Week's Catch Up

I had a rough beginning to the week, but am feeling somewhat better today. I had a wonderful phone call from our assistant pastor asking about me, which was very encouraging. I really appreciate it when people sort of "check in" to see about how it's going. I've had some encouraging emails too and it's great to know that more and more people who know me are understanding this illness better. And then another friend stopped by with a meal for me, knowing it would be something I liked. How great was that?

This summer has been a disappointment in the flower department. Usually by now, we have impatiens all around the old stump, and I would sit on the porch as weather permitted and enjoy looking at them. Another dear friend had planted them for me this spring and I was really looking forward to their growth, but instead, we watched helplessly as they slowly dropped their leaves and then collapsed in a mini pile of mushy plants. I did some research and figured out why. Earlier this year, John had purchased a chipper for all of the dead tree limbs which fall around our property and had a nice pile of chips for mulch. He lovingly spread them over all of the flower beds. However, there are two things which will prevent you from having bountiful impatiens growth - lack of water, and too much water. The little wood chips held water, and since where the flowers were planted is the same area for the drain from the A/C, there was always lots of water, which is one reason why they have always done so well there. But the wood chips changed that equation and sadly, there are one or two scraggly plants left and I think their time is coming. And my friend put in four flats of impatiens! Once they get too much water, that's it, there is nothing more you can do for them. Live and learn!

In the other beds, we tried some different kinds of flowers than we have planted there in the past, and they just don't suit the area. So, it's been kind of a disappointment not to see  what we had hoped to see. But there is always next year!

We had bluebirds and Carolina wrens nesting at either ends of the front porch. The bluebirds were in the nesting platform, and the wren was in a hanging plant. Every time I came out to water, the bluebird would flee the nest. But when I got around to the plant with the wren, she would wait until the first drops of water came down and then hop out to a nearby bush, scolding me fiercely. Each mother hatched a lovely family and they all left a few weeks ago. We had bluebirds in the yard boxes as well. 

That's about all I can write for today, and I hope everyone has a safe and fun weekend!

How the impatiens looked in the past (and will again!)

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Red and Black

A few days ago, I noticed that things I had taken out of the refrigerator just didn't seem as cold as they should be. Then I noticed that the frozen raspberries still in the freezer were squishable, and not hard as marbles. Hmmm..... I kept an eye on things and sure enough, it was obvious that the fridge was running down. We decided we had better go get another one, rather than wait for all things to thaw out as proof and drove to Lowe's yesterday. Lowe's is not my first choice, because we have always had Sears appliances and I'd rather have gone to Sears, but it was 45 minutes away and I just did not have the energy for facing the drive, and the crowded store at the mall. 

At Lowe's we chose a Samsung black refrigerator. Now my husband, an engineer, was the one who was the most enthusiastic about this particular appliance - I was almost too tired to care. He was very impressed with the design and the features, which was kind of funny as a role reversal! We told the salesman that we needed it as soon as possible, and it is being delivered tomorrow afternoon. So, the old almond color fridge will be out and the black sophisticated fridge in!

While we were there, a bright red chipper/shredder caught our attention and we stopped to check it out. I had mentioned last Saturday that John had cut a good many limbs off of a line of White Pines, and they were piled in the back yard. We have branches dropping out of our trees quite frequently, especially after a wind of any substance comes through. And it is almost always windy up here. So, we also bought the bright red chipper/ shredder!

John used it this afternoon, and I took some shots of our latest tool for country living.

The white bag catches all the chips, and we are putting them in the planting beds.

It was a little too noisy for the dogs to come any closer!

This last photo is one of the containers of pansies I planted earlier. This particular one is an old Hungarian baby bathtub which stands about waist high. We can see it from inside the house, which is great when I need a shot of color on a dreary day!

Come see my latest postcards I've received on Postcards Buffet!