Lugenia was special, but I guess we all think our Nannies are special. My sister and I were too old to go to day care or nursery as it was known back then, so Mom hired Lugenia to stay with us during the day, keep the house up, and fix Dad and the farm help some lunch. Lugenia wasn't the first, but she was the best (so Lizzy, you were pretty good too). Lugenia loved her babies - that would be me and my sister. She kept a close eye on us, but that meant she could see us from any one of the windows in the house. She didn't hover, but she always made sure we were not into mischief or doing something we could get hurt at.
We lived in the country and back in the 50s that meant 12 miles from town and the nearest neighbor was a half a mile away. No traffic on our one lane dirt road and that meant extra protection for us girls. We could play in the road all day and not see a car go by. The ditches were full of nice white sand and we would get on our bicycles and ride until we couldn't ride any more then stop and play in the sand. When we were rested, we would get back on the bicycles for more riding. I probably had the strongest legs of any girl around. Anyway, back to Lugenia.
Lugenia lived in that half mile house - she was our nearest neighbor. Lugenia didn't like storms. Every time a dark cloud came up, after she unplugged anything that was plugged in, we would sit on the sofa on each side of her, the Bible on her lap and her arms around us and she would pray. After the cloud passed she would shoo us back outside to play in the mud puddles. She would fix us bacon, eggs, grits and toast for breakfast. We could only have on slice of toast because it filled us up and we wouldn't eat the rest of the "good" stuff.
Lugenia next spanked us, though we sure deserved it. My sister and I could fight like cats and dogs over nothing. She would always get us separated and tell us Jesus didn't like meanness. I probably learned more about the Bible from Lugenia than all my days in Sunday school. She made everything in the Good Book apply to whatever we were doing.
The family was coming home from Church one night during Revival Week and Dad saw a huge king snake in the road. He stopped the car, jumped out and caught that big old snake right in front of Lugenia's house. Dad loved to keep king snakes at the barn to catch mice and rats. He started to get back in the car and Mom started yelling and carrying on something fierce. Dad sat in the driver's seat and Mom went our the passenger door. She refused to ride that half mile with a snake in the car. After talking Mom back in the car, he pulled in Lugenia's driveway getting out and heading to her front door. Well, Lugenia must have been watching all the commotion because when Dad knocked on the door, Lugenia cracked the door holding a butcher knife in her hand. She told my Dad she didn't want to hurt anybody, but if he came in her house with that snake she would kill him.
Dad thought this was real funny, but he believed Lugenia and came on back to the car. He let the snake go back in the road. The next morning Lugenia apologized to Dad and Dad apologized to Lugenia and everything was back to normal. I think Dad thought both Mom and Lugenia were a bit crazy.
As granddaddy brought us vegetables from the garden, Lugenia showed me how to can, freeze and also to make jelly. She never put me in harms way, but always made sure I was close enough to see what she was doing and told me every step of the process and why it was done.
On the weekends, Lugenia's daughter and grandchildren came from town and took her back with them. She did her grocery shopping then and went to church with them on Sunday. She would tell us all about her grandchildren when she came on Monday.
As she got older and her daughter didn't think she could live alone, she moved to town. She is gone now, but I'll never forget Lugenia. I am sure I carry part of her with me to this day.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
An Update With Questions
After I finished the No Rain saga - it rained! Tell me God doesn't answer prayers. Yep - the squash leaves unfurled, the tomatoes look spry, but there is no helping the lettuce. There are even new blooms on the beans!
I was researching the brood time for chickens the other day - the neighbors chickens are in my barn sitting on her eggs - and found that a chicken will sit on the eggs for 21 days, going without food or water during that time. They only move to rotate the eggs - if not rotated the yolk will stick to the inside of the egg shell and cause deformities (didn't know that either).
Well, my thunker started thunking - if all fowl exhibit the same characteristics, that is probably the reason my hummingbirds went stark raving mad. They were stocking up for their 21 day sit in. It has been close to that as yet and I have not refilled the feeder for 10 days, even though it will need refilling tomorrow. I have only seen 3 birds at the feeder in the same period of time and they do not linger as they were doing before. Interesting! Anyone know how long a hummingbird sits on her eggs?
I receive the free Better Homes and Gardens newsletter which I love. (Go to BHG.com to sign up) Yesterday that had several articles on tomatoes. This lady is so smart - I don't know if she practices what she preaches, but she makes you think she knows what she is doing. I have been considering trying one of those upside down things where tomatoes are planted in the bottom and grow toward the ground - my friend has several and she really loves them. I want to try planting tomatoes in one of those fiber type hanging baskets through the bottom. Then I got the bright idea that I would cut a branch off my tomatoes and start it in one of the baskets. The plants already have a head start and even though it is a little early - for my plants anyway - to start pruning, I could get a good healthy shoot and try it out. Now I am going to push the idea a little more and plant herbs in the top of the basket. I can hang it from the porch and control how much of that scorching sun they receive. If I fertilize and water properly, I should have a beautiful basket. I'll let you know how it turns out.
I am suppose to go to the peach orchard today, but I really don't like June peaches. The July peaches are so much sweeter and really taste like a Georgia peach. If I can hold off a couple of weeks, I can get the good stuff. The plums are gone. I made a dozen jars of plum jelly. Now I am waiting on the figs and then the pears. I won't get as many pears this year, but hope to have enough for some preserves. I have to race the birds to the figs and normally they are faster than I am.
Did I mention that all but one of the cuttings I put in 3 weeks ago rooted. I think the trick is keeping the humidity up - that is the key to it all. I rigged up some miniature greenhouses - actually I took a 1 gallon zip lock bag and placed over the top of the pot and remembered to water every other day. It works, so my daughter has some Hydrangeas and Althea to plant and I have a new smoke bush and snowball plant. Wonder if that will work with spirea.
I was researching the brood time for chickens the other day - the neighbors chickens are in my barn sitting on her eggs - and found that a chicken will sit on the eggs for 21 days, going without food or water during that time. They only move to rotate the eggs - if not rotated the yolk will stick to the inside of the egg shell and cause deformities (didn't know that either).
Well, my thunker started thunking - if all fowl exhibit the same characteristics, that is probably the reason my hummingbirds went stark raving mad. They were stocking up for their 21 day sit in. It has been close to that as yet and I have not refilled the feeder for 10 days, even though it will need refilling tomorrow. I have only seen 3 birds at the feeder in the same period of time and they do not linger as they were doing before. Interesting! Anyone know how long a hummingbird sits on her eggs?
I receive the free Better Homes and Gardens newsletter which I love. (Go to BHG.com to sign up) Yesterday that had several articles on tomatoes. This lady is so smart - I don't know if she practices what she preaches, but she makes you think she knows what she is doing. I have been considering trying one of those upside down things where tomatoes are planted in the bottom and grow toward the ground - my friend has several and she really loves them. I want to try planting tomatoes in one of those fiber type hanging baskets through the bottom. Then I got the bright idea that I would cut a branch off my tomatoes and start it in one of the baskets. The plants already have a head start and even though it is a little early - for my plants anyway - to start pruning, I could get a good healthy shoot and try it out. Now I am going to push the idea a little more and plant herbs in the top of the basket. I can hang it from the porch and control how much of that scorching sun they receive. If I fertilize and water properly, I should have a beautiful basket. I'll let you know how it turns out.
