- Home
- Community
- Blogs
- witt's Blog
- witt's July 2008 Entries
witt's Blog
witt's July 2008 Entries
Last Post 31 days, 22 hours Ago
Jul 31, 2008 | 7:46 AM PST
What a day yesterday. I went outside early after I got my house things done and put the arrowhead plant in a pot. Not what I really wanted, but it'll have to do for now. I'll post a picture in the Houseplant section. I guess that's where it should go. Then I found some vincas in the lawn growing "outside the box." I transplanted them. Whew, it was hot! Then it was off to therapy. Everything was going fine till we got stopped for a paving project. They had traffic stopped both ways. We finally made it to our appointment in time. Then we just sat there waiting. They have never been late. If anything, they have always been early. Finally someone came out and announced that the radiation machine wasn't working. Luckily, they doubled up on the other machine and started taking patients. It was also the day that the patients have to see the doctor, so he was taking them as they had to wait. That threw us way off schedule, but it all worked out ok. On the way home we were stopped for the construction again. You wouldn't believe the truck traffic on that road. One right after the other and truck makes that I'd never heard of! Traffic was backed up for miles. Just as they waved for us to go, the guy in the second car jumped out waving his arms frantically. The car behind him had jumped the gun and hit him in the rear. It turnd out to be my old assistant principal and friend. What a hoot. His bald head was as red as a beet, and he was furious. They pulled off to the side, and as we passed by, I couldn't see any real damage. He may have gotten a scratch. When we got back home, we decided to swing by the watermelon stand that one of my friends had told us about on her road way out here in the country. Sure enough, he had the kind they like, so we got some. Finally, we made it home. It was really later than usual. I got supper fixed, and we finally settled down. I was really cutting the zzzz's when it was time to get up this morning. I sure hope that we don't have to go through all that again today.
Jul 30, 2008 | 3:10 AM PST
First things first. I got my hair cut. Was I looking like a shaggy dog! After that, we did all our business around town before time for the radiation therapy. While we were grocery shopping, I spied an arrowhead vine that was pink. It looked as if it had been painted with a brush on the topside and was green on the underside. It was so unique that I couldn't resist it. I don't know if I can care for it during the winter since our house is a dungeon and gets no light, but I just couldn't help myself. On our way home from therapy, we spied a guy selling the long type of watermelon, not the ice box kind. We got one watermelon and two canteloupes. A friend called and chatted for awhile to see how we were. She said that there was a guy selling melons on her road, right near here. They were a lot cheaper than what we had paid. I guess we'll have to check him out. It was such a busy and tiring day that I couldn't get much else done outside. We had tomato sandwiches for supper. They were so good! I'd better do my housework and get ready to hit the road again. I hope that I'll be able to find a pot for my new arrowhead vine so that I don't have to look at that black plastic pot that it came in.
Jul 26, 2008 | 5:00 AM PST
We got through the therapy just fine, and when we got home, would you believe it, Hubby decided to cut the front yard! He must be feeling pretty good. I guess the relief of knowing that he didn't have to go back today gave him the energy. He didn't eat all those good fixin's as well as I had hoped. We've got to get his weight back up, but I surely don't want to be a nag about it. I'll just keep cooking good things in hopes that he'll eat. One of our friends stopped by yesterday afternoon and regaled us with his gardening woes. We really got some good laughs. Every gardener has a story and he had more than his share! I plan to change linens and that sort of thing this morning, and then go visit with another of our gardening friends for a little while. She always feeds us well with her homemade goodies.
