It was a lovely Mother's Day. Got a Skype call from the Tokyo Twosome to wish me one and was glad I could open their present in their presence (heh, heh) , so to speak. They gave me a beautiful bag made from the sleeve of a kimono. It's black with a yellow flower on it and is so pretty and such an interesting idea. The lining and carrying handles are also made of parts of a kimono. I immediately transferred into it the stuff from my usual purse.
Betty brought me a nice begonia and I gave her a miniature rose, then we set off for up north. The couple in question were already there and we got in their car to drive to Sayen Gardens.
It was jammed on that beautiful, sunny, very warm day, and so enjoyable. We strolled around among the flowers, listened to the singers and combos here and there, and examined the goods at the craft fair in the parking lot. Betty and I both bought cunning little metal bugs that hang on screens--much fun.
We stayed several hours, then went to the northern couples' toured the grounds (pears, peaches, apples, grapes, blueberries, potatoes, squash, beans, and bees), then enjoyed a scrumptious dinner of salmon, steak, salad, and the hubby's bread on the deck.
Said our goodbyes about 7:00 and drove home. Called Ellen on Skype and we both enjoyed our virtual visit with her. Chatted for an hour or so, then to bed.
Must get mulch and--the last things!--a few plants for around the front tree.
The northern dweller will come this afternoon to spread the latter.
Monday, May 14, 2012
Sunday, May 13, 2012
More Planting
On this Mother's Day, I want to give a nod to my good fortune in the reason I am a mother. Got a Skype call from the oldest of those reasons and, using team viewer, he restored several items that had mysteriously disappeared from this computer. I'm enjoying the pretty orchid his younger brother sent and am contemplating being with his big sister today. Little sister will surely call me on Skype, and I'll open her gift later. Icing on the cake: the three grandchildren and two great-grandsons I love. I'm a lucky woman and the great part is, I know it.
Well, enough of this sentimentality; it was back to the grind yesterday. I realized I didn't have enough plants to fill the front bed, so drove to Bob's yet again and got more Bacopa and dahlias. I also picked up a beautiful, dazzlingly red New Guinea impatient, which I put on the table on the front porch.
Before I planted, I walked over to Marge's to give her a hard copy of the article I had revised. It seems it goes into Docx on my (new) computer and she can't open it. Fred explained why and my comprehensive on that lasted about as long as it took me to get to the sidewalk.
Had a big salad for lunch, then threw myself into planting. What a job; I worked steadily from three until after five, but got them all in. Watered, fertilized, then quit. I still, believe it or not, have to add a few flowers around the tree, but the bulk of it is done. Once they all start growing--and damn, they'd better start growing, I think the place will look great.
After dinner, I went into Word, but just couldn't see how to modify the format. Called Fred, who came over and fixed the problem, which I fervently hope is fixed for good, and that was my day.
I'm amazed that I don't have sore muscles today. Guess I'm in pretty okay shape.
WIDER: A stunner from my friend, Jon V.:
http://prorevnews.blogspot.com/2011/12/americas-silent-collapse.html
I know the temptation to compare--or equate--the present-day U.S. with Nazi Germany should generally be resisted, but the quote from somebody who lived through the latter era is so pertinent, it must be emphasized.
Well, enough of this sentimentality; it was back to the grind yesterday. I realized I didn't have enough plants to fill the front bed, so drove to Bob's yet again and got more Bacopa and dahlias. I also picked up a beautiful, dazzlingly red New Guinea impatient, which I put on the table on the front porch.
Before I planted, I walked over to Marge's to give her a hard copy of the article I had revised. It seems it goes into Docx on my (new) computer and she can't open it. Fred explained why and my comprehensive on that lasted about as long as it took me to get to the sidewalk.
Had a big salad for lunch, then threw myself into planting. What a job; I worked steadily from three until after five, but got them all in. Watered, fertilized, then quit. I still, believe it or not, have to add a few flowers around the tree, but the bulk of it is done. Once they all start growing--and damn, they'd better start growing, I think the place will look great.
