The weather this past week has been wonderful. Crisp and cool when you wake, warm during the day and then cool again in the evening. I suppose we wouldn't appreciate it if it was like this all the time ..... but I would be willing to try!
This is the garden I "built" for my bestie, Martha. It is three years old now and the grass and weeds had begun to take over. I should have taken some "before" shots, but hind sight and all that. I didn't. Use your imagination. It was awful. There were weeds as tall as me. Martha swore they were going to bloom and that she liked them.
Andrea of the green thumb and I knew better. They were weeds and the only thing they were going to do was spread their seed until they fully took over. I worked alone some days and Andrea worked alone some days, some of the time we worked in unison. I kept asking myself why I had made it so big, Andrea was asking me that, too.
Those tall weeds had completely blocked the view of the rustic little bench. Grass was everywhere, choking out the flowers. Andrea was all about pulling the grass and weeds out, Martha took the weed whacker to the grass ....... leaving those tall weeds. I gathered all the newspapers and cardboard I could find. We weeded around the flowers and then laid cardboard or newspapers on top of the grass and weeds. Covered it with a very thick layer of mulch.
The Sycamore tree is impressive. It was only a twig about 2 feet tall when I carefully dug it up and planted it here. After the first winter, Martha declared it to be dead, along with the Maple trees I planted. Martha can be impatient, but I think she would agree that she was happy to be proved wrong. Cosmos are blooming and I added 7 cone flower plants and some Hostas under the trees.
A Birch tree was blocking the view and I cut it down, along with those hideous weeds. I found these interesting limbs in my wood pile and roped them together around the stub of that Birch tree. There are 4 birdhouses and I need one more to finish. See the round one at the highest point?
I was swinging it by the chain it had been hanging from on my front porch as I walked to the golf cart where the gorilla glue waited. I had another one in my other hand. I heard a buzzing sound and then saw a wasp, then another. I thought they were coming from the other bird house and I tossed it to the ground as I moved away to put some distance between me and the stinging insects.
So, I am walking in circles, trying to figure out just why the wasps are following me, when I realize that I am carrying them in the swinging bird house. I grabbed my can of wasp spray from the golf cart (it is, after all my defense weapon). I managed to kill them all and not get stung.
This garden was a long project. I have been working on it all summer. It was a little overwhelming, to say the least. I don't know that I could have done it without Andrea's help. I would have, it just wouldn't be done just yet. There is well over 400 buckets of mulch in that garden. A lot of my sweat and maybe even a drop or two of blood. I have asked everyone to stop me if I try to create another one that big!
He Who is a lover of novelties and broken motors to tinker with, found this on one of his many trips to obtain parts and Diet Coke. Hey, at least he was thinking of me!
So, I warned that I would be back to my old griping self and here I am. The weather leaves me with absolutely nothing to complain about. People, on the other hand .......
So, the folks with the fifth wheel that plowed down my garden and moved a boulder finally left today. They paid for a week and then waited two days and came up to pay for the extra days. The woman did. English is not her first language and I was as patient as I could be while explaining to her that she was speeding and traveling the wrong way on a one-way road while I made the transaction. She must have understood because she did not speed again, nor did she go the wrong way. They were strange, these folks. People usually give me too much information and I know why they are here, where they are going and what they did before they got here. Not them. They ended up staying two weeks and we watched as they pulled out. They did indeed bend the axle on their fifth wheel. Had they asked we would have directed them to a place to fix it. Oh well.
I was going about my business when I noticed a couple on foot, with a dog (pit bull mix) in tow walk into the park. I had misgivings as I asked if I could be of assistance. The dog was friendly and we all know how I feel about canine creatures. They are on their way to Michigan and have run out of money. They need a tent site for two days until his SSI benefits are deposited into his account. They have no money.
I saw He Who mows pulling in and decided to push this one off on him. Let him be the bad guy and say no. What kind of fool am I? He stopped to pet the dog .......... and of course they are staying.
They promised not to run out on us and that would stop in Friday morning and pay as promised. I hope so.
