October 9, 2008
Today's gift
It's the sky - it's that unbelievable heavenly shade of blue today and to celebrate I went outside to pick black walnuts up off of the grass in the backyard. This may sound like an easy job, but in reality it is very dangerous!! These nuts are the size of tennis balls and are dropping from the branches of the tree just like rain - almost constantly. I have considered wearing one of the boys old bike helmets. (That would be considered! ) I would rather look nice and take the chance of getting a knot on the top of my head!!
Much too nice of a day to worry about anything, really. All too soon the gloomy days of winter will arrive and these warm days of heavenly blue skies will be a memory.
Posted by Carol at 3:11 PM | Comments (0)
October 1, 2008
October, really?
Well, I guess there's no getting away from it - summer is really over, and several things bear that out. I haven't seen a hummingbird since Sunday so they must have left for warmer climes. The Heavenly Blue morning glories have just about slowed to a halt as I only now see one or two open each day. Here and there I can see a tinge of color on the leaves and our black walnut is dropping leaves and nuts - always the first to go and the last to leaf out in spring. And most importantly, for tonight's supper I have a roast in the oven - and I don't cook many things inside until the weather turns a bit crisp. Should taste mighty good!
Actually, I kind of look forward to this season!
Posted by Carol at 4:21 PM | Comments (0)
September 25, 2008
Any day now...
...will be the last one that I see the hummingbirds until next spring! I usually begin to keep track of each day they show up starting about September 20. The past two years I have observed at least one at the nectar feeder as late as October 1. I never tire of watching their fluid motion and the iridescence of their feathers!
Posted by Carol at 12:08 AM | Comments (0)
September 2, 2008
You have to try this
I have only just discovered "Birdsong Radio" ~ possibly the neatest musical thing available over the internet. Trot on over to it, turn up your speakers and feel relaxed as all of the great outdoors....
Posted by Carol at 10:56 AM | Comments (0)
August 27, 2008
A record number!
This morning I looked at the trellis outside the kitchen window and counted ten huge Heavenly Blue morning glories open and staring up at the sun! Grabbed my camera, of course....
Posted by Carol at 11:34 AM | Comments (0)
August 13, 2008
Heavenly Blue
For the past several weeks the morninglories that Delaney planted have been in bloom. One of the varieties of seeds she chose is the huge blossomed, perfectly named "Heavenly Blue". It is the most gorgeous shade of that color, as deep a blue as the bluest the sky can get (like the unpolluted blue skies in Minnesota can be). Just looking out at it give me a good feeling and and upbeat attitutude. No one should be without a morninglory vine in the summer!!
Posted by Carol at 9:59 AM | Comments (0)
July 10, 2008
Coneflower Perfume
You would think I'd remember from summer to summer, but I don't. This morning I was watering near to the spot where there are quite a few coneflowers in bloom and a sweet fragrance came floating along and I thought - "That's right! Coneflowers have a fragrance!!" It is always such a wonderful surprise to me because for years I somehow missed this whole feature of that variety of flower. No wonder the butterflies and bumblebees can spend hours at a time on top of the coneflowers ~ I will have to take a lesson from them and visit more often also!!
Posted by Carol at 12:40 PM | Comments (0)
June 10, 2008
Drown or Fry
We have had more than ample rainfall so far this growing season - so much, that I have to go around and dump the excess water out of my potted plants lest they suffer root rot. In fact, I have already lost one (expensive) mandevilla vine this way. Last year at the same time I had all that I could do to keep everything watered, and was instead seeing many flowers and plants succumb to the heat and dry weather.
My dilemma is nothing though, compared to the disastrous flooding Indiana is experiencing right now. Many people have lost everything, and because they aren't considered to be in a "flood plain" they don't have insurance to fall back on. I guess we should have asked Mother Nature what she thought...
Posted by Carol at 10:56 PM | Comments (0)
May 14, 2008
Hello there!