I am suppose to go to the peach orchard today, but I really don't like June peaches. The July peaches are so much sweeter and really taste like a Georgia peach. If I can hold off a couple of weeks, I can get the good stuff. The plums are gone. I made a dozen jars of plum jelly. Now I am waiting on the figs and then the pears. I won't get as many pears this year, but hope to have enough for some preserves. I have to race the birds to the figs and normally they are faster than I am.
Did I mention that all but one of the cuttings I put in 3 weeks ago rooted. I think the trick is keeping the humidity up - that is the key to it all. I rigged up some miniature greenhouses - actually I took a 1 gallon zip lock bag and placed over the top of the pot and remembered to water every other day. It works, so my daughter has some Hydrangeas and Althea to plant and I have a new smoke bush and snowball plant. Wonder if that will work with spirea.
Monday, June 22, 2009
No Rain
The rain stopped about 3 weeks ago after a bountiful spring. From late winter through the spring the rains came and the grass grew, the flowers bloomed and everything was lush with foliage. The vegetable garden grew quickly and thickly.
Then the rain stopped. The withering started and the bugs came forward - especially the Japanese Beetles. They quickly covered everything; eating the beautiful and bountiful blooms on the roses. The hibiscus, the plums, the okra, the beans were all covered and now I have a holy garden and yard. These beautiful little bugs can lay waste so fast it isn't funny.
The beautiful canopy of the squash plant folded up like an unused umbrella denying shade to the okra and lettuce. The lettuce, white with the sun's scorching rays, wilted and fell over under the glare of the sun. The fuzzy leaves of the beans slowly turned yellow with jaundice and the tomatoes baked themselves in the skin. The cilantro and basil, in pots under the porch's eave, have even wilted and are resting on the edge of the pot and hanger. Watering at night provides some relief but can't reach the heart of the plant. The hosta's leaves are bleached white while their pretty little flowers sway in the hot breeze.
The huge limbs of the hibiscus are laid over from lack of water, while the smoke bush is flourishing. The rosa rugosa is putting out new growth without a care in the whole and the bougainvillea is running over, under and around the fence rails beautifully. The sweet peas, so pretty and green, are climbing the arbor and the cosmos is blooming while their delicate little flowers standing straight and tall are reflected in the gazing ball as if there are a field of flowers.
This I expected in late July and August as is usual with our area. Not the middle of June. Now I will be lucky to gather more vegetables from this once lush plot. The clouds have been gathering in the late afternoon, only to be blown away by the hot winds. There is no relief even from the winds. Even the birds are too hot to fight over the feeders and the animals have stopped feeding by lunch time; everything stops for a siesta until late afternoon - everything except those Japanese Beetles.
Then as if by magic, everything wakes up, takes a stretch and starts all over again. The cooling winds encourage the squash to open its umbrella leaves and the tomatoes to perk up once again. But there is no reviving the scalded lettuce leaves and the boiled tomato fruit. I pick off the blistered and oozing fruit and toss in the compost pile with a heavy heart. The blooms are still holding on the beans even though the leaves are yellow. Maybe, just maybe, today will be the day for a good shower - enough for my plants to make it through another day and revive enough to survive.
Maybe next year I will remember to plant with shade in mind and water close by. I am sure going to have a crowd under the big oak trees!
Then the rain stopped. The withering started and the bugs came forward - especially the Japanese Beetles. They quickly covered everything; eating the beautiful and bountiful blooms on the roses. The hibiscus, the plums, the okra, the beans were all covered and now I have a holy garden and yard. These beautiful little bugs can lay waste so fast it isn't funny.
The beautiful canopy of the squash plant folded up like an unused umbrella denying shade to the okra and lettuce. The lettuce, white with the sun's scorching rays, wilted and fell over under the glare of the sun. The fuzzy leaves of the beans slowly turned yellow with jaundice and the tomatoes baked themselves in the skin. The cilantro and basil, in pots under the porch's eave, have even wilted and are resting on the edge of the pot and hanger. Watering at night provides some relief but can't reach the heart of the plant. The hosta's leaves are bleached white while their pretty little flowers sway in the hot breeze.
The huge limbs of the hibiscus are laid over from lack of water, while the smoke bush is flourishing. The rosa rugosa is putting out new growth without a care in the whole and the bougainvillea is running over, under and around the fence rails beautifully. The sweet peas, so pretty and green, are climbing the arbor and the cosmos is blooming while their delicate little flowers standing straight and tall are reflected in the gazing ball as if there are a field of flowers.
This I expected in late July and August as is usual with our area. Not the middle of June. Now I will be lucky to gather more vegetables from this once lush plot. The clouds have been gathering in the late afternoon, only to be blown away by the hot winds. There is no relief even from the winds. Even the birds are too hot to fight over the feeders and the animals have stopped feeding by lunch time; everything stops for a siesta until late afternoon - everything except those Japanese Beetles.
Then as if by magic, everything wakes up, takes a stretch and starts all over again. The cooling winds encourage the squash to open its umbrella leaves and the tomatoes to perk up once again. But there is no reviving the scalded lettuce leaves and the boiled tomato fruit. I pick off the blistered and oozing fruit and toss in the compost pile with a heavy heart. The blooms are still holding on the beans even though the leaves are yellow. Maybe, just maybe, today will be the day for a good shower - enough for my plants to make it through another day and revive enough to survive.
Maybe next year I will remember to plant with shade in mind and water close by. I am sure going to have a crowd under the big oak trees!
Friday, June 19, 2009
Father's Day
This Sunday is celebrated as Father's Day around the globe. I am blessed that my father is still alive. Many fathers have already passed away and still other's have never known their father.
I can't tell you what makes a good father. I can tell you that I love my father, but I don't always like him.
I always had food to eat and clean clothes to wear. I was taken with my father to church every Sunday and when I was grown he scoured the neighborhood and found other children that he could take to church (their fathers didn't take them). My father took us to the beach every summer. I always felt safe and secure when I laid down to sleep at night - I felt protected.
My Dad taught me to care for animals, plant a garden, the fragrance of a beautiful rose, the beauty of a dahlia, how to milk a cow, to barbecue a pig, the love of camellias, to appreciate the softness of moss under a big oak tree, the natural fun of a creek, to learn the history of our surroundings, to change a tire and check the oil in a car, to savor the flavor of the first peach of the season, the wonderful sensation of freshly turned dirt between bare toes, to acknowledge the past but no to dwell on it, the sweetness of a watermelon, how to drive a tractor, that the written word is longer lasting than a quick phone call, to appreciate what is given to you, how important time is, to take advantage of opportunities - they may not come again, not to judge what we don't understand, to read my Bible, you can't have enough friends, and so much more.
Yes, I love my Dad and wish for him to have a day of anything his heart desires. My father is afraid of losing his ability to make decisions for himself. But refusing to take his medicine, get his rest, do his therapy, and acts in an irresponsible manner is not a sign of independence but a sure sign of bad judgement. Get it right Dad, I would like to have you here next year for Father's Day also.
Happy Father's Day to all you men out there who have given in a positive and uplifting way of you time, energy and love to someone.
I can't tell you what makes a good father. I can tell you that I love my father, but I don't always like him.
I always had food to eat and clean clothes to wear. I was taken with my father to church every Sunday and when I was grown he scoured the neighborhood and found other children that he could take to church (their fathers didn't take them). My father took us to the beach every summer. I always felt safe and secure when I laid down to sleep at night - I felt protected.
My Dad taught me to care for animals, plant a garden, the fragrance of a beautiful rose, the beauty of a dahlia, how to milk a cow, to barbecue a pig, the love of camellias, to appreciate the softness of moss under a big oak tree, the natural fun of a creek, to learn the history of our surroundings, to change a tire and check the oil in a car, to savor the flavor of the first peach of the season, the wonderful sensation of freshly turned dirt between bare toes, to acknowledge the past but no to dwell on it, the sweetness of a watermelon, how to drive a tractor, that the written word is longer lasting than a quick phone call, to appreciate what is given to you, how important time is, to take advantage of opportunities - they may not come again, not to judge what we don't understand, to read my Bible, you can't have enough friends, and so much more.
Yes, I love my Dad and wish for him to have a day of anything his heart desires. My father is afraid of losing his ability to make decisions for himself. But refusing to take his medicine, get his rest, do his therapy, and acts in an irresponsible manner is not a sign of independence but a sure sign of bad judgement. Get it right Dad, I would like to have you here next year for Father's Day also.
Happy Father's Day to all you men out there who have given in a positive and uplifting way of you time, energy and love to someone.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
The Hummingbirds
I never knew how demanding these little creatures ccould be. Fascinating and really fast, hummingbirds can empty a feeder in less than 8 hours. I now know I have more than 2 or 3 of the little ones. I have been watching the little devils for a couple of months and I have seen at least 12 birds and probably more. If I allow the feeder to empty, they (usually 2 or 3) will hover about 4 inches from the feeder until I remove and refill.
I sit on the porch in the early morning, and watch them dive bomb each other to get to the feeder, but never have I seen more than 2 at a time feeding. They fight in the air, around my head and literally knock each other off the feeder. Whether playing, performing a mating ritual or just plain mean, it is a special treat to watch them.
We have identified some of them as Rufous, Ruby Throated and Broad-tailed. All of the birds are beautiful and each have their own personality. I think the Ruby Throated is the most aggressive, however all seem to hold their own.
I haven't located a nest as yet, but I noticed a small nest in the joint of the smoke bush yesterday. Don't know if it belongs to the hummingbirds or some other visitor to our yard. We have several bird feeders for our feathered friends, but only one hummingbird feeder that hangs from the eave of the porch. My husband really has to stay alert to keep from literally getting in the middle of their fights while sitting in his rocker.
Yesterday, I decided to move the feeder. We have had the ceiling fan on the porch running on high. I noticed we haven't see the hummingbirds as much this week and I haven't had to refill the feeder everyday. Thinking the ceiling fan was messing with their air balance, I thought the feeder may do better on the arbor. Big mistake!
I hung a plant in place of the feeder. It didn't take long before the hummingbirds were attacking the holder and the plant. They were really showing their aggressive and possessive personalities. After thirty minutes of their chirping, hovering, and pecking, I moved the feeder back in its original spot. What can I say, I guess I am just easy.
I know chickens will not feed or drink while hatching eggs, I wondered if maybe the hummingbirds had the same tendancies. Well, they are still with me anyway and I will definitely leave their feeder where it is for now.
I sit on the porch in the early morning, and watch them dive bomb each other to get to the feeder, but never have I seen more than 2 at a time feeding. They fight in the air, around my head and literally knock each other off the feeder. Whether playing, performing a mating ritual or just plain mean, it is a special treat to watch them.
We have identified some of them as Rufous, Ruby Throated and Broad-tailed. All of the birds are beautiful and each have their own personality. I think the Ruby Throated is the most aggressive, however all seem to hold their own.
I haven't located a nest as yet, but I noticed a small nest in the joint of the smoke bush yesterday. Don't know if it belongs to the hummingbirds or some other visitor to our yard. We have several bird feeders for our feathered friends, but only one hummingbird feeder that hangs from the eave of the porch. My husband really has to stay alert to keep from literally getting in the middle of their fights while sitting in his rocker.
Yesterday, I decided to move the feeder. We have had the ceiling fan on the porch running on high. I noticed we haven't see the hummingbirds as much this week and I haven't had to refill the feeder everyday. Thinking the ceiling fan was messing with their air balance, I thought the feeder may do better on the arbor. Big mistake!
I hung a plant in place of the feeder. It didn't take long before the hummingbirds were attacking the holder and the plant. They were really showing their aggressive and possessive personalities. After thirty minutes of their chirping, hovering, and pecking, I moved the feeder back in its original spot. What can I say, I guess I am just easy.
I know chickens will not feed or drink while hatching eggs, I wondered if maybe the hummingbirds had the same tendancies. Well, they are still with me anyway and I will definitely leave their feeder where it is for now.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Rosa Rugosa
My son-in-law brought me two Rosa Rugosas from his plant which is huge. One died before I could transplant, but low and behold, the other one has taken off. It doubled in size in a weeks time and now has buds and blooms everywhere. No special care and it wasn't planted in the best spot, but it is thriving. An old time rose, it has multi-blooms. The only drawback - it is covered with thorns from base to flower. Smells terrific. (See picture in sidebar.)
Fishing With Granddaddy
At least once a week Granddaddy would take me fishing except in the winter. Granddaddy didn't like to get cold. He was such a tall man, but skinny as a rail. I always thought he needed some fat on him to warm him up.
We never fished with a rod and reel. I never knew whether that was because he couldn't afford them or whether he just like a cane pole. He sure had a lot of cane poles though. We never fished from a boat, but we hit every creek and farm pond around. I always wondered how Granddaddy chose where we would be fishing. I realized as I got older it depended on the weather. If it was gong to be a scorcher, we hit the creek bank; mild weather always found us on the pond bank. Usually there are no trees around a farm pond to provide shade until late in the afternoon. Granddaddy liked to leave out mid-morning and fish until mid-afternoon.
In early spring we set the corks for 2-3 feet deep and in the middle of summer the corks were set 4-6 feet to reach the cooler waters. Sometimes it was so hot you couldn't get the corks deep enough. The fish stayed low to keep cool on the real hot days.
