Spring is popping up all over!

All my little seedlings are just coming up everywhere!  Yea!  Then, there are a bunch of things coming up that I didn’t plant.  Hmmmmm.  Last year I had a couple of Texas Coreopsis plants.  Just two or three.  I’m thinking as of right now I have a huge bunch more coming up from seeds those two or three dropped.  I think I will have to do some selective pruning.  There are a few things I planted and have no idea what they are.  I try to be good about putting a tag but …..  Well, poop!

no idea 

The mint, lemon balm, and catnip have all come back up since the flood/freeze and are completely intermingled.  Sigh.  Even the leaves are starting to smell the same.  And, I do know that you shouldn’t put different mint-related plants together.  I tell people that all the time.  (It’s a “do as I say, not as I do” thing.)  Well, to quote Scarlett “I won't think about that now. I'll think about that tomorrow.”

None of the baby plumerias have started putting out leaves.  It’s early still. 

 My nephew’s date seed is going full bore.  I think it’s going to look like a date palm tree soon.  Then I’m giving it to him.

 

There are still things I’d like to plant.  Dahlias.  I like dahlias.  I don’t think they will grow here – hot and humid, you know.

  

It would be helpful if the planting maps – the ones that tell you what growing zone you’re in – would be based on heat and humidity and not cold. 

 

I’d also like to plant hellebores, an evergreen perennial flowering plant. So – did you know!!

"Black hellebore" was used by the Greek and Romans to treat paralysis, gout and other diseases, including insanity.  Yes, Black hellebore is also toxic, causing tinnitus, vertigo, stupor, thirst, a feeling of suffocation, swelling of the tongue and throat, and death from cardiac arrest.  Perhaps it’s best to not use it as a medicinal herb.  Then, it was thought hellebore had ties to summoning demons.  Though I’m not sure why someone would want a demon – they probably bite.

Personally, I think the flowers are pretty.  However ……. heat and humidity.  Sigh.

I’d also like to plant Moonwort (Lunaria).  And, if I can find seeds, I will.  I actually did order seeds from an Amazon vendor.  Never arrived.  Grrrrrrr.

And, this is a personal experience and comment.  I would never recommend any of the Amazon plant vendors.  I’ve ordered seeds from several and, (1) they never arrived or (2) none (NONE, as in not one single seed) have ever sprouted.  I’m a pretty competent gardener.  I check on the best way to plant the seeds and keep them in a greenhouse situation.  I don’t think I’m at fault here.

Well, Saturday coming, I’m off to the plant nursery where I will probably get more things than I have a place for but ……. what else is new!

Take care

Windchimes - More is Better!

I’ve always loved hearing the gentle ringing of windchimes.  Usually they send a simple melody around the yard.  Usually.

Windchimes have been around for a very long time.  In ancient times the Romans hung bronze tintinnabulum around homes and in court yards.  The ringing sounds were believed to frighten away evil spirits.  Cool.  That works for me.

Depending on the shape of the sail (that’s the thing that catches the wind and causes the clapper to strike the tubes), they could also bring good fortune and protect a home.  Good – that works for me too.

 In time, the Chinese modernized the windchime by the use of different sized tubes or bells to product different sounds.  They also believed the sounds frightened off evil spirits plus connected people to nature.  Check, check.

Many people (me too) like to hang them inside the house.  For myself, the ones inside have special meaning to me or the material is not suitable to our hot summer sun and high humidity.  Or, because I’m afraid they will be broken or damaged.  If you believe in such things, to increase the Feng Shui within your home, a metal, porcelain, or clay windchime can be placed in the West, Northwest and North facing windows, while a wood/bamboo chime can be placed in the East, Southeast, and South windows.  This will attract new energy, stimulate opportunities and blow away obstacles in your life.  OK – whatever works.

They are most often seen as tubes of metal or wood but can be glass, bamboo, shell, stone, earthenware, stoneware, beads, and porcelain.  If you wish to make your own – try using old silverware, keys, cookie cutters or anything else that catches your imagination. 

As I said earlier, I like the ringing tones of windchimes – usually.  However, over the past couple of months, I’ve given thought to ripping them down from around my house!  We’ve been experiencing wind – not gentle breezes – WIND.  Lots of wind.  Lots of big 20+mph wind.  I did, one evening after hearing the large chime clang and jangle all day long, take masking tape and tape all the tubes together.  Blessed silence!

But, today they are gently ringing and producing a sort of background “white noise”.  Very soothing as I work in the yard.

Take care.

Texas My Texas

So, today, March 2, is Texas Independence Day.  It’s the day in 1836, 59 delegates from the territory of Texas drew up and signed a declaration of independence from Mexico and created the Republic of Texas.

Washington-on-the-Brazos

The delegates chose David Burnet as provisional president and confirmed Sam Houston as the commander in chief of all Texan forces.  During this time in San Antonio, Mexican dictator General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna lay siege to the Alamo. 

Six weeks later, a large Texan army under Sam Houston surprised the Mexican army at San Jacinto. Shouting “Remember the Alamo!”, the Texans carried the day and captured Santa Anna. The dictator was forced to recognize Texas’ independence and withdrew his forces south of the Rio Grande.

Why this revolt and battle? 

The 1824 Constitution of Mexico, establishing a federal republic, had been abolished in favor of a military dictatorship by Gen. Santa Anna.  This newly installed government eliminated all individual freedom and established a powerful centralized government a great distance away.

The government had invited settlers to Texas by promising them constitutional liberty and a republican government, but the changes made by Santa Anna removed all those promises.  Settlers had no political rights, no right to trial by jury.  No public education system was established.  Stiff property taxes and tariffs were imposed.  Settlers were not allowed freedom of religion – all settlers were required to convert to Catholicism. 