Jul 25, 2008 | 5:44 AM PST
Yesterday, I decided that I needed to cook some of Hubby's favorites so that I could get that pound that he lost back on him. I started at 6:00 a.m. I put a chicken in the oven to roast, made dressing, and a macaroni pie. When I finished getting the macaroni together it hit me that Son said he would bring us a plate of BBQ. When he walked in the door he knew immediately that I had been cooking although I had already finished and had things in the fridge. He laughed and said that I now had two meals cooked and ready to eat! Thursday's and Friday's. In the meantime during of all that, I washed, dried, and put away a load of clothes. I don't want them piling up and have to spend the weekend doing loads and loads of laundry. One at a time I can handle! The BBQ was delicious. We'll have to try that again the next time the guy has it for sale. This morning I decided that I MUST plant the coreopsis and the day lilies. At first light I went out in my gown, robe, and bare glory. I deduced that it might not be a good idea because who knows how high up under your gown a mosquito might be able to fly. I ran back in, put on long pants, and then sprayed myself down with OFF! Even though I was careful to spray my ankles and feet, I still got two bites. I put the coreopsis in the second natural bed because it's a perennial, and I can see it from a lot of different places. The day lilies went into The Poison Garden where they will have plenty of sun and room to grow. I got the flowers planted and was surprised that the ground was still dry even after that inch of rain. I watered them all in with collected rainwater, pulling weeds and grass as I came near any along the way. It's amazing how fast all your hard work can go to heck. I'm showered, dressed and ready to hit the road for therapy the last time for this week! Two days off.
Jul 24, 2008 | 4:53 AM PST
Hip, hip, hooray! Three cheers for the rain! We got 1 3/10ths inches last night. Hubby and I were trying to figure out how to start toting water again this morning, but thank goodness, we had rain and we won't have to do it now.
I've been trying to participate in the forums, read and comment on as many blogs as I can, but with our time restraints, it's near impossible. Most of our day is spent traveling to therapy, and that doesn't leave much time to do anything else. The side-effects of the therapy are starting to rear their ugly heads, too. This will be a long haul, but we're still trying to keep the gardens going. Hubby loves it so much. He was proud of his first red, round tomato. (He doesn't think much of the Romas. "They don't look right.")
Jul 22, 2008 | 3:50 AM PST
Sunday we were afforded the opportunity to porch-sit a bit and enjoy the birds. The hummers were quite active along with the goldfinches playing on the sunflowers. We had another unusual visitor with an unfamiliar birdsong, but we couldn't see what it was amongst the leaves. Visitors of the human variety came as well. One was bearing watermelon already cut and chilled. Another came with the prettiest pink coreopsis and a bag of day lilies that she thought we'd enjoy. I don't know when we'll get a chance to plant them with the temperatures in the 100's. Right now I have the coreopsis placed on a garden bench so that I can enjoy it from the porch or from the window. The tiger lily is still blooming like crazy, and the Easter lilies are beginning to bud. As Alexander Pope said, Hope springs eternal.
Jul 18, 2008 | 11:51 AM PST
Although we haven't been out enjoying the birds lately, I sure did need to be taking care of them. The hummers were working the mimosa blossoms, so at least they were getting their nectar if the feeders were empty, which they were. I cleaned all the hummer feeders yesterday afternoon and refilled them. All three of the thistle socks needed refilling as well. That means six different locations. I couldn't help lollygagging around in the beds where each feeder was. I did a little weeding that was absolutely necessary, like knee-high weeds. Boy, they sure grow fast when you're not looking! The front walkway looked as if no one lived here. It was loaded with dropped mimosa blossoms. I got that mess cleaned up and then swept off the porch. Next it was water the plants on the porch. They have been neglected of late. Before I knew it I was covered with skeeter bites. I didn't even think of putting on my summer perfume. I was only going to be out there long enough to fill the feeders, but that turned out to be a lot longer than I expected. At least a few things got done outside that were sorely needed. I think that we have a warbler of some kind. The most beautiful bird song that I have ever heard. I tried to see what it was, but whatever it was, it was high and hidden in the trees. I would love to know what it was! It wasn't a song that we usually hear. It almost sounded like a flute. Just gorgeous.
Jul 17, 2008 | 6:08 AM PST
I've dashed through all of my housework and done all the things that must be done. I've been up since 3 a.m. That's about the only time that I have to do what must get done. We found Frinkles, my Speckled Sussex, the sweetest bird that we have ever had, dead in the nest this morning. Oh, that's just what we needed. I suppose that the weeds have taken over the place. Maybe I can do a walkabout this afternoon, but by the time we get back home, we're too pooped to work. I must close up now and get dressed. As Bill says, happy gardening.
