Busy working and adventuring

This has been a busy week.  I’ve spent several days working in the yard, with the major thing being – TA DA! – finished the big round bed.  I had planned to do the work over two days (no sense in killing myself – right?), but due to having the Breakfast of Champions - two cups of coffee and a good-sized sweet roll (no, not my usual fare but the milk had soured and the sweet roll was calling my name anyway), I was so full of caffeine and sugar I accomplished a lot in a short time!  And, believe-you-me, it was work – moving all the stones that were there, digging out grass and weeds, trenching, positioning the new edging and getting it all buried and firm.  But, I’m happy with the way it looks.  Three down, four more to go.

  

I know, doesn’t look so big in the picture but it is 16 feet round-ish.  Everything is still in the small stage but in another month or so, it will be full of flowers, herbs, and other things.

I’ve also started the spray painting of many things.  Unfortunately, it seems that every time I go outside with paint in hand, move the current item to be repainted, it starts to rain.  Grrrrr.  Go inside, it stops.  Grrrrr.  Outside, it starts again.  The universe is trying to tell me something?

I think I’ve got all the herbs I like to use in for cooking, like

two types of basil, oregano, marjoram, Mexican mint marigold, bay, lemon balm, several mints, borage, rosemary, parsley, sage. 

And, miscellaneous ones like,

Tansy used for intestinal worms, rheumatism, digestive problems, fevers, sores, and to bring out measles.  It is used to repel flies; placed in bed linen to drive away pests (not so much a problem in modern days), and can be used as an ant repellent.  Lastly, carried in a sachet, or burned in rituals, it will promote health, longevity, and lost youth.

Yarrow used to break fevers and colds, as a poultice for bruises, sprains, and swelling, as a tea for help with digestive problems.  It is long recognized as a protective, healing plant - Greek myth had it that Achilles painted himself with a tincture of yarrow to make himself invulnerable to arrows, everywhere on his body except his heel. 

Mugwort used to flavor beef and fish and was used in beer making prior to the use of hops.  Mostly though used to protect travelers against evil spirits and wild animals. Roman soldiers put mugwort in their sandals to protect their feet against fatigue.  It also gives protection against diseases and misfortunes.

Mostly though, I plant those unusual ones because I just like the way they look.  And, of course, you never know what works!  I have some new ones planted this year but they are coming up from seed and I’ll wait until I’m sure they are going to be actual plants.

Saturday, a friend and I went adventuring.  Adventured to the wilds of Houston’s Memorial City mall.  Our end destination was the 2019 Houston Orchid Society’s Show and Sale (a group of orchid lovers dedicated to the conservation, preservation, and education of orchids and their habitats, be it in situ, a part of your landscape, or in a glass house, we as a group cover it all). 

The show itself, was very nice.  And, ohmigod, such beautiful flowers. 

So, here we go – Did You Know?

that orchids comprise the largest family of flowering plants on earth, with over 30,000 different species, and at least 200,000 hybrids.  They can be found in the equatorial tropics, the arctic tundra, and everywhere in between.  The reason for this diversity lies in the plant’s amazing ability to adapt to its given environment.  Are they difficult to grow?  Absolutely yes - many are. In fact, some are almost impossible to keep alive, much less bring into bloom—even for professional growers.  But there are many dozens that are perfectly happy growing on a sunny windowsill or under lights. 

That said, myself, I have limited success with orchids.  The two I can grow easily are

Bletilla striata, an easy to grow, terrestial orchid

and

Nun's Cap Orchid (Phaius tankervilleae)

also a terrestrial orchid

Now, here’s what we saw at the show …….

And, these pictures are only a very few of what we saw.  Some of the flowers were tiny, size of a pen tip, and some were larger than my hand.  When I grow up, I want to be able to grow orchids too.