Hmmmmm, sound familiar?

The Texas remained a Republic until 29 Dec 1845 when it joined the United States.

Thus endith the history lesson!

Y’all take care now

"Nothin' but blue skies do I see" Blue Skies, Willie Nelson

And yet another mostly clear, blue sky.  Wow!  Two days in a row!  Still – we are supposed to have rain Saturday and Sunday so I expect our blue skies will disappear soon.

I did manage to get about four hours of work in before collapsing on the ground.  I have in my back yard a small gazebo.  Originally it had to canvas top and screens that hung down and could be closed making it a somewhat mosquito-proof place to sit outside. 

However time and weather reduced to screens and top to shreds and I removed them.  Recently – maybe 2 years ago - I planted a wisteria to climb on and over the gazebo with the thought this will give it a new top.  Slowly but surely …….

Some day it will look like this

Right now, it looks like this

So, today I pulled out the tall ladder and added more chicken wire to the top to give the vining branches something to grow upon.  I noticed all sorts of buds – yea!  It’s going to flower in the coming weeks.

Many of the seeds are coming up

 Fennel

Squash

 

Sunflowers

I know, I know - they pretty much look the same but soon ...!!!

Busy, busy day.

Take care

Adho Mukha Svanasana, Virasana, Halasana

My preferred method of exercise is Yoga.  I’ve practiced yoga for a long number of years, by following various yoga television programs, by purchasing tapes, and now, in class.  Honestly, I’m somewhere between “I-sorta-know-what-I’m-doing” and intermediate. 

Like most of the human world, I’ve been better or worse at regular exercise.  Procrastinating    “I’m too busy” … “I get plenty of exercise chasing after children, keeping house, taking care of the yard, etc., etc.” …. “Tomorrow, I’m just too tired now.”

However, since turning 50, I’ve been mostly to very good about dedicating 45minutes to an hour for exercise several days a week.  I like yoga because it is a mind/body workout – strengthening and stretching poses with breathing and meditation exercises.

I don’t think my current yoga teacher has ever defined her teaching form as anything specific but I think it’s a combination of Hatha (basic movements and breathing) and Power (high intensity that builds muscle) with a little Ashtanga (special breathing technique) thrown in.  My sister-in-law does Ivengar Yoga (uses props).  I went with her twice when I last visited Washington.  It’s very different than what I do but interesting.  And, while I’ve never done Bikram (hot yoga), I have had class outside in August (and folks that’s HOT!). 

The good thing about yoga is there are poses that target every part of your body you want to work on. 

Strengthen your core – try a one arm, side Plank. 

How about stronger arms? – Upward Dog ... Crow.

Legs?  Downward Dog ... Bridge ... Chair

Glutes, absolutely – Squats ... Warrior

Good for the back? Yes indeededy-do. Cat/Cow ... Triangle 

These exercises make me stretch my muscles and increase my range of motion.  Important, as I grow older.  According to some, yoga is not considered aerobic.  HA!  Obviously that person has never done Sun Salutations with my teacher! 

some poses are pretty easy

some - I'll never be able to do
in this life!

You don’t need any expensive equipment or a gym membership – just a yoga mat.  Don’t need a huge amount of space – enough for you and your mat.  Give it a try.

Take care

GI Yoga Joe in Crow pose.

Happy Go Texan Day!

That’s today – Go Texan Day.  It’s the day the rodeo comes to town.  The day all the trail riders converge on Houston.  It’s the day people put on their boots, bolo ties and big hats.  It heralds the opening of the Houston Rodeo and Fat (sorry – Live) Stock Show which is the largest livestock exhibition and rodeo in the world. 

The trail rides started in the early 1950 to reenact the trail ride of 19^th century cattlemen bringing their herds to Houston.  Of course, today’s rides are not as dangerous or difficult as they would have been in the 1800’s.  Today they have use of all the newest technology and the odd camper and RV plus they are populated by doctors, lawyers, bankers, and a cowboy or two.  There are 12 or 15 different trail riders coming from north, south, east and west like:  Los Vaqueros Rio Grande Trail Ride from Reynosa, Mexico; The Salt Grass Trail Ride from Brenham; The Northeastern Trail Riders from Cheek; Mission Trail Ride from San Antonio; The Texas Independence Trail Ride from Brazoria plus others.  I remember one day, standing on the roof of the old Fluor buildings in the early 1980’s watching as riders and wagons came up the 610 Loop feeder street heading to Memorial Park.  It was fun to watch.  I would not want to do it.

In the way-back, when I first went to the Rodeo and Fat Stock Show, it was held in the Sam Houston Coliseum, an indoor arena near downtown.  Competitions included calf roping, steer wrestling, saddle bronc and bareback bronc riding, bull riding, and barrel racing.  The star attractions tended to be western actors - Hugh O'Brian (Wyatt Earp), Gene Autry, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, James Arness (Gunsmoke) and so forth.  I have to say, I never did enjoy the Rodeo portion too much.  Well, the “calf scramble” was always fun to watch.  

That’s where they turn a bunch of 200-pound calves loose in the arena.  Then add in a group of kids age 14-18 to try to catch one, get a halter on it, and haul it to a designated area.  And do it in a specific amount of time.  Winners get a calf to raise.

I always did enjoy the Fat Stock Show.  There was (still are) a huge number of farm/ranch animals – cows, horses, pigs, sheep, goats, chickens, rabbits, and more, all there to be seen and judged.  Interesting.  And, then there was the Carnival with rides and games.

It’s something to experience. 

Yahoo y’all