WELL! That Was Fun!

The Christmas Dragon arrived soon after we bought in the tree.

Hibiscus happily did not have any bud drop when I brought it in.  Blooming like crazy.  Flowers are actually much pinker than in the photo.

I will probably replace the tree photos.  Too much reflected light.

 Due to health problems and general obliviousness we forgot, put aside getting the car inspected.  Until we got a notice from the DMV that we had a week to pass the emissions test or else the car would have its license revoked....whatever that means.  DMV does enjoy making threats it does not carry through on.

Whatever!  Auto definitely needed to get inspected etc.  Put in a call to the shop I have dealt with for the last fifteen years.  Brought it down the next day.  Happily it passed the emissions test, so that dealt with the DMV.  Unhappily it needed much work for safety, new front tires,  brakes, fortunately calipers were okay, muffler, tail pipe and other things.....Cost was over $2000.00 which is heart stopping!  On the other hand this is the first work it has needed in three years, so it averages out to not so bad. 

 I always say when it costs more to repair in a year than car payments then it's time to start looking for a new vehicle.  Der Blau Reiter (The Blue Rider) still runs like a champ, gets good milage, and the body is in excellent condition.

Meanwhile life goes on.  We repotted a white pine that had outgrown its too small bucket for at least a year.  It's kind of funky and cute.  Toes crossed it will be our tree for years to come.  The Christmas Dragon has already arrived so we do have dragon approval.

As always, stay safe, and thanks for stopping by……………*s*

Nemises!

 What’s happening?  Two posts in the same month?  WOW!

Some not great photos of a teapot I have had hanging around for far too many years.  Made it over a form and as soon as I bisqued it I asked myself why I did not send it too the recycle bucket.  Instead I have let it haunt me over time.  A few days ago I bit the bullet and painted it with a design I have used many times.  The colors look odd because they are waxed with Mr. Mark’s Wax On which has a bright pink coloring in it.

Not sure what I will do with it once it’s fired.  It might look nice with a ferny type of plant in it.  It also might look nice as driveway fill.

We’ll see, grasshopper………….we’ll see.

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

It’s Been A While!

It’s been so long since I posted that I am not sure anyone is even bothering to check in!  TWO MONTHS!  Really, Suzi!!!

The hibiscus I brought in when frost threatened a few weeks back, has begun to bloom.  Fortunately there was no bud drop, which can be huge problem when bringing tropicals in.  The flowers are not as big or as bright as whn they bloom outside, but still pretty and much appreciated.

 I am not going into my list of woes.  Suffice it to say I am trying to prep for the winter doldrums that come mid-January.

We are doing a little Thanksgiving here at home with just Proge and me,  We even split the turkey in half.  It will be done on the grill, weather permitting.

Wishing all a peaceful and joyful Thanksgiving.

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

 

Tomatoes and……

A paper wasp nest on one of the hanging solar lights that illuminate the years at night.  A definitely odd site to choose .  They generally prefer a certain amount of shade; this is in full sun.  So far it hasn’t bothered us.  We are making sure screens have no holes and are tightly installed.

 

Look!  There are actual tomatoes forming.  I have a feeling this will become an indoor plant this year.

 

We are beginning to think about hurricane prep.  Even if we don’t get hit. (Toes Crossed!) it’s time to begin the general fall clean-up.

Off to yet another doc appt.  This time for eyes.

We’ll see, grasshopper………..we’ll see……….

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

Rabbit

Volunteer!

Yes!  I am growing vegetables this summer! 

 Well, this one tomato which was a volunteer I found in an outdoor planter.  Last week I transplanted it to a larger pot.  And look!  It has flowers!  I am most hopeful that I will actually have a few tomatoes.... eventually.  I will bring it into the sunroom if it looks worthwhile.

Many years ago I had a volunteer in my garden with fruit just a bit larger than cherry tomatoes.  I saved the seed for years....until I did. not.  Toes crossed that this little guy puts out something worth saving.

 Meanwhile I am enjoying messing around with the green plants, making new cuttings, encouraging bamboo., and all that jazz!

And the not so enjoyable process of getting the pool back to normal.  It went completely bloooey while I was down with Lyme and turned a lovely shade of green  which is great for plants, not so great for swimming pools.  The way things have been going I should get it clean and balanced in time to shut it down for the winter.

We are having cool nights.  It's been in the very low 60ºs when I go out to feed the birds at dawn. It warms up during the day so I spend as much time as I can on the deck, (I bought a nice, big umbrella to replace the one that was shot) or out by fish pond or pool.  Even though the pool is not swimmable it's still enjoyable to sit by the water.

The hummingbirds just came to the petunias.  I don't put out feeders due to squirrels and other fauna messing with them.  The love the flowers petunias, fuchsias, wild impatience to name a few.  Wish I could get a good photo but so far they are just too fast.

So odd to think that we are in the latter half of August.  I still have my toes crossed for a long, warm autumn.

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

P.S.  Special birthday shoutout to my FB friend Barb Rogers.  Happy Birthday!  Keep on truckin'

Or Perhaps Here….?

Moving plants around on the deck seems to have become a new hobby.  Every few days I have been rearranging and pushing pots around.  I’ll probably be happy with them a week before it’s time to bring them in.

