| Stormdancer Posted on Sunday, March 16, 2008 - 08:52 pm: |   |
March 15, 2007
The weather today has been beautiful...highs have hit the mid 80’s and the wind has blown fairly steady for most of the day. Don’t know where this wind is coming from...the weather didn’t mention wind at all for today. For a short time this morning it looked as if we might get rain with all the clouds that filled the sky. The down side of the high winds has been the report of wildfires. They say it might be another bad year for wildfires. With all the pines we have and the palms...looks as if we are going to be doing quite a bit of cleaning around the yard. All the pine straw and pine cones sure make pretty mulch, so my new flower beds are going to be looking sweet.
I worked on the new beds in the front this afternoon. We had spread the dirt a few days ago so I started setting the border blocks and laying out how I wanted the beds. Got the Cannas, Poinsettias, and some of the Aloes set in their new beds. I’m wanting to separate some of the Fire bush and make a border at the west end of the trailer. I’ve set one at each side of the walkway from the driveway and hope to set one at each end of the fence in front of the trailer as well.
After moving all those border blocks my hands are aching. Should have worn my gloves...DUH!! I’ve only moved those blocks a million times and know they eat my hands. Poor hands and wrists are all puffy and swollen from the raking and digging. Came in and took some Advil so maybe they will ease out a bit before I go to bed. Haven’t had a bout with Carpel tunnel for several years, but the numbness is ever present and there are days when I have no grip strength at all.
Tomorrow is promised to be as pretty as today so I hope to work on the beds more. I’m wanting to put in some mint, basil, yarrow and possibly a few more herbs...depends on what I find... I’ve been wanting to put in an herb garden there since we’ve been here. Once I’ve got this side how I want, the other side is in for a complete overhaul as well. Oooohhh, my aching body...I can feel this ache beginning just thinking about the work that is going to entail. Hauling more dirt to that side and preparing for the butterfly garden in front of the Philodendron, bananas, Crepe Myrtle, and Shell Ginger that cover the septic mound. Should work out pretty well. The soil on that side of the house is mostly sand and shell mix. Those beds currently have Spethaphyllum, (sp?), Aloe, Coleus, and have been over run with the Mexican Petunia from one end to the other. My Yarrow once lived in that bed until it was crowded out by the Petunia. Would love it if only it wasn’t so invasive. I have cut it to the ground with the weedeater, hacked it out with the hoe and dug it out numerous times. One tough plant to get rid of or keep in control. The Hummingbirds and Butterflies love it and I really hate to cut it all out, but, it just keeps choking everything out. My Rosemary is in a planter and even it has had to struggle to keep above the Petunia. Sigh...my work is cut out for me on that side.
I’m wanting to transplant some of the Yellow Carolina Jasmine that grows wild in the back pasture to the front split rail fence on that side. The Confederate Jasmine that grows off the back porch needs moved there as well. I think the green vine wrapping around the fence will look nice and the fragrance from the Jasmine is divine. Its far enough away from the porch to be enjoyed without being over powering. Looks like my weekends are going to be full...between the planting and picking up the yard, running the mulcher, spreading the mulch...then cutting the yard...hmmm, maybe I’ll manage to drop that twenty extra pounds I’ve been carrying around for the past year...at least then my clothes will fit again. After all that, I’ll still have the vegetable garden to work. My tomatoes are doing excellent. Now the rest of the garden is about to be reworked and more seeds planted. Still thinking about what I want to eat fresh from the garden.
The body is whupped, my hands ache and I do believe I’ll see if I can sleep if I go lay down. Some nights are easier than others...once I get to bed it seems as if my brain wakes up...hopefully tonight won’t be one of those nights.
March 16,2008
Some varmit killed and took Goldie, the Banty hen. Best we can figure, may have been a Opossum. Looks like it may have drug her under the fence. Needless to say, we worked on their yard and the coop this afternoon. |
| Stormdancer Posted on Monday, March 17, 2008 - 06:32 am: | |
After waking up yesterday and finding only feathers left of Goldie we made sure to pen the chickens in their coop last night. What a chore as they have been roosting on the bar out in the pen since day one. Figured with it being an enclosed pen they would be ok. Was pretty interesting this morning when I went to open the coop. Since it was still dark at 6:30 am and the coop faces South, even the rooster was still sleeping. I took down the outside roost bar so maybe tonight they will head for the coop when they are ready for bed.
