yardgranny6's Blog

Chain Saws and
Feb 29, 2008 | 2:28 PM PST
Tag: lumber jack

Electric Drills. If I can remember I will get my DH to take a pix of me trying out my new, although small, chainsaw next week. Also got a new corded drill, I wore out the cordless which never did work as hard as I wanted it to. Now we'll see how this one works.

Everyone in my family and all my friends will be on pins and needles everytime I tell them I going to play  'LumberJack'. A friend almost had a hissy fit (anyone remember those?) when I told her I had bought a chainsaw. Now she wants to come over and see how it works. I don't guarantee I will be able to manage it, but I will give it a try. Just hope it doesn't make too much noise. That I don't like.

It was so crowed at Wally World today. The last day of the month which means all the checks have come in. Then the sun had come out and it was a gorgeous day with no nasty NW wind blowing. Right now is is in the upper fifties. Sorry folks I just hope it makes you feel better to know that Spring will come. The quicker it gets to me the quicker it will come north.

Did a phone call to a very good friend in WV and it has been in the 20's for her. There has been snow all around her mountain but she has not gotten much. And it doesn't bother her a bit.

Time to go chill out now and catch up on my Y&R and B&B soaps. That is my rest period for the day.

More to Come Later.

 

 

Earliest Date for
Feb 28, 2008 | 7:33 AM PST
Tag: Early Easter Facts

Easter: This information comes from a local free newspaper. Thought you might be interested.

Easter Sunday is March 23rd. As you may know, Easter is always the first Sunday after the first full moon after the Spring Equinox (which this year is March 20th)

The dating of Easter is based on the lunar calendar that Hebrew people used to identify Passover, which is why it moves around on our Roman Calendar.

Based on the above, Easter can actually be one day earlier (March22), but that is pretty rare.

This year is the earliest Easter any of US will see the rest of our lives! And only the most elderly of our population have ever seen it this early (95 years old or above!) And none of us have ever, or will ever, see it a day earlier! Here are the facts:

The next time Easter will be this early (March 23) will be the year 2228 (220 years from now). The last time it was this early was 1913 (so if you're 95 years or older, you are the only ones that were around for that)!

The next time that it will be  a day earlier, March 22, will be in the year 2285 (277 years from now).

The last time it was on March 22 was 1818.

So, no one alive today has or will ever see it any earlier than this year!

Just thought you might like to know.  More to Come Later

 

 

 

 

 

HELLO Everybody,
Feb 24, 2008 | 6:59 PM PST

Hello (anyone out there remember a very old "Halo Shampoo" Ad?) Music please: "Halo is the shampoo that glorifies your hair, so Halo Everybody, Halo"  You got to know there is a tune in there somewhere.

Been a very nice week with another coming up. Got to be outside a bit. Mowed down a yard full of blooming weeds. That felt really good. Ready to try the 'cornmeal gluten' treatment to prevent the summer weeds that are ready to perk up. I bought the nasty chemical pre emergence last year and had to take it back. Couldn't force myself to apply it.

Filled a couple of holes in the lawn with some Mulch that was left from last season. It works good here with the centipede, as it just grows right over it. 

Pulled a few dozen blooming weeds that were growing under Granny Dogwood. Time to finish that job and put down fresh mulch. Gr Dogwood took care of a lot of plants last year and she deservers a rest, some fertilizer and a nice blanket of much as she begins to reward us with her lovely blossoms. Our youngest son was married under her branches 15 years ago in April. The yard has never looked that good since.

On Saturday I took a trip to my favorite greenhouse. The owners are Uncle and Aunt to children that were in my daycare many years ago. The children are grown and their Uncles business has become the best nursery around. Found my 'sky pencil' shrub and bought 2 BOGO poppies which are annuals in my area and also one very purple Anenome which is a preennial.

Moved the glider and chairs around on the carport. The area has shrunk with the addition of the ramp and we needed a bit more space to get out of the car. So moving the seating around has helped. Will need to use a pressure washer on the carport soon, UhOh, about forgot about all the pollen that has just begun to put down a few grains. So that deal will wait until later.