Hey Gloria! I am glad that you found your way back - would have left a comment on your post but something is not right with that deal and I can't seem to log in under the comments. It is always hard to decide to actually be done with a living tree, but sometimes we have to do so for the greater good!
Posted by Carol at 3:43 PM | Comments (0)
Lighten Up
I spent a few minutes (well more than a few, Carol is very faithful to journal on this site) to capture the thoughts of my friend Carol. I have long been absent from this little spot. In fact I do not recognize the format so I do hope I am where I ought to be!
Yesterday a very old grew up on its own Silver Maple tree was cut down in our back yard. It was significant in height and trunk circumference but not particularly elegant in form, such the growth pattern of Silver Maples. It was ever so close to our house and the trunk was tri-furcated...is that a word? So the decision was made to slay the beast. The change would be noticeable for sure but the surprise to me was the light that has come to the space it once took for itself. I have gardens near where is stood and now they will enjoy a whole new view from the sunny sky. I am excited to watch what happens to the little green folk that live there. Instead of two or three blooms on my coneflowers I may be delighted with many more. So then thank you to the old Silver Maple and the sacrifice it gave to my garden...new life...I think I have heard about that mystery before?
Posted by Gloria at 10:31 AM | Comments (0)
May 6, 2008
Hummers return
I hung the hummingbird feeder up last week and on Sunday we had our first customer - a beautiful male Ruby-throated hummingbird. Yesterday there was a pair of Baltimore Orioles in the back maple tree. I heard them before I saw them, which gave me time to run inside for my camera. Got a couple of good shots, then I raced back inside for an orange - cut it in half and put it on a plate on top of the gas grill in hopes of attracting their attention. So far I haven't seen any takers, but I am still hoping!!
Posted by Carol at 10:29 AM | Comments (0)
January 7, 2008
From 5 to 68 in one week
The temperature a week ago was 5 degrees with a windchill of 17 below. Today it got up to 68 degrees, breaking the century-old record. I have to say that it felt very very wierd to be too warm in just a light coat while out on errands today. I guess that there have always been these swings in the weather, but I say when it's winter, let's just stick to that. You can't appreciate spring unless you suffer a bit first!
Posted by Carol at 11:43 PM | Comments (0)
November 30, 2007
Leaves fall with a vengeance
After thinking that the trees would never turn color and drop their leaves this fall, a few freezing nights and a couple of rains and windy days did the trick. Taylor has been busy mulching them with the mower every few days, so there haven't been too many for the "Leaf it at the Curb" guys to pick up. Sort of nice - the city picks them up and then composts them for use by any citizen willing to come and get them next spring. We did manage to rake a few big "jumping piles" for the girls. What a blast that always is and what wonderful memories it brings back!
Posted by Carol at 10:11 PM | Comments (0)
November 9, 2007
Where are they?
The juncos that is!! They have usually made their appearance for the winter by now. I checked my bird journal, and the latest arrival I found for them was November 1. I wonder if their lateness is due to this prolonged autumn we are experiencing. I saw them when we were in Minnesota a month ago, so I suppose they will soon make their way south. Hope so, they are one of my most favorite winter birds.
Posted by Carol at 9:18 PM | Comments (0)
July 24, 2007
Bulb on a stem
The Ligularia "Desdemona" that I planted in early June is doing tolerably well, despite the fact it has a thirst issue - I can't seem to keep it wet enough! Today when I was giving it a long drink of water I noticed a huge bulbous green dealio at the top of a long stem that has emerged from the center of the plant. From what I know, the blossoms are to look like yellow fringy daisies - is that what will burst forth from this odd shaped bulb on a stem?
Posted by Carol at 10:50 PM | Comments (0)
July 16, 2007
OK...Uncle!
I have spent the better part of the past several weeks hauling hoses and buckets of water around the yard to the poor thirsty flowers and plants. This is an all day and all evening long occupation for me and I have to say I am ready to cry Uncle! I am questioning the wisdom of creating so many different areas to keep watered and tended. I guess I could just leave things to fend for themselves, but I wilt in pity at the first sight of a wilted green plant, So for now, I will buck up and keep sprinkling. One of these days I know we will get some rain again!!
