http://www.usps.com/prices/first-class-mail-prices.htm
Note that if a bubble envelope is more than 3/4 inch thick or rigid (like if you included a piece of cardboard), it then becomes a "package," same as using a box. (See the third rate chart for packages up to 13 oz.)
If you're sending a BE as a "large envelope" (second chart), pack your seeds in a way that they won't slide around and bunch up at one end of the envelope, because then you'll have a "package" that's more than 3/4 inch thick.
I think for most of us, we should probably be using "package" rates, and that will cover most eventualities. If you're over 13 oz, you might consider a flat rate envelope -- you can get a lot in one of those!
How fun seeing all the family pics! It helps so much to put a face with your persona.
Andrea (mygypsyrose) - we must be close to the same age, I'm 10 years older than Meredith......born in 1969. Yes, Meredith, I'm a Gemini too. May 22nd. We can celebrate our BIG birthdays together this spring. LeBug has a big birthday this year too but I won't tell unless she wants to share. ^_^ Love this smiley! Thanks Terese!
Meredith, I can not tell you how much I enjoy the pictures you took of your garden. Just love browsing through them - very relaxing. Just like taking a stroll through the garden. That reminds me of this past summer, DH & I began a morning custom of grabbing a cup of coffee and srolling through the yard every morning before he went to work. The girls would be in the house so it was like a few moments of private time - very precious. He genuinely loved seeing all my plants grow. I am going to make every effort to take pictures this year - besides I will need to share all the plants from the seeds ya'll are sharing.
Andrea & Meredith - you all are BEAUTIFUL!!
:) I was explaining to Zoe (daughter) that there weren't computers when my mother was growing up, and not really until I got into college. Hard concept for her to understand! Grandma's not very comfortable with computers.
Yep, Harry Potter addict! She's a fantastic reader, but I have to credit J.K. Rowling with getting her past the 'big book' hump. Before Harry, everything over 100pgs was too daunting.
Had that 'big birthday' in September myself...
Yep Cheles, born in 1970 and a Gemini also. June 7th. I'm not in that picture. That is my just turned 15 year old who looks older than she is :-( I don't have a good recent picture here. I'd have to look. They are ususally goofy ones that I take with the baby so that she can see herself on the camera. The kind you take yourself, holding the camera backwards. I'm usually taking the pictures so I'm not in them. I have brown hair and coloring like my middle one. So when I go out with my girls, people assume that my oldest is actually the mother of my youngest because they are both blondes and she is so much older and doesn't look like 15. My DH almost had a cow when he was out with the kids and they told him that Him and his "wife" had cute kids. It drives him nuts how much she has grown into a woman. Every father wants to squash that as long as they can but the inevidable always wins. She is taller than me and a real beauty. A cheerleader in highschool. I can't believe how time has passed by so fast and it seems that it was not so long ago that I was in high school myself. I just went to my 20th reunion! And showed them all off. :-)
KL -- I love Harry Potter. Read every book and purchased a few hard covers... my kids never got into them -- but they are currently 21 & 18 ... so there is no chance they will get into them now.
You never know... I read them through at age 39, then took turns reading them with Zoe, then she read the whole series again herself (I told her twice was enough for me!) Gradually everyone in our extended family, adults included, is enjoying them. She's really a magnificent writer!
OMG Andrea!!! LOL. I forgot you said you had a teen - wow! I mentioned awhile back that my high school GF just became a grandmother - she is your age. Had her first at 18 and her daughter is 20 (they get mistaken for sisters all the time). Her mother had her at 18 aslo so she is only 56 and a great-grandmother. The fun thing about having them young would be able to see the following generations. Not too many make 5 generations. I waited so long I'll be lucky to make 3. Hee hee.
Yep, had them at 23, 32 and 37. My DH thinks he's getting his "mistake baby" boy when I'm 40. I'm doubling up the birth control :-P
Afternoon mail call everybody!!!!!!!!!