Worked on the front flower beds most of the day. Picked up some mint, basil, cucumbers, thyme, rhubarb and lavender when we went to Lowes. Got the aloe, some type of lily that DH brought home and the bird bath set where I wanted. Planted the mint, thyme and lavender. Working on getting the other side of the front garden cleaned out now. WOOHOO!! The Stevia I got last year has come back. Wasn't sure if it would or not, the ants have invaded the pots for sure, but it has grown back nicely. Will be putting it in the ground soon. Once I get the area cleared out, I have plans to move my Rosemary to a much larger container.
Had several Hummingbirds humming around the Bottle Brush tree and the Hibiscus this morning. Love to hear their squeaky sounds.
Will have to keep an eye on my brat dog Spike who has decided to start killing birds in his old age. He caught and killed one of the young Cardinal females this morning. |
| Stormdancer Posted on Friday, March 21, 2008 - 12:35 pm: | |
The body has finally forgiven me for all of the unusual demands I've been making on it while getting the front garden laid out. My Rosemary has been re-potted into a very large tree pot and seems to be adapting well. Poor baby had very cramped feet in the old pot where she has been since I brought her home. Since she really likes the location, I have left her in the same spot as the old planter. Now to work at shaping her up a bit. The longest pieces are about three feet long and I'm hoping to be able to get a few of the cuttings to start.
For now, I've put the Rhubarb into a large pot so I can move it if our hot Florida sun proves to be too intense. Currently it is in the same area as the Rosemary and I'm hoping it will be happy in this area. If so, then I will put it in the ground in that part of the flower bed. Its on the south side of the house, and will have sun for the majority of the day. After 2 pm, it will begin to get a bit of shade as the sun moves behind the trees on the west side of the property. I've placed the mint, lavender and Thyme where they will be receiving the same morning sun, but will get shade sooner. Sometimes things that "say" they will tolerate full sun, just can't handle our intense summer sun.
DH helped me get some of the new dirt in the vegie garden moved last night. I'm wanting to get the new cucumber plants in and begin planting my seeds again. Still working on the lay out for where I want certain things. I have decided though to leave the silt screen we put around the fence during cold weather. Seems it "hides" the garden from some of the deer. I also think it will help keep the humidity a little higher as the sun is absorbed by the black material. It will also provide a bit of shade around the edges for some of the more tender vegies. We shall see.
The tomatoes are wonderful!! As fast as they ripen, I'm bringing them in to eat. Those that have been attacked by critters, the hens enjoy. Haven't picked any of the green ones for frying yet, but looks like my girlfriends are going to hang me by my heels if I don't do it soon!
Been checking on the carrots...they are looking good. Thinned them out some last night and pulled several that were finger length and just a bit longer...the taste was yummmyy...DH loves carrots right out of the garden, so of course he was chomping these. Gave the hens the tops and carried them a couple of almost ripe tomatoes that had been bug chewed...what a hoot watching the girls scrap over the tomatoes. Miss Piggy, the barred rock pullet, is always the first to investigate what I bring in to the pen. Red waits for Piggy to attack it and then comes over to run her off. Piggy has become very wily about distracting Red and then snatching the treat for herself. I could sit out there for hours watching them. DH brings them his leftover V-8 drinks, and chocolate milk that's set in the truck all day. Piggy is always the first one to meet me at the gate and trying to grab whatever is in my hands.
Shutting them all in the coop at night has worked out well. Barney the Banty rooster, has been herding the girls to the coop around sunset...Piggy is always the last one in and usually Barney has come back out several times trying to coax her in before he gives up. She is such a busybody.
Discovered from one of the neighbors that we have had quite a wide variety of wildlife in this area over the years...from the Deer and turkeys to Otters and Alligators!! Whoa!!!! Nobody said anything about gaters!! So we are still trying to figure out exactly what might have take Goldie. I'm leaning more towards a Opossum, but we'll never know for sure I guess.
DH mentioned getting my mower ready for use last night...hope he gets in gear soon! The yard is beginning to look pretty shabby from all the growth. We've had a good bit of rain the past couple of months and combined with the warm weather...well let's just say the weeds are growing tall. The grass is getting pretty thick in spots so if he doesn't get it fixed soon I'll be using the tractor and brush hog mower. Just doesn't look the same as the manicured finish the Yazoo puts on it. Not to mention that I have to use the weedeater in more areas when I use the tractor. The Yazoo gets much closer to trees and such.