He Who is a sucker for a dog and I went for a golf cart ride to discuss the things I wanted him to do and ended up at the new tenants site. Not only do they have the pit bull, they also have a dachshund! I had to stop and pet him, since he looks just like my Oscar. Well, not nearly as handsome, but the same colors. Poor old guy (he is 12) has a rash on his tail. It was red and angry looking. I would have referred them to my vet, but ...... they have no money. I off loaded my passenger (He Who was riding with me) and went inside to forage through my pet remedies. Yes, I am a sucker. I took them some cortisone shampoo and some lotion the vet had prescribed for an itchy rash Toni Louise had once.
If they rip me off, it won't be the first time and I will sleep well knowing that the dog will be feeling better.
My sunflower tree! About 12 feet tall. The lone bloom looks like a topper for a Christmas tree.
Sad that the bloom is about to fade. Soon the petals will fall and only the seeds will remain. It is already the end of July. This season has flown by.
I had a wonderful birthday full of good wishes and gifts. I took a nap!! That was so nice. I think every day should include a nap. Barb surprised me with the cutest necklace. A tiny diamond studded dachshund. Cujo was properly impressed that I am now adorned with his likeness.
After my nap, leaving He Who hates the office in charge, I relieved him to go tinker with the Volkswagon. He killed my little car. Won't even start. Must be all the junk that is stowed in it's tiny interior.
He Who is loathe to walk anywhere texted me to inquire about my dinner wishes. We settled on Chinese take out and while he was about the business of procuring the vittles, another surprise appeared. Camper Ginger entered with two plates. Really more like platters. Steak cooked to perfection per camper DJ and roasted potatoes, sliced tomatoes, broccoli, and pasta with cheese. Thanks to Andrea and Tim, too.
The Chinese went in the fridge and I did not have to cook yesterday either. I should have birthdays more often ..... and always on a weekend.
Lest you think I still have nothing to complain about ..... not to worry, I will be back to my critical self on the next post. So many options for that one ......
Strange weather here in the middle of the great state of Missouri. Perfect sleeping weather last night with a tiny chill in the air. Made me snuggle with Cujo under the quilt. Still nice when I got up and started my day.
Listened to the forecast as I sipped my coffee. I was warned that the day would be hot and sultry, reaching 90 by 3:00. That motivated me to stop at one cup of coffee and head outside to enjoy it while I could. I mowed the dog park and pulled vines and weeds. The constant breeze and low temperature kept me from even breaking a sweat. That was good, because I am pretty sure I pulled some poison ivy vines out of the tree. The sweat would be a conduit for spreading.
I even got my side yard mowed and turned the soaker hoses on before I headed in to shower and scrub away any poison on my skin. It was overcast and I figured it would rain if I irrigated my gardens ........
Some of my favorite weekenders came in late last night and the kids found me in the dog park. They came to offer birthday wishes to me and surprise me with a cupcake and gifts!! My birthday is tomorrow, but I was so touched. Kaleb is one of the cutest little guys I know. Actually, he is not so little anymore. I have watched him grow up from a toddler.
So, here I sit, at almost 2:30, windows still open with a pleasant cool breeze coming in. Must be about 75 or so out there. I am not complaining! No swimmers to break my chain of thought. Just the sound of a fan and the birds singing. All I need now is a pillow for my neck and the rocking chair on the front porch.
No complaints at all ....... this is just not like me!
You would think I would be accustomed to loud voices. He Who wears hearing aids has managed to lose his. He lost them earlier this year while mowing (still a mystery to me why he had them on to mow) and found one. But last week he lost that one. Watching TV with him is painful.
So, today, a young woman with her nearly two year old came to swim. I continued thinning my Zinnia bed as they frolicked in the water. They were so loud, mother and daughter. I thought maybe it was because their voices were echoing in the pool.
I was wrong. Dad joined them and they are now in my store, seated at the table where I entertain my besties. The child is apt to outbursts of the ear splitting variety and the parents are carrying on a conversation as if they are in their home. LOUD. Why they have chosen to enchant me with their presence, I have no idea. I did not encourage this. I have blatantly ignored them as they eat their ice cream and gossip about their family members.
I had to stick a finger in my ear to hear the woman on the phone as I tried to take information for a reservation. I said, "I'm sorry, I can't hear you." loud enough for them to hear me over their child's temper tantrum. Did not faze them in the least.