Wa in a panic for a little bit. TCS.. Your box arrived today barely. Out of batteries or woudl show ya. Somebody put a big hole in the side of it and ripped part of it. They didn't even bother to retape it up. Now this a heavy duty shoebox so ya know somebody had to put a hard first through it. Think they was wanting to see if sneakers was in the box and if there had been the box probably woudl have never made it here. My post office had put a received damaged sticker on it.
The good news, Got it opened and checked everythign to yoru list and everythign is there!!!!!!!!!! Happy time!!!!!!!! Also checked and double checked and yep ya did put some stamps in there for Tuink.: )
OK. NBGARD. You also arrived today. : ) Happy Time for you too.
I gotta get some more batteries. LOL The tables getting full with piles and baggies a slipping and a sliding. Went out this morning and brought in 50 of the two gallon black size pots so start loading everybody in. Some folks don't have much stuff yet, must be all us big piggie sfrom last year and some folks, well, I may need to move to bigger size container yet for you. LOL
It gonan be freezing here in a coupel of days again, but for now am outide in some 70 degree weather tansplanting. Go ahad everybody be jealous of me for the moment. It ain't gonan last, but am gonna soak it up while it here. : )
Also, I have some seed with chaf. Had tried to sort it out, but then was moving to make room for more piggy piles and mixed the seed back together again.
So if ya don't mind chaf, have some Profusion Red Zinna seeds. Not sure if they gonan come true or not, but never hurts to try.
Oink if ya want some in your trough. : )
oink...oink!! I don't have any red zinnias - yet!
70 degrees!?!? Enjoy the warmth for me! It's about that inside here - LOL!
Star ... glad my box arrived sort of safely.... food for thought... next year i will use one of those 'tear resistant' envies... i can put some cardboard in there to 'stabilize" it.
yanno -- and how i was raving about the postal system... someone trying to take a peek to see if it was a nice gift or something....
as you can see ... i used that really strong, tear resistant tape too. ** shakes fist**
well, at least everything was there. so glad the bugger that ripped the hole wasn't a seed-o-holic
Interesting reading today, LOL.
I'm not one of the young 'uns, but I am single and can't imagine hooking up with a non-gardening type. Since 9/10 of my free time is spent puttering in the dirt we'd never even see each other if he didn't enjoy it too.
And please don't tell me that worms that have been cut in half don't turn into 2 worms. I've already lost Santa and the Easter Bunny. Don't take that one away from me too.
Nice family photos everyone...I wish I had children to post photos of....we have a wonderful niece and nephew... I never got any closer than 3 wonderful, former, step-children. All our "children" here are four-legged and furry :)
I'm getting ready to go to the PO....are we supposed to include extra stamps for Tuink?
Worms we cut in half DON'T become two worms!!!!??????????
Wind the extra postage to Tuink is purely voluntary. Her list was hit pretty hard so she'll have a LOT of seeds to send, and postage to the states is probably not cheap. Some of us were tossing a couple extra stamps in her envie to cover some of her expense.
hmmm.....that box being torn open got me to thinking - if we do this again next year we might want to consider postponing sending until January to avoid such "holiday happenings" at the PO. And don't those folks know they're committing a felony?? Oh, wait - they don't care!
LOL Chele! Meredith posted that it's probably just a myth and I was beside myself with incredulity myself. Let's hope it's all a vicious rumor. LOL!
Re Worms, I believe the head portion can regrow a tail but the severed tail end dies.
From the Cornell website:
"What happens if you cut a worm in half?
Almost everyone wants to know the answer to this question. Some species of worms can regenerate, or re-grow, a new tail, if their tail is cut off. However, a worm cut too closely to its' head will have difficulty growing a new tail. Most worms will not regenerate a head.
Generally, we tell students that if you cut a worm in half, you will most likely end up with two dead pieces of worms. However, if you are lucky, the piece with the head may grow a new tail, so you will have one alive worm and one piece of dead worm.