After dinner, I went into Word, but just couldn't see how to modify the format. Called Fred, who came over and fixed the problem, which I fervently hope is fixed for good, and that was my day.
I'm amazed that I don't have sore muscles today. Guess I'm in pretty okay shape.
WIDER: A stunner from my friend, Jon V.:
http://prorevnews.blogspot.com/2011/12/americas-silent-collapse.html
I know the temptation to compare--or equate--the present-day U.S. with Nazi Germany should generally be resisted, but the quote from somebody who lived through the latter era is so pertinent, it must be emphasized.
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Flowers
I have plenty of energy, but even for me, yesterday was active. Went to exercise at the clubhouse and saw Virginia H., editor-of-chief of The Breeze. She asked if I had seen the letter sent by a certain other member of the editorial staff. I hadn't, but I looked, and ouch! For sheer nerve, it takes the cake; it's a sustained rant complaining about shabby treatment by a member of our board of trustees. I e-mailed Virginia and, of course, we would never run such a thing, which she had no intention of doing.
E-mailed Marge D. and attached my revision of her story of their scary experience in NC. (Heard back from her later that she couldn't open it, so I responded that I'll bring a hard copy over along with enlargements of her picture.)
Set off for Bob's in Atlantic County for flowers. Of course, it was very crowded, but boy, they have the best stuff. I wanted every plant in place, but settled for Bacopa, pretty little white flowers to border the front bed; Hypoestes, kind of a outdoor "pink splash," all leaves; and a colorful mix of dahlias. Stopped at S & M (great name!) for veggies and at Shop-Rite for other stuff.
Had a quick salad when I got home, by that time after 3:00. Did some computer work, so didn't get outside to plant until almost 4:00. Got two varieties planted, but didn't yet get the dahlias in. After I had planted, fertilized, and watered, I realized I need more; think I'll go back to Bob's today, although I know it'll be jammed.
Besotted by Nature, I drove to first Home Depot, then Lowe's before dinner--in fact, I never got around to dinner. I wanted to add some blue, so bought a Delphinium--a perennial and pretty big, so I'm glad the ground is soft. Didn't get home until almost 7:00, when I found a big box from Fed Ex at my door. It's a pretty orchid from Mike and family for Mother's Day--very nice--and I have it in the hall.
Now back from Chicago, Betty called and we had a good talk. We'll be spending Mother's Day together tomorrow, hosted by the northern dwellers.
E-mailed Marge D. and attached my revision of her story of their scary experience in NC. (Heard back from her later that she couldn't open it, so I responded that I'll bring a hard copy over along with enlargements of her picture.)
Set off for Bob's in Atlantic County for flowers. Of course, it was very crowded, but boy, they have the best stuff. I wanted every plant in place, but settled for Bacopa, pretty little white flowers to border the front bed; Hypoestes, kind of a outdoor "pink splash," all leaves; and a colorful mix of dahlias. Stopped at S & M (great name!) for veggies and at Shop-Rite for other stuff.
Had a quick salad when I got home, by that time after 3:00. Did some computer work, so didn't get outside to plant until almost 4:00. Got two varieties planted, but didn't yet get the dahlias in. After I had planted, fertilized, and watered, I realized I need more; think I'll go back to Bob's today, although I know it'll be jammed.
Besotted by Nature, I drove to first Home Depot, then Lowe's before dinner--in fact, I never got around to dinner. I wanted to add some blue, so bought a Delphinium--a perennial and pretty big, so I'm glad the ground is soft. Didn't get home until almost 7:00, when I found a big box from Fed Ex at my door. It's a pretty orchid from Mike and family for Mother's Day--very nice--and I have it in the hall.
Now back from Chicago, Betty called and we had a good talk. We'll be spending Mother's Day together tomorrow, hosted by the northern dwellers.
