Rebekah Krieger of Penny Bird Boutique on Etsy creates digital art prints that are unique. One caught my eye on Pinterest yesterday and I went to her site to find some really nice things –
We’re having a quiet start to our Sunday. We MIGHT get some rain this afternoon, but the heat index is STILL forecast to be 107 even so. Mother Nature is feeling relentless.
Our irrigation system is finally working as it should. We have a couple of kinks in hoses, but they can wait, particularly if we have rain today.
Murray, my ‘cousin-in-law,’ (I think), but more importantly, a FRIEND I love to pieces, texted me yesterday, suggesting I might want to wait to try to replant suckers directly in the planter until this super-hot weather fades to ‘regular’ hot summer here. I think that’s wise, since new plants are stressed by any transplant – not even having to take in account the heat advisories we’re getting daily – so I’ll sure take her suggestion.
I did find some information on planting tomato suckers INDOORS – source: sarabackmo.com
Planting tomato suckers:
Fill a pot with soil, regular potting soil is fine.
Find the suckers along the stalk. They’re located where the leaves meet the stalk and are easy to find. Pick a larger one that has already developed flowers (if possible).
Cut the side shoot from the plant.
Remove the bottom leaves.
Use a stick to make a hole in the soil and plant the sucker. Make sure that it’s standing steadily in the soil.
You can put several suckers in the same pot if you want.
Water.
It only takes a few days before the sucker starts to develop new roots. You can plant your new tomato plant (either in the garden bed or a large pot) after about two weeks.
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I’m thinking about getting a few small pots ready, trying it – keeping the pots on a tray on the table where they get light and sun – and see what happens. Hopefully, my tomato plants won’t croak in this heat and I can try both ideas. :0)
If I can get our bills paid and the filing done, I’m thinking of working more on clearing off the drafting table upstairs so I can experiment with my wood burning tool. (I know I’ve been SAYING this and not DOING it. I’m having to watch my husband more closely lately, and the day whizzes past my head, blowing my hair as it goes.)
Whew. My husband came out to help with the irrigation system shortly after I went out. The unit for the back yard planters came on and we soon found we had a spewing leak in the hose. I finally managed to turn off the system so we could fix it. It turned out to be simply a blown connection, rather than a break in the hose, so it was quickly fixed. It took me quite a bit of time to get the unit on again, running it on ‘manual.’
Soon after, the 2nd unit, the one for the front planters, came on. All was good except for a kink in the hose going to one of the planters beside the front porch. My husband was able to make it workable while I checked the rest of the planters. He says he still needs to work on that, but I insisted we come in, get something cool to drink, and rest. We were both wringing wet.
I did turn on the part that will water the tomato suckers when I find and replant them, hopefully tomorrow morning early.
The temperature is 97 right now with a heat index of ONLY 106, rather than the 115 they were predicting. I feel as if I should feel cold…
Our heat index is supposed to be up to 115 today. UGH. I’m going to attempt to get the equipment I need outside today by the planter I’m going to use to try to get tomato suckers to grow, but probably won’t try to actually find and replant the suckers until tomorrow. I really don’t know how people survived heat like this (if they actually did) before air conditioning. I find I whine a lot about the weather, but a little more moderation would be greatly appreciated…
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I hate to brag, but I’m getting really good at ignoring my ‘to-do’ list lately. I’ve had the same stuff on it for several days now (some have even been on it for longer!) I only feel guilty for short periods, then I read, listen to music, play on my computer, or take a nap instead of accomplishing any of it.
Independent Living Aids
I smiled when I realized that my watch was more messed up than I am this morning. For some unknown reason, my watch said it was ‘1’ for the date. Looking further, I found that my watch thought it was March 1st. It’s been correct until this morning, so I have no clue. I reset it, but it’s a mystery why it went bonkers all of a sudden.
We lost power for just a few seconds yesterday. The public power came right back on, thankfully, but it keeps the fact that we have called for a technician to come look at our generator and the electrical hookups that cause it to turn on automatically when we lose power, and then turn off again when the public power comes back on. He was supposed to come Thursday. When I finally texted him Friday, he apologized and said he got hung up on a big project and would get to us next week. That’ll have to be good enough.
We have finally been without significant rain for long enough that my husband is grinning that he doesn’t have to mow. We have the irrigation system going now (we’re still trying to make sure all the planters are getting water) – but the systems only cover the planters – not the grass. My husband lives for “brown and crunchy grass” so it isn’t growing a foot as you watch.
Ontario Science Centre
We have a CHANCE for some rain tomorrow. I’m not sure what to hope for as far as rain goes with the 4th of July coming up. I love fireworks, and we enjoy the neighbors’ displays each year, but the fire danger is high right now. Hoping we can all celebrate and stay safe.
WEATHER – Heat index of 106 today, starting at around lunch time. That may be our normal forecast this summer. I can tell you I’m NOT a fan! hahahahaha – (pun inadvertent, but enjoyed.) :0)
HELP NEEDED – The man who had us on his schedule to come yesterday to look at our generator and the electricity associated with it didn’t come or call. I’m hoping we’re still on his schedule – hopefully today.