His favorite bait was red wigglers and crickets. I preferred meal worms and grubs. We both had about the same luck so it didn't matter which bait we used. Either one was great for catching bream. If we were real lucky Granddaddy would get his hands on some catalpas. They make the best bait in the world for catfish. I know we fished with chicken hearts and livers, too, but the catalpas weren't as messy unless they had been frozen. When Granddaddy froze catalpas, he put some fruit fresh in the water with them and this kept them from turning black. When they were thawed for use, we would turn them inside out with a wood match and place them on the hook. Catfish really liked them this way. Catfish must like yucky stuff, but we sure caught a lot of them on the catalpas. Once in a while a big old bass would hit a catalpa and Granddaddy would get all excited.
Granddaddy tried taking my little sister with us, but that just got on his nerves. It stopped when we were fishing on the creek bank and she started yelling and splashing. Granddaddy and I took off running. She had gotten about 50 feet below us in the woods and was in the water. Granddaddy pulled her out and wanted to know how she got there. She said a big fish pulled her in the water. Well, that didn't fly. Her pole was broken and the line with cork, weight and hook was rapped around a tree limb over our heads. It was time to head for home. The fish were definitely not going to bite now and Granddaddy was plenty perturbed with baby sister.
I have fallen in many a creek and pond, but only after granddaddy said we ought to rap it up. Riding home wet, with the windows down was just about the best feeling in the world.
Many years later, I lived in south Georgia. Granddaddy came to visit and I took him fishing. I had rods and reels, no cane poles and he looked a little disappointed in me. We traveled down to Twin Lakes and out on the pier we went with our folding chairs, crickets, and red wigglers. Granddaddy handled that rod and reel like it was all he had ever fished with, but I knew better. He was just determined I wasn't going to get the best of him. Granddaddy and I always had an unspoken competition going - nothing hurtful, just a fun to keep us focused on our fishing.
All afternoon we fought the bugs and heat. No place in the world has more biting critters than Valdosta and there is nowhere as hot and humid. We fished for a couple of hours and Granddaddy was ready to go. We were going to have find a creek with some shade or leave earlier in the morning. We did catch some fish for supper though it was not a good time.
Yep, can't remember having as much fun and feeling as much at peace as I did fishing with Granddaddy. We didn't talk much, but we liked it that way. Nope, nothing much more peaceful than sitting on a creek bank watching that cork bob along. And nothing more exciting than pulling in the fish. I sure do miss Granddaddy - I wonder if they have creek banks in heaven. I sure hope so.
We never fished with a rod and reel. I never knew whether that was because he couldn't afford them or whether he just like a cane pole. He sure had a lot of cane poles though. We never fished from a boat, but we hit every creek and farm pond around. I always wondered how Granddaddy chose where we would be fishing. I realized as I got older it depended on the weather. If it was gong to be a scorcher, we hit the creek bank; mild weather always found us on the pond bank. Usually there are no trees around a farm pond to provide shade until late in the afternoon. Granddaddy liked to leave out mid-morning and fish until mid-afternoon.
In early spring we set the corks for 2-3 feet deep and in the middle of summer the corks were set 4-6 feet to reach the cooler waters. Sometimes it was so hot you couldn't get the corks deep enough. The fish stayed low to keep cool on the real hot days.
His favorite bait was red wigglers and crickets. I preferred meal worms and grubs. We both had about the same luck so it didn't matter which bait we used. Either one was great for catching bream. If we were real lucky Granddaddy would get his hands on some catalpas. They make the best bait in the world for catfish. I know we fished with chicken hearts and livers, too, but the catalpas weren't as messy unless they had been frozen. When Granddaddy froze catalpas, he put some fruit fresh in the water with them and this kept them from turning black. When they were thawed for use, we would turn them inside out with a wood match and place them on the hook. Catfish really liked them this way. Catfish must like yucky stuff, but we sure caught a lot of them on the catalpas. Once in a while a big old bass would hit a catalpa and Granddaddy would get all excited.
Granddaddy tried taking my little sister with us, but that just got on his nerves. It stopped when we were fishing on the creek bank and she started yelling and splashing. Granddaddy and I took off running. She had gotten about 50 feet below us in the woods and was in the water. Granddaddy pulled her out and wanted to know how she got there. She said a big fish pulled her in the water. Well, that didn't fly. Her pole was broken and the line with cork, weight and hook was rapped around a tree limb over our heads. It was time to head for home. The fish were definitely not going to bite now and Granddaddy was plenty perturbed with baby sister.
I have fallen in many a creek and pond, but only after granddaddy said we ought to rap it up. Riding home wet, with the windows down was just about the best feeling in the world.
Many years later, I lived in south Georgia. Granddaddy came to visit and I took him fishing. I had rods and reels, no cane poles and he looked a little disappointed in me. We traveled down to Twin Lakes and out on the pier we went with our folding chairs, crickets, and red wigglers. Granddaddy handled that rod and reel like it was all he had ever fished with, but I knew better. He was just determined I wasn't going to get the best of him. Granddaddy and I always had an unspoken competition going - nothing hurtful, just a fun to keep us focused on our fishing.
All afternoon we fought the bugs and heat. No place in the world has more biting critters than Valdosta and there is nowhere as hot and humid. We fished for a couple of hours and Granddaddy was ready to go. We were going to have find a creek with some shade or leave earlier in the morning. We did catch some fish for supper though it was not a good time.
Yep, can't remember having as much fun and feeling as much at peace as I did fishing with Granddaddy. We didn't talk much, but we liked it that way. Nope, nothing much more peaceful than sitting on a creek bank watching that cork bob along. And nothing more exciting than pulling in the fish. I sure do miss Granddaddy - I wonder if they have creek banks in heaven. I sure hope so.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
The Birthday Present
It was late May and already heating up. No rain to speak of in three years and now even my heart was dehydrated. I needed water! While growing up I had spent every weekend of summer on the lake, in the water. I could go to my sister's pool, but she was on the south side of town and I always felt I was imposing, interrupting, a general pain in the butt when I went for a swim. Could I put in a pool?
I went to my computer and typed in pool. Mistake! Boy did I get the fever. They were beautiful - and expensive. I could probably afford a small above ground, but I couldn't picture that in my backyard without adding a large deck with railing, clearing some trees, taking down a railing, and on and on. Then I found a site called National Pool Warehouse. They had the best prices and all the instructions to install - didn't know you could order pool kits. If my husband could build a house, why couldn't he put in a swimming pool? All I wanted was a large tub of water to hydrate my body and cool my mind.
I didn't say anything for 2 days, but I kept going back to that website over and over. I was obsessed. Could we afford it, even with family and friends doing the labor. I prayed and prayed. My birthday was in a few days. I usually gave gifts to my grandchildren on my birthday. This would make a great present for them! They loved water as much as Nanna.
Finally, I pulled up the website and called my husband, Tom, in to have a look. First comment from Tom, "Isn't that pretty." My reply, "Can we order it?" He looked at me like I had lost my mind. I went in to my spill - I begged, I pleaded, I explained how easy it would be, and it was my birthday. I called our son, Bob, and ask if he would help and received a very cautious "yes." Well, Tom gave in and I placed the order. The 16 X 32 would be just right, it was the smaller of the in ground pools and the freebies would be all we needed. No extras, EXCEPT, we chose a salt system.