Some worms have a natural reflex, in which they will eject their tail when the tail is pulled. For example, when a bird catches the tail end of a worm, the worm would eject or sever its' tail from the rest of its' body. Thus, the worm remains alive and safe, while the bird gets only part of the worm. "
There was a great thread last year that I think Zanymuse started about worms being above-ground after a rain, and that she discovered sometimes they're above ground because they're "in the mood". Another DGer, who knows worms, explained how that works, and that they're really not drowning. Unfortunately, I think we got a bit too carried away for Dave as it's gone now. Anyway, I won't tell you what the results were, as I'm not going to dash anyone's fond hopes of getting "two-fer" on worms....and who says there isn't a Santa Claus??? A lot of his elves are DGers!!
Jane, I'd love to meet a gardener type too but most I meet are the age of my grandfather or just not interested in women. I've mostly dated actors but acting is a solo hobby that you can't really do together. You might audition for the same play but usually both people don't get cast (which can cause other problems.) No, I really like the idea of someone that likes to garden too and, specifically, likes to dig holes in this awful clay !!! :)
Whew! Glad to hear the "two-fer" worm possibility. Makes me feel so much better.
LOL at your hole digging need Danita. I am always asking DH.....can you help me please. Hee hee. The more I'm reading about this lasagna gardening, the more I'm in for trying it. No digging needed!
Yes, I like the idea of lasagna gardening! I've got some manure and leaves etc. now but I need to get out there and layer it before winter is over!
My grandmother lives in northern Ohio and they have the nicest black soil. It looks like someone dumped a giant load a premium soil mix all over the place. It makes me so jealous!
"I'd love to meet a gardener type too but most I meet are the age of my grandfather or just not interested in women."
*sigh* Me too. I guess that's why I'm still single. LOL
I will sleep well tonight knowing that Santa will visit in 7 days and that the worms are multiplying everytime I cast my spade into the earth. Now what about earthworm reproduction? Is that one true too?
p.s. Jane is perfectly fine but it's my middle name. I usually go by La or Lala - my real name is Laura which was unpronounceable by my first-born nephew and I have been Auntie Lala ever since. :-)
Well, I won't go into the details from that other thread, but I do recall that the biologist on there said that the portion of the worm that is smooth is where they create their little egg sacks - so if you see a worm with something there and it's sort of sloughing it off (or whatever they do) those are actually little worm nurseries!
Oops! Sorry about that Lala! :)
My thought is that it's better to be single than to be married to the wrong man!
I want the whole "till death do you part" commitment so I take marriage very seriously.
I may just end up that crazy spinster with all the plants. Oh wait, I already am!!! :)
OK, not that the science stuff above isn't accurate, but here's the deal:
Worms that are viciously chopped in half don't regenerate.
Worms cut in half by accident and lovingly returned to the earth turn into two worms.
:-)
Now, back to seeds. LOL I'm bagging away, and I'm down to just 10 baggies on the "still needs something" pile. Need to pack up a few more Torenia, etc., and then I'm done. Yay!
I have a few extra seeds from a recent native plant swap. Oink if you're interested, and I'll add to your baggie.
Gaillardia, the red-yellow kind
Aster umbellatus, flat-topped aster (gets tall)
Veronica noveboracensis, New York ironweed
Clematis virginiana, Virginia bower (little white flowers)
Verbascum thapsus (Mullein)
Ratibida columnaris, Mexican Hat
Eschschoizia californica, California Poppy (golden yellow, lots)
I like that theory Critter! :)
Jill -- not that i need it... but Veronica noveboracensis looks promising for my garden.
Terese, that one should do well for you... it's just a bit taller than I can fit in here. It's yours. :-)
I think they will fit into this area very nicely....
Yep... I'd put them toward the back, even there. PF descriptions sounds like you can probably expect 5 to 6 ft. growth from them, unless you prune them (which I thought was an interesting suggestion).
Yes, in the back. Vernonia grow wild here( I think it's the same species) and I've seen them up to 8 ft. They are so pretty in the fall with that intense purple color.
Here we go, barnyard round up time. Waddle on over to the new thread! : )
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/933257/
I may have some wild bergamot (Monarda fistula) to go with it, Terese... I'll see if I can find it in my stash.
