Thursday, May 23, 2013

Home Again, Home Again, Jiggity, Jig....


It's that time of year again.

May is when the wildflowers bloom here.


Just a week or so ago, I was lamenting that none were blooming here.
I return from a trip, and the Mexican Hats are in full bloom.


The prickly pear are putting on quite a show.
The ones I've moved from the Grove, to the house, seem really happy.

Then there are these guys.


They're showing up all over the neighborhood.


It's no secret, there will be more mouths to feed.

It's also that time of year, when I get together with some dear friends.


This year, we went back to Florida.


One of our group has a beach condo, in Panama City Beach.

We sat on the beach.


We enjoyed beautiful sunsets.


(the blue is due to a tungsten white balance setting)


I stayed a couple extra days.  My hostess and I went for dinner across the bay.
We drove by the house above.  Is that garden amazing, or what?


This gentleman ran past us on the beach each day.
I'm betting he's a veteran.

So, I'm letting his image help me wish you a happy, and safe
Memorial Day.

Have a great weekend...
~~Linda~~

Friday, May 10, 2013

Everything's Soggy!!....


WOO HOO!!


We got some rain.
About one and a quarter inch.
And, more forecast.


After a slow start, Spring has finally shown up here.


And, things are greening up.


We won't have to fill birdbaths, for a day or two.


But, we'll have to clean up washed away mulch.



And, there are still these lovely little trees..grrr...to dig up.
And, this rain will probably bring out more.

They may have to wait.  It's time for the annual 'Girls' Trip'.
This year, we're headed to the beach.

Not to worry.  They'll be there, when I get back.
Mr P. is in charge of keeping things alive, while I'm gone.

Til later...

Happy Gardening...
~~Linda~~


Thursday, May 2, 2013

Hoe, Hoe, Hoe....



Sometimes, it seems like we have just TWO seasons here.


One...the fall....when the Cedar Elm leaves fall.
And, Spring...when the Live Oaks lose their leaves.


Then, we have these.  I call them Brown Squiggleys.
Officially they are Live Oak Pollen Catkins.

Catkins....sounds so sweet, doesn't it?
They're NOT.


They cover everything.


They fill in between rocks, making it hard to brush out.


They STICK to the fur of  little white dogs....who by the way, LOVES to roll around in them.


And, as an added bonus this year, we have all the little Cedar Elms coming up.
Above is the front bed, which has been cleaned out...twice...and mulched.
It hasn't deterred more from appearing.


My mother's hoe has come in handy.  I'm not sure how old this is.  It's been around as long as 
I can remember.  But, it still works.


If you get the roots turned over, they die.


Some places are harder to get at.  I've poured some boiling water on these.
That works pretty well.  We'll see if more come up.


I got this weapon tool, for chopping around places I don't want other roots disturbed.


So, that's what's been going on here.  
After we get the leaves and the brown...uh, Catkins...cleaned up, and all 
the Cedar Elms dug up and REdug up, THEN we can put down new mulch.


Ah...a gardener's work is never done.

And...while I'm whining...we have ANOTHER cold front here.
Tonight is supposed to be low 40s in town.
That could mean 30s here.

THIS IS MAY, FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!!  

Some of the plants here are very confused.
And, so is this gardener.

Back to hoeing and raking. 

Until later...

Happy Gardening...
~~Linda~~