Posted by Carol at 10:50 PM | Comments (0)
July 11, 2007
Coneflowers
I have only just discovered that the coneflowers in my flower bed have a very pleasant frangrance! I was watering in their vicinity and smelled something quite lovely in the air so I began sniffing around - lo and behold it was the purple coneflowers. I went on to sample the white ones, and two other varieties all of which smelled wonderful. I wonder if they sell essence of coneflower at the perfume counter?
Posted by Carol at 2:53 PM | Comments (0)
June 28, 2007
A Namesake!
Found in bloom this morning -
a Clarke's "Heavenly Blue" Morning Glory!
Delaney planted this from seed in her little garden by the back steps. Much of her plantings in fact are blooming, as are the flowers that Ella has in her garden!
Posted by Carol at 9:21 AM | Comments (0)
June 27, 2007
Blooming
I am reading May Dreams blog every day, and last week she listed all the things she has in bloom right now. So I thought I would copy her! Here is what I see in mine (except for the annuals I have purchased which sort of go without saying that they are in bloom!):
Zinneas
Cosmos
Marigolds
Forget-me-nots
Miniature hollyhocks
Cleome
Buddleia
Echinacea in various colors (the purpley-pink ones are over 4 feet tall!)
Monarda
Roses - climbing and shrubby
Astilbe
Coral bells
Tiarella
Goatsbeard
Fairies Candles (fleabane)
Yarrow
Nepeta
Shell Vine
Chinese Lanterns
Daylilies
Tigerish lilies
Keys of Heaven
Rose Campion
Lavender
Hyssop
Phlox
some of the hostas
Also doing very well are the ferns, pussy willow tree, baby hawthorne, and perennials that have already had their bloom for the summer!
I will check for others when I go back outside later on!
Posted by Carol at 1:59 PM | Comments (0)
June 26, 2007
Glorious Gardens
Toured Gloria's lovely outdoors last evening and I should have brought a counting clicker to keep track of all the different hosta she has! They are arranged very artfully in the wooded perimeters of the property. Also observed were pretty container plantings, various perennials in bloom, hydrangeas, ferns, bird feeders, tree trunk stepping "stones" and more. A great addition to the patio area is the "outdoor kitchen" designed and installed by the master of the house. And back in use after a hiatis is the hanging hammock last seen on White Oak. What a brilliant yard!
Posted by Carol at 10:18 PM | Comments (0)
May 23, 2007
May flowers
Well, April showers have indeed brought May flowers...but the flowers really need some May showers. It has been a terribly dry month so far. I have been outside watering everything as if it was the middle of June. But I have put too many hours into gardening this spring to let things go crispy!
Posted by Carol at 9:46 PM | Comments (0)
April 16, 2007
Hope
Definitely have needed a huge dose of hope over the past couple of weeks with our on and off spring, but it seems like it may now be here to stay! It remains to be seen how all of the plants and trees recover ~ but let's hope everything will rebound.
After 5 weeks off due to vacation and epizootis recovery I finally exercised at Curves again this morning. The walls there are now painted bright yellow and medium purple - whoa.
Yesterday afternoon Steve, Delaney and I spent a couple of hours at the beautiful Indianapolis Museum of Art - one of those places where after a visit, I always wonder why we don't go there more often!
Posted by Carol at 10:15 AM | Comments (0)
October 2, 2006
Still humming
We had hummingbirds at their feeder on Saturday September 30 which is as late in the fall as we have ever seen them. I wonder if it predicts anything about the coming winter - like the color of the woolly caterpillar, dark for harsh or light for mild winter! The longer the hummers stay, the shorter the winter maybe? That would be just fine with me. Snow is great as long as it knows when to leave!!
Posted by Carol at 3:42 PM | Comments (0)
May 2, 2006
First the good news...
