carolyncat353's Blog

Actually, it was yesterday.  This picture just does not do it justice, but standing on a ledge and looking around and down and across, Montana is definitely "God's Country".  The amazing formations of the hills and mountains, and streams going through it are just AWESOME.  And I'm not too good at picture taking, but the place is gorgeous! 

Wildflowers abound, and Susie had to have some:

And they smelled so good!

We went to the Farmer's Market which was fabulous!  Sooooo many vendors! Fruits, vegetables, arts & crafts, jewelry, clothing, plants, furniture, fishing flies, popcorn made in a HUGE kettle, stirred with a paddle, Indian Fry Bread (which is delicious!), and so much more!:

Dang it!  I'm having trouble with the pictures!  Go to my photos to see more-I'll try again tomorrow. 

The whole trip was great!  Weather-Perfect-In the upper 80's with absolutely NO humidity!  And a breeze blowing all the time-in the 40's at night, which didn't happen until after 10:00!  Don't know if I could stand to live with that much daylight!  I'd be digging up the whole yard!

Kerry and her husband are wonderful!  They cooked one night, and I made a gumbo one night-I have pics of Kerry's yard.  It is beautiful-all full of blooming plants, and whimsy and her nice little pond-I have PICS!  When I can get them on! 

I have yard work to catch up on-so I'll save some for tomorrow!

Yesterday, at 4:00 when I left work the thermometer in my car said 102 and stayed at 102 until I got on the Interstate, then it dropped to 101. Five  miles later I get off at the Westlake exit-104-AND IT WAS CLOUDY!!  Officially, the Weatherman said we reached 101 (well, that's south of LC!). And we did get a few raindrops-just a few! We actually have a 20% chance of rain in the forecast for the next 5 days.The entire state of Louisiana is under a "Fire Ban", and many places are starting to have water restrictions (my district is one!)

LEAVING TOMORROW for Montanta!  It gets to around 80 during the day-40's at night-What a change this will be!  And my plants are going to suffer-even though Petey said he'd water them.  I gave away 2 LARGE bags of tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplant and peppers.  I guess the bugs and the heat will get the rest.  A lot can go bad in 4 1/2 days!

Looking forward to seeing Clint.  It's so nice that he is on his own and can handle his own affairs-and will actually ASK for advice, and even consider taking it (lol).  He's making a nice salary as a First Lt., and I am so proud of him!

Lots to do today-Keep on Gardening!

I wasn't going to go-I waited too long to make a reservation and the trip is EXpensive!  Sweetie Petey said he'd buy the ticket-SO! I'm leaving Friday and won't be back until the 30th!  I think Clint is homesick, and needs some patting on the back, and general "it's gonna be ok" talk-besides, he wants me to bring shrimp! Kerry-you'll get to taste some REAL shrimp gumbo! (lol). 

It's so dang hot here, I've started clipping back the tomatoes-The bugs are uncontrollable at this point, and now we are on water restriction-MY water district only!  I can't believe they haven't cut everybody back, yet-we're down 5 inches of rain for this year (or maybe it's this month?).  Everything will probably fry while I'm gone!

I really, really enjoyed our get-together, even though it was incredibly HOT!  The breeze through the carport helped a lot.  It was the middle of the day when we did the boat ride, and even the turtles weren't out!  No wildlife moving on the river.  I'm glad Reba posted her pictures-I didn't take many :( and I wish I would have!  We do plan on doing that again!

Batface cuphea-I just can't see a "batface"???????

It's after 9-my bedtime-and I haven't had a bath, yet.  Lots to do before Friday!

Later gators!

That is our forecast for the next four days.  And-no rain.  My water bill is going to be outrageous!!

Yesterday, with all the milling about and visiting and talking about this plant and that-I FOGOT to ask if any one knew the names of a couple of plants I have that I don't know the name of! RATS!  Ya'll are gonna have to come back!  Also, Reba, I had a couple of plants I wanted you to take back with you, and Bill, I have a start of the Shrimp Plant, so I'll mail that to you later this summer.  Gloria, we're gonna have to get together to see what we can swap!