We immediately started looking for professional help. Tom called some people he knew that installed pools and they gave him some more names. When all was said and done we had 3 bids - $$22,000 - $40,000 to put in a $7300 pool kit. No way we could afford that. It would be up to us to get it put in. We knew several friends who had pools and we contacted everyone we knew even connected to a swimming pool. I worked with a friend who as a contractor had put in many pools. He offered to advise at no charge and he became our lifeline. We looked out over the backyard and pictured the pool. My trees! My muscadine vine! My bird bath and feeder! Oh no, they all had to go. What was I thinking? Bob came over and looked at the pool diagrams on-line and just kept smiling. He likes to swim too!
Things moved real fast after that. In a weeks time the backyard was leveled and the trees were gone, the bird bath, my arbor with all by hanging baskets, all of it. Just a level dirt field. Tom and Bob had been busy. The pool installation had started and the first parts had not arrived. I had created a monster! Then then kit started arriving. Instruction manual, metal panels, jump board, ladder, steps, light were all right here ready to go. Then everybody got the fever.
A few days later Big J, our contractor friend arrived with transit in tow. Hot as hades, Tom, Bob and Big J stood in the hot sun looking, talking, deciding; all after a hard days work. Me, I stood at the window and watched and prayed. Can they do this? Bob jumped on his bobcat and proceeded to follow directions of Big J. They sure acted like they knew what they were doing. Dirt was moved and more dirt was moved. All the topsoil disappeared leaving nothing but Georgia red clay. But that little bobcat had a square 42" deep and 20" X 36" with a perfect opening for the steps. You have to dig 4 feet more than the size of the pool to accommodate the side panels and braces. I was so proud. See nothing to it. Was I in for a surprise. By the weekend, our friend John had his machine with a bucket on it cleaning the red clay out of the deep end. Everything was going great, but it was so hot!
Big J came around every other day to check on our progress and if we hadn't done enough, he prodded us into action. We had to fix some mistakes too, but with his directions nothing ever got too far off kilter. Having put in so many pools, he knew shortcuts that didn't forfeit quality. While digging was going on in the bottom, walls were being assembled on the top edge. The key to the whole installation is keeping everything level - hence the transit. I had never dealt with a transit before, but it didn't take long to get the hang of how it worked and I spent many afternoon in and out of the red clay box checking the transit. Every time anything was moved, either on purpose or accidental, everything would have to be checked and re-leveled.
Next came the first of the concrete. Finally something to hold that blasted wall in place. It worked like a charm, once the concrete collar was poured everything was stable. Now to get the deep end right which meant more mattock work, shoveling, digging, checking the level. My skin was dyed red, my feet wouldn't come clean, I was even more dehydrated, but we kept at it. There was no stopping or taking a break when Big J was around. When I said I was tired, Big J would laugh and tell me I didn't know what tired was. This 65+ year old man with two knee replacements could work circles around all of us. And giving directions wasn't all he did, he was down in that hole shoveling and digging with the rest. Many thanks to you Big J.
Needless to say it all came together; the coping was installed, the steps (our 3 year old grand daughter finally realized what we had been working on when the steps went in and you should have seen her face), the light, the skimmer, the drain lines, the huge slab of concrete that gave the backyard a whole new look and finally the liner . Tom said no one in until the pool was full - Ha! He was the first one to bust behind while it was filling and then it was on. The salt system has been wonderful.
The water is clear and beautiful - even when the cover came off in the spring. There is no chlorine smell on your skin or hair and no red, burned eyes from swimming. A great thanks to all involved in our crazy endeavor. Happy Birthday to all my babies.
Next the fence and the landscaping!
I went to my computer and typed in pool. Mistake! Boy did I get the fever. They were beautiful - and expensive. I could probably afford a small above ground, but I couldn't picture that in my backyard without adding a large deck with railing, clearing some trees, taking down a railing, and on and on. Then I found a site called National Pool Warehouse. They had the best prices and all the instructions to install - didn't know you could order pool kits. If my husband could build a house, why couldn't he put in a swimming pool? All I wanted was a large tub of water to hydrate my body and cool my mind.
I didn't say anything for 2 days, but I kept going back to that website over and over. I was obsessed. Could we afford it, even with family and friends doing the labor. I prayed and prayed. My birthday was in a few days. I usually gave gifts to my grandchildren on my birthday. This would make a great present for them! They loved water as much as Nanna.
Finally, I pulled up the website and called my husband, Tom, in to have a look. First comment from Tom, "Isn't that pretty." My reply, "Can we order it?" He looked at me like I had lost my mind. I went in to my spill - I begged, I pleaded, I explained how easy it would be, and it was my birthday. I called our son, Bob, and ask if he would help and received a very cautious "yes." Well, Tom gave in and I placed the order. The 16 X 32 would be just right, it was the smaller of the in ground pools and the freebies would be all we needed. No extras, EXCEPT, we chose a salt system.
We immediately started looking for professional help. Tom called some people he knew that installed pools and they gave him some more names. When all was said and done we had 3 bids - $$22,000 - $40,000 to put in a $7300 pool kit. No way we could afford that. It would be up to us to get it put in. We knew several friends who had pools and we contacted everyone we knew even connected to a swimming pool. I worked with a friend who as a contractor had put in many pools. He offered to advise at no charge and he became our lifeline. We looked out over the backyard and pictured the pool. My trees! My muscadine vine! My bird bath and feeder! Oh no, they all had to go. What was I thinking? Bob came over and looked at the pool diagrams on-line and just kept smiling. He likes to swim too!
Things moved real fast after that. In a weeks time the backyard was leveled and the trees were gone, the bird bath, my arbor with all by hanging baskets, all of it. Just a level dirt field. Tom and Bob had been busy. The pool installation had started and the first parts had not arrived. I had created a monster! Then then kit started arriving. Instruction manual, metal panels, jump board, ladder, steps, light were all right here ready to go. Then everybody got the fever.
A few days later Big J, our contractor friend arrived with transit in tow. Hot as hades, Tom, Bob and Big J stood in the hot sun looking, talking, deciding; all after a hard days work. Me, I stood at the window and watched and prayed. Can they do this? Bob jumped on his bobcat and proceeded to follow directions of Big J. They sure acted like they knew what they were doing. Dirt was moved and more dirt was moved. All the topsoil disappeared leaving nothing but Georgia red clay. But that little bobcat had a square 42" deep and 20" X 36" with a perfect opening for the steps. You have to dig 4 feet more than the size of the pool to accommodate the side panels and braces. I was so proud. See nothing to it. Was I in for a surprise. By the weekend, our friend John had his machine with a bucket on it cleaning the red clay out of the deep end. Everything was going great, but it was so hot!
