These are the smaller iceberg head lettuce plants from several days ago. I lost one overnight, but these two still seem to be viable.
The are the larger, leggy plants I planted yesterday. I’m pleased to see these are still alive. I’ve decided to pour water in the bottom of the saucers and let the plants draw the water up, rather than watering from the top down.
This is one side of the greenhouse.
This is the opposite side.
The far end.
The door end.
The side from outside.
Amber, my greenhouse helper.
Later, I’ll try to find tomato sucker plants.
Stephen King-Camping-EcoCampPanchgani-Wordpress.com
I finished “Dark in Death,” Nora Roberts/J.D. Robb’s #46 in the series a couple of days ago. It was wonderful to totally immerse myself in the unusual world and vivid characters, re-reading ALL 46 of them in preparation for the “Leverage in Death” paperback due out in December that I preordered.
I feel lucky to be surrounded by many wonderful books, some of which are teaching me things, such as how to grow things in my greenhouse; others which allow me to enjoy favorite worlds and forget any problems I might have; still others which stimulate creative juices with pictures and descriptions of art techniques I’d like to try, plus recipe books supplying delicious meals I can try to replicate while trying to eat healthy.
They are, indeed, magic.
sayingimages.com
Yesterday was a very quiet day around here.
I’m starting a new round of cleaning out-cleaning up in my house, starting in our office, and made some good progress while my husband – whose computer is finally working again! – worked on a program to show prices on the stocks we hold. The only time we went out was when I went to get the mail – taking Amber, who will go anywhere, anytime in the car, with me.
I did fight with more fire ants who were ‘disturbed’ when the Fedex guy ran into the palette of bags of potting soil that lives at the far side of the driveway area. I really hosed down the whole pile of bags with EIGHT spray, then went back a couple of hours later and did it again. I also took some time to spray a few new ant areas that have popped up in the past few days. This is definitely ‘Year of the Fire Ants’ and I guess only a hard freeze will actually get rid of them significantly. (At least I HOPE)
We cooked out last night. The dogs and cats were with us on the deck. We had a nice breeze as the sun went down. We lit the LED rope lights that go around the deck just under the top, making everything quite festive. Soon the air was filled with the glorious smell of steak grilling on charcoal.
Quiet day. Full of love.
Filed under Amazing Animals, Family, quality of life
“Between Water and Earth” – Paul Militaru Photography
Filed under Paul Militaru Photography
Crestock.com
I told you I planted 5 iceberg head lettuce plants recently. Three of them are still alive. They’re really small, but they’re better than NO lettuce plants. Today I found a six-pack of some really leggy iceberg lettuce plants and snapped them up. I just came in from planting them in the greenhouse.
I still have everything open out there, with the exhaust fan coming on when it gets too hot and a 2nd fan on all the time. The door on the opposite end of the greenhouse is propped open with a metal chair. The thermometer said between 95 and 100 degrees when I planted the lettuce. I’m not sure if the sweet plants will live with it that hot out there, but the evenings are cool and some cooler weather is on the way.
Tomorrow, if it isn’t raining, I’ll try to find suckers on my tomato plants and get them started in the greenhouse too.
This is a grand ‘fall’ experiment. I would really love to have lettuce and tomatoes until it freezes really hard here. That MIGHT be as late as February, if we’re lucky. Then around the first of March, I’ll start some plants for the spring garden!
I’m reading everything I can find on how to start and grow plants in my greenhouse. Frustratingly, most are written for people who are trying to keep their plants WARM, rather than having them boil to death, as mine have. I’ll keep reading, because I would really like to extend our growing seasons as long as possible.
When I get the tomato sucker plants going, I’ll try to get some pics for you.
We got our pumpkin up on the mailbox when we went for errands this afternoon. This will stay up half the month and then we’ll put our ghost up for the 2nd half of October.
I hope that the kids who ride the buses in the morning get a kick out of our decorations. They probably could use a boost, having to get up so early.
Filed under Lewis Art, Lewis Mailbox Decorations, metal art
Tekstschrijvernodig-via-Wim Beunderman-LinkedIn
Filed under Awe-Inspiring Photography
rubemalves_oficial via cathy ruggiero
This morning almost couldn’t be better – unless we won the lottery or the PCH sweepstakes.
The weather has cooled off, at least for the morning. Three of the five iceberg head lettuce plants in the greenhouse are still alive. I was really expecting them to be gone when I checked this morning. Using a greenhouse wisely in Arkansas is proving to be much more difficult than I thought it would be. I have the exhaust fan on, a second fan running, and the door on the opposite end of the greenhouse open to encourage air flow. (All summer the thermometer in there has shown a steady 120 F. + no matter what I’ve done.) I’m hoping to find more lettuce plants tomorrow, and I’ll check in the planters for tomato suckers I can try in there.
My husband and I are almost well from the cold I brought home from my trip. We both wince if we have to cough, but that is more and more rare now. His blood sugar this morning was 99!!!!!!!! And “I” lost another half a pound. :0)
My back has finally forgiven me for working it too hard recently with 3 hour-long sessions in the yard. I’ve found that a combination of yoga, Advil, Muscle Therapy with Arnica Gel, and a heat pad bring me back to normal. Of course, the best thing would be not to aggravate it so badly in the first place…
I connected with a relative I hadn’t seen in probably over 30 years, and he and I have written back and forth a couple of times now.
Life is good.
Filed under Good Thoughts
pinterest.com
My husband and I are getting over the cold I brought home from my trip and graciously gave to him. :0) Each day we’re stronger, though we both still feel we’ve been run over by a truck.
Today my husband spent much of the day talking to a Level 3 Microsoft person, trying to get Windows Office installed on his computer. This is a computer guru having trouble with something that is supposed to be so easy, but in truth took the EXPERT much of the day to do it. He finally said it was Windows’ problem, making my husband feel better about the need to ask for help. My husband has a LOT of important files in Word and Excel, so it was crucial that he get the program installed and working.
My SIL was kind enough to send me ‘cards’ on my phone, listing some contact information. I had trouble getting the files to ‘open,’ then FINALLY got the idea to check my gmail account online and see if they showed up in my contacts. After a LOT of fiddling around (I am NOT a computer guru and technology is basically ‘magic’ to me) I finally got my contacts to show. I found numerous duplication, due to my ineptness, and then went on to correct some outdated information, add more contacts, etc. so that now I have ONE list that also shows up on my phone. I feel empowered!!!!
I also have finally made it through the maze of getting the Visa gift cards promised to us when we installed the ADT security system in our home recently. It started with each of the people involved pointing to the other, but FINALLY I now have the certificates and codes needed to fill out the application forms. My husband was threatening to tear out the whole system, but I managed with firmness, rather than threats, to get what we needed.
I was contacted yesterday by a relative we haven’t seen in years, reaching out to us to let us know one of my relatives is having serious health issues. I can’t believe his kindness in essentially reaching out to a stranger, and in an incredibly kind way, letting us know what was happening in his family. I wrote back, thanking him profusely, asking more questions. He answered me today, again making me feel glad he reached out. Sometimes people can make you tear up with their generosity.
So, we’ve had a productive, good day and are getting ready to relax for a bit.
I hope YOU had a good day, too.
Filed under Acting Like a Grownup, empowerment, Family, kindness
Thread Art by Comme Des Garcons-Insteading
Filed under Creativity, String Art
“Orange Primrose” – Paul Militaru Photography
Filed under Paul Militaru Photography
metal-peacock-liddlenomnom-DeMilked
mzayat.com
pinterest.com
Filed under Art From Found Things, Creativity
The Cincinnati Zoo Blog
I’ve told you I spent 5 days in Thibodaux, Louisiana, recently, visiting my husband’s cousin’s wife, Murray, one of the sweetest people on Earth. I had a great time, getting lots of good hugs,meeting a lot of fine people, and eating lots of good food. I threw caution to the winds, eating whatever seemed reasonable at the time, enjoying every bite.
If you’ve been reading my blog, you also know about my continuing effort to get the lard off – a daunting goal when you’re weight, age, and exercise challenged by nature.