LAZIES – I’m trying to fight the lazies. I’m hoping that I’ll adapt to the weather, having to get chores done outside in the early (for me) morning or right before dark, and actually getting things done inside when it’s too hot outside. It’s definitely going to be a work in progress.
Wolff’s Apple House
GARDEN – The first thing on the list (other than ‘have-to’s,’) is gathering and planting suckers from my tomato plants in an attempt to lengthen our ripe tomatoes season. We’ve had a really nice crop this year. The plants themselves don’t look that great, but they’re producing really delicious tomatoes we’ve been devouring for lunch and dinner daily. I want to get the planting done by the end of the weekend. I’ll also set my alarm for 3pm today so I remember to get out and check the irrigation watering of the planters.
Unknown
ART ROOM – The second thing on my ‘stop-procrastinating-list’ is to clear off my drafting table in my art room so I can start experimenting with the new wood burning kit. So far, I start into the room and am immediately overwhelmed by all the STUFF on my drafting table that has to be moved before I can even THINK about working in there. I am trying to promise myself to at least spend 15 minutes each day in the attempt to move the mountain…
DEBATE – Kudos to CNN for the debate last night. It was the best handled presidential debate I personally have ever seen. Whoever came up with the idea of the microphone turn -off when it wasn’t one of the candidate’s turn to speak was inspired. Also, the lack of an audience. It was professionally done, with what I thought were good, fair questions and follow-up. The listener was able to see and hear the difference in policies and plans for the future, even though there was the regular blame game that is always a part of things. People have a clear choice in who they would like to lead them now. Kudos, CNN, and moderators.
I hope you have a nice Friday and an even better weekend ahead.
Yesterday I was finishing up things on my computer, getting ready to leave for my husband’s haircut when the sky changed from normal summer morning to BLACK. I knew we were under a ‘heavy thunderstorm warning,’ but this got my attention.
It turned out that we had to use our lights to get to town, got a bit wet when we got out of the truck, but otherwise the big storm was a non-event, for which I’m grateful. Our plants got a good watering, we saw evidence of wind, but no damage in town, on the way home, or in our yard. Just a bunch of leaves blown around. Whew!
There was actual steam coming up from the road, our driveway and our yard. By the time it dried up, the afternoon was almost gone. Today we’re back to normal summer.
We’re waiting for the generator repair/electrician to come sometime today. He said we’re ‘on his schedule,’ though we’re not sure when he will be here. We’ll just stick close to home and I’ll keep checking my phone to see if he has called. Hopefully, he can get things working correctly again without too much time or money.
I researched planting tomato suckers yesterday. I’m going to harvest ripe tomatoes today, then hopefully find and plant some suckers. We’ll see how the day goes.
Lately I have a lot of good intentions, but few actual results. I’m not sure what’s up with that….
It’s all my husband’s fault for being so nice last week. He asked me out to lunch on Friday. I was good, eating only part of my carefully chosen lunch and bringing home the rest. But then it was as if the dam broke.
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Shorter story – I gained 3 pounds over the next several days. :0( Now I’ve finally stopped the binge and am back to following my low carb plan and doing yoga – and yard work if Mother Nature isn’t being cruel – each day. I hope to be back to where I was very soon, and then will tackle the next 5 lbs.
I don’t know if my husband was just trying to encourage me to lose more lard, just being nice, or what, but he said last night that he ‘thought I was losing weight.’ He’s never been particularly quick to notice things (and, in some cases, that’s good) but it would SEEM that 30 pounds less of me would be a little more noticeable… But – he sees me daily, so I guess we both probably miss ‘details.’
We’re forecast to get a heavy thunderstorm mid morning – JUST at the time we’re out for a haircut appointment for my husband. No other rain today or for the next several days – JUST when we need to be out. I feel as if something may be hanging over our heads. Good thing we’re not water-soluble. :0)
Linn Acres Farms
I’ve decided to collect suckers from my tomato plants and plant them in the brick planter I used for lettuce and spinach that is vacant now. I’ve never tried it before, but the ‘directions’ online are very straight-forward: snip the sucker, plonk it into the ground, feed, and water. I can DO that. It won’t hurt if it’s a complete failure, and it would be great to prolong our ripe tomatoes for the season.
I’ll also make the ‘Sausage, Egg & Cheese Bake’ by Suzanne Ryan of Simply Keto for dinner tonight. We haven’t had that in a while and it makes enough for another couple of dinners for us. That and a salad with our fresh tomatoes will make a nice meal.
Linda is one of my long-time favorite people. She, Kay Nelson and I made up the core of ‘The Lunch Bunch’ – a group who met every possible Friday at The Pizza Barn to share what had happened the past week for more than 20 years.
Things change, though, and Lunch Bunch is no longer meeting. Linda moved to a really nice retirement place. Her daughter contacts me occasionally, asking if we want to meet her and Linda for lunch, but she wears many, many hats and has a too-full plate to do it often.
My massage therapist, Lynn Moody (479-629-7601), moved her massage center to Linda’s retirement place, so now I visit Linda after I get a massage once a month.