Had my first hummingbird of the season today, yippee! Now the bad...finally had my injured rib x-rayed and it does have a small crack. And in the words of my father, "it hurts like 10,000 devils". Worse off is Gloria who has suffered a ruptured appendix that had abcessed before it was removed last night. They are suspicious of further infection, so she remains in the hospital until at least Saturday. She must have had a flock of Guardian Angels with her, this type of thing could have been fatal. Alot to be thankful for!
Posted by Carol at 4:07 PM | Comments (2)
April 19, 2006
Hail to the hummers
I read a little blurb in the newspaper yesterday that someone in town had a hummingbird visit their feeder already. So I stewed up some nectar and the backyard feeder is now in place, as well as a new one that I put by the Japanese maple in front! This is about two weeks sooner than I normally fill the feeders, so we'll see how many early birds stop by!
Posted by Carol at 10:21 AM | Comments (0)
March 22, 2006
Let the gardening begin!
I am so excited I can hardly stand it. On Friday in honor of her most welcome birthday, Gloria and I are making our first plant buying trip of the season. The Goodwill Greenhouse has the best pansies in town, and we are going to load up. Snow or no, it’s time to get the ball rolling.
Posted by Carol at 1:09 PM | Comments (0)
March 14, 2006
What a difference a week makes
Took a stroll around our yard yesterday in the sunshine and 70 degree weather. In just a week alot has happened ~ crocus and miniature daffodils are blooming, tulips are up 6-8 inches, peonies, bleeding hearts, yarrow, sedum and other perennials have pushed up quite a ways through the earth, and rose stems have little growths. Not to be outdone, the goldfinches are showing some brilliant yellow feathers already! Time to buy pansies and johnny jump-ups and let the gardening season begin!!
Posted by Carol at 10:31 PM | Comments (0)
January 27, 2006
Pest Alert and Oh my, a Robin!!
This morning's visit across the backyard fence (via telephone) brought Gloria's warning to check for pests on the mandevilla wintering over in my basement. She and I bought some of the plants at slashed prices last September and hers has aphids visiting. Mine look ok, albeit rather dormant and not exactly what an aphid is after! Anyway, when I finished my basement gardening and came back upstairs, what should I see outside my kitchen window but a nice plump robin at the heated bird bath! Has to be a returnee from the south as I haven't seen a one of them here all winter. Just another reminder to finish up with my inside projects before gardening season returns as well!
Posted by Carol at 9:41 AM | Comments (1)
January 7, 2006
In My Glorees
That I am, because this morning I have at long last successfully snapped a decent photo of a Red-breasted Nuthatch! They are half the size of their deeper colored relative, the White-breasted Nuthatch, but twice the speed. When they alight on feeder or tree they are seldom in one spot for more than a second or two. But this morning, (with the sun actually shining for extra lighting) I was able to get the picture I was hoping to add to my Nature Photo Album!
Posted by Carol at 10:52 AM | Comments (0)
November 17, 2005
18 Degrees
And as the sun sinks slowly in the west, I bid a fond farewell to the last of my outdoor blossoms. They put up a valiant resistance to the lower fall temperatures thus far, but finally Mother Nature caught up with us and realized she had given us too long an autumn. Looks like it's time to get out the heated bird bath!
Posted by Carol at 10:45 PM | Comments (0)
November 7, 2005
Where are my birdies
I am lamenting the fact that my backyard birding sanctuary is lacking any feathered friends these days other than a large and forboding Hawk that is holding court hither and thither. Carol assures me that the birds will return, she is wise in these matters so I will hold fast to that hope. However my neck is killing me as I am forever darting my head in one direction or another hoping for a birdy come perching. I did see one of my fine saucy male cardinals the other day and I rejoiced and complimented him fairly but alas he has not returned. Perhaps I said too much and frightened the shy lad away.