I gained almost 4 pounds in the 5 days I was gone, but I got right back on the Nutrisystem horse when I returned. My husband and I even had a flex meal of steak and baked potatoes the other night, but we’re learning to compensate for flex meals better now.
This morning I was pleased to note that, not only had I lost the 4 pounds I had gained, but also hit a new low on the scales! I’m happy to report that as of this morning I’ve lost 26 pounds and 22.55 inches since we started on Nutrisystem this time. (I say, “this time,” because we were on it in the past, several years ago, and quit, due to NS dropping all the meals my husband liked.)
I’m also REALLY happy to tell you that my husband is trying to do some sit ups! This is a former Marine, used to doing a LOT of exercise to stay in shape while in the Corps. This is also the man who told me, “No way!” when I suggested that HE try to exercise, too. He has been encouraging ME, but steadfastly refuse to do any type of exercise himself.
(He caught a cold from my bringing home germs from my trip, and so has taken a few days off, but is really trying to do these each day. I have learned that, even if you can’t do the exercises or stretches as you would like, ATTEMPTING to do them on a regular basis strengthens and/or lengthens muscles, too, and so the effort is fruitful.
“Imperial Red Lily” – Paul Militaru Photography
Filed under Paul Militaru Photography
Harriet Mead Sculptor-harrietmead.co.uk
Harriet Mead Sculptor-harrietmead.co.uk
Filed under Art From Found Things, Creativity
Jeff Jett
Filed under Amazing Animals, Awe-Inspiring Photography
Kristina Steiner-wordpress.com
I’m re-reading book # 45 “Secrets in Death” in the J.D. Robb/Nora Roberts “In Death” series. I bought and received the paperback of “Dark in Death” (#46) that came out in August, but decided I would reread all the books before allowing myself to enjoy the new one. I also have preordered the paperback “Leverage in Death” (# 47) that comes out in December, so I have two brand new adventures to enjoy!
Filed under Reading is FUNdamental
Daily Mirror
I had just a suggestion of a sore throat while I was in Thibodaux. It became a full-fledged one the night I arrived home. I immediately sucked on Cloroseptic (sp?) lozenges and took Sudafed for the huge, stuffed head feeling and runny nose, cough, etc. I played ‘poor me’ for a day, and basically concentrated on sleeping through the cold. It helped.
Now I’m almost back to normal, but – being a sweet, giving person – I gave it to my husband inadvertently. So now HE’s sitting with kleenex stuffed into his nostrils, having taken Sudafed. He’s almost over the sore throat. We hope we haven’t passed this on to anyone else. We canceled bowling tonight so that we don’t pass it on to our friends.
Cocoon time for us until we’re fit company again.
Filed under Acting Like a Grownup, taking care of yourself
Filed under Amazing Animals, Family, Favorite Quotes
hammer-horn-giraffe-Harriet Mead-harrietmead.co.uk
Filed under Art From Found Things, Creativity
Rachealgrace Adams
Filed under Awe-Inspiring Photography
For my third session in the yard today, I pruned our rose bushes. I weeded around them, too, and GUESS WHAT! – encountered more swarming ants! I went and got the sprayer and hosed them down well. I only got bitten in one session today, on my left calf, and that’s GREAT with all the hostiles I encountered.
I then got the leaf blower and cleaned off the front porch, pad, sidewalk, and then the back sidewalk, and finally the garage pad before declaring and end to the outside work today.
I rested a bit, drank more water, then we had lunch – on the nice, clean porch! :0)
Finally, I just did a session of yoga.
Arlindo Martins
I have a back ache after all the work in the yard. I was able to lessen it a lot with all the stretching. I’ll take some Advil to finish things off and then rest again before dinner.
I got a good amount of exercise done today (for me) and the yard and greenhouse are under better control now.
I’m looking forward to relaxing a bunch and enjoying taped TV or a movie tonight – and definitely a good night’s sleep.
I hope you had a good Sunday, too.
Filed under exercise, Gardening, Housekeeping - Maintenance
creativeartworksblog 