Big J came around every other day to check on our progress and if we hadn't done enough, he prodded us into action. We had to fix some mistakes too, but with his directions nothing ever got too far off kilter. Having put in so many pools, he knew shortcuts that didn't forfeit quality. While digging was going on in the bottom, walls were being assembled on the top edge. The key to the whole installation is keeping everything level - hence the transit. I had never dealt with a transit before, but it didn't take long to get the hang of how it worked and I spent many afternoon in and out of the red clay box checking the transit. Every time anything was moved, either on purpose or accidental, everything would have to be checked and re-leveled.
Next came the first of the concrete. Finally something to hold that blasted wall in place. It worked like a charm, once the concrete collar was poured everything was stable. Now to get the deep end right which meant more mattock work, shoveling, digging, checking the level. My skin was dyed red, my feet wouldn't come clean, I was even more dehydrated, but we kept at it. There was no stopping or taking a break when Big J was around. When I said I was tired, Big J would laugh and tell me I didn't know what tired was. This 65+ year old man with two knee replacements could work circles around all of us. And giving directions wasn't all he did, he was down in that hole shoveling and digging with the rest. Many thanks to you Big J.
Needless to say it all came together; the coping was installed, the steps (our 3 year old grand daughter finally realized what we had been working on when the steps went in and you should have seen her face), the light, the skimmer, the drain lines, the huge slab of concrete that gave the backyard a whole new look and finally the liner . Tom said no one in until the pool was full - Ha! He was the first one to bust behind while it was filling and then it was on. The salt system has been wonderful.
The water is clear and beautiful - even when the cover came off in the spring. There is no chlorine smell on your skin or hair and no red, burned eyes from swimming. A great thanks to all involved in our crazy endeavor. Happy Birthday to all my babies.
Next the fence and the landscaping!
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Rabbits in the Garden
Anyone know a good non-lethal method of keeping rabbits out of my garden. This is a mega rabbitt. He has gotten fat eating somewhere else, why would he get in my beans? He is bigger than the bean plants.
Did you know that
tomatoes ripen faster in the dark?
putting spring onions in ice water keeps them crisp - even in the fridge?
spraying plants with 1/4 c ammonia, 1/4 c dish soap, 4 cups of water will keep deer off your plants?
tobacco mosaic on tomotes is caused from nicotine on your fingers - always wash your hands after smoking and before handling tomato plants?
rubbing the juice from an impatiens plant on your arms and hands before handling poison ivy avoids a breakout?
old pantyhose works great for tying up tomatoes - they don't cut the plants?
Did you know that
tomatoes ripen faster in the dark?
putting spring onions in ice water keeps them crisp - even in the fridge?
spraying plants with 1/4 c ammonia, 1/4 c dish soap, 4 cups of water will keep deer off your plants?
tobacco mosaic on tomotes is caused from nicotine on your fingers - always wash your hands after smoking and before handling tomato plants?
rubbing the juice from an impatiens plant on your arms and hands before handling poison ivy avoids a breakout?
old pantyhose works great for tying up tomatoes - they don't cut the plants?
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Just Like Granpa Taught Him
It was too hot now and he was hungry. Johnny had fished most of the afternoon - which he considered all day. A few small bream had nibbled at his bait, but they were too small to keep anyway. He pulled his cane pole in to check his bait and decided to move his cork up a bit and put on a fresh worm. If the water was anywhere near as hot as the air around him, the fish would go deep to cool off and he needed to be ready. Grandpa taught him that.
He slid further down the red dirt bank and sat on its cool moist dirt. He would love to just slide on in the water and forget the fishing. He pulled his cap down lower on his forehead and leaned back, just like Grandpa use to do.
Johnny sure wished Grandpa could go fishing with him now. They had been fishing buddies forever and had sure caught some good ones. Grandpa was kind of rough on him sometimes especially when he did dumb stuff like swishing the water with his pole or getting his hook caught in the tree limb. Grandpa was all business when it came to fishing. But Johnny had grown up a lot and he remembered what Grandpa had taught him. Grandpa couldn't make it down to the pond anymore since he had his stroke, but Johnny always filled him in on the fishing when he got back to the house. It made Grandpa smile that funny sad smile and sometimes he would laugh. Sometimes Johnny exaggerated a little to make Grandpa smile even more.
Johnny was sure feeling good sitting there in the cool dirt and thinking about Grandpa and fishing. His pole jumped, it sure did! Johnny sat up straight. Grandpa said you had to pay attention. The big one could hit at anytime. There it was again, but Johnny was ready this time and set the hook. He had him! It had to be a big one, that pole was bent almost in half. Johnny let him play the line, just like Grandpa said to do, and then started working him to the bank. He was holding on with all his might. Oh Boy! He wouldn't have to exaggerate this time. It was probably the biggest fish to ever come out of this old pond!
The catfish swam to the top and gave Johnny a good look at him. Johnny couldn't believe it. It was huge! And then something happened; he was gone. the line went limp, the pole straightened out and the big catfish was gone. Johnny almost wanted to cry. The line was flying in the breeze with no cork, no weight, no hook and NO fish.
Johnny grabbed his tackle box and headed across the dam up to the field. Grandpa wouldn't believe him, but he had to tell Grandpa so he could tell him what he had done wrong. Johnny's heart was so heavy he couldn't look up, he just shuffled along in his old tennis shoes and headed home. Johnny knew what was wrong, but he didn't want to think about it. That fishing line had been on that pole all through last summer and now half this summer. He hadn't wanted to take the time to change the line and put on a new hook and look what he missed. If had not been in such a hurry to get to the pond he would be bringing home a huge fish and a good story.
As Johnny got closer to home, he decided not to tell Grandpa about this fish. There was no need in both of them being downhearted. He would save it for another time when he was bringing home a catch and besides he didn't want Grandpa to know he hadn't taken care of his gear.
Grandpa was waiting on the back porch like Johnny knew he would be. He just smiled as Johnny walked by and said "better luck next time." Johnny shuffled past Grandpa and put his pole in the rack. "Yeah, it was really too hot this afternoon. I shouldn't have even gone down there early."
Johnny had been real quiet since coming in from fishing and Grandpa was pretty sure he knew what had happened. At the supper table Grandpa asked Johnny, "How big was it?"
"How big was what, Grandpa?"
"The fish that broke that line on your pole, how big was it?"
Johnny hadn't even thought about fixing his pole and he knew Grandpa noticed everything. "Grandpa that was the biggest fish I ever saw in that pond or any pond around here." And the story was told and re-told until bedtime and Grandpa didn't say one word about the old line on the pole. Grandpa knew Johnny was hurt over losing the fish and he also knew Johnny needed to put new line on the pole.
The next morning, Johnny found Grandpa on the back porch with Johnny's pole in his hand. Grandpa had put on new everything and it was ready to go again. Johnny put his arms around Grandpa and laid his head on his shoulder. Johnny didn't have to Grandpa he loved him or thank him for fixing up his pole or how much he missed him going to the pond with him - Grandpa knew, but Johnny told him anyway.
