Catnip

 

Catnip grows and grows and................

I have a field of it growing under the deck.  This is from a small plant I stuck in this planter a few years ago, because it's in my DNA to never discard a potentially viable plant.  It has come back for at least three years, maybe more.  When I had seven cats some with digestive problems I used to sprinkle finely ground catnip on their food and even in their kibble.  Not sure why but it stopped all the vomit-comet problems.

Now that I am down to two kittehs I just harvest what is in the planter and leave the rest.  If I ever get the energy to do a large garden again I will do some sort of border with it.  Rabbits, chipmonks  and all avoid it like crazy.

Interesting thing about the planter.  Catnip is the only thing that has ever survived in it.  A planter that kills plants...........NICE!

More warm days ahead.  The humidity has dropped a bit so very nice for sitting outside. 

As always, thanks for stopping by..........*s*

JULY!

 HARES & RABITS!

Still wondering where June went.

Here in southern Rhode Island we are having heat wave.   Don't tell anyone but I love summer weather.  Yes, it's a time to be careful.......drink plenty of liquids, stay out of the direct sun (Mad Dogs and Englishmen!) and all that jazz.

The pool has some major problems but is still a nice place to sit under an umbrella  and  enjoy Mother Nature.

As always, thanks for stopping by.........*s*

Summer is Here

 Litha blessings on this Summer Solstice

May the sun shine on your life

May the breezes cool your blow

 May the rains water your garden

May the earth let you bloom

As always, thanks for stopping by............*s*

June.....Where'd Ya Go?

  

It's finally feeling a bit more like summer.  I have even switched back to cotton sheets.  I had my doubts that it would ever be warm enough for that.  We would have days of warm weather then a streak of days in the sixties and lower.  Doesn't seem right that we are past the middle of June with the solstice upon us.

Above is my deck umbrella with a new patch.  It got torn  with a good size three corner tear when it was being removed from storage.  I spent days considering how best to fix it, then remembered that many years ago I bought a roll of fusible webbing.  I think I was going to save some old T-shirts.  I dug it out and decided that a cloud patch would look okay.  I put on the patch and went to work with some permanent markers.  I also patched the underside.  I normally would't bother but since this is outside braving the elements, I decided to be cautious. Well. see, grasshopper........Well see.........

With the warmer weather I am finally getting the deck in order.  It's time to buy morning glory seedlings and perhaps fuchsias, if I can find some small ones.

Flag Day was. largely ignored by the world, yet is is good to remember that June fourteenth,  1777 is the day the Continental Congress made Old Glory the official emblem of the USA.  It was also my sister-in-law's birthday.  She died in 1996 at far too young an age. 

I am going to watch the opening of the Obama Center tomorrow.  A fine way to celebrate Juneteenth.  There are many small things to give us hope in these troubled times. This is a joyful big one.

As always,  thanks for stopping by.........*s*

Memories

Memorial Day has passed in clouds and drizzle.  I spent time remembering the loved ones who I consider casualties of war, even though they did not die in battle.  The bitterness I feel over lives wasted  is always with me.  Generally it's deep in the background of my life, but Memorial Day brings......memories.

We are finally enjoying a bit of spring weather....well a few days at least.  I changed the bed to cotton sheets from the winter flannel and put away my duvet........again.  Perhaps third time is the charm.

Well see, grasshopper..........well see...........

Meanwhile I hope to.. finish cleaning the deck so I can get my plants out and umbrella up..........if all goes well. One step at a time.

As always, stay strong and thanks for stopping by..............*s*

Excuse Me While I Obsess!

 For many years I have said about myself that if I don't have any real problems I will inflate minor ones to the size of the Rockies and proceed to obsess until I am in a sea of anxiety.  I have also learned to slow down, make a list of said anxiety, do deep breathing and reflect.

I am currently at list making as I am going to the intake appointment for my long overdue colonoscopy next week.  The intake is easy.  And really, the worst part of a colonoscopy is the prep.

There are times when I feel like my social life is based on doctors' visits.

Just need to figure out transportation, which should not be a huge problem, but still.......!

We'll see, grasshopper.............we'll see.........

Meanwhile spring is finally happening.  I received some money for my birthday so I bought a blower-sweeper thingie that has been terrific for clearing leaves out of unwanted places.  I just have to remember to charge the batteries!  So much easier than hauling around extension cords!  

I bought a white passion flower yesterday.  I used to grow many different varieties and winter them over very successfully.  This is a small start toward rebuilding the collection.  Because if a little is good a whole lot more is better!

Stay strong, and as always, thanks for stopping by..................*s*

WELL! This is Fun

 Birthday #83 was last Saturday.  By way of celebration I managed yo do something to my lower back on Friday. night.  I leaned over the pick up stuff off the couch on my way to bed.  Big OUCH!  Slowly getting better, but not how I would prefer to celebrate anything.

On a happier note.  I try to give myself a smallish treat every year for my own celebration.  This year it's one of Kathleen Burke's. IMAGINE mugs.  Love the image of all these people hand in hand.  It's a most pleasant mug to drink from, which I suppose should be a main purpose!

I signed up for Karen Abend's Sketchbook Challenge this year.  I have really enjoyed Sarah Mitchell's pre-challenge video on making the Australian Piano Hinge book.  So far I have made three.  I haven't kept up with the daily challenges due to feeling so lousy.  I may start playing catch-up today.

We are finally having warm weather.  Actually we had several days of what felt more like summer.  After some very noisy thunderstorms late yesterday it's been cooling down to what passes for normal here.  Of course that doesn't mean we couldn't have snow by Wednesday.  Hey!  It happens!

My first impulse was to start moving plants to their outside summer places.  Then I remembered one year, many years ago now, that I did that and the temps promptly dropped to near freezing.  Which then resulted in me frantically covering everything with blankets.  So I will refrain for a few more weeks.  Meanwhile it's a good time to get things clean and neat for the coming summer.

Daffodils are in bloom, late but so appreciated.  Also have vinca and lily of the valley are showing progress. Morning walks around the garden/lawn with a cup of tea are definitely in order.

Stay strong, and as always, thanks for stopping by.............*s*