Jul 16, 2008 | 3:17 AM PST
Sometimes life can get in the way of gardening. I haven't been able to do much of that lately. Thank goodness that we have had some summer thundershowers or all of my plants would be dead by now. I do have some nice color right now with tiger lilies, rudbekia, petunias, marigolds, and coneflowers. The only vegetables to have ripened are a few Roma tomatoes, but then we weren't able to plant a full garden this year. My field peas are finally growing since we got some rain. Maybe I will get some after all and will be able to harvest them. I have discovered that sitting around and pouting doesn't make the situation any better, so I will put a smile on my face and do the best that I can.
Jul 10, 2008 | 5:10 AM PST
The other day before we left for therapy, Hubby went out to gather any eggs that might have been laid. He doesn't like for them to stack up because they get pipped or cracked. All the hens want to use the same nest. They are sooo jealous. In one coop there are nine nest boxes, yet they will all use the same one and always want to use it at the same time even if there are eight other places that they can go. Anyway, instead of it being a black hen in the nest, there was a huge black snake coiled up in their favorite nesting box. He was six feet long and a little lumpy. He had already had his breakfast obviously. The funny thing is the chickens didn't make a peep, but when a limb fell yesterday and brushed the fence, they had a squawking fit. Go figure!
We got 4/10ths of an inch yesterday. That brings our total up for this month to 3 1/10ths. For June we had 3 2/10ths. I'm hoping that we'll get these thunder showers every chance that one rolls through. We are blessed.
Jul 7, 2008 | 10:35 AM PST
It was a really lazy day, and we both enjoyed not working. Late in the afternoon we had a little thundershower, which later became a heavy thundershower. When Hubby went out to feed the chickens, it turned out that we got 1 inch and 3/10ths! Can you believe it? Luckily, we didn't have any wind damage or hail. We are blessed.
Jul 6, 2008 | 5:04 AM PST
A good time was had by all, as they say in the newspaper! Daughter and Grandson came for a visit. We enjoyed our seafood dinner out. Then it was back home to play some silly game that she had acquired. I couldn't play it worth a hoot and that caused much hilarity. As a matter of fact, we laughed so hard that we couldn't even catch our breaths on occasion. We even used about a half a box of Kleenex, wiping up our tears of humor. By the time we finished, I don't think that I had on a speck of make-up. It wasn't the game that was so good, it was just my stupidity that made it so much fun. We were worn out from laughing so much that when they left, we didn't do a thing but watch TV. We were spent.
Last night we were awakened to the sounds of thunder and bright flashes, which continued for about an hour, but I never heard any rain. Hubby went out this morning to discover that we had gotten 6/10ths. I would say hallelujah if I could spell it.
Jul 5, 2008 | 6:34 AM PST
We didn't have any Fourth doings. Daughter and Grandson will come for a visit today. All day long yesterday I thought that it was Saturday for some reason, though. When Hubby went to turn on the noon news, I said that it wouldn't be on. Why? It's Saturday. Wrong. I said that we needed to go to the dump. Why? It's Saturday. Wrong, again. I kept doing that all day long. I decided that I needed to get the errant grass out of the second natural area while it was in the shade. I had almost a bucket full when the winds picked up and it started to rain. Whooopppeee! By the time I got back in the house, got my hands washed, and sat down on the porch to enjoy the pitter-patter, it was over. It didn't even wet the pavement. I went back to my chores. I hand-edged around the the stones in the Japanese walk and The Quarter Round. I discovered that some of the creeping Jenny that I had sprigged between some of them a month ago had started to grow. Previously, it had all turned yellow and I thought that it had died. I never thought about it again, but evidently the roots took hold. Now, that I have gotten some encouragement, I think I'll sprig some more going toward the pelican birdbath in The Butterfly Garden. I was pretty much through with the edging when the wind picked up again and there was a rumble of thunder. Whoooppppe! I went into the house, washed my hands again, and headed for the porch. It stopped...again! It was almost as if the rain were saying nanny-nanny-noo-noo! Both of the showers together wouldn't wash the spiderwebs out of the rain gauge.
Jul 4, 2008 | 4:34 AM PST
Happy July the Fourth! We have no plans for today. Our doings will be tomorrow. Son dropped by to play with Hubby. They went tooting off in the truck, and I hit the backyard, pulling weeds and edging back there. This time the chickens were very patient. Instead of flailing themselves up against the fence and having a hissy-fit for their treat, they just settled down along the edge and watched with great anticipation. I guess they learned that it takes time to fill a bucket with what they want and that I'll bring it to them when I'm ready. I was pulling up various weeds and grasses near the eucalyptus tree, two of which turned out to be artemesia. How that got out there I'll never know. I transplanted them into The Cement Garden and went back to pulling. I kept getting closer and closer to the base of the eucalyptus. Suddenly I heard this terrible scraping noise and something was on my back. I flew out of there and was halfway down the hill before it dawned on me that it was just a branch and a couple of dry leaves were scraping across the cotton shirt that I had on. I looked like I had been shot out of a canon. I sure am glad there was no one to see my odd behavior. I decided to try to cut the mimosa limbs that were on the corner of the house, all mingled in with my zepherine. I took the broom and tried pulling it toward me, but the limb was so big that it wasn't very flexible. I kept at it. I maneuvered myself to the edge of the top of the stairs, trying to bear in mind where I was. I sure didn't want to go toppling down, forgetting my precarious position. I kept reaching farther and farther until I finally got hold of one little frond. I pulled it closer till I I could grab the big limb. I held it in such a way that when I cut off a branch, I wouldn't release the big limb. I got four long branches cut off. When I did release it, it was way up in the air because the weight was gone. When Son and Hubby got home, they couldn't figure out how I had done that. Son, who is 6'4" tall, said, "You can cut down a mimosa limb 50 feet in the air and you can't change a lightbulb!" Little did they know how I accomplished that feat. I made some cuttings of serissa and that shrub that I'll call a euonymous because I never did get it ID'ed. I'm trying them in water. I put all my cuttings, including the althea, out on the table on the porch. Maybe with more heat and light, something will root. The hummingbirds were quite active as well as the dragonflies. We enjoyed ending the day porch-sitting and watching the entertainment. All in all it was a good, busy day.
Jul 3, 2008 | 3:56 AM PST
Aren't neighbors and friends wonderful? We had a fabulous supper last night of fresh corn on the cob, fresh squash, and fresh bass--already cleaned and fileted! Yeah, I know. Give a man a fish...well, fry it up. It is delicious!
After we got home from yet another doctor's appointment, I headed for the great outdoors. I hand-trimmed the grass from around Aunt Winnie's Garden and The Rock Garden. Then I started on those dang flat-on-the-ground milkweeds. I had to dispose of them even though the chickens were dancing and begging for what was in the bucket. Milkweed is poisonous to chickens, and I don't know if this kind would hurt them or not, but I didn't want to take a chance. We've lost too many of them lately. I gave them the grass clippings and all the clover they could stand. Oh, and they got the corn shucks, two worms and the cob trimmings, so that ought to be enough to make any chicken happy. I didn't last too long with my gardening endeavors because it just got too hot. At least I accomplished something worthwhile and only got two chigger bites in the process.
Jul 2, 2008 | 7:35 AM PST
With the divine cool mornings and pleasant afternoons, I couldn't help but be out in the yard working for the past few days. What a relief it is. You can actually get some real physical work done without collapsing! I got the entire St. John's wort bed cleaned out. It's about thirty feet long! The only thing that is left there is Aunt Winnie's fern here and there and a piece or two of the golden creeping jenny that is barely surviving due to lack of rain. I'll bet it will take off there, though.
Next, I tackled all of the St. John's wort in The Poison Garden. While I was getting that out, I kept getting sprigs of zoysia. Well I couldn't resist transplanting that. Hubby was kind enough to put some water on it for me. I was too busy to stop. After I got all the St. John's wort out, I had to pull a gazillion of those flat-to-the ground milky weeds. I don't know what they are called, but scrubbing with a brush wouldn't get the sticky off my hands. After I got that done, then I hand-trimmed the grass around the edge. I didn't want Hubby to have to try to manage the weed-eater. It looks pretty good.
There's a tiger lily blooming in The Butterfly Garden. It wasn't planted there, but it has come up there for the last couple of years. This year it has blooms and has about eight more buds on it. I hope I can get a picture, but you know what a terrible photographer I am. The echinacea is really putting on a show in there as well. All in all, I can't complain. Things could be a whole lot worse.