Friday, May 11, 2012
Lambertville
Met Jeanne P. at Lamberville Station at 1:00; long drive, almost two hours, but it was a sunny day and I enjoyed it. Jeanne looked fabulous, as always, with nicely styled blonde hair and a pretty aqua shell and beige topper.
I actually remember when Lambertville Station opened, thirty or more years ago, and in its first life it had, indeed, been a train depot. I first tasted Peking duck there, on Christmas Eve, when it was our custom for the whole family to eat out then and on Easter. (I never dreamed I'd enjoy that dish in Beijing itself someday.)
Lambertville, the town, is an enjoyable place, in spite of its self-conscious artiness--or maybe because of it. It's hard to separate the phony from the real in Lambertville, not to mention across the river in New Hope; to perverse me, that's part of their charms.
Jeanne and I had a Corona with lime each and shared a Caesar salad. We also had a friendly and fun waiter named Peter, who has an antique shop (in Lambertville, you have to have either an antique shop or an art gallery--it's the law) across the street.
The town was crowded with people and cars, so we left ours at the restaurant parking lot and walked down to Elva's. Her gallery is filled with lovely paintings--all of it representative, as she doesn't do abstract--and Elva herself greeted us warmly.
We were chatting--Jeanne remembered Jackie L. introducing her to Elva when they were about fifteen--when an attractive young woman walked in. I thought it was a customer, but it was Donna, Jeanne's daughter. She looks to be in her thirties, but incredibly, she's considerably older. Donna is very tall, nicely rounded, but slender, with a lovely face; I wasn't surprised to learn she had been a model at one time. She was excited about her new job as a skin care specialist for "Violet," which is the Armenian owner's name and maybe the company's, too.
After we left Elva's, we strolled to Rick's Italian Restaurant, where Donna works and lives, in an interesting apartment above. She was also once married to the restaurant owner. She and his new wife, who also works there, are friendly--long story that, which I won't go into.
I said my goodbyes about 4:30 and headed back. When I'm in the area, I usually drive past my home of 41 years and/or stop at Rider, but it was too late for that.
Got a call from Betty in the evening. She leaves for home today and will spend Mother's Day with us.
Now, I must put frivolity* behind me and turn my attention to choosing, buying, and planting flowers for the front beds.
*"...put frivolity behind me"? Hell, no!
I actually remember when Lambertville Station opened, thirty or more years ago, and in its first life it had, indeed, been a train depot. I first tasted Peking duck there, on Christmas Eve, when it was our custom for the whole family to eat out then and on Easter. (I never dreamed I'd enjoy that dish in Beijing itself someday.)
Lambertville, the town, is an enjoyable place, in spite of its self-conscious artiness--or maybe because of it. It's hard to separate the phony from the real in Lambertville, not to mention across the river in New Hope; to perverse me, that's part of their charms.
Jeanne and I had a Corona with lime each and shared a Caesar salad. We also had a friendly and fun waiter named Peter, who has an antique shop (in Lambertville, you have to have either an antique shop or an art gallery--it's the law) across the street.
The town was crowded with people and cars, so we left ours at the restaurant parking lot and walked down to Elva's. Her gallery is filled with lovely paintings--all of it representative, as she doesn't do abstract--and Elva herself greeted us warmly.
We were chatting--Jeanne remembered Jackie L. introducing her to Elva when they were about fifteen--when an attractive young woman walked in. I thought it was a customer, but it was Donna, Jeanne's daughter. She looks to be in her thirties, but incredibly, she's considerably older. Donna is very tall, nicely rounded, but slender, with a lovely face; I wasn't surprised to learn she had been a model at one time. She was excited about her new job as a skin care specialist for "Violet," which is the Armenian owner's name and maybe the company's, too.
After we left Elva's, we strolled to Rick's Italian Restaurant, where Donna works and lives, in an interesting apartment above. She was also once married to the restaurant owner. She and his new wife, who also works there, are friendly--long story that, which I won't go into.
I said my goodbyes about 4:30 and headed back. When I'm in the area, I usually drive past my home of 41 years and/or stop at Rider, but it was too late for that.