Going this week to Lowe's and buy a corded drill. Tired of wondering if the old cordless drill will work or not. I even bought a new lithium battery last year and it is just shot. I think I pushed it too hard a few times. Also in the market for a small Chainsaw. The last treeman we had to take down trees in the yard said his Aunt who was in her late seventies had one and used it all the time. I figure "if she can do it so can I". Anyway Lowe's has an electric one for 60 bucks. I will give it a try.

Then when my chainsaw is here and ready to go, I can make mincemeat out of the last of the Cherry Laurel saplings that I cut down with my big pruners. It should be a much easier go of it this season. (Note to self - buy more stump killer). I use this to paint the stumps just after I cut them down. Most times this will kill the root. But if not---I will just get out my pruners and chainsaw and go after them again. I am going to have just too much fun in a few weeks.

The old truck will be put to good use soon hauling mulch. Hope I don't have to haul as much as I did last year. But who knows?? There were areas that didn't get mulched last season that will have to be done this spring. Oh well, I love being outside. (another note to self---get the airconditioner in the truck repaired) It got hot in that cab last summer. UGH!

Ole truck will also be hauling off a bunch of 'stuff' very soon - like this week maybe. Old wood and worn out saw horses. One more thing I would like to buy at Lowe's - a pair of folding saw horses so I can store them away. Just a bunch of mess hanging out behind the shed. Which I almost forgot needs its new wood painted. You know what?? I am getting tired just thinking about all the things that need doing. I bet I can make a young grandson happy painting that shed area. And the granddaughter has a nice sized boy friend that could help me load up all that stuff. Hey, am I actually learning to delegate in my old age?? Keep em, busy and out of trouble with a capital "T".

All the talk of veggie gardening on this forum has me wishing a good sunny spot. I saw another article about plant in straw bales. That looks really interesting. Will survey my small space to decide if I have a spot to at least try some tomotoes. Then there are those wonderful raised beds some of you are building. I love Soapshouse's and there are others that look wonderful. Just so tempting.

Isn't life good?? Watching things grow; from my own babies into fine adults- to the all the day care babies that have grown into such fine young people. Then came the grandchildren, each one a jewel in our lives. And now in the prime of my life I get to watch seeds sprout and make joy in the world. I get to actually cut and propagate some plants and see them grow and thrive. Then the ability to share all life has given is a wonderful thing.  Blessing to you all.

More to Come Later

A Few Words
Feb 17, 2008 | 1:10 PM PST
Tags: shelter , weeds , glads , phlox , snake plant

from just one more fanatic garden person. Those little seedling are peeking out more everyday. This is so much fun. I just hope I have not started them too soon. I do have a ramp under our carport that will provide shelter for some of the more hardy plants. And of course as all of us know a little ingenuity goes a long way for providing shelter in a pinch.  Some heavy plastic, a few staples or heavy bricks and we have shelter from the storm. Plus I do have my little cold frame.

It is another beautiful day that felt a bit chilly this morning. It is supposed to be in the upper 60's and I am ready to go outside and see what I can do for an hour or two. I see the weeds beginning to really grow now, so there will be lots of cleaning out and mulching to be done in the next few weeks.

I planted a pack of 15 gladiolas and one orange and one purple phlox yesterday. Then moved a couple of hollyhocks that were nurtured by my beautiful deep rose HH last year. She is looking good to go for this year also.

Maybe I will take a few pictures today as some of the early bulbs are beginning to bloom. The star magnolia and the saucer magnolias are blooming all over town now. My February Daphne will be blooming any day.

I had a surprise as I plundered around in the beds. Those crazy 'snake' or 'mother in law tongue' plants that I stuck outdoors because I was so tired of them had died out and I went to pull them to toss in the trash and low and behold they were not dead at all. Still had green roots and looked as if they might just go right on and grow again. Will leave them to see what happens. Always thought they were not cold hardy at all. Just goes to show, plants will do what they want in the end.

 All of you have a Happy Planting day whether indoors or out.

More to Come Later

The Traveling
Feb 14, 2008 | 3:48 PM PST
Tags: traveling , seeds , kiddie pool

Seed Box. It has left Oklahoma on its way to California.

My daughter, sent me a message today and I decided to share it with each of you. Especially that lucky member that is getting the Seed Box in a few days.Yes! It went out yesterday. 