During my yard check this morning I have 3 buds coming out on my Milk & Wine lillies.(they are against the east side of the house near the garage), the Night Blooming Cereus bloomed overnight, and I have decided that Monday after I pick green tomatoes and a couple of cukes to mail to Clint, the tomatoes are gonna go.  This morning they were covered in Stink Bugs again, and I could have a serious tomato fight with the ones I have on the shelf!  They're falling over, and kind of spindly, and besides-it's too dang hot!!  I will cut them back about 1/2 to 2/3's and see if they will return this fall.  Last year they did, but production was very little!

Reba brought all of us some keepsakes, Here is a pic of mine.  Everybody'slittle sign was different and fit our personalities just right!  She put some thought into these, and well done!  She has a talent!  Thanks, Reba.

Wow-Did we eat! And Sweat!! A lot of both, but we had a great time!  Reba and Bill took most of the pictures, I only have a few, but we had a wonderful  time.  Reba brought this Awesome strawberry cake and a pie, and ohhhh, they were good!  We had boiled crawfish, stuffed bell peppers, fresh cukes & tomatoes, chilled shrimp pasta salad and Reba's Strawberry desserts. 

 THEN, after we went for the boat ride, and my brother showed up around 4:30-I discovered boiled crabs!  They were in the bottom of one of the bags, and the seafood man had told me he wasn't sure if he would have any crabs, and I forgot anyway-So, I had to eat again!  Well, me & Bill did, and I sent some home with them for Stuart's wife.    We've decided we need to make this an annual event!  So everybody get ready!  We're gonna travel the country! (or some of it, anyway!)

LATER GATORS- I need a bed......zzzzzzzzzz

Here it is-Not very impressive at this stage.  Even as small as it is, it has a strong, sweet smell.  It makes a small shrub, hardy I believe only to zone 9, and then only in protective areas. 

The leaf and form are similiar to a Camelia.  The flower starts out purple, next day sort of lavender and 3rd day white, so you have all 3 colors on the bush at the same time.  I bought it this spring at a local lumber yard, and will plant it next spring-I don't want to risk it over the winter, yet.  Heavily perfumed, so you want to plant it where you can smell it!

I was PM'd yesterday on this site,  from a Madam Avelin Regato, wanting me to e-mail her back because she had important information to share with me.  Apparently, got on GG and is picking out people to scam. I checked on the internet-THIS IS A NIGERIAN SCAM!! Do NOT respond to this.  I have reported it to Kate, but haven't heard anything back.

And, just another note, and this is just me.  Because of my son working in "special ops" for a while, I have become VERY cautious about what information I give to who-SO, if you have requested to be my  GG "friend", I usually wait to see how much and what the individual posts about, and what information is shared in their profile.  If it is empty-I usually don't respond.

And, is it my computer, or is GG awfully slow today?  Hope Nobody got caught!

Just checkin in.  Got the yard mowed, and fertilized everything so it will be Perky for this weekend.  Sure is hot here! Had to bring the dog to the Vet (again!), and my car told me it was 96 outside!  Heat Index 105!  I don't know if we'll be able to stay outside long! 

My tomatoes are going crazy-they've flopped over, I''m tired of fighting with them, so they can stay flopped.  I have more than I know what to do with anyway!  I picked 2 more eggplant yesterday-I just love em!  And cucumbers, picking lots of them, too.  Squash is just making, but it's enough for me!

I should have some sunflowers blooming for Saturday! I noticed yesterday evening, the redbirds have found the blueberries. They'll hang upside down to pick them! Cute!  I also noticed my Angel Trumpet had about 6 blooms on it-I kept smelling the "Sweet" perfume, and thought it was my 'Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow" shrub, but it was AT! The blooms were way up high (mine's about 8 ft. tall, now.) 

Rescued the toad frog from Peanut's pool, again ( he gets in it almost every night & can't get out!), trimmed up my dying azalea ( I don't know what's happening to it!), and watered some more!