Got a call from Betty in the evening. She leaves for home today and will spend Mother's Day with us.
Now, I must put frivolity* behind me and turn my attention to choosing, buying, and planting flowers for the front beds.
*"...put frivolity behind me"? Hell, no!
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Pretty Pink Inpatients
It rained steadily until late afternoon, which was fine by me. Usually, I dislike the stuff--it gets my glasses spotty--but I was glad for this, as I have plenty of planting to do. Went to Staples to enlarge and copy Marge's picture. As I suspected, their color is much better than mine. Will give Marge both.
Stopped at Shop-Rite to retrieve the things I had left on Tuesday (and, of course, added more) and saw they had pretty pink inpatients. Now I love pretty pink inpatients, so I bought a flat. The rain obligingly let up late in the day, so I planted my pretty pink inpatients around my little cherub (or something) statue in the front shade area. Had some left, so I filled one of my huge clay pots with soil and added them. Ran out to Ace Hardware to get Liquid Fence--this year, the deer are not going to wax fat off my pretty pink inpatients!
Marge had asked me to look at her "A Strange Welcome" piece for The Breeze. She had cut it down from her first draft, but it was still very long. I shortened it and I honestly think it's clearer, sharper, and better. Will ask if she'll allow it to run in this version.
Today, I'm meeting Jeanne P. (HSHS) for lunch at Lambertville Station, then we'll go see Elva B. (St. James) at her art gallery nearby. It boggles my mind to realize I've known Jeanne for sixty- one years--until it hits me I've known Elva for seventy.
WIDER: So O. has come out in favor of gay marriage. Great hosannas from the faux-progressives, as if the murderer-in-chief had pondered and prayed and searched his soul and finally chose the nobler path. Well, maybe he chose the nobler path, but you'd have to be simple-minded (the electorate at large?) to believe the latter. In fact, as anyone not besotted by His Holiness knows actually happened, he and the other fellas (and gals, let's not forget the gals) conferred and discussed and weighed the political risks and how it would impact his upcoming second coronation. Morality had nothing to do with it.
But what if Romney--oh, come on! Wealthy beyond reckoning, locked into a cockamamie religion that's considered by all right-thinking Christians practically at the threshold of atheism, and a stuffed shirt to boot. He's a dream candidate--for the dems.
Stopped at Shop-Rite to retrieve the things I had left on Tuesday (and, of course, added more) and saw they had pretty pink inpatients. Now I love pretty pink inpatients, so I bought a flat. The rain obligingly let up late in the day, so I planted my pretty pink inpatients around my little cherub (or something) statue in the front shade area. Had some left, so I filled one of my huge clay pots with soil and added them. Ran out to Ace Hardware to get Liquid Fence--this year, the deer are not going to wax fat off my pretty pink inpatients!
Marge had asked me to look at her "A Strange Welcome" piece for The Breeze. She had cut it down from her first draft, but it was still very long. I shortened it and I honestly think it's clearer, sharper, and better. Will ask if she'll allow it to run in this version.
Today, I'm meeting Jeanne P. (HSHS) for lunch at Lambertville Station, then we'll go see Elva B. (St. James) at her art gallery nearby. It boggles my mind to realize I've known Jeanne for sixty- one years--until it hits me I've known Elva for seventy.
WIDER: So O. has come out in favor of gay marriage. Great hosannas from the faux-progressives, as if the murderer-in-chief had pondered and prayed and searched his soul and finally chose the nobler path. Well, maybe he chose the nobler path, but you'd have to be simple-minded (the electorate at large?) to believe the latter. In fact, as anyone not besotted by His Holiness knows actually happened, he and the other fellas (and gals, let's not forget the gals) conferred and discussed and weighed the political risks and how it would impact his upcoming second coronation. Morality had nothing to do with it.
But what if Romney--oh, come on! Wealthy beyond reckoning, locked into a cockamamie religion that's considered by all right-thinking Christians practically at the threshold of atheism, and a stuffed shirt to boot. He's a dream candidate--for the dems.