Time to get my body in gear and see if I can get the garden worked a bit more so I can set out the cucumber plants before they wilt and wither from being in the starter pot. Beautiful Spring day here...bright blue skies with high puffy clouds and the temps are steady climbing...supposed to hit around 75 degrees f. today...already about 73. The humidity is pretty low at the moment so I shouldn't be too hot working in the garden today. Guess if it gets too bad I'll have to turn the sprinkler on while I'm pulling weeds...wheeee |
| Stormdancer Posted on Saturday, March 22, 2008 - 10:05 am: | |
After having almost summer type weather yesterday, the temps are staying cool today...its almost 10:30 am and currently only 66 degrees f. Looks as if we have a front moving through that is supposed to be bringing rain later this afternoon and on into Sunday afternoon. For now, its very overcast and dreary looking.
Never did get out to the garden yesterday...seems like everytime I started out the phone would ring. Finally did get in to town to the bank, but that was about the extent of any productive type behavior. Was hoping DH would finally get to finish the chicken coop...he still has one more access door to finish and the remainder of the trim. I can run the saw and screw gun, but this is his project so I'm keeping my hands off...sigh..just wish he'd finally get it finished...there's only about an hour's worth of work left. The girls and Barney have really accepted it well and seem to understand that it is to help keep them safe. The first few days they were unsure about it, but now I am able to tuck them in well before the blanket of darkness surrounds my yard. When it gets dark out here, it is very dark. There is a security light that we could have turned on by the power company, but I really enjoy the solitude of the country and don't want to disrupt the feel by having the light glaring throughout the night. We have solar lights at the walkway and in front of the house and for me, that is plenty. I can barely see the glare of the neighbors' outside lights through the trees at the front of my yard and at times find even that small glare offensive. The night sky here is full of sparkling stars and that is what I prefer to see.
The rhubarb may have to be moved from its current location...seems even this mild spring sun may be too intense. During the "heat of the day", it seems to droop and looks wilty. Later in the early evening, after the area has cooled, it perks back up. Sigh...I've seen this before in our old yard and know that even though the "instructions" say it likes "full sun", that isn't always the case in Florida. Fortunately, there is space in that front garden that get shaded quicker so I'm planning to move it there for a few days and see how it reacts. If it does well then that is where it shall be put in the ground.
The mint looks as if it will do well...as long as I can keep the dogs out of that bed. Animals!!!! GRRRRRR... five acres to romp and run on and where do they prefer????? the exact space I plant anything!!! The very reason for the fence around the vegie garden...but I refuse to fence the flower beds...border blocks mark the areas and I'm fixin' to get the hose out and start nailing them with water every time they cross the border. I've already moved the birdbath on one side to help keep them from stomping on things as all the dogs seem to gravitate towards the birdbath for a quick drink...constantly refilling the birdbath as a result. Gluttons are what they are!! There are water containers around the yard for them and yet they insist on sucking the birdbaths dry...there are three birdbaths in the front yard. Hmmm, just had a possible idea...may have to enclose the area around the new beds with more of the split rail fence like we put out front...that might look pretty nice along the walkway to the door without detracting from the new beds. My plan for the other end of that area is to make a natural fence with Firebush...could just be enough of a deterrent to keep the dogs out...have to see how that works out.
Watching the weather now, looks like the rain is definitely moving our way...should be a good time to get on out to the garden and get a few seeds out before the rain moves in...if only I could manage to make myself more organized... still have areas in the garden to rework. SIGH... |
| Stormdancer Posted on Sunday, March 23, 2008 - 06:15 pm: | |
Happy Easter...