Linda THINKS she will be 85, but wasn’t sure. She is one of the sweetest people you would ever meet and my life has been so much richer knowing her. We had a good talk today, with lots of hugs. She is very much ‘in the moment’ now, having trouble with memory, but she seems to be finding fun things to do by herself and with others at the retirement place. I told her I was so pleased with her attitude about the changes to which she is adapting. We talked about the fact that ‘attitude is all,’ and that happiness is where we, ourselves, create it.
I’m lucky to call her friend. If you happen to think of it, send mental ‘happy birthday’ wishes in her direction Saturday. :0)
I had my magnificent massage this morning. My friend Linda really liked her birthday present. She loves turtles, so I got her this one –
It’s solar powered, so it acts like a super night light. I wish you could have seen her face. She is such a beautiful lady.
I did my other errands, fixed lunch, and then took a really great nap. I’m a really spoiled lady. I feel good now.
It looks like we’ll have a record-breaking summer. Usually it’s hot, but dangerous heat indices are not regularly a daily occurrence. Today the temperature is forecast for 98 with a heat index of 109. I’m super grateful we have good a/c.
When I was on my way to town the square was starting to decorate for the 4th of July. My hair was blowing as I realized how FAST the time is going.
We are not feeling the least bit industrious around here in this heat – just moving slowly inside – trying to conserve energy. Amber is spreading out on the cooler tiles in the bathroom between the living room and the dining area, and even the wonky cat, Jet, is stretching out, sleeping a lot.
As with the probable A.I. orange critters, I’ve found that I treasure the creativity shown when people create decals that LOOK like stained glass and can be enjoyed by normal folks at affordable prices. Here are some examples – some ‘real’ stained glass – some decals –
Free-Spirited Expressions – Priscilla Marie – Pinterest
I’m still limping around a bit after having a Charley Horse this morning about 4am. My sweet husband massaged my calf again when I came downstairs, rubbing some pain cream in. The pain is easing and I’m loosening up some now. I’ll drink more water today and do more mindful stretching in my yoga practice this afternoon.
We’ll do exciting stuff today, such as gathering the trash and driving it down to the bottom of the driveway, getting our mail, and grocery shopping before spending the rest of the day inside, since the temperature is supposed to get to 100 degrees F. today with a heat index of 111. That’s insane.
Thankfully, the programming I did on our two water timers (we now have one of each of the above) for our irrigation system yesterday WORKED, so the planters for the flowers and tomatoes will get the water they need mid-afternoon. If this weather continues, though, I’ll probably lengthen the time of watering from each unit.
Etsy
I’ll work on clearing off my drafting table in my art room this afternoon in preparation for trying out my new wood burning kit. I’m really hopeful that the lighter, different tool design and wire tips will allow me to practice enough to be able to create some things. I have all I need now, except for the skill…. :0)
LovedTheParty.com – Marilyn Lewis – PinterestMelle Lee-Pinterest – sorry, I can’t read the words at the bottom that give clearer credit.SLH-PinterestWendy Baryo-Pinterestyoutube.com
These may be ‘real’ playing with your food art, or it has been pointed out to me that it may be A.I. I don’t really care. I think the creativity shown in these is wonderful. I celebrate however it was created and am glad to share it with you. :0)
Charlie Stone-PinterestElla-PinterestHealth is Life-Pinterest
I just went out to the well house to see when our two irrigation system water timers are set to begin today so I can monitor the watering.
We have two different models of the same brand, so the directions on creating the settings are different. I couldn’t tell when they were set to start, so I came back in, got the the directions for each, plus my glasses, and went out again.
I saw that the two units had two different ‘current times’ on them, so I tackled that first. I looked at the new system, trying to scroll through the different settings, and that was confusing. I then noticed that by scrolling through, some of the settings had changed, so I started over.
I now THINK I have the new system for the back set to start at 3pm. I THINK I have the system in the front set to start at 3:20pm, each of them running for 10 minutes automatically, every day.
I now have an alarm set so I’ll go out to check the watering starting at 3pm. WHEW!
I feel lazy because I have always depended on my husband to install and program stuff around here. Our situation has changed now. He installed the new system yesterday for the back, but didn’t think to check the batteries in the old system. It turns out that the old system was fine and just needed new batteries. So that’s the first lesson for me – check to see if there ARE batteries and see if changing them causes the system to work again.
We put the old unit in the well house on the shelf as a back up if we need it.
If I haven’t programmed the systems right, I’ll find out at 3pm and I can try again. If they DO work, I’ll monitor to make sure the water is going to the right places with no kinks in the hoses, breaks in the system, etc.
I’m feeling humble and stupid because what should probably be intuitive – (our son can look at something and start ‘messing’ with it, figuring how to program it faster than I can find the directions in the file cabinet) – ISN’T intuitive for ME. I have to read the directions carefully, taking them out there with me (remembering my glasses) and then painfully work my way through the settings.
I’m getting quite a few character-building exercises on how to be a functioning adult these past few days. I’m working on my attitude about it, trying to find a ‘can-do’ person in there somewhere, and the determination to make this work as it should. Fingers crossed!
creativeartworksblog 