Later Gators!

Kind of "proper"  don't you think? I think this should become an annual affair!  This is the quickest way to get the message to everybody who's coming.  The invitation is open to anyone who wants to come to WESTLAKE, LA. for a meeting between myself, BSmitch, Yardlady55, Bayou, Gloria's Garden, and Pyoung.  Westlake is next door to Lake Charles, La.  We are all very excited about this little party! If you do want to come, PM me before Satuday!

Now-THE NEWS:

My brother (pyoung) has to work that day.  He won't get off until 5 pm, and just coming off vacation, it will be hard for him to take off-but maybe he can get someone to come in early, and come by for a short visit before everyone has to leave.  Some of you will have a 2-3 hour drive, but you are welcome to stay AS LONG as you want.  My bedtime is 10 pm. (lol). 

Unless someone changes my mind, this is tentative:  We will all meet at the Burger King in Westlake (it is at the first intersection as you get into town), at around 11:00 am.  Caravan to my house and survey the yard, and dirty house. Pet the cat and pick up the dog (mm? maybe).  Go to Pete's house on the river in Moss Bluff (Pete, my boyfriend, not the brother), for a lunch of:  Boiled Crawfish, cold shrimp/pasta salad,  fresh cucmbers and tomatoes, stuffed bell peppers, and a sprinkling of boudin and cracklins.  Reba is bringing dessert.  Reba, does your dessert require some Blue Bell Ice Cream? 

Pete's boat hasn't been in the water since last summer, and will require the necessay maintenance which, hopefully won't be a big deal.  IF it is,  we should be able to borrow his neighbor's pontoon for a short ride down the river, or, maybe a LONG ride down the river.  If anyone requires a nap, we can arrange that. 

No rain is forecast  (it hasn't rained in almost a month, I think!) for the next 7 days, so it will be HOT & Sticky.  We have fans, but midday is a killer.  Swimming in the river is optional-there is a wharf on the water, with a ladder to get in and out.  Haven't heard anyone talk of alligator sightings, so we're clear! 

It bees HOT where I am!  Bill, bring your swimsuit!! Outside sweatin buckets this morning, watering since 7 AM.  I need to go into town and get some things for our "party" next weekend.  I can't wait! This will be fun!   And it's getting better!  Bayou may come, too, if she feels all right!  We're gonna need a bigger boat! (And that is NOT a problem!)

Of course, I watered and watered this morning, moved the base from where the green house was gonna be, to where "I" want it to be.  Building of that won't begin until September-it's too dang hot!  Got it staked out so I can plan what's going to be planted around it! Yeah!

I am overrun with tomatoes and cucumbers.I still have tomatoes in the freezer from last year, so I really don't want to put any up.  I should cook sometime, mm?   I called an  old friend (he's really OLD-91 in a couple of weeks) to ask him if he wanted some, and he said no-did I need some?  He planted his in 5 gallon buckets and he said his counter is full!  This guy still drives (now I'm not sure if THAT's a good thing!), mows his acreage with a tractor and is still spry and really doesn''t look, talk or act  like he's 90!  I just love him!

We had fried eggplant last nite with mozarella on top, and a slice of tomato, broiled in the oven-with cucumber and tomato salad.  no meat-not necessary-Gosh it was GOOO-OD!  The eggplant are thriving and those zuchinni seem to be making out ok!  Just a little slow, but they are producing!!

I found some poor looking okra plants at Lowe's and planted them.  Only one of the seeds I planted came up.  Hopefully with some babying, they will do ok. 

Still thinking about a menu?  Cold pasta salad with shrimp? Shrimp kabobs?  I've got to find the SHRIMP guy!  We are going to be some stuffed lil' pigs!  Add tums to the list!

Later Gators!

I'm hooked up on high speed now with my new lap top.  Not sure I like it, but I guess I'll get used to it.  One thing for sure-I need a mouse for it! confusing!! And I'm learning the thing-so have patience for pictures! I have some glads, some lillies, hydrangea, angle trumpet, a yellow flowered bush,(?!), the veggie garden, and just stuff!

Yesterday, I had a heartbreak.  It has been hot and sultry here, no rain in about 2-3 weeks, so I have to water my container plants everyday.  One of my eggplants was totally wilted, 2 broken branches with NINE (9) Eggplants on it! A couple were about fist sized, and the rest smaller- but NINE! I lost NINE! Ouch!  I have been watering everyday, what I thought was quite a lot but I put that hose on those babies yesterday and let her run the top of the pot over.  The soil was bubbling.  Totally dry. Lesson learned-Not enough water, even if you think it is.

Everything here is so darn dry.  I hate to water the grass, cause I need to water the plants!  June usually isn't this dry.

So!  Bill Mitchell and wife & son, and Reba are coming to visit next weekend!  I'm  thinking boiled crawfish and crabs and probably stuffed bell peppers, cause I have so many.  I'm looking for Reba-READ YOUR MAIL, GIRL!  We may sail down the Calcasieu River to see if we can spot an alligator!  Guess I need to clean house, some, or at least take out the trash!  And then! I'm trying to plan a trip to Montana to see Clint, and I'll get to meet Kerry.  Bringing shrimp so she can taste REAL cajun gumbo! (and it'll probably freakin SNOW!)

It's all about FOOD!  My mind's racing-my body doesn't.  I'd better start making lists, cause I foget what I need to do1

Later Gators!

That was here-Clint called me early Sunday morning and asked "how's the weather".  That morning it was about 70, nice little breeze, and I told him so.  He said"Hmph-it's snowing". SNOWING IN JUNE!!!! I'm not going to Montana until July to make sure it doesn't snow!  Is that possible? Unbelievable!

Anyway-it was and IS hot and sweaty here.  And dry.  I'm having to water everything, everyday.  I have TWO beautiful orange Asiatic Lillies blooming today.  REAL orange.  My hydrangea is really putting on a show right now, mostly pink, but some of the blooms are kind of lilac colored, nice...and I have sunflowers here and there.  Pink  zinnias peeking out and waving above the cucumbers, offering themselves to the butterflies. The cannas along the fence are reaching for the sky and waving their wormy heads.  The crepe myrtles are starting to bloom, and my pink one closest to the house is in it's peak right now, and the bees are just buzzing around it.  I have to take pictures!  Waiting on internet connection at home.  GRR.

The tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and eggplant are coming along.  It seems like my eggplant are taking a long time to be ready-but the plants are so loaded, maybe they don't have enough energy to be ripe yet!  I am ready for fried eggplant with melted mozarella, along with those fresh tomatoes and cucumbers! MMMM mm!  My little squash are making babies, if I can keep the squash borers out of them!  Okra seed hasn't sprouted yet.  I'm keeping close watch, I may have to resort to buying plants if I can find any.  

I mowed, and watered, and raked up some dead leaves.  Re-arranged my bird feeders, again.  The boys have taken to the woods nearby  with their guns, so the birds are probably ok-but I moved the feeders anyway.  I haven't seen any pigeons this weekend, I only had about 5 doves (I usually have 12-15 or more), 4 cardinals and 1 jailbird woodpecker.  A few sparrows, and 1 bluebird.  I hope they just moved on to safer yards and my little teenaged friends didn't shoot them all!

Another day to be better than yesterday--:)  Later Gators

Yesterday eveing I found one baby blue bird face down in Peanut's little swimming pool.  The pool is only about 4 feet from the birdhouse, so I guess the little fella didn't fly quite far enough on the first venture.  He had feathers, though his little belly was still pretty featherless.  I am certain there was only 2.  The other is gone, also, and no sign of the parents, so I guess they have "flown the coop".  :( I am also certain the animals were not involved in this, because there were no marks on the baby-Motley can't reach the bird house, they both sleep all day, and if either one had caught the bird IT WOULD BE AT THE FRONT DOOR WHEN I GOT HOME! (like all other lizards, mice, birds, bugs, etc.)

I picked 4 more cucumbers yesterday, and will probably have that many again this evening.  Picked 2 more tomatoes, and threw away one.  Planted okra seed where the beans were, and watered, watered!  We haven't had any rain to speak of in a while, supposedly going to rain this evening.  It needs to-I need to clean house!

I went to the funeral of a high school friend yesterday.  Billy spent a lot of time at my house when we were teenagers; I hadn't seen him in many years.  He had colon cancer-found out in Dec., was pronounced clear in Feb/March, but never really got his health back.  Was back in the hospital and died of  heart failure.  He was 57.  It makes you take a long look at your own mortality and assess your  life.  His son read a wonderful tribute to his dad; it was truly heart-wrenching.

Back to the yard-My hydrangea is blooming beautiful, large pink blooms.  At first I thought they were going to have no color, but they are gorgeous!  I picked a small bowl of blueberries yesterday and ate them with cereal last nite.  They were good, but not sweet enough.  I must have picked them too soon, although they were blue/black!   I must put those bushes in the ground this fall!!

Well, back to real work-All have a good day-  LATER GATORS!

Well, the computer came in, but was not set up for 'dial-up', so I'm going to get high speed  installed, but I WAS NOT HAPPY!!  There are other issues, too- let's just say DELL TICKED ME OFF!!

Yesterday we cleared out and divided the daylillies at Pete's house on the river.  This bed is about 50 ft. long, and was jam packed with a lot of grass, so with the help of 2 teenagers, we totally stripped the bed, added 40 BAGS of topsoil and compost, separated and replanted.  Does anyone want daylillies?  We have THREE (3) 72 qt. ice chests packed full of daylillies, all colors!  We hate to just throw them away!  Sure was some sweatin going on!! What's nice, is if it gets too hot, just jump in the river!

Whew! At my house, the garden is going strong.  I have picked a few tomatoes, and yesterday 2 cucumbers!  OHhhhh, they were good! BUT, my tomato plants have toppled my "fence" I built around them, kind of looks like they just split in the middle, and you can tell the tomatoes in the middle are getting 'sunscald'.  Now, I'll have to rig some kind of "sunshade" over them.  Eggplants are loaded up!!! I can taste the "Parmesean" now!  Should have some ready in a couple of days.  My squash look good; I got the bag of Sevin to dust them before the squash borers get to them-TOO LATE!  I can see where they've gotten in already, so they'll probably die! YUK!

I have 2 baby bluebirds and a "little war" going on with the kid next door.  I have 2 birdfeeders and a bird bath at the fence between my and my "best" neighbors.  Every morning and evening I have an array of birds: cardinals, doves, sparrows, chicadees, woodpeckers, and of course the PIG pigeons.  So the birds fly in and light in the trees before hitting the feeders.  My neighbors 15 year old son, and 2 other neighborhood boys, have taken up shooting at the pigeons (so they say), and are scaring off all my birds.  It is not against the law to shoot pigeons here (and personally, I wish the would run them off), but they are outside all day long with pellet guns, shooting at the "pigeons" coming to my feeders. I asked them to stop, because they were running off all the birds, but they said this was where the Pigeons are.   Talking to Mom did no good.  She told me she told them not to shoot the birds if they were in my yard.  ARGH!!!  And one of the kids' dad is a sheriff's deputy, and HE said it's not against the law to shoot the pigeons.  (no help there), and I am outside the city limits. For 10 years those feeders have been in the same spot.

So, this weekend, while they were gone, I moved 2 feeders to the other side of my yard, and the birds have finally found those feeders, so maybe that will work! I also bought a little cheap plastic birdbath to put on that side of the yard, too.  Maybe now the bluebirds can come and go in peace!

The flowering plants are doing well, and blooming their little heads off.  I still have a couple of glads blooming, and various other things around the yard, so summer has set in!

JUNE 1-HURRICANE SEASON BEGINS.  I think I will actually make a plan this year.  I sure hope we have a quiet season.  These last few years have been torture!! 

Everyone have a great day!