Never did manage to get out to the vegie garden yesterday. We got a tiny bit of rain, but only enough to keep me inside. When I did manage to get out, I worked on the front flowerbed until dark. Got the second birdbath in place and DH moved my Artist cherub to his new place. Not real sure who the cherub represents, my Greek mythology is pretty lacking. We rescued him from a demolition job at one of the fraternity houses. Little sucker doesn't look like he would weigh much...it took three of us to load him and unload him off my little truck. He is plaster over concrete and weighs a ton...well that's what he feels like... in any event, he looks over my garden, brush and palette in hand, now placed behind and between the two shell shaped birdbaths that both happen to sit on fish shaped pedestals. How that happened is beyond me, they were acquired like everything else, from demolition jobs and at various times over the past fifteen years. We have had the one for almost fifteen years and the second one only five or six years. Amazes me at times how things seem to find us. I managed to get the border blocks more into the shape I want and set the pots of Thyme and Basil closer to the shade of the Bottlebrush tree. I had to move the Rhubarb...moved it over a bit yesterday, but it was very wilty this afternoon. It now resides for the time, in the bed beneath the Bottlebrush tree. That isn't where I want it...sigh...maybe out by the chicken coop...hmmmm...might try that in a few days and see how it does.
Managed to get out to the vegie garden and get the new dirt spread so I could plant the cukes... they are now in their new space and I have put tomatoe cages around them in an effort to help keep them off the ground... we'll see.
Decided early on today to pick up the wind blown branches and pine cones so I could make mulch for the new flowerbeds. Got the bed of my pickup full from just the front part of the yard...sure does look better. Found that one of the whoomps we heard during the wind several days ago had dropped a fair size branch straight through the roof of my topper. Good thing it no longer fits any of the trucks, it was for my old Datsun pickup...but we did have it on a short bed and had been using it for storage... two toppers down...both for my trucks.
After all the time spent picking up the yard, the chipper decided it truly wasn't willing to work today. DH spent almost an hour trying to get the carburetor to stop flooding...the shutoff valve seems to have sucked trash...what else is new??? Once he finally got it running, it kept trying to throw the belt...what a pain it was being. We had a bet going as to how long it would take me to get that truckload run through the chipper...but of course I had to cry foul when the chipper refused to work without DH constantly fooling with it. Not quite a fair showing at that rate...plus it kept jamming because of the belt as well. We'll see how long it takes to shred that pile once he gets the new belt on!!
Back to work for now...break time is over... |
| Stormdancer Posted on Monday, March 24, 2008 - 09:37 am: | |
Freaky weather...we are expecting some very chilly weather for this time of year!! A cold snap is forcast for tonight and tomorrow with the northern area getting possible frost...the temps today are only supposed to be in the upper 60's.
Got sun kissed yesterday while out in the yard...very light pink on the back of my neck and shoulders...its gone this morning faded to tan already...
Ah well...need to go into town to pick up a new belt for the mulcher...fun, fun... |
| Stormdancer Posted on Monday, March 24, 2008 - 12:10 pm: | |
Got the new belt for the mulcher...not too pricey...now let's see how long it takes for DH to get it put on....yes, I know how to do it myself, but its his baby, so its his job. Brrr is it chilly outside!! Thought it looked cold, but this IS Florida... my widget says its only 58 deg. f....but the tv says its 64...yeah, right and all of MY thermometers are wrong. Just heard that our high for the day is supposed to climb to 74 f...but, I don't see that happening. The wind is out of the north and definitely has a cold bite behind it. Tonight is going to drop back into the low 40's to high 30's...welcome to Florida!! Last week we were sleeping with the windows open...this week the heat is back on.
The new mulch I brought up to the new flowerbed is going to look real nice. I just love the color of pinecone mulch. My sister says she doesn't want any type of mulch around her house because someone told her it draws bugs...yippee...don't mind a few bugs and if they get too far out of hand I can always turn the hens loose. Besides, I plan on working it back into the ground as it decomposes...my gift to the garden. With our abundance of pine trees there is a never ending supply of pinecones in my yard. Personally, I don't have any problem running them over with the mower...after two years of mowing them DH has begun throwing a fit when he hears me drive the mower over them. GRRRRR...its ok when he runs over concrete, steel posts etc...but let me hit a pinecone or stick and the whining begins....keep telling him if he doesn't want me running over them then pick them up. I try not to run over obvious branches laying out in the yard, but pinecones...come on...the mower just whings them across the yard for me to hit again...lol. Picking them up for mulch is ok by me though. I like running the mulcher. Was the best trade we ever made...old engine just sitting around rusting to the ground for a working little machine...hmmmm, no brainer for me. The new belt should have me back to mulching in no time and my new beds will be looking sweet once I have it in place.