Sorry Critter. Ya may want to post yoru post onthe new thread. Didn't know ya was here with me.
I don't check in for a day and you all have been around the world and back again. Keeping up with you is a lot like keeping up with a certain two year old mentioned above. Glad you could find your way back Meredith. : ) Your daughter is perfectly, and delightfully normal. : )
Seandor, Congratulations to your family! What a blessing you've been given. : )
Loved all the family photos, you all have good reason to brag. : ))
I have had the fun of sons, and have always wished for a daughter. Hopefully, my sons will marry someone that fits the bill. Until then I can wait for grand babies. I love those toothless smiles, the giggles over silly things. There's always kittens til then. : )
I had to laugh at the statement," I was so happy to reach age 30 and people began to take me seriously. You reminded me so much of myself, and you'll find yourself more empowered as you age. It doesn't help when you look younger and act younger than you are.
Star, Bless your heart. You have an awesome sorting and repacking job ahead of you. All I have to say in my defense, is I aim to make your task a bit lighter with laughter. : )
I warned you! I was bored that day and am easily amused! Can't wait for the other piggies to see their baggies. HO HO HO! : }
For you ladies looking for men who garden, may I suggest you check out the Farmer's Markets, Farmer's Fair/County Fairs. College Agricultural extensions, local gardening clubs. Most men who work in agriculture work all the time. At least during the season. I'm not sure where they hang out off season, but suspect they are repairing equipment and preparing for the next spring. My DH has managed to find a way to work all year long. I met my DH, in college while we were both taking a Geology Class. He coined the term YAPpy (young agricultural professional) to describe his profession vs. YUPpy. I don't know if that will help you where you live, but it's a start. Some nice lady at the local gardening club may have a gardening son to introduce you to. You never know. Life is odd that way.
I've been gardening all my life or farming or both. I get it from both my Native American Ancestors as well as my European Ancestors. So, I'm glad my boys are starting to become more interested in the farm. My eldest is wanting to work on reviving the orchard we started, but haven't been able to devote time to. Maybe it will work out for him.
Star and tcs, I received a portion of paper in my mail the other day which only had the address (which wasn't mine) on it. It had obviously been torn off a package. I put it back in the mailbox with a BIG ? on it. Which is why I was a bit anal about the tape, Star.
I think dryad57 made the suggestion about mailing our packages of seed off after the holidays, and I'd advocate that! Then again too, I'm an advocate of the after Christmas Card too! : )
The holiday season is stressful enough without adding more to it. That is not a complaint, I've really enjoyed participating in this year's piggy swap, and am looking forward to next year's as well. With Mid Terms, Finals, Travel, Guests, The Holidays, it can become overwhelming. This is supposed to be fun, and what else do we have to do in January? Anyway, it is a thought I believe would be worthwhile to explore.
The Harry Potter Books are great. They are fun, and they got my boy's reading (now they even read Heinlein!). Also the HP books spawned a story about a little girl who brought Magic to my Christmas Season one year.
Been getting an incredible amount of rain today. You'd think we were in No. CA, instead of So. CA. Must go check for leaks and flooding. I'll try to catch up with everyone tomorrow or if lucky later today!
WIB!
SW
PS. How could anybody be afraid of worms? I cringe when I hit one with a shovel too! It's got to hurt!
Question for the day: How old am I? Winner gets a smiley face!
hmmmm.....what age is SingingWolf....NOT FAIR - LOL!! A lot of the Native Americans (First Nation) people I know are ageless!
Critter - I think you've given us a textbook answer on worms - perfect answer and I'm stickin' with it.
I'm hmmmmm'ing too ... Singing Wolf ... you met your hubby in college, your kids read Harry Potter, kids not married. You sound a lot like me ... But You look a lot younger than me ... but I'm going to guess your my age .... 49 glorious years.
Now if I guessed too old, don't hate me ... I'm trying to compensate for you looking so young, but having grown kids.
toofew