Category: Uncategorized

Coleus Plant in the Birdbath

Daylight was ending, and I hurried to re-pot a few plants. I should have done it that morning while officially gardening, but I thought I could sneak in a few chores that my saner self wouldn’t notice. The old plants had been sacrificed, and their upper stems were in water to root. As I carried out the discarded bits, I saw that one looked quite good. Passing by a birdbath on the ground, I tossed it in so the roots were in water and the leaves hanging onto the edge for dear life. You’ll know how late it was, because I never considered taking a photo of this strange thing.

The next day I planted it near others outside the back porch. The morning sun might be a bit much for them, but they have shade all afternoon. I suspect watering will be a crucial component of their care. I didn’t think about the stage of life these plants are in. Basically, they are now in a nursing home where they will have the basics to sustain life. Old age has ravaged them. Perhaps they will rally to put on a good show, but cold winter weather will kill them. I intend to see that they have the best care I can provide as long as they are alive.

Proof We had a Party

Six of us gathered for the neighborhood celebration of the Fourth of July. It was hot enough that we voted to eat inside instead of on the porch. The others kindly posed for a photo at the table, but I knew something was not right and couldn’t see to fix it. I thought I took two shots and discovered later that I’d shot two miserable little videos. Please give me credit for not prolonging the agony for the best neighbors in the world. Later I took one black frame and added light to it several times. I will laugh whenever I see this, because it was the first time I used the new replacement camera. It’s obvious I need to practice.

It was delightful, as always, to be with this group of special people. We found lots to talk about, and conversation never lagged. The food we contributed was delicious.

To somehow make the occasion official, I took a selfie after everyone left. It took several tries to get the lighting somewhat acceptable.

KODAK Digital Still Camera

Happy July Fourth to those who celebrate it!

Emergency Gardening

Kacey was on the back porch with me when she suddenly began to gag. I immediately hooked her to the line and let her outside. She rushed to eat as much grass as she could, so I presumed she was trying to make herself vomit. I sat on the steps watching her and making soothing sounds. Looking inside, I thought there was part of a shoelace there, but there are no rogue shoelaces in this house. The limp thing was a stem from a coleus plant. I’ve read lists of plants that are harmful to children and animals, but I couldn’t remember any of them at that moment. Kacey seemed fine, so we went to bed and had a good night’s sleep.

After walking this morning, I went into emergency gardening mode. I cut the larger plants and put them in water to root on the railing where the dog couldn’t get to them. The lower parts I planted outside, again where she wouldn’t be able to reach them. When I knew the emergency was over, I consulted Alexa. She told me that some coleus plants are harmful to cats, dogs, and horses.

Setting the Record Straight

Neighbor Cindy corrected me in the kindest possible way, but I jumped to the wrong conclusion. She is not mentally defective like I am, being unable to talk and cook at the same time. Shortness of breath limits her, not lack of brain power. She can’t talk if she walks too fast. We will be kindred spirits in that way, because I couldn’t talk either if I went faster than a snail.

I have my brother to thank for amplification about doing things ahead of time or fast. He reminded me that I practiced the piano in double time, something he wouldn’t have remembered if Mother hadn’t laughed about it through the years. My piano teacher wrote a list of pieces for me to practice before my next lesson. Beside each, she noted the number of times I should play it every day. I took that literally and never shirked on the repeats, but I played every piece as fast as I possibly could. Bob said I did an hour’s practice in 30 minutes. Guilty as charged!!

I’ve Outdone Myself!

If husband John were alive, he would be laughing. He was well aware of my penchant for doing things early. He would dig up the old college tales and tell you that I finished term papers the week after they were assigned. According to him, other students despised me for not struggling at the last minute.

Let that old myth live on, but I’ve bested myself this time. I ordered a new camera to replace the one that died while daughter Kate was here. The very next day I downloaded the manual for it and began to read it, although it won’t get here for another week. Laugh if you must, but I want to be ready to use it by the time daughter Lise and her friend Toke (TOE-kay) arrive.

If there are any of you who are always on time for meetings and usually prepare for deadlines early, please raise your hand. There has got to be a group like me around the world. If a true confession is not your style, just say you are raising awareness for a friend. EARLY BIRDS UNITE!!

Kindred Spirit — Neighbor Cindy

Neighbor Cindy came out to walk her grand dog, Edison, as I was nearing the stop sign. It’s always a delight to talk with her, as it is with all my neighbors. Somehow I launched into a long story, and Cindy commented, “I can’t do that! I can’t walk and talk at the same time. Look at you! How do you do that?”

I should have said I was on auto pilot. If there is anyone who can’t do two things at once, it’s me. I’ve walked that road for ten years and shouldn’t have to think while strolling. Now working in the kitchen and talking at the same time is IMPOSSIBLE for me. Recently when one of my daughters was here, I remember pausing dinner prep to lean on the counter to talk. If I noticed her stomach rumbling I might have stopped, but she could have gently reminded me what I was there for. Here is your warning for anyone who comes here for a meal. Be the gate-keeper of the kitchen and don’t let anyone talk to me if you want to eat that same day.

I wouldn’t want to push any of my shortcomings onto another person, but how satisfying it is to know that Cindy can’t do two things at once, either! We should pause to remember Chef Brocket from the children’s TV show Mr. Rodgers’ Neighborhood. In his kitchen, silence reigned. That’s as it should be!!

Suck it Up!!

Neighbor Logan opted to stay with me while his parents went somewhere, and we had shrimp and grits for a late lunch. I was paying more attention to the meal and whether he would like it (he ate it), when I should have watched the fountain. Usually I turn it on, moisten the water pathway, and check to make sure water isn’t hitting the front lip to splash into the glass bowl below. When I was cleaning up after the meal, I glanced through the kitchen window and saw ALL the water had flowed out. I rushed to turn off the pump and told myself I’d worry about it later.

The water was at the very top of the clear bowl, and it would likely be a mess no matter how I removed it. I have always been enamored of the siphoning process but never found a practical application. Kate had brought us some long silicone straws, and I remembered they had a crook in them. The crook was irrelevant, since they were very pliable. Taking a plastic bowl with me, I held it against the cabinet with my body. For the sake of the experiment, I assumed the water was fairly clean and sucked it up to the top of the straw. I then flipped that flexible tube into the glass bowl and the mixing bowl at the same time. Yes! Water flowed from the upper level to the lower. Half way through I poured the water back into the fountain, then finished the job.

I am inordinately pleased that the straw worked to siphon the water to a lower level. Wanting to make sure I knew WHY it worked, I asked my phone. It’s because the atmospheric pressure is lower at the longer end, thus pulling the water up and over the edge. And the source of the information?? YouTube!! It was my tube, alright!

Logan’s One-liner

I love neighbor Logan’s sense of humor, but I often forget the many amusing things he says. This one I remembered.

Logan was riding his scooter and, a couple of days before his 14th birthday, was being a bit daring. I’ve seen him do flips on the trampoline, so I know he has a very good sense of where his body is at all times. I couldn’t help it. I made one of those silly old-crone comments about being careful and not having an accident. In a split second he took on the persona of an intellectual adult, one with flair and a debonair attitude with an accent to match. He said, “I have insurance.”

I laughed uncontrollably, so I was nearer having an accident than he was. Luckily I didn’t fall down on the road while indulging in amusement.

Dressing to Take the Dog Out

Would you think twice about what to wear when walking the dog? I don’t walk Kacey because she pulled me down once, but I was aware that neighbors could see me when I hooked her to a stake. However, more important for me was dressing for safety. There are stairs at the front and back of the house, stairs that I use when hooking the dog up. I told my children I would get a pendant to wear all the time for safety, since I live alone. I haven’t done it. The pendants I’ve seen advertised don’t sound effective or have monthly charges that make me recoil. Daughter Kate helped me solve this outdoors with a purchase from Walmart.

Here I am, dressed to take the dog out as soon as I get out of bed.

This is the getup – a sleep shirt with the new pocketbook to hold my phone safely. It’s technically around my neck and would be right with me if I fell. So far I have remembered to carry the phone to the back door where the purse hangs. I probably would not have a good solution if I lost my mind, but that will be someone else’s problem. Good luck!