Wednesday, May 09, 2012
Active Day
After breakfast, went to Wal-Green's, then Rite-Aid for Mother's Day cards. Addressed one right at the post office and sent it off. Drove to Sandy T.'s to get flagstone to put around the front tree. I was interested to see how they charge for it: They have a big auto scale and first they weighed my car without the stones, then they loaded up the trunk and weighed again. Easy. And cheap: The stones cost only nineteen and change. They'll deliver, but charge fifty bucks for it, so forget that.
As I was halfway to Manahawkin, I continued on to Shop-Rite to pick up supplies. Was thoroughly annoyed when I got home and realized I had left one of the bags--with orange juice, salad dressing, and other stuff--in the cart. Without much hope, I called Shop-Rite and yes, somebody had brought it to the office and I could pick it up when I wanted. Will do that today.
Got home and pulled the wheelbarrow out of the garage, put gloves on, and one-by-one, transferred the flagstones into it. Good thing I had it near the tree, as nobody could have moved it so loaded.
Marge had e-mailed me to the effect that she had finished revising the account of Fred's adventures in North Carolina (He had walked into a motel in the midst of a robbery and was confronted by a man with a shotgun.) Haven't read it yet, but it still looks pretty long for The Breeze--we'll see. Told her I'd stop over and get it after lunch, I did, and we had a nice chat. When she showed me a small, somewhat fuzzy snapshot of herself and her two daughters, with husbands, I told her I'd take it to Staples to be enlarged. I'll do that today when I pick up my forgotten items, but I also cropped and enlarged it at home and sent the change to her electronically.
Got home to do a wash and the northern dweller arrived. Together, we pulled the weeds out of the bed around the tree, then circled it with the stones. Boy, oh boy, does it look good! She took out a Scotch broom from the front bed. It blooms prettily in the spring and I like a lot, but unfortunately, starting leaning over after a snow a few years ago, and I never had it put back; just didn't look good and it had to go.
We weeded around the side and back and she cut back two large bushes under my bedroom windows They're actually weeds, I guess (she'd say "native plants"), but not bad looking, just too big.
My pineapple plant was listing over to the side--top heavy, I guess--so she and I put it in a deeper pot. It still had to be propped, though, and I'm beginning to wonder if it's done for. Dunno and I put it on the porch.
By the time the gardener lady (heh) left, it was 5:30 and I jumped in the shower, had a quick bite, then headed over to the school to rehearsals.
Was early and had to wait around, as only director Neil was there, but the others came and I took a few pics. Infuriatingly, I again couldn't get the flash to turn off, so the pictures were poor. Must look in the instruction manual to see what I'm doing wrong, but am thinking about buying a new camera. However, assistant director Tonya took some pics with her phone (it's a crazy world--a camera phone!) and she'll send them to me. I watched some of the rehearsal, but left about 8:00.
As I was halfway to Manahawkin, I continued on to Shop-Rite to pick up supplies. Was thoroughly annoyed when I got home and realized I had left one of the bags--with orange juice, salad dressing, and other stuff--in the cart. Without much hope, I called Shop-Rite and yes, somebody had brought it to the office and I could pick it up when I wanted. Will do that today.
Got home and pulled the wheelbarrow out of the garage, put gloves on, and one-by-one, transferred the flagstones into it. Good thing I had it near the tree, as nobody could have moved it so loaded.
Marge had e-mailed me to the effect that she had finished revising the account of Fred's adventures in North Carolina (He had walked into a motel in the midst of a robbery and was confronted by a man with a shotgun.) Haven't read it yet, but it still looks pretty long for The Breeze--we'll see. Told her I'd stop over and get it after lunch, I did, and we had a nice chat. When she showed me a small, somewhat fuzzy snapshot of herself and her two daughters, with husbands, I told her I'd take it to Staples to be enlarged. I'll do that today when I pick up my forgotten items, but I also cropped and enlarged it at home and sent the change to her electronically.