This is what she added:

Morning Glory
Giant Lime Zinnia
Ornamental Purple Pepper
Mexican Zinnia
Hyacinth Bean
Bellezza D'autuno Sunflower
Castor Bean
Larkspur
Anise Hyssop
Bronze Fennel
Cypress Vine
Jet Black Hollyhock

I think that's it. The little box is packed. $4.50 to mail it to California, not bad.

I can't stand it, I want to start planting already. Today it was pretty
nice so I moved the chickens and smoothed out the bed they've been
cultivating and fertilizing for me. That sure is some nice soil. I want
to start some things indoors, but it is really too early for that also.

Scarlett's (my big puppy grandpet) old kiddie pool that won't hold water is going to be turned
into a vegetable garden this year. I'm going to have Charles (that great guy) cut a bunch
of large holes in the bottom so it will drain well, then add sand and gravel and top it off with soil. I hope it makes a pretty good raised bed. Of course, I won't be able to reach the middle so I need to find a
garden ornament for that....

This gardening bug sure does keep you busy!

So you see we aren't the only people with cabin fever and the itch to dig!!

More to Come Later

Seed
Feb 11, 2008 | 11:01 AM PST
Tag: seed starting

trays are finished, unless I decide to do more :-D  Always possible you know.

Started Indoors:
Red Painted Daisy, Virginia Bells, Nastursiams, Canna, Passion Flower Vine and Chilian Glory Vine all from SHAR

Zebrina Malva from Maggie E

Flying Saucer Morning Glories from  Janet

Milkweed, Clitoria and Strawflowers from local friends Ruth and Larry

Zinnia, Hollyhock and butterfly weed from my own garden.

Red Salvia, Sweetpea, and Parsley from packets.

And maybe 2 Bat Face Cuphea seeds from my neighbor, Judy.  We are not sure they are seed or if they will germinate.

There are still plenty of seed left to start outdoors. More fun.  I really do need to get my screen made for my seed box. This is so the squirrels won't move all the seed around or worse yet eat them.

Have Master Gardener meeting tonight. I have missed the last two times they met in the greenhouse. So I am looking forward to seeing what they have planned for our Spring Workshop in a few weeks. Time is marching on.

More to Come Later.

 

Relaxing
Feb 9, 2008 | 2:11 PM PST

with a good friend and going to a local juried Art Show this afternoon sponsored by our Arts Alliance organization is just what all of you ordered to me to do - de-stress. Thanks.

Going to go now and put the soaking seeds into the seed trays and sort a few seeds to be planted later. Place looks like a jungle and I love it.

And oh, yes I need to feed the hubby.

More to Come Later

What a day this
Feb 7, 2008 | 4:01 PM PST

has been. (think music in the background - at least those of you old enough to remember this ole tune).

Started out Tuesday night while my DH and I were in our respective TV areas. The light flickered and then his TV went dead and my light went off. Came back on. Went back off for a bit longer. We began to check to see what else was off or on and discovered the problem seemed to be with the newer wired areas of the past 4 years or so.  This was late in the evening and we went to bed.

Wednesday, I called the all knowing son and he finally came down and discovered that within the service panel out on the side of the house there was this big wire that had been MELTING down. Now this piece of wire is quite durable and the coating just doesn't melt down in a hurry. Well we all hollered - run for the hills - but instead I called a guy who gave me another guys name. Turns out he is a really fine man and rather good certified electrician. He came right out and took one look and said he was going to have to turn off the power. So we are in the dark now? but no he left the power on in the main house as long as we didn't run anything heavy and since it was late in another evening it was soon time for beddy-by anyway.

So it is the morning of the third day and thank goodness we had installed a gas water heater (courtesy of the horror of Hugo the hurricane of '89) and I took a nice hot shower. Got a bowl of cereal, fixed one for the DH. Decided I was still hungry and wanted a piece of toast. I moved the toaster to a working outlet and put in the bread. Of course you don't often eat dry toast without a cup of something hot, so to the Microwave I went, put in the cup and pushed cook - a few seconds later the power said goodbye in the main part of the house. Too much current on the circuit the handy electrician left for us to use. OK been a long time since we sat in the same room with no TV between us. Strange but we managed until I finally went to find the portable radio/cassette/DVD player which needed batteries. You get the picture.