Still haven't managed to move the Wax Begonias to the new bed, or the Peace Lillies...can't spell their real name today. Hoping to get them moved this week. The Rhubarb is looking much happier today in its newest spot...could be due to our overcast skies blocking out the intense sunshine....I'm seriously considering planting it by the chicken coop. It would get sun most of the morning, but by afternoon would have shade, even though its on the west end of the house. I'll move it later this week and see how it does.
Time to go down to the fish farm and get my afternoon going...little part time job is more of a pain in my neck than its worth...but its my spending money so off I go... |
| Stormdancer Posted on Tuesday, March 25, 2008 - 03:07 pm: | |
My widget says its 63 degrees out right now...kinda feels about right. It does feel good as long as I can stand in the sun and let it beat through my sweatshirt. One more night of this coolness and then back to the heat...YEAH!!!!...I'll be able to turn the heat off and re-open the windows for at least a couple of months hopefully before it gets too humid and hot.
Two more ripe tomatoes from the garden today... I can barely wait to slice them up for tonight's supper. The rhubarb is getting moved to the chicken coop area...it continues to get very wilted even in the more shaded portion of the front garden...good enough as I wasn't wanting to plant it there to begin with. The cukes look very happy in their new space in the vegie garden.
New Canna sprouts are showing in the new bed, as well as the unidentified lillies that we've had now for the past five or six years and have yet to bloom for me...DH said they were in full sun on the beachside when he rescued them...DUH!!!...ok it has just hit me today that hello...the building they were around sat on the East side which means they were probably shaded by other buildings in the afternoon...ok, they can stay...but I'm really getting annoyed that they aren't blooming...now I have them where they get a fair amount of filtered afternoon sun...let's see if they manage to bloom THIS year!
The Aloe has really spread out since it was placed in the bed...may have to start looking for someone to take some of them off my hands very soon...they are huge! I have another Aloe bed in the very front of the porch that really loves the afternoon heat. Guess we best get the front done so I can finish the back patio area and have additional space for the Aloe. We use the aloe constantly around here for various burns...seems we both are clutzy around hot stuff!! Awesome plants Aloe...about four years ago DH was trying out a "new" mower his brother brought down...of course DH runs barefoot when he's home...and decided to cut the grass barefoot using the "new" mower...it dropped the muffler off and he stepped on (never saw it)...needless to say he was dancing around like he stepped on a ground hornet!! He actually thought he had stepped on a hornet at first. The hot muffler laid a severe burn on his foot right where the ball of the foot meets the arch...got that tender arch area as well...looked like raw steak. DH being the person he is hates to go to the doctor...comes in and says "fix it"...I'm insisting he go to the ER because I know how nasty burns can be to heal...infection isn't hard to set in on any burn. He refuses and I promptly begin treating it with sterile water (which we happened to have) and head out to the yard for the aloe. After two weeks of rinsing the area three to four times a day with just water and lightly wrapping it with a raw Aloe leaf he was able to wear his shoes again. Couldn't wear the shoes for long while using the aloe leaf...made it feel slippy. The burn healed beautifully with no infection and even now you can hardly see the scar. Yes, DH still runs barefoot and occasionally still cuts the yard without shoes. Do I recommend not seeking medical treatment for that type of burn? NOOOOO!!! We definitely were very lucky.
I've used the Aloe on my self for smaller, but similar type burns...laid my wrist on a hot exhaust pipe (the chrome was blue-hot). Went straight past blister...I popped a piece of Aloe immediately...again no scar to speak of.
On the other hand...my youngest sister breaks out in hives if she uses aloe in any form.
The new belt on the mulcher did the trick...the bet was off though due to having to drag it off the truck the night the mulcher went down. At waist height it would have been way faster than having to bend down and pick the stuff up. DS pitched in and we made fast work of that pile...DS does this for a living so I was very happy he didn't mind pitching in...he had just got off work. What a way to end your day...doing the same thing you've just finished doing for the past eight hours, except now you aren't on the clock.
