two humans, three dogs & a cat: May 2009

Sunday, May 31, 2009

NPR Sunday Puzzle

Take 'Indian wrestle,' rearrange the 13 letters to get three words that are all related. What are they? Hint: The word lengths are five, four and four letters, respectively.

**update June 1st** Think weather

Green Thumb Sunday

I took all these garden photos at night. I wanted to see the changes to my garden after all the rain during my abscence but it was dark and I couldn't see much (except the orchids on the screenporch, of course) so I took photos with my flash and was able to see my plants in the photos. I got all wrapped up in the runaway vines in the dark, LOL.

My Dendrobium (Nobile) is a dependable bloomer each year. And, every year I believe I've killed it because it drops it leaves and looks like a goner for months before I start to see new leaf stalks emerging and followed by blooms on the old stalks. I'm noticing some of the stalks have deteriorated and am considering cutting them off - it seems as if the blooming is on the previous year's cane only.

Encyclia Tampensis is very impressive this year. Look at all those bloom stalks and how loooong they are! The best year ever. I was excited last year because it had 15 stalks, although I broke off 2 of them, but this year is unprecedented even though hubby broke off 1 stalk. I bet they open today.....will update if so :)

Paphiopedilum also called lady slippers. When I bought this 4 or 5 years ago I was told it would have a single bloom. This is the 3rd year it has had multiple blooms. Truth be told, the flower is a bit more impressive on the years with a single bloom - bigger, deeper colors. I love the mottled leaves of this plant so I love it planted in it's tall pot (not a typical orchid pot) even when it is not blooming.

Another Native orchid....some type of Encyclia. First time it has bloomed for me; however, it's a newbie, somewhat. Teeny, cute little blooms.

One of my favs - this dendrobium is a prolific bloomer and beautiful color. My lousy photography doesn't do this plant justice.

When I was gone it rained and rained in the Tampa area and I came back to see that my neighbor's vines had crept through her hibiscus (that hangs over our fence and helps create some shade for my plants) and worked their way across to my Tampensis - one doesn't mess with my Tampensis! Actually, one of the vines is the flame vine that my hubby loves and the other is a weed :(

This is the view from inside the arbor looking toward the backyard. Everything is so filled in and lush even though I was only gone 5 days!

A pretty little photo showing my Tampensis, Phalanopsis, Oncidium, and some bromeliads in the ground.

The turn of the walkway. I had to have something textural there to soften the harshness of the turn of pavers. Who knew you could grow spider plants outside? I've discovered that the babies attach their roots to the ground and reestablish.

The green with white stripe brom on the right is one of my new ones from the green thumb festival. The dark one on the left is part of a mail order I did a year or so ago. It has grown BIG and has one pup (you can see one of the pup's leaves to the left and top of the mama plant).

Despite all the rain, my staghorn had a couple brown leaves. It gets a little more sun after moving it from the lime tree so I believe it needs a tad more water. Hubby didn't water it while I was gone but the rain sustained it.

The new brom border - this was the area I really wanted to see in the dark. They are all alive and well but haven't seen growth yet. I am so impatient, LOL.

The brooms and heliconias in this small border were whimpy before I left because it had been so hot and dry. Things are looking better now. I still need to get that Japanese honeysuckle planted in the ground............

And finally, my topsy turvy tomato. Apparently the rain didn't penetrate. I don't like vegtable gardening anyway, LOL.

Friday, May 29, 2009

The Night The Lights Went Out

Recently our lights went out for about an hour. That is a record for around here where the utilities are underground. I lit candles throughout the house and it looked so pretty and cozy that I had to take photos.

This is looking out the front door. Notice that Flamingo is guarding the house even though it was pitch black outside without street lights.

I tried different settings on my camera to capture the ambiance but none seemed to be just right. The ones I am posting have the use of the flash and that is why it doesn't look dark. The ones without the flash are almost all black except for a "smear" of candlelight. I'm a terrible photographer. And photographing my bathroom? What is wrong with me?

You get a little hint of the feel of candle light in this one but still the flash lit up the place.

Eek! I need to pick up before I start snapping photos. Nice pic of the candle though. I set the camera on some setting that seemed to take forever to finish taking the photo - maybe it was on museum at the time.

I still need to lower those drapes :( And how about those paint samples ont he wall for the last 2 years. We can't seem to agree on a paint color that suits us both. As you can see, I have lost my focus on the power outage now.

This is how Jerry reacts to no electricity - notice the flashlight under his neck to provide light to his book. The cigar apparently doesn't throw enough light, LOL.

That's my silly little post for the day. I needed something light. Hope you did too!

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Mother's Day

I know I am a little late but a lot has happened the last couple weeks including problems with my laptop that I usually use for photos. Because we go out to dinner with the moms every Saturday night, we tend to stay home and do something quiet on Mother's day. I like to say we let the "amatuers" go out, LOL. The reality is that on Mohter's Day the restaurants are way too crowded so let the people who only go out once or twice a year enjoy their day without us adding to the wait time.

This year my mom decided she wanted to cook. Yes, on Mother's Day. Jerry & I had both been sick with a stomach virus around that time otherwise we probably would have cooked out at our house. No cooking in without a working stove :( Mom said to bring both the dogs so here is Eddie saying thank you to my mom.

And Daisey claiming my MIL Marge. They are much calmer aorund her lately. Thank goodness because they used to paw at her for a rub down and it would rip the skin on her arms.

Eddie getting a ear scratch from Marge. He looks to be falling asleep standing upright.

" Hey Grandma Marge I can help you get the goodies out of that package!"

Mom opening her card.

Ed & Miss D got to chew the leftovers off the pork chop bones. Don't worry, they didn't actually get to chew the bone. No way, cooked bones splinter.

And finally, scraps!!!! Gee, now that i look at it, seems more like Rat Terrier day than mother's day, LOL.

Home

I got back Tuesday night, exaughsted. Been buried in my book that came in while I was gone. Apparently Dad had a good day today so I am very happy. Thanks for all the warm wishes.

Saturday, May 23, 2009

In Dumas Arkansas

I'm at my Dad's house - just got here a few minutes ago. Been with him at the hospital for the last couple nights with no internet access. Seems like a reasonable thing to put in a hospital room to me :)

He was moved to the rehab wing late yesterday. I peeked in through the window a couple different times today to watch him do physical therapy. On the weekends they do one group therapy session for 3 hours. During the week they do two 1 1/2 hr session and they are individual with speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy. I will go back to Pine Bluff tomorrow to be with him.

With the excess of rain in this area everything is so green! Looks like Kodiak or Seattle, LOL. Maybe I will get lucky and see an old high school friend of two!