Posted by Gloria at 2:31 PM | Comments (1)
September 21, 2005
Fog
It is a beautiful morning, with sun beginning to appear through the dense fog of the early day. The last day of summer, and I have alot more than "one rose left blooming alone" as the poet wrote. I have finally given the nod to autumn, and purchased five pretty mums. Which to me are at the same time beautiful and bittersweet because their blossoms begin when summer flowers are fading. Still getting quite a few moonflowers opening each evening, and blackeyed susan vines are pretty but most everything else has had it's day!
Posted by Carol at 9:56 AM | Comments (0)
August 17, 2005
hummingbird frenzy
I am not as versed as my dear friend Carol when it comes to the wide outdoors but I do find myself ever drawn to the magic that lies without. Yesterday I treated myself to a long and leisurely chat with Carol. I was hoping she was home from her Minnesota whirlwind trip and ready to talk. She had a tad of weary in her voice but she regaled me with lots of tidbits. I do believe the trip was a Hurrah for all! How lovely that Carol could spend this time with her family including her own! Anyway!!!as we chatted away the feathered friends were going haywire from feeding station to feeding station. The hummingbirds were so drunk with choices they hovered and darted and drank with fervor at the feeded and then the hosta lilies in bloom and back again. What a dance, what a concert, life is grand when one can take a ride on the wings of a hummingbird.
Posted by Gloria at 8:29 PM | Comments (1)
June 24, 2005
Redbud Visitor
Last Friday when Matthew was here, we spotted a huge pileated woodpecker in the redbud tree! I of course ran like mad for the camera, and did get a shot of it albeit a little blurry! What a thrill! Oh, we also very much enjoyed Matthew's visit here as well!
Steve and I will be in Montreal next week and in my absence I am fortunate to have a volunteer flower waterer! I am tremendously grateful to Gloria for taking care of my growing blossoms. My flowers thank her also!
Posted by Carol at 11:15 PM | Comments (0)
June 16, 2005
A Hive of Activity
I must report on my visit to the Worth's Valley Drive estate. It is a spectacular sight (site!) inside and out! The areas that Gloria has created outside are just lovely - her hosta plants are really taking off and the pink hydrangea was breathtaking! So many pretty plants, shrubs, vines, rocks, trees, groundcovers that I dare not try to name each specifically!!
The new floor tile is beautiful as well, and perfectly installed by the man of the house. Is there no end to the creative and practical talents of these homeowners??!!
Posted by Carol at 11:06 PM | Comments (0)
June 15, 2005
Gloria's Garden
I am looking forward to coffee and a look at the inside tiling project and the outside garden efforts over at the Worth's palatial estate tomorrow morning! My recent travels have taken me many a mile, but the path between our homes has begun to grow grass!!
I can report a fine trip to Orlando to visit Uncle Matthew who is the world's best niece spoiler. Delaney had ever so much fun and is already talking about "the next time". She doesn't know that she will be seeing him again this weekend when he is in town for the Formula One race!!
And finally, my gardens have survived my recent absences quite well. Lots of color and foliage right now! And our front landscaping is complete with the seven foot Japanese maple which the men put in yesterday - looks stunning!
Posted by Carol at 11:52 PM | Comments (0)
May 23, 2005
Landscaping In!
The new plantings and beds look so nice across the front of our house - T.J. is coming Wednesday to see what should go in the spot of the crab apple tree/shrub that we ended up having taken out. When it was pruned, it just looked scraggly so they cut it down after all.(Thank you Gloria for coming over so quickly to help me decide what to do!!) Sadly, a robins nest full of eggs was disturbed in the process and the men moved it to the magnolia tree (sans eggs which fell and broke). So far the parents have not returned to it. Now I am ready to add some annuals and perennials for color. If we can, I want to get a new sidewalk made of pavers. One thing leads to another...
