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Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Widder Lady's "Usual Day"
Morning's for this Widder Lady are now free from any "have-to's" now that I've learned from my counselor Edgar Gibson that there are "No Have-To's" only "Choose To's". With the "Choose To" attitude in place, I now choose to get up when I feel like getting up. This can be any time from 4 a.m. to 8 a.m. Lately I'm sleeping much better and getting up around 7 a.m. I do think my body-clock is resetting itself as the "set your clocks back an hour" message approaches.
I put on a robe and some slippers and head for the kitchen. I wash my hands before I begin the morning routine of breakfast which is the "same thing" morning after morning. I defrost a small bowl of blueberries topped off with some unsweetened almond milk. This morning's blueberries are the bigger ones. I like wild blueberries better. For protein - I boil an egg by a timer for 3 minutes and put a strip of Hormel uncured bacon between 4 layers of paper towel and Zap it for a minute. I boil some water in the microwave then pour it over a little bag filled with Green Kukicha twig tea. I get the tea at Essencha Tea House in Oakley. "Discovered" Kukicha in New York City @ TeaNY down around the corner of Orchard Street. I take a Vitamin Supplement from Dr.Sinatra.
My intake of is "wheat/grain/free" for sixteen months - following Wheat Belly Living. (More information about Wheat Belly can be found over on Facebook). I take time to write down my daily tasks - in the little notebook. Breakfast, email, Facebook, trash trashed, clothes away, put me together, Yoga stretches, outside cleanup, office matters, write, read and paint. The list varies depending upon my "choices" for each day.
Today, I will be painting more lines into "The Symphony Hotel" painting I'm working on. This blog is the "Write" task on my list. I'll read something interesting before the day is over. Yesterday I checked the inside plants after the "Water Birdie" beeped (bought at Walgreen's or Family Dollar). It beeps when the soil gets dry. After many years of having various plants as "old friends", I watch as they grow and change.
For "focus" I use a timer that I also purchased at Walgreen's. I set it for 15 minute segments and "stay on track". The timer is an incredible "assistant". As I write this, the timer has reached 15 minutes 3 times! I'm listening to small square Sony clock radio (clock clicks - but hands don't move) - music from "Showboat" plays - from WGUC. Above me is a picture of Mama "Angel Lois" as encouragement. I surround myself with bits and pieces of inspiration - a bulletin board full of items that I enjoy revisