judypatuddy's Blog

Wild and Wooly Day
Sep 14, 2008 | 6:18 PM PST

We had wind gusts up to 45 MPH last night and again today.  Later ,in the afternoon, it died down a bit.  I went for a walk in the woods. There, to my surprise, were a bunch of Coral Mushrooms.  Picked a few, left a lot.  I'll flash freeze them and use them in cooking this winter. 

Everything in the garden received a "spanking" from Mother Nature last night.  But, all in all, they faired pretty good.  There were a few trees blown down and topped off around the lake. I hope Ike is through with us. I don't Like Ike.

The hint of fall is in the air. Trees are taking on that faded green. It was actually chilly today. 

I'm counting the days till we go to Branson to see Johnny Mathis.  We saw him in Memphis a couple of years ago.  I've been in love with his music since I've been a young girl. 

Didn't get much sleep last night, so I'm turning in early tonight.

.....GOT RAIN.....
Aug 20, 2008 | 8:54 AM PST

It's been raining all morning.  That's good for the plants.  Not good for me.  When I can't get outside, I get antsy.

Hubby came home from the hospital yesterday.  He's doing well with his new implanted defibrillator.  Now, he's the bionic man.  He'll need to recoup from this procedure about 2 weeks. Then things should start to look up.  This whole thing, with quadruple by pass and now this, has been an ordeal.  I'm looking to the time when we can do the things we enjoy.  Although, we did get to go on a boat ride, the evening before he went in for the ICD.  It was a beautiful moonlight night.  Full moon and all. 

I know, with God's grace, things will get better.  Everyone in this little community, in which we live, has been so helpful. I thank God for fiends everywhere.

I still need to find out how I can winter over my banana plants.  Not sure whether I should dig them up and put them in burlap, or put them, dirt and all into a plastice trash can, then put them in the shed for the winter.

VISITORS
Aug 10, 2008 | 4:17 PM PST

Our youngest son and his family came to visit for the weekend.  It seems, my riding on the garden tractor spurred an interest from my Grandaughter.  It must have looked like sooooo much fun, she wanted to do it.  So......I had her riding from the mulch pile, delivering mulch to the garden.  (I should be ashamed of myself).......NOT!!!!!

It was good seeing them.  The boys went fishing.......the girls went shopping.  Between that, and preparing food, the weekend flew by.  I miss them, when they go home.

Today was a pleasant day. High 74º. Not bad for August.  Still waiting for the Morning Glories to show off.  Everything is looking good, in spite of the hot dry weather.  We did have a rain shower, yesterday. 

I'm hoping tomorrow is cool.  Need to spread some more mulch.

Till next time.

Another Sweltering Day
Aug 5, 2008 | 8:21 PM PST

It's 10P.M. and still 85º.....Cheez.  We had a dump truck load of mulch delivered.  The big red mountain, that will remain so,till it gets a little cooler.  I ordered it in the spring.  This is a "Roundtoit" area, the guy finally go around to it. Anyway, I did get some weeding accomplished before 10A.M. today.  After that, it was all "Inside Jobs".  Tried to watch the St. Louis Cards play baseball......a rain delay. 

The A.C in the guest house shot craps.  Had to have a new one installed.  My son and his family will be visiting from St. Louis, this weekend.  The grand kids will go on the lake on a Sea Doo.  Hubby and I will stick around the house.  Although, we're supposed to have pleasant weather this weekend. 

Not much going on around here.  The lake is starting to drop. But, it seems the tourists are gone, at least until Labor Day.  After that, things really die down.  The town of Gainesville MO, has their fall festival. It starts on the third Thursday in Sept.  It's called "Hootin n' Hollarin" This is the 48th year for it.  I'm on the Craft Booth committee, and we have a meeting tomorrow.  It's a neat festival. 

Till next time.

I Don't Like To Complain but.......UGH!!!!
Aug 3, 2008 | 6:44 PM PST

It's 8:36 P.M. and it's still 90º.......It's not the heat, it's the humidity. Ha!  It's oppressive. Don,my husband, simply can't handle it.  Still recovering from heart surgery, we now find out, he needs a cardioverter defibrillator.  He'll have this on Aug. 18th.  and then, spend a couple of days in the hospital, for stat checking.  It's amazing what medicine can do to help us live productive lives.  But, I'm again concerned. 

The garden is parched.  He hasn't been able to get out there and do his watering.  I'm trying to keep all the balls in the air, but it's difficult.  We could sure use some rain.  The Morning Glories have started to bloom,though.  The banana trees are climbing to the sky.  They have to be every bit of 6 feet tall.  The Mandavilla is also in bloom. How glorious!!!!  I also have a 7foot Orange Tree(started from seed about 4 years ago.)  It's never been pollinated, but I'm hoping. 

Hopefully, Mother Nature will help out soon, with some much needed rain.  In spite of all of this......Life is Good.

Now, This is more like it!!!
Jul 15, 2008 | 6:01 PM PST

Low humidity,  temps in the 80"s.  How sweet it is.  My day was spent, sitting outside on the deck, gazing at the lake. Not many folks out there.  It looked like a mirror.  I did start to write more poetry lately.  I'm thinking it's the influence of this site.  Haiku and New Poems is the place I like to "hang out". It has been very inspirational.  I have been writing poetry since I was a teenager.  Phew.....that's a loooong time. 

The gardens are looking good.  Today, I did have to water. Seems rain is not in the forecast for the next few days.  On my walk, down to the lake this morning, I saw a Doe with what looked like twins.  What a sight.  They are a beautiful animal. (But not when they're in my garden)

I also love watching my resident  terrapin.  It's pretty good size and has the pond all to itself.  Also, the dragonflies are prevalent.

Dusk is setting in, so I had better close, if I want to get an evening walk in.

Yadda Yadda Yadda
Jul 14, 2008 | 6:39 AM PST

Since the 4th, we've had consistent  weather..........RAIN......Ugh
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The plants are lovin' it,though.  I haven't spent much time in the garden.  The humidity has been so high.  Today it's much lower, and much cooler.  I'm still waiting for the Morning Glories to set buds.  The banana trees are about 6 ft. tall, now.  The Crepe Myrtle are starting to bloom.  Today would be a good day to get my hands dirty.  So, until next time.

iT WAS PRETTY
Jul 6, 2008 | 5:45 PM PST

The 4th of July fireworks are all over.  Last night, the display at Pontiac was gorgeous.  We sat out on the deck and watched.  With an impending storm in the south, the display was hurried up a bit.  But, all in all, it was great.  The storm held off long enough for them to shoot them off.  I always think of the fourth as the half way point in the tourist season. By August, the lake will be back to belonging to the "Locals".  I do like that.  The weather tonight is so oppressive, we won't be sitting outside.  It seems, since Hubby's surgery, he really can't take the humidity when it's this high.  I picked up a "Pond Book" yesterday.  It seems like a good night to just stay indoors and read up on my pond.  With the rains we've had, it's practically full.  I did watch a young Hawk working it today.  I suppose the "Frog Buffet" is what it was looking for.

The plants are all looking well.  In front of the guest house, it looks like the rain forest. It's fun to sit up there and watch the reaction of passersby, when they see the Banana trees. The Elephant Ears are getting huge.

Till next time.

IS IT OR ISN'T IT???
Jun 27, 2008 | 10:01 AM PST

I t has looked like "rain" for the past 6 hours.......no rain.  We went for a little trip up to St. Louis. The rivers up there are swollen.  They do not need rain.  We, however, could use a little. Everything in the garden survived, with the help of a friend and neighbor.  She came over and checked "All my children" periodically.  I can't get over the banana trees, they're looking great.  Someone told me if they produce bananas, they will die.  I hope our growing season doesn't allow that.

The pond is looking good.  I think it needs about four more feet, to be up to the dam.  The frogs sure love it.  I need to seed the back part of the dam,though.  The "pond digger" said that would keep the dam from washing away.  Sure hope that doesn't happen. 

Not much doing around here. Till next time.

Just a little bit
Jun 19, 2008 | 6:48 PM PST

Well, we received a little rain late this afternoon.  I went out for my evening walk, it's like walking in pea soup.  The humidity is very high.  Yesterday, we went down to the White River.  As always, it was beautiful.  That must have taken it out of Hubby.  He's very tired today.  It was a two napper!!! It's just been about 6 weeks since his surgery.  But, he is having more good days than bad. 

I have a new plant coming up in the garden.  I think it may be a "volunteer" or maybe it was in a packet of seed that was sown.  It's a long stem  with yellow flowers.  I think, maybe, it may be Nicotinea......Has anyone heard of it? I think I remember seeing it in a botany book somewhere.  Not really sure.....at first I thought it might be a weed. But, I decided to leave it.  It blooms toward evening. It must be at least 2 ½ feet tall. I love surprises like that.

The deer are very active tonight.  I guess they're getting ready to ravage my roses. The little B*******!!!!!!! They stand there and look at me, with "That" look in their eyes. I know what they'll do, as soon as it turns dark! The other day, I saw a big ol' snappin' turtle come up from the pond. Yhew......gives me the hebejeebees.

It's getting late, and I can hear the frogs just a singing away.

Till next time.

What a gorgeous day!!!!
Jun 17, 2008 | 6:48 PM PST

Today was absolutely beautiful.  A cool 80º. Right now, it's 72º. We had a visit from Hubby's sisters, they are down in the area for vacation.  they're staying over on Norfork Lake. I think it really perked Don up.  He hasn't seen many people since his surgery, so this was nice. 

The garden is looking great.  Waiting for the first flush of Blue Morning Glories.  They always do so well for us.  The Elephant Ears are coming up in clusters.  The banana trees are holding about 5 leaves each.  All the plants are loving it.Spring Creek Park, right below us, is still under water.  I know it will be a mess when, and if, the lake recedes,but right now it's beautiful. Not much tourist traffice,though. 

Tomorrow, we thought we'd take a drive down to the White River.  It'll be nice just to take a ride. 

Until next time.

And the skies opened up
Jun 13, 2008 | 7:23 PM PST

Boy, did we get a soaking!! Now, it's about 69º. I can see the storms off in the distance, over the lake.  The frogs, down at the pond, are going crazy.  I found some climbing hyacinth seeds the other day.  Planted them, and they are already coming up.  I think they're from last year, or maybe the year before.  Had to repaint my mailbox.  I have it all decked out like a largemouth bass, and it needed a touch up.  Outside of that, all the summer chores are completed.  Now, it's time to sit back on the patio, and watch things grow.  What a life! The Hibiscus Tree has its first blooms. Not quite as showiy as last year, but there's still time. Mr. Black Snake has been hanging around the upper water feature....there's baby gold fish there. I guess he thinks he'll help himself.  I run him everytime I see him. I've nothing against him, just leave my babies alone!

 

Things are looking better
Jun 10, 2008 | 6:54 PM PST
It was a good day!  The weather was on the cool side, no wind. Praise the Lord.  I planted some elephant ears a few days ago.......they're coming up already.  Hubby's recovery is coming alond.  Went for a ride today.  It's always an Upper to go by the mills in the area. There's Hodgson's ,Dawt and Zanoni.  They're beautiful.  The water is crystal clear.

Screwy Weather
Jun 6, 2008 | 7:01 PM PST

Today was an unusually windy day.  I can't remember when we've had a stable day.  There are tornadoes all around us.  So far, we've just received the wind.  No damage though.  The plants are taking a beating.  There's really no way to protect them.  I suppose after all is said and done, they'll be stronger for it.  It's a metaphor to life. I just would like some peaceful, calm summer days.  Tomorrow, we'll travel to Arkansas, to deliver our maps to the Gaston Visitor Center.  It'll be good to get out.  We haven't done much of that lately.  Don is starting to feel a lot better.  Things are looking up.

Looking Good!!
Jun 2, 2008 | 7:30 PM PST

The gardens are starting to look good.  The banana trees have their first set of leaves.  All the late fall plntings are looking good.  I saw my first Copperhead, though.  Don't like seeing that.  It was a pretty big one.  We've had thunderstorms blow through for the past couple of days.  The pond is filling.  It only has another four feet to go.  The morning glories are taking off.  Life is good.

Hubby is doing really well, after open heart surgery.  He usually takes care of the upper garden, but I'll do that for now.