Got home to do a wash and the northern dweller arrived. Together, we pulled the weeds out of the bed around the tree, then circled it with the stones. Boy, oh boy, does it look good! She took out a Scotch broom from the front bed. It blooms prettily in the spring and I like a lot, but unfortunately, starting leaning over after a snow a few years ago, and I never had it put back; just didn't look good and it had to go.
We weeded around the side and back and she cut back two large bushes under my bedroom windows They're actually weeds, I guess (she'd say "native plants"), but not bad looking, just too big.
My pineapple plant was listing over to the side--top heavy, I guess--so she and I put it in a deeper pot. It still had to be propped, though, and I'm beginning to wonder if it's done for. Dunno and I put it on the porch.
By the time the gardener lady (heh) left, it was 5:30 and I jumped in the shower, had a quick bite, then headed over to the school to rehearsals.
Was early and had to wait around, as only director Neil was there, but the others came and I took a few pics. Infuriatingly, I again couldn't get the flash to turn off, so the pictures were poor. Must look in the instruction manual to see what I'm doing wrong, but am thinking about buying a new camera. However, assistant director Tonya took some pics with her phone (it's a crazy world--a camera phone!) and she'll send them to me. I watched some of the rehearsal, but left about 8:00.
Tuesday, May 08, 2012
Gardening
I was just about to go out when I got a Skype call from London. Saw the darling little girls--Violet is just adorable--and talked with them and their Dad. Went to Shop-Rite and B.J.'s for supplies.
The northern dweller came in the afternoon and--yay!--got rid of the big ugly bush that was partly covering the front walk. She also cleared out the leaves and weeds in the front beds and started on the side. Today, I'll get mulch and she'll put that in. I also want to do something with the area around the front tree. Geez, when you start this stuff, there seems to be no end to it.
Susan started in to planting begonias at 10 am and was still at it at 5:00. Her house and grounds look unbelievably beautiful; I must ask Mary S. to take pictures, as she's doing a piece on spring flowers for The Breeze.
Got an e-mail from Marge telling me she had revised and shortened her "memoir." Told her I'd stop over and get it today.
Other than that, just the usual domestic and bookkeeping chores went on. I want to go to rehearsal tonight, but early, so I can get some pictures to accompany the article for The Breeze and not have to stay too late.
WIDER: Thanks to Chris Floyd and his incomparable "Empire Burlesque," I added a blog to my favorites:
http://vastleft.blogspot.co.uk/
It's a cartoon blog, but so, so un-cartoony in its depth; it perfectly illustrates my disgust with representatives of both political parties and the moronic reasons for supporting them.
The northern dweller came in the afternoon and--yay!--got rid of the big ugly bush that was partly covering the front walk. She also cleared out the leaves and weeds in the front beds and started on the side. Today, I'll get mulch and she'll put that in. I also want to do something with the area around the front tree. Geez, when you start this stuff, there seems to be no end to it.
Susan started in to planting begonias at 10 am and was still at it at 5:00. Her house and grounds look unbelievably beautiful; I must ask Mary S. to take pictures, as she's doing a piece on spring flowers for The Breeze.
Got an e-mail from Marge telling me she had revised and shortened her "memoir." Told her I'd stop over and get it today.
Other than that, just the usual domestic and bookkeeping chores went on. I want to go to rehearsal tonight, but early, so I can get some pictures to accompany the article for The Breeze and not have to stay too late.
WIDER: Thanks to Chris Floyd and his incomparable "Empire Burlesque," I added a blog to my favorites:
http://vastleft.blogspot.co.uk/
It's a cartoon blog, but so, so un-cartoony in its depth; it perfectly illustrates my disgust with representatives of both political parties and the moronic reasons for supporting them.
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SUNDAY
It was somewhat of a slow-pokey day, during which I lazed around a lot. My only excitement was stripping my bed, washing the sheets, and rem...