7 Apr 2019

Day tripping

Yesterday, my sister and I day tripped to Bastrop.  Our primary reason was to see

“The 2019 Texas Wildflower Season --- the Best One in 10 Years”

No, we didn’t see that.  Yes, there are wildflowers between here and there, beautiful small patches of Indian Paintbrush, Bluebonnets, Coreopsis, Primrose but – the best in 10 years?  uhhhhhh – surely not.

Still, it’s not a bad drive and made for a nice day away from big W. 

  

Bastrop is the county seat of Bastrop County, Texas and is located about 30 miles southeast of Austin (it is considered part of the Greater Austin metropolitan area). The population was 7,218 according to the 2010 census.  Bastrop's namesake, Felipe Enrique Neri, Baron de Bastrop, was actually a commoner named Philip Hendrik Nering Bogel of the Netherlands.  Neri was accused of embezzling for personal gain in 1793, so he left his family and fled to Texas.  In 1820, he met with Moses and Stephen F. Austin and assisted them in getting land grants from Mexican officials to bring Anglo-American settlers into Texas.

I’ve been to Bastrop several times and in those past times, there has been very nice interesting shopping/looking – lots of unique stuff, arty stuff, unusual stuff, fun stuff.

Like the shop that had a huge selection of Witch Balls

OK – Did You Know? witch balls entice evil spirits with their bright colors; the strands inside the ball capture the spirit and prevent it from escaping

Unfortunately, it seems that the unique, arty, unusual, fun shopping/looking is no longer available.  Now, there are bars, café’s, restaurants, grills and other eateries.  There were several clothing shops – you know – the sort you look at and think where in the world would you wear that??  But not much else.  Heavy sigh.

Still, we did stop at one place just outside Bastrop that is worth making the drive up there.  So, if you are ever on Hwy 71 and see this place, STOP!

Now, I hate to call this just an Antique Store.  It is soooooooo much more.  There are three buildings – two huge warehouses and one really big store.  And, boy oh boy, do they have STUFF!  Now follows pictures – many pictures of what you might find and I haven’t even hardly scratched the surface of what all they have …….

doors

  

and doors – who do you
think they’re keeping out?

and more doors

Ready to hang at your house?  No, most needed work.  Reasonably price?  No, most were $2500 and up and needing a lot of major work.

screens or maybe windows

I don’t know – this thing was huge

Books ‘n Bucks ‘n Clocks

yep – bowling pins

Jesus in a box

Actually, there were so many religious icons I have to wonder if somebody looted churches from there to everywhere else.

coffee any one?

actually not sure what this is but
I kinda like it!  looks dragon-ish.

I feel like that sometimes.

I don’t know.  Maybe wood or other

plant matter like acorn caps
but not quite.

Oooookay

A wood box of locks

different – I kinda like the guys with the hats

And, last but certainly not least ----

Yep! aluminum trash cans

old painted aluminum trash cans.

expensive old painted aluminum trash cans

Ok, one more and I swear I’m going to quit –

a stuffed frog band!

3 April 2019

Waiting on 50 degrees

Honestly, this morning I expected to hear my part of the universe saying –

because the thermometer looked like this –

It’s not supposed to say such things in April, here in the hot part of the universe.  It is supposed, on a good day, to say 55°.  On a not-so-good day, 65°.  Honest to god – would somebody take the controls away from the three-year old currently playing with the thermostat and rain hose!

My youngest daughter came out to visit.  She doesn’t live too far away but with busy schedules and work, I don’t get to see her as often as I’d like.  While here, she took on one of the items on my current PROJECT LIST.  Painting the shed. 

Really, there’s not too much I wanted to paint – just the front right now (I have grandiose plans for the seeable side) but, when I paint, I need to dress like this –

because I get paint ALL OVER MYSELF!

She painted and ZIP-ZOP-ZIP it looks like this (and she only got a little paint on her hands and a small smudge on her cheek) –

My “on going” part of the painting section on the PROJECT LIST is to respray paint all the yard furniture.  I can do that without the above suit as long as I think about where the wind is and wear gloves.  Oh, and old clothes and old shoes.  No, I don’t paint anything the same color – how boring is that!  So my table looks like this

and other things, like this –

It’s all going to look bright and pretty by the end of April!