I just heard the daddy tell the little girl that they would need to wait 30 minutes to go back out to the pool! No way am I sitting here listening to this for 30 minutes! I might have to resort to my hornet spray!
My volunteer sunflowers continue blooming in the fire pit. The barn looks like it is leaning in this picture. The wind finally blew both doors down and I have begun my relentless campaign to have them replaced. At least one cannot see all the junk He Who is a wanna be Fred Sanford has accumulated with the doors up.
I have Asiatic lilies! I didn't plant these either, but I have noticed them in several of my gardens.
Today should "feel like" 101 degrees. I confess that I am not looking forward to that. But, ....... the swimmers will be out in force. Good thing I have restocked ice cream.
I answered the phone as usual, identifying the place of business. "Is this Kan-Do Kampground?"
I am tempted to say that I just said that it was, but I just answer in the affirmative. "Is your alls's pool open?" Again, I say yes. "Well, I wasn't sure, what with all that cold weather we just had, I figured you all might have drained it and shut it down ........" Again I say that the pool is open daily from 11 am until 7 pm and give the price per person; my usual litany of information. "Oh, I ain't coming to swim, I was just wondering."
So happy to be of service to your wondering mind. Cold? It was not cold. The temperatures were in the 70's during the day and the 50's at night. That's not cold, that's perfect!
See here, where the wheels of the trailer entered my garden, plowed over the day lilies ....
leaving tire tread on the boulder, then taking out more day lilies .....
There was a boulder here.
Now it is here. I really don't know how he managed to disengage the trailer from the boulder. I don't know how he managed to turn so sharp as to bring the tires of the fifth wheel he was pulling over that far. My driveways are wide, my parking lot enormous .......... cause, you know, it is an RV park. Big trucks and motor homes frequent us.
The day lilies are hardy, they will grow back. The boulder can stay there until the next time we have use of the front end loader. But, his axle had to have sustained damage. He is here until Wednesday. His wife drove a car and next time I encounter her, I will have to educate her about the meaning of "one way" and "10 MPH." You would think after the incident they would be a little cautious.
While the downloading of the photos took place (painfully slow) I was pondering the oddities of life. Take laundry and socks, for instance. It always makes me happy when I have an even number of socks come out of the washer. It is a good omen. But, although I had 6 socks belonging to He Who favors those of the over the calf variety, all in black, there was only one actual pair in the six. I try to buy all the exact same kind of socks for him (knowing him as I do), but I sometimes encounter a bargain I can't refuse. Not that many brands carry the over the calf socks, so you would think I couldn't have stocked many different kinds in his over flowing sock drawer. They are all black, but some are a different weight. Light for summer and heavy for winter. I carefully pair them and lay them ever so neatly in the drawer.
So, why do you suppose he feels the need to un-pair them and mismatch them? I would think it would be uncomfortable to have a winter sock and a summer sock on. Never mind. I am just thankful he doesn't wear them with shorts.
In the midst of my pondering the sock dilemma, a man entered the store in a cloud of cigarette smoke and body odor. He enquired about the kind of bait I stocked (night crawlers) and then frowned at me in disappointment. He asked about my price and he exhaled loudly to indicate it was too high. I was doing that shallow mouth breathing thing to keep from gagging.
He bought two dozen and a bag of ice. I went and gathered it all for him to keep as far away as I could and facilitate a quick exit on his part. I watched as he strode back to his vehicle. An older two door sedan pulling a flat trailer loaded with what looked like household items covered in large trash bags. He leaned in to the open window and a woman handed out a very small Styrofoam cooler. He filled it with ice and still had half the bag left. This seemed to confuse both of them as they handed the half bag back and forth. Finally the woman took possession of it. I don't know what she did with it, maybe it is still in her lap.
There was a luggage carrier affixed to the roof of the car and he opened it and retrieved a bag of something that he threw into the dumpster. I was mesmerized as I stood watching at the door. The glass door tinted, so that I see out, but you can't see in. He fiddled with the rope he had holding the lid to the carrier down. The latches must have been broken. Then he looked all around before jumping through the window and into the drivers seat. I am guessing the door was no longer functional.
It occurs to me that I am easily entertained.