Posted by Carol at 11:46 PM | Comments (0)
May 10, 2005
Planting is Afoot
I brought back many lovely plants on Saturday from our annual trip to Stream Cliff Farm in southern Indiana. Moonvine, Black-eyed Susan vine, Chinese lantern, Persian Shield, trailing Nasturtium, pink and orange Lantana, pink guara, peach diaschia and more!! Planting began today, and will continue until the last roots are covered! I also brought outside the plants that had wintered in the basement or Matthew's room - red hibiscus, poinsettias, cacti, and streptocarpella! I am so excited about gardening season!!
Posted by Carol at 12:00 AM | Comments (0)
May 2, 2005
Hummer Heaven!
I can confirm a hummingbird sighting at last! Today while we were eating Sunday dinner I nearly gave Steve a heart attack when I did one of my camera jump-ups complete with wild whooping. I looked out the kitchen window and saw a male hummingbird stopping at the newly refilled feeder! He only hovered there for a few seconds, not long enough for me to get a picture taken. Oh well, he and Mrs. H. will be frequent visitors over the next five months. I did get a nice shot of a Downy woodpecker today as he carefully picked insects from the maple tree bark.
Posted by Carol at 12:37 AM | Comments (0)
April 21, 2005
Sunny for sure!
"Building a garden is the best way to keep a sunny outlook on life."
Brilliant Gloria!! That will forever be my summer's creed! Maybe we can design a product line around those words...
Also - a great new garden/bird/nature website I have found is:
Garden Artisans
(By the way, I am feeling crunchy because I figured out how to insert the link to that website!!!!)
Posted by Carol at 11:34 AM | Comments (0)
April 20, 2005
How does this garden grow?
I am skipping with pure joy day to day as I peruse the success of my garden. I planted and prayed and waited for this day that I would see the little plants wake up, branch out, reblossom and be bold in their statement that they have found a home! The birds flit from tree to tree and feeder to feeder as if the hunt is on to find the best morsel or resting place. My soul is made captive to all the wild abandon, what fun spring is, a real giggle. I am encouraged and energized to dig some more and plant some more in any little spot that is bare and in waiting. Building a garden is the best way to keep a sunny outlook on life.
Posted by Gloria at 9:56 PM | Comments (0)
April 7, 2005
Hummer sighting?
On the strength of a possible hummingbird in Gloria's back yard, I have swung into action. The sugar water was boiled (1/3 cup of sugar to 8 ounces of water),the feeder filled and hung up outside within an hour of her news. I have checked my records and found that the last 3 years hummers have arrived at the end of April but maybe this year they made better time on their return from the south!!
Posted by Carol at 11:03 AM | Comments (0)
March 31, 2005
Fine Feathered Frenzy!
It has been a good day down on the farm for birdwatching! First I spotted a bluebird out the front window during my ladies devotion group. I interrupted everything to jump up and go for the camera while Gloria jumped up just as fast to see the lovely blue friend. Sharon was a little shocked at our excitement I think, but when it comes to a bird sighting there is no such thing as holding back! Later on I saw a yellow bellied sapsucker on the redbud tree and then two chickadees busy going in and out of the clay bird house Jan gave me. Nest building is afoot! To top it off, there were two goldfinches in nearly perfect summer yellow feathers and a cinnamon colored Carolina Wren out in back. Simple pleasures...
Posted by Carol at 10:10 PM | Comments (1)
March 9, 2005
First Robin
Yesterday I saw the first robin of spring! It seemes like in the last few years I would see robins all through the winter, but not so this time. I have to think this fellow just returned, like me, from a warmer and sunnier clime! And today over at church Delaney and I heard a red-winged blackbird sing and then followed his song to where we could see him way up high in a tree. So that makes two harbingers of spring!! Yea!
Posted by Carol at 11:28 PM | Comments (0)
February 9, 2005
White and Red
I looked outside this morning to see one of those fairyland snows - the kind that falls so gently that even the tiniest tree twig has a layer of white. And with the snow, the birds! Especially beautiful by contrast are the cardinals. We are lucky enough to have 6 pairs who are regulars to our feeders, and sometimes the sight of them is all you need to make your spirit soar!
Posted by Carol at 10:13 PM | Comments (1)