When I spray paint stuff, I drag whatever over to the designated “spray paint” part of the back yard, put down a small bit of cardboard, and go forth.  Yes, I do get paint on the grass (Michael would have apoplexy, were it still possible) but it’s GRASS.  And, when I’m finished – it’s brightly colored grass!

Of course, the big thing on the list is to finish the borders on the flower beds.  That’s why I’m waiting until the temps reach 50-ish. 

I mentioned in an earlier blog my tea cup bird feeder.  I’ve had a red-headed woodpecker perching awkwardly on the saucer trying to get at any seeds there.  So, I bought a Woodpecker Seed Log, complete with hanger. 

Originally, I hung it beside the tea cup.  No interest.  Ultimately, I moved it to be back yard because, I noticed wrens pecking at it also.  Fine.  Put it on a shepherd’s hook in the middle of the yard.  Good.  Yesterday, I saw this –

Sigh.

1 Apr 2019

Yesterday is gone but not its memories.

Yesterday was Weed Appreciation Day.  And, yes, I know I mentioned recently that I have spent days (weeks) weeding.  That said, I don’t have a great big problem with certain weeds in the grass.  I’d be happy if my entire yard was covered with creeping wood sorrel.  It doesn’t have to be mowed, it makes a little yellow flower. 

Or, wood violets.  Cute, heart shaped leaves, pretty purple flowers.

Or even fleabane, evening primrose, and wild onions. 

All except the fleabane (according to Rohde's Old English Herbal, it has medicinal qualities - 'Fleabane bound to the forehead is a great helpe to cure one of the frensie.') are edible.  All make flowers.  None survive our hot summer but all return without any encouragement.  I’d be fine with any of those IF they would agree to stay out of my flower beds. 

So far, that has not been the case and so I continue to dig weeds from the flower beds.

Yesterday however, I did something I genuinely HATE to do.  I went clothes and shoe shopping.  Aaaarrrggggghhhhh!!!!!

So, first of all – I live in Wharton.  We don’t have too much clothes shopping here.  That meant I had to go to the closest place – Rosenberg.  It’s not far 30 miles.  The only problem – you have to get on Hwy 59.  It’s under construction.  Has been for under construction for years and will be for many more looooong years.  You know what construction and highway mean, right?  Not moving traffic.  A trip that should take 25-30 minutes, taking 45-50 minutes, mostly stopped. 

Then, have ya looked for clothes lately?  Noticed the “new” spring colors – dull orange, olive green, drab blue – all looking as though they’ve been soaked in tea making the colors even more dreary, flat, lackluster, plain, icky.  Hellllllooo – spring – bright cheery colors – noooo, none of those. 

I went looking for something to wear to my granddaughter’s pending high school graduation in May.  Something not designed for a 12-year old.  Something without 90% spandex (some of us have reached an age where bulges, bumps, and love handles are not attractive to the general public).  And you know, I’m pretty sure I had this conversation same time last year.  As I recall, last year everything reminded me of the 1970’s with psychedelic colors and paisley prints.  This year we’ve regressed further to the 1960’s.  All the dresses were sheaths (which are not bad, well except for the colors, but need a body with lifted boobs, flat belly, and tight butt - sigh, no – none of that).  Or, late 60’s with calf lengths (those make me look 4 feet tall and wide).  Fine!  I didn’t want a dress anyway.

I did find a pair of cargo shorts – one – one pair in my size – only one – lots of other sizes – one.  Sigh.  So, I guess, it wasn’t a total loss.  (Hmmmmm – wonder if I can wear cargo shorts and a t-shirt?  No, probably not.)

However, shoe shopping was a whole other deal.  No, nope, none, nada.  Nothing even close to a size I can wear.  Argh!  (OK, cargo shorts, t-shirt and tennis shoes – no, probably not again.)

Then, I came home and made brownies! 

29 Mar 2019