This dot line wave reminds me how my stomach feels right now. I've been up for hours but still haven't had my breakfast. The animals have been fed and now it's my turn. See you later. xo
Tuesday, June 2, 2015
Monday, June 1, 2015
Hydrangea Explosion
image source
These are not Limelight hydrangeas, the variety I planted this year. My two bushes were just bare sticks with not much greenery when I planted them almost a month ago but now they are covered with lots of vigorous new growth and are thriving in the front and the back yards. I don't know if mine will bloom this year but they are on their way to becoming large bushes and I am thrilled. I have watered them daily and really babied them while they were in shock after being potbound. My plants were last year's stock and their roots were really packed. I untangled them and fed them lots of blue water almost daily. I followed my grandmother's advice too. She always said to plant a 50 cent plant in a $5.00 hole. The holes I dug were wide and deep and full of big rocks that I had to remove with my pickaxe. If you put in the effort when you plant something you will almost be guaranteed that you will have a successful growth. I mulched my plants too with wood chips to hold in the moisture. These plants are supposed to bloom on new growth so I am hopeful mine will too. Fingers crossed. I'm sure they are enjoying the rainy weather we had yesterday and last night with more on the way. Here is a very exciting HGTV article about Limelight Hydrangeas. Now I have high hopes that mine will bloom this year. I'm so glad I have them.
TV over the Fireplace
I usually don't like flat screen tv screens above a fireplace but I really like this arrangement. The whole room is fabulous, isn't it? via
I recently entered the 21st century because I finally have a small (21") flat screen in my living room and I love it. Now I wonder why I didn't get one earlier. I have it on a small antique piece beside my fireplace in the same place I had my ancient fat 13" set from the dark ages. When I am sitting on my sofa it lines up with my eyes and my sight of vision perfectly. If I had it on my mantle I would have to put my chin up and head back and look up and that would be awkward. I think there is a formula you are supposed to use based on the distance between where you sit and the screen. Mine is the perfect size and it's perfectly located as well as being very unobtrusive whether it's on or off. I'm thrilled because as you all know, I'm a big TV person. xo
Sunday, May 31, 2015
Tintern Cottage in Wales
via
The hillside vegetation is trying to take over the lawn and the wonderful old cottage too. It's a constant battle, isn't it? We are having a nice soaking shower before the sun goes down so it will be a nice cool night for sleeping. I hope I can find something to watch on my DVR because there's nothing to watch on TV. I'll be glad when the summer programs start up. It's rare when there's nothing good playing on PBS. Next week we have the first episode of Poldark so things are looking up in June. xo
Multiflora Rose - So Invasive
The woods and the wetlands surrounding my rear property are being overtaken by this invasive species. The multiflora roses are in full bloom right now and they have a delightful flower and a wonderful fragrance. I have spent countless hours cutting them back so their wicked thorns don't grab me when I mow. Here's a little history of this Asian, non-native plant. It reminds me of the Kudzu that has overtaken the South.
Background: Multiflora rose was introduced to the eastern United States in 1866 as rootstock for ornamental roses. Beginning in the 1930s, the U.S. Soil Conservation Service promoted it for use in erosion control and as “living fences” to confine livestock. State conservation departments recommended multiflora rose as cover for wildlife. More recently, it has been planted in highway median strips to serve as crash barriers and reduce automobile headlight glare. Its tenacious growth habit was eventually recognized as a problem on pastures and unplowed lands, where it disrupted cattle grazing, and, more recently, as a pest of natural ecosystems. It is designated a noxious weed in several states, including Iowa, Ohio, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
Distribution and Habitat: Multiflora rose occurs throughout the eastern half of the United States and in Washington and Oregon. It tolerates a wide range of soil, moisture and light conditions and is able to invade fields, forests, prairies, some wetlands and many other habitats.
Ecological Threat: Multiflora rose grows aggressively and produces large numbers of fruits (hips) that are eaten and dispersed by a variety of birds. Dense thickets of multiflora rose exclude most native shrubs and herbs from establishing and may be detrimental to nesting of native birds.
Continue reading here. My photo.
IMPACT ON FORESTRY AND FORESTERSContinue reading here. My photo.
On Forestry: Multiflora rose readily invades forest edges, open woodlands and plantations especially where there has been land disturbance. It can form dense thickets, replace native vegetation and inhibit regeneration of trees.
On Foresters: This plant forms impenetrable, thorny thickets that make forestry work difficult and painful. The hooked thorns are known to puncture vehicle tires (YIKES) as well as inflict deep gashes in unprotected human skin. information found here.
Saturday, May 30, 2015
My Peonies Have Popped
It is cool and overcast this morning, perfect for photographing my peony patch. My white ones with the huge yellow centers are in full bloom. I can still look forward to the pink ones on the right and the magenta ones on the left that are still in the tight bud stage. Have a great weekend! xo
Mozart Locket Sold at Sothebys
Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus
LOCK OF THE COMPOSER'S FAIR HAIR, CONTAINED IN A 19th CENTURY GILT LOCKET, WITH A 19th CENTURY MANUSCRIPT NOTE OF PROVENANCE. SOLD. 35,000 GBP
See auction post here, scroll down for description.
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