Got a nice pile of mulch now that should cover the front garden nicely. Had a wild thought while we were discussing a side job...he's bringing river rock to a friend and since the rock isn't costing us anything I'm wanting a load dropped here at the house so I can use it as part of the walkway to line the pavers between the border blocks and the split rail fence. I'm also wanting a walkway across the front of the porch area and think that would work well there also...ideas are easy...its the energy to apply them that wears me out. |
| Stormdancer Posted on Thursday, March 27, 2008 - 11:22 am: | |
Got the new mulch put down Tuesday night...the area looks awesome. Love how the new mulch looks in the beds...got carried away and decided to put it under the split rail fence and around the plants that sit next to it as well. I also ran some around the end of the flowerbed and where I want to put the Firebushes. Figure I might as well keep the new dirt from drying up and being washed away. Looks great and I'm very pleased. On the down side...it appears I may have an allergy to the Pine!! Ever since we mulched it on Monday and I put it down on Tuesday my sinuses have been giving me a fit...both eyes are swollen and the pressure in my cheeks and ears has been terrible. Been taking sinus meds, using moist heat and eating Advils...the moist heat really helps. Switched to ice for a bit, but it doesn't relieve the pressure like the heat.
Moved the Rhubarb to the chicken area and it seems to definitely like the area. Figure I'll go ahead and put it in the ground this weekend if it continues to do well there. Already knew I'd have to fence it off or the dogs will destroy it and while I was scoping out the area decided on a new use of an old very large bird cage that was left by the previous people. it is almost five feet high and about three feet wide by two feet...figure this will protect the Rhubarb until it gets going well. |
| Stormdancer Posted on Friday, March 28, 2008 - 01:03 pm: | |
DH came home last night in major pain. Seems he overdid it trying to help get a fire in the shop yard under control. The injuries from his accident in 2004 have left him dealing with major back and neck pain most days. When he got home, he could barely walk...came in took the muscle relaxers and pain pills and went to stretch out. Finally got him to put the heating pad on the area a bit later. The injuries are nerve related...pinched in chipped vertebrae areas...neurosurgeon wanted to operate but without insurance the hospital wouldn't even consider him for patient assistance...the money he got from the settlement won't even begin to cover the surgery and time he would have to be off to recuperate...so it has to be up to him to say when things are not within his abilities now. My guess is he really aggravated it running up the dirt hill carrying the fuel for the piece of equipment that was sitting precariously on the side nearest the fire and had been run out of fuel. His first thoughts of course were to get the machine up and running so it could be used to help control the fire. So today he is home in bed trying to ease the pain.
While trying to get our tv in the bedroom working for him last night, I ran across the charger for the camera...hmmm, guess I stuck it in our room to keep from losing it...HAHAHAHAHA...so much for not losing it!!
Finally got to download the pictures I have taken YEAH!! Now if I could just get the thingy on here to upload like it used to...hmmm, may take a bit to figure out again.
Ahh well, such is life. |
| Stormdancer Posted on Friday, March 28, 2008 - 01:26 pm: | |
Okay...that was pretty simple... I knew it was probably just me that couldn't recall how to upload the pics...duh
Soooo, let's try this again...These are my chickens: Goldy the Banty hen, Red the mix and Barney the Banty rooster at the back.
Garden Shots of the Carrots and Tomatoes
 
The east side of my front yard... affectionately referred to as "The Pond". This was all from the heavy rain we had in one of my earlier posts around March 9th.
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| Stormdancer Posted on Friday, March 28, 2008 - 01:42 pm: | |
More pictures:
A fuzzy shot of Ms Piggy, my Barred Rock Hen, she's always moving...
Some of my mystery rose that I believe is called Sunsprite...
 
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| Seil Posted on Friday, March 28, 2008 - 04:24 pm: | |
Great pics, Karen. I love your chickens and I think you might be right about Sunsprite. |
Aaawww, sweet chickies!!  Hope your husband feels better soon. That sounds awfully painful to live with... chipped vertebrae... ow. |
| Stormdancer Posted on Saturday, March 29, 2008 - 10:46 am: | |
Thanks Sharon...btw..you share the same birthdate as my sisters (twins)... |
| Stormdancer Posted on Sunday, March 30, 2008 - 08:03 am: | |
Thanks DJ... I'm sure it has its days for him for sure...but quite a bit of his pain issues are a direct result of him acting like "macho male"..."but I know I can do this" kinda crap. Keep trying to remind him that the injuries have put a limit to what he is capable of doing without pain. Even running equipment causes severe pain because of the jostling around. He's been playing driver and even that depends on which truck he's in. SIGH...men
Got the Rhubarb in the ground next to the chicken yard...complete with the old bird cage as its "fence". Worked on the front area a bit while my allergy headache was less bothersome. Felt nice to move around a bit out in the yard. Little hesitant to do much at this point for fear of kicking the allergy back into high gear...got some nice shots of the flower bed area though...