Late that afternoon Johnny headed back to the pond with his heart set on the big catfish. He wouldn't lose him this time; he would bring him in just like Grandpa taught him.
He slid further down the red dirt bank and sat on its cool moist dirt. He would love to just slide on in the water and forget the fishing. He pulled his cap down lower on his forehead and leaned back, just like Grandpa use to do.
Johnny sure wished Grandpa could go fishing with him now. They had been fishing buddies forever and had sure caught some good ones. Grandpa was kind of rough on him sometimes especially when he did dumb stuff like swishing the water with his pole or getting his hook caught in the tree limb. Grandpa was all business when it came to fishing. But Johnny had grown up a lot and he remembered what Grandpa had taught him. Grandpa couldn't make it down to the pond anymore since he had his stroke, but Johnny always filled him in on the fishing when he got back to the house. It made Grandpa smile that funny sad smile and sometimes he would laugh. Sometimes Johnny exaggerated a little to make Grandpa smile even more.
Johnny was sure feeling good sitting there in the cool dirt and thinking about Grandpa and fishing. His pole jumped, it sure did! Johnny sat up straight. Grandpa said you had to pay attention. The big one could hit at anytime. There it was again, but Johnny was ready this time and set the hook. He had him! It had to be a big one, that pole was bent almost in half. Johnny let him play the line, just like Grandpa said to do, and then started working him to the bank. He was holding on with all his might. Oh Boy! He wouldn't have to exaggerate this time. It was probably the biggest fish to ever come out of this old pond!
The catfish swam to the top and gave Johnny a good look at him. Johnny couldn't believe it. It was huge! And then something happened; he was gone. the line went limp, the pole straightened out and the big catfish was gone. Johnny almost wanted to cry. The line was flying in the breeze with no cork, no weight, no hook and NO fish.
Johnny grabbed his tackle box and headed across the dam up to the field. Grandpa wouldn't believe him, but he had to tell Grandpa so he could tell him what he had done wrong. Johnny's heart was so heavy he couldn't look up, he just shuffled along in his old tennis shoes and headed home. Johnny knew what was wrong, but he didn't want to think about it. That fishing line had been on that pole all through last summer and now half this summer. He hadn't wanted to take the time to change the line and put on a new hook and look what he missed. If had not been in such a hurry to get to the pond he would be bringing home a huge fish and a good story.
As Johnny got closer to home, he decided not to tell Grandpa about this fish. There was no need in both of them being downhearted. He would save it for another time when he was bringing home a catch and besides he didn't want Grandpa to know he hadn't taken care of his gear.
Grandpa was waiting on the back porch like Johnny knew he would be. He just smiled as Johnny walked by and said "better luck next time." Johnny shuffled past Grandpa and put his pole in the rack. "Yeah, it was really too hot this afternoon. I shouldn't have even gone down there early."
Johnny had been real quiet since coming in from fishing and Grandpa was pretty sure he knew what had happened. At the supper table Grandpa asked Johnny, "How big was it?"
"How big was what, Grandpa?"
"The fish that broke that line on your pole, how big was it?"
Johnny hadn't even thought about fixing his pole and he knew Grandpa noticed everything. "Grandpa that was the biggest fish I ever saw in that pond or any pond around here." And the story was told and re-told until bedtime and Grandpa didn't say one word about the old line on the pole. Grandpa knew Johnny was hurt over losing the fish and he also knew Johnny needed to put new line on the pole.
The next morning, Johnny found Grandpa on the back porch with Johnny's pole in his hand. Grandpa had put on new everything and it was ready to go again. Johnny put his arms around Grandpa and laid his head on his shoulder. Johnny didn't have to Grandpa he loved him or thank him for fixing up his pole or how much he missed him going to the pond with him - Grandpa knew, but Johnny told him anyway.
Late that afternoon Johnny headed back to the pond with his heart set on the big catfish. He wouldn't lose him this time; he would bring him in just like Grandpa taught him.
Hang It All
The birds are squawking because the feeder is empty. If I fill it up the squirrels will be all over it and the birds can't eat anyway.
The hummingbirds won't come to the feeder because the fan is on and the chihuahuas are chasing the cat and yelping like crazy. Why do those sweet little angels want to bite the cat's behind? They know he will slap the crap out of them, but they go at him over and over.
The squash needs picking again, the grass needs cutting, and I haven't done a thing to get ready for the yard sale.
Boy, that felt good! Now I think I can get something done.
The hummingbirds won't come to the feeder because the fan is on and the chihuahuas are chasing the cat and yelping like crazy. Why do those sweet little angels want to bite the cat's behind? They know he will slap the crap out of them, but they go at him over and over.
The squash needs picking again, the grass needs cutting, and I haven't done a thing to get ready for the yard sale.
Boy, that felt good! Now I think I can get something done.
Put A Rock Down
I don't have much luck rooting cuttings from plants, but I can "put a rock down."
I was talking to a friend recently about azaleas. She loves them and has many varieties. She can name them all and give you all the properties of each one. I have a small lavender frilly leaf azalea and wanted to try to root one. Hoping she wouldn't say take a cutting (I had have tried that many times), I asked if she knew the best way to root azaleas. Her reply was to "put a rock down." When she asked why, I describe the azalea and her reply was "put me a rock down too."
This has been my method for years and the only way I can get a healthy plant. I know rooting hormone is suppose to work and keeping the moisture and humidity high, but I still don't have the knack. I have tried old growth and new growth, with and without the rooting hormone. I have been told the gel is better than the powder.
Right now I have 2 shoots from a Smoke Bush, 6 cuttings from a Hydrangea, 4 cuttings from an Althea, and 3 cuttings from a Snow Ball in process. I must admit, they all look better than any I have tried before. The soil is moist, but not soggy, they are covered with plastic tents with good humidity , and they all still have their color (except the Snow Ball which is turning). They have been in process for a week, so I am getting hopeful.
I have tried for years to root camellias and the little darlings just shrivel up and die right in the pot. They surely need a lot of help! Since I don't have a camellia in my menagerie, I can't "put a rock down" on that one.
I would love some input on rooting an dwarf oriental maple with the split leaf. I have one I would like to move. It is about six years old and very full. I am afraid if the move may kill it. I want to root some cuttings before trying the move.
I am off for now. If anyone has any suggestions, please give it up. Until next time,
Belle
I was talking to a friend recently about azaleas. She loves them and has many varieties. She can name them all and give you all the properties of each one. I have a small lavender frilly leaf azalea and wanted to try to root one. Hoping she wouldn't say take a cutting (I had have tried that many times), I asked if she knew the best way to root azaleas. Her reply was to "put a rock down." When she asked why, I describe the azalea and her reply was "put me a rock down too."
This has been my method for years and the only way I can get a healthy plant. I know rooting hormone is suppose to work and keeping the moisture and humidity high, but I still don't have the knack. I have tried old growth and new growth, with and without the rooting hormone. I have been told the gel is better than the powder.