First up is the Aloe Plantation…..because doesn’t everyone need numerous aloes, grasshopper?  Okay!  Perhaps I am a bit obsessive.  Last year when I was cutting back and rerooting some plants I stuck the old roots with just the stumps showing in the black pot at the bottom of the picture.  Lots of new plantlets… pups are growing.

The big ferns are loving all the rain this summer.  I am going to need a crane to get some of them inside in September.  I have been taking cuttings and potting up babies.  Really, this does have a purpose,  My sun room is my winter green room, a necessity for surviving winter.

 I am coming to the end of taking doxy for my bout of Lyme.  Fortunately the tests came back negative for any other diseases.

We have had huge downpours over the last few days.  It’s so nice to have lush greenery and not have to worry too much about fires.  On the other hand because I have been out of commission the pool has turned a lovely shade of green.  Something else to keep me occupied and out of trouble.

FB is still not letting me comment on any comments made.  I do read and appreciate them.

As always stay safe, and thanks for stopping by……….*s*’

And So It Goes!

A rather blurry picture of a typical Bull’s Eye Rash that is a symptom of Lyme Disease.  Noticed it last night, calling doc this morning.

AAARRRGGGHHH!!!

Stay safe, watch out for ticks……..thanks for stopping by…………*s*

 

Summer!

 I have finally gotten a small portion of the deck cleaned so it’s possible to sit out here under my new umbrella.

The hibiscus are loving the weather and are blooming like crazy.  As are the petunias which have all come from wintered over seed..I really should keep better notes as to which seed I have actually saved and which has just come up from old planters.  The hummingbirds started coming a few days ago.  Wish I were fast enough to get a photo; it’s enough to know that they are coming. I don’t put up feeders as the squirrels knock them down.  Hummingbirds love bright flowers.  I may try to find a few fuchsias to add to the lot.

I love sitting out here and listening to the silence.  Not really silent as the falling water of the pond filter adds to the ambience.  These are the days when I truly love being in the woods.  It’s not as isolated as my old property but it’s still pretty nice.

Work on the gardening has been slow due to my mobility problems.  However I will be harvesting catnip, oregano, and thyme.  I am going to plant basil for the fourth and, toes crossed, last time.  Every time I plant we have torrential downpours which wash away and/or rot it in the ground. This time I am planting in my window boxes, of which I have many.  At least when a deluge comes I can cover them.  We’ll see, grasshopper……..we’ll see…….

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

Look. What I Found!

 

These are the last whistles I put in the top of the last time we lit the wood stove back in late March or early April and promptly forgot about them.  Took them out last week, wiped them down and gave a coat of she polish. Ther are three chickens and two little whales.  They all whistle very nicely.

 

 I should really work on adding more holes for greater tonal range.

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

Well! This is fun!...or...

Do I get cheese with this whine? 

This winter has been one thing after another.....

1. My A!C went up over 7 so I agreed to go on Metforman.  This one is not a fun occurrence as the side effects have been too numerous and gross to go on about.

2. My right leg and hip have really been feeling the cold this winter.  Without thinking I went to my local Wally-World and proceeded to walk over a mile to turn myself into a walking zombie.  How do I know how much I walked?  When my clients would refuse to walk in the park we would go to said Wally and walk there, me with my pedometer!

3. I also have very early stages of leukemia.  White blood count up enough to keep an eye on, but no treatment needed.  Cancer specialist is keeping an eye on me, but has said that most cases treatment is ten to fifteen years down the line.......oh something to look forward to in my nineties!

4. Eyes, went in for a routine exam.  No problems with diabetes vision....BUT found a tear in my right retina, which could mean very serious future problems.  Have been seeing a retina specialist! The photos he took of left and right retinas for comparison are other worldly.  We are a universe unto ourselves.  Think I may do some art with this one!

So my world seems to be dissolving into making the rounds of various docs, all of whom have been very kind and supportive....BUT for someone who has few health problems this sums up as a major drag!

At least the daffodils and crocuses are blooming.  Late, which is strange considering how mild the winter was ( and yes I am finally feeling okay about putting winter in the past tense).  It just stayed just below freezing for ages.

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

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

P.S.  04/13/23.......Blogger/ Google is not letting reply to posts.  This is a thanks to all who have commented.  Eventually I will get this figured out!.............*s*

Amaryllis

 This probably the last amaryllis to bloom this year.  I bought the bulb on sale just after Christmas.  I'm not sure if I have had this one in the past.

I do have bunch of bulbs that I will probably plant, just to keep them going.

Meanwhile I am enjoying bright blooms on a dull, gray day.

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

February First

Hares and Rabbits

Happy Imbolc 

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

Three Kings Day

Old Christmas is past

Twelfth Tide is the last

As we bid you adieu

Great joy in the new. 

My Santas have gathered from around the world to wish everyone a Happy Twelfth Day.

In old times it was a Feast of Fools and merriment! 

It's also the beginning of Mardi Gras season. King cake?

A little foolishness can be a good thing.

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

January 1,2023

Never a Christmas morning,

Never an old year ends,

But someone thinks of someone.

Old days, old times, old friends. 

Wishing all a joyful, happy, and healthy New Year!

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