This is what is now seen when approaching the house...
 
 
A view of my front yard as seen from the porch...
This is my rubber tree plant growing wild in the yard..
Looking back towards the house...
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| Stormdancer Posted on Monday, March 31, 2008 - 06:43 am: | |
The kids were here on Sunday. Was a very nice warm almost "summer" type day. DH got the last door on the chicken coop for me so now I can check the nests without having to go inside the fence. Got the Lavender and the rest of the mystery lillies in the new flower bed and started working on cleaning out the area in front of the porch.
Pumpkin sprouts!! Of course of all places they are in the Chicken yard...will be transplanting a few of these to the garden.
Helped the neighbor move their huge Staghorn Fern to the new pole DH finished for them last week. Took the loader down to lift it from the old location to the new pole. The neighbor gave us a couple of fronds off the plant, but his wife told him she didn't think they were the ones that rooted. After a bit of research, I believe she is correct. I put them in the bend on the Bottlebrush tree and covered them with some of my mulch... we shall see if they decide to take or not. Beautiful plant, the wife says she thinks it is around 100 years old. From the size, I'd say she's probably close.
Rhubarb is looking happy in its new spot. Hoping it will grow its little heart out there.
Would really like to get the mower up and running...the yard is beginning to look scraggly from all of the weed growth....ah well, maybe soon. |
| Stormdancer Posted on Tuesday, April 01, 2008 - 02:10 pm: | |
April Fool's Day...what a beautiful day...the high today reached about 83 f. Looks like a typical "summer" day...must be our "April Fools Day" from nature...all the windows are open welcoming the breezes. Heard the sounds of pretty heavy thunder a few minutes ago...very light rain has begun. Sun is still shining between the rain splashes. Stops about as quick as it starts...just enough to push the humidity up a bit. Thunder continues to rumble...typical Florida afternoon...got the ocean breeze colliding with the gulf coast breeze bringing us the much needed rain. We are still in drought conditions in spite of the rain. Wildfires are already beginning to spark in the dryer areas and of course there are a few idiots out there who are actually starting the fires. One of these fires was pretty close to my sister's place this past weekend. Burned 100 acres and they are reporting it is arson...hope they hang the idiot. Sis said though it was close, she at least wasn't affected by the smoke. Was only a couple of miles from her. Fires of 1998 are still in my nightmares... one of the things I don't like about Florida is the fires. |
| Stormdancer Posted on Tuesday, April 01, 2008 - 09:22 pm: | |
The rains came finally, after being announced by rumbles of thunder for over an hour. In spite of how hard and the length of time it rained, I doubt we got much more than ½ an inch. Rained hard enough that the end of the driveway looked fogged from the porch...that’s only about 275 feet...was sure glad I wasn’t driving in it...on the down side, my sister probably was...she had a trip to Jax Mayo clinic for an appointment this afternoon...by the time she was ready to leave Jax and head south, we were in the middle of a storm cell. Waiting for her to call anytime to let me know they got home safe. Could call her cell and check on her, but figure since her hubby is driving they may have decided to make it a pleasure drive coming home. I can wait a bit longer.
Puddles are standing in the low areas of the driveway, glad DH decided to stay in front tonight instead of driving around back. The side yard where we have “ponding” during heavy or steady rain is pretty spongy right now. Hate it when he makes road tracks in the yard. The temperature dropped about ten degrees once the rain began... it’s currently 73 f at 7:30 pm. Everything is looking very bright in the new spring green. Since we have such mild weather during the winter, our area stays green year round. Only a few of the trees drop their leaves and are bare. Most of our Scrub Oaks seem to stay green and in full leaf year round. My yard is always green, not because it’s a beautiful grassy lawn, but because of the wild weeds that co-exist with the grass. I don’t believe in chemicals on my yard and can’t justify wasting my efforts to maintain grass. What ever makes the yard green is welcome and if it can tolerate the mowing, even better. Water restrictions don’t bother me because I don’t water the yard. Yes, I water the flowerbed areas, but even there it must be pretty dry before I water. That is why I choose the native type plants for my yard, also because if I have to constantly keep after it, I’m going to lose interest and it will die. Makes way more sense to stick with things that like to be left alone. We have invested in soaker hoses for the garden and flowerbed areas, that way I’m not watering the air...humidity stays so high in the summer that the ground watering made so much more sense. I become enraged when I see idiots wasting water by running their sprinklers during the rains, or watering the streets and sidewalks. These are the very people who scream the loudest when they are fined. Can’t dwell here, the thought makes me nuts. I’m wanting to add more soaker hoses to the new beds and the vegetable garden. Currently I’m running a sprinkler setup in the veggie garden. It’s ok, but I think the soaker will be much better. I water fairly late in the day so I don’t worry about the water getting sucked back out by the intense sun.