I finally decided to look through all those seeds gathered from GG friends and my gardens. Put a few seed on wet paper towels into plastic baggies to see if they would germinate. Have my first dome seed started open and ready to go for tomorrow. Going to put  my zinnia seed in there and several others. I have not used one of these before so I am eager to see how it does. Then I have my seed starting medium ready and will begin to sow lots of other seeds.

The helper of the electrician came to me and asked for a bandaid, I put one on the small place and had the feeling he was a little purturbed about the cut. Of course since I bore a boy child that to this day hates the sight of blood I didn't think too much about it. Later on he came for another and the first bandaid was soaked, and this time I was concerned - turns out he is a 'bleeder'. Well we cleaned it up and put on another bandaid. I was kind of glad when they finished because I had used up all my nursing skills.

All in all it has been at least a week and a half  just since Tuesday. Did go out for a bit today, bought a GEEK flash drive to save all my photos in since there are no negatives with digital cameras and I always delete them when I download them. Not a good idea maybe but that is what I have been doing.  Went to the jewlery place to ask about re-piercing the right earlobe. Since it still has a 'bump' there we decided to wait a bit longer. I don't have much hope that it will ever get done but will give it another try later.

I am really looking forward for my Dutch Bulb order soon. I need to destress after this week. Picked some daffodils before the big wind blew through. Didn't get much rain out of that front. All in all I do believe spring will not be far behind.

More to Come Later 

 

 

 

Birds, Buds
Feb 2, 2008 | 11:00 AM PST
Tags: birds , buds and bumps

And sunshine make for a good day. It did not start off that way however. Here is a bit I shared with Meska this morning.

"Good thing I slept well last night as in the dark of 6am I got up half asleep and banged into the bathroom door. Seems my hubby was already in there and it scared him. I went back to bed to recover from that fright in the night. and at 7am I heard him scream like a banchee, didn't know where he was, turns out he had fallen/sat down into the bathtub. There he sat like a chicken in boiling water with the shower curtain all around him. Not hurt but dumbfounded. He has weakness in his legs and arms but he managed to get up by himself for the most part. What a way to start the day.   I am going to go for a walk and then work with my inside plants and check for seeds that need to get started early, set up the sunroom for seed trays, try out a method to use those rope lights as a way to keep the trays warm and fill the bird feeders. It will feel good to do some 'dirt stuff'. "

I did take that walk and took the DH with me. Felt like it would be good for him to de-stress after his early morning happenings. Was a bit cool, a hooded sweatshirt felt good. And the neighborhood was busy with cars bringing youngsters to play basketball at the school across the street. Always something I enjoyed - just knowing the school was being used during the weekend. This is a great neighborhood, lots of people walk and jog, push the babes in the strollers. Has a good feel to it.

Then I managed to get 5 bird feeders and 2 suet feeders put out. Found a new one on a trip to Walmart that was on sale. I think it will be squirrel proof. We will see. I bought two types of summer flocks, one is an orange color and the other a bright pink. Think I will wait a couple of weeks before I put it out. Don't want them to get overly chilled.

Took a few pictures of things that are perking up in the yard and will post them later today. I think those are buds on my SunShine blueberry bush. I have three but only one has the buds. There are daffodils in bud and some other bulbs coming up from their deep sleep. Can't wait to see them. Sure hope we don't get a bad freeze just as they bloom. That is always so sad. Found several of my hardy Cyclamen have begun to show their heads

Yesterday Park Seed got an order for some copper plant stakes that were buy 1 get 1 free  and some seed for growing 'roses'?  It was too tempting not to try.  'Rose Angel' Rose  is the name and you can plug that in on their website to see them. Supposed to be easy to grow and flower the first year. I'll let you know.

I have a list ready to be sent to The Dutch Blub company where I have a credit for 16.99 due to a Razzmatazz coneflower did not make it.  Hardy Fuchsia, coneflower mix, bleeding heart (which I have not yet kept alive in the past), candle flower, yellow butterfly asclepias, firecracker flower, a Black Gamecock Iris (for my DH), and some everbearing strawberries.  With my $25 dollars off a $50 order and my credit, this will be a nice haul.

I must admit after all the 'before daylight' events in this house I do not have the energy level of most days. Still want to work in the sunroom and move some pieces around. I am going to put the little greenhouse away from the windows to start with and see how the seeds do with the grow light and the makeshift heat pad.  Have a good day!

More to Come Later