Right now I have 2 shoots from a Smoke Bush, 6 cuttings from a Hydrangea, 4 cuttings from an Althea, and 3 cuttings from a Snow Ball in process. I must admit, they all look better than any I have tried before. The soil is moist, but not soggy, they are covered with plastic tents with good humidity , and they all still have their color (except the Snow Ball which is turning). They have been in process for a week, so I am getting hopeful.
I have tried for years to root camellias and the little darlings just shrivel up and die right in the pot. They surely need a lot of help! Since I don't have a camellia in my menagerie, I can't "put a rock down" on that one.
I would love some input on rooting an dwarf oriental maple with the split leaf. I have one I would like to move. It is about six years old and very full. I am afraid if the move may kill it. I want to root some cuttings before trying the move.
I am off for now. If anyone has any suggestions, please give it up. Until next time,
Belle
Sunday, June 7, 2009
My Yard and Me
I have just picked my first squash. Finally! It seems to have taken no time at all now that I have it in my hand, but a week ago it seemed it would be forever.
It started in March. My husband and I started talking about a garden. He always wants to overdo and I want something I can manage when his interest dies. We discussed locations, need plenty of sun, not too close to the trees (don't want anything to suck all the water and fertilizer up), fairly close to the house so if the drought hits again we could water easily. We thought and talked it all out, came up with a perfect spot and waited - a couple of hours.
Then, beginning with a 12 X 16 patch, we proceeded to turn the dirt. It was still too early to plant, but we could "get the ground ready." With no tractor and no plans to buy one, my husband grabbed the mattock and I got my Mantis tiller. Don't laugh! It all worked. My Mantis tiller is wonderful. It is easy to start, small and light weight and my use of this little tiller has sent many a laughing man to buy one. Anyway, it didn't take but a couple of hours of digging and tilling until we were quite happy with our new garden spot. Now to sit and wait.
Well, on the first trip to town we bought seeds. Don't plant what you won't eat! Squash, radish, green beens (bush), onions (don't waste your time - buy sets), okra and lettuce (plant early). I had already started seed beds with tomatoes and peppers, both banana and bell. And the tiny little things would just flourish in the new ground. I was going to have fresh tomotoes in no time!
Next was the fertilizer. My Dad said always use 13-13-13, my friend said always use 10-10-10. I don't know which is right, but I have come to depend on Miracle-Gro. I haven't been able to mess anything up with Miracle-Gro and my plants have always thrived. The directions on the box have never let me down and my garden was small enough to hand water. I know Miracle-Gro has new varieties that mix right with the hose water and that would probably do great for a larger space. I am from the old school, the roots feed the plant and I get the fertilized water right to the base of the plants. I usually put 15-20 gallons on my plot every two weeks. With the abundance of rain this year, that has proven to be just right for now.
My beautiful little tomatoes and peppers went in the ground first - around the first week in April. I also planted the radishes, squash and onions. The first two days the peppers and tomatoes were fine. The third day - dead! All of them - dead! What happened? Well, after the desolation wore off, I went back to Lowe's and picked up Rutger and Celebrity tomato plants and bell and sweet banana. And guess what, my plants weren't so healthy after all. These plants were huge! They must have used some mega fertilizer on these plants.
Well, the planting started again. In the ground and me watching over them like an old mother hen. They made it past the 3 day mark and believe it or not new growth was sprouting forth! Slowly over the next two weeks, the cabbage, lettuce, and cucumbers were added. Last to be planted was the okra.
Okra is a peculiar little side that likes warm dirt or it will sit there and do nothing but get eaten by the birds. Well, grandpa always said you had to trick okra into growing. Soak the seeds overnight in reall warm water. It jump starts the seeds into sprouting. It works. However, the rooster and chickens from next door did mange to get a good many of my seeds so some of my rows were half rows. I say were because I replanted and now even though the plants on the west side of the garden are somewhat smaller, I have a full row.
My green beans and okra have blooms, my tomatoes are fist sized and I have squash! Now if I can keep the neighbors chickens out of my garden, I will be doing okay!
It started in March. My husband and I started talking about a garden. He always wants to overdo and I want something I can manage when his interest dies. We discussed locations, need plenty of sun, not too close to the trees (don't want anything to suck all the water and fertilizer up), fairly close to the house so if the drought hits again we could water easily. We thought and talked it all out, came up with a perfect spot and waited - a couple of hours.
Then, beginning with a 12 X 16 patch, we proceeded to turn the dirt. It was still too early to plant, but we could "get the ground ready." With no tractor and no plans to buy one, my husband grabbed the mattock and I got my Mantis tiller. Don't laugh! It all worked. My Mantis tiller is wonderful. It is easy to start, small and light weight and my use of this little tiller has sent many a laughing man to buy one. Anyway, it didn't take but a couple of hours of digging and tilling until we were quite happy with our new garden spot. Now to sit and wait.
Well, on the first trip to town we bought seeds. Don't plant what you won't eat! Squash, radish, green beens (bush), onions (don't waste your time - buy sets), okra and lettuce (plant early). I had already started seed beds with tomatoes and peppers, both banana and bell. And the tiny little things would just flourish in the new ground. I was going to have fresh tomotoes in no time!
Next was the fertilizer. My Dad said always use 13-13-13, my friend said always use 10-10-10. I don't know which is right, but I have come to depend on Miracle-Gro. I haven't been able to mess anything up with Miracle-Gro and my plants have always thrived. The directions on the box have never let me down and my garden was small enough to hand water. I know Miracle-Gro has new varieties that mix right with the hose water and that would probably do great for a larger space. I am from the old school, the roots feed the plant and I get the fertilized water right to the base of the plants. I usually put 15-20 gallons on my plot every two weeks. With the abundance of rain this year, that has proven to be just right for now.
My beautiful little tomatoes and peppers went in the ground first - around the first week in April. I also planted the radishes, squash and onions. The first two days the peppers and tomatoes were fine. The third day - dead! All of them - dead! What happened? Well, after the desolation wore off, I went back to Lowe's and picked up Rutger and Celebrity tomato plants and bell and sweet banana. And guess what, my plants weren't so healthy after all. These plants were huge! They must have used some mega fertilizer on these plants.
Well, the planting started again. In the ground and me watching over them like an old mother hen. They made it past the 3 day mark and believe it or not new growth was sprouting forth! Slowly over the next two weeks, the cabbage, lettuce, and cucumbers were added. Last to be planted was the okra.
Okra is a peculiar little side that likes warm dirt or it will sit there and do nothing but get eaten by the birds. Well, grandpa always said you had to trick okra into growing. Soak the seeds overnight in reall warm water. It jump starts the seeds into sprouting. It works. However, the rooster and chickens from next door did mange to get a good many of my seeds so some of my rows were half rows. I say were because I replanted and now even though the plants on the west side of the garden are somewhat smaller, I have a full row.
My green beans and okra have blooms, my tomatoes are fist sized and I have squash! Now if I can keep the neighbors chickens out of my garden, I will be doing okay!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)