My next project out in the front garden area is to pick up some of the edging for under the split rail fence. I plan to continue the pinecone mulch along the porch side beds and under the split rail. A walkway is planned, but I haven’t decided exactly what I want...maybe the flat fieldstone we had at the old house...that would look good next to the fence with the red mulch. Figure the edging will keep the new dirt and mulch from being washed away during heavy rain and will also help me keep the grass away from the fence...not so much weedeating when I mow.
Rain kept me from doing much. Was able to finally get the Troybilt paperwork found so I can get the trimmer to the shop. Its under warranty so we shall see how that goes. Got a ton of work to do with it as soon as its up again. Looks like I’ll be investing in dust masks to keep the allergies from flaring...joy. |
| Stormdancer Posted on Thursday, April 03, 2008 - 05:34 pm: | |
Another beautiful sunny day. The temps remain in the low 80’s, today reached around 83 f. Afternoon brought the rains that we see during normal summer months...and as the sun begins to sink in the early evening sky, we are currently enjoying a slight breeze, temps around 78 f, and a bright cloud filled sky that is beginning to show signs of clearing. Everything around the place is showing bright new green growth. The rains make the yard sparkle with new life. Tonight’s lows are forecast to be in the mid 60’s so the windows will remain open again tonight. I hate to have to close the house up when its cold out...I can’t hear the night critters serenading. My pup, Mojo, hates when I have to close the door to his favorite hangout...the screened porch. This is where he spends hours watching the yard and waiting for the deer and turkeys to appear.
Its pretty cute actually...I have pictures of the dogs all sitting on the porch looking out the screen at the herd of deer feeding just off the front porch.
Every one of them was sitting quietly...Mojo was only about four months at the time. He’s now 16 months old...have to watch for the wild life because he has learned it is great fun to chase. I don’t think he would hurt the deer, but if he caught a turkey I’m sure he would kill the bird. Never can tell though...his mother was a Bull Mastiff/Irish Setter mix and his father is a Shepherd/Yellow Lab mix.
Our other large dog, Bear is a Shepherd/Red Setter mix as best we can tell...beautiful dog, but tends to have an attitude. The littlest one is also the oldest...
Spike has the heart and soul of the biggest baddest pit that ever walked the earth...problem is, he’s a
Dashound(sp)/Peek-a-poo mix. Been a real bad ass since he was born. Willing to take on any and all comers, regardless of size...matter of fact, the bigger is preferred. Crazy mutt...even at three months he thought he was the baddest thing on four legs. Wouldn’t have made a mouthful for the ones he was going after, he only weighed about five pounds then, if that. But he’s just had his tenth birthday and even though he gives 100% when he wants, he’s slowing down. Playing with Mojo and Bear wears him out pretty quick and he’s soon ready to head in for his spot on the chair. Got to give the little guy credit though, he will run as long as the other two and those little short legs cover a whole lot of yard when he’s in the mood to play.
All the afternoon rain has kept me out of the garden for the past few days. The squirrels have nipped the blooms on the Bottlebrush tree and have them everywhere. The tree doesn’t seem to mind...it just throws more blooms. Right now it is loaded with red brushes. Its close to thirty feet tall, which is one of the chores for this summer, trim the limbs from over the roof...ok, not this “summer”, but just not real soon...which of course translates to “right before the first major hurricane is due to smack us around." I can run the chainsaw, but I can’t do heights, ok, only if I want to be on the ground looking up...heights make me dizzy. But one of our boys does tree work and DH does as well, so they need to get in gear...hahahaha. Yeah, right...sigh...guess its time to whine. But then again, DH also has the roof to pressure wash so we can get the roof coating applied before the summer daily rains set in....hmmm, might be able to hit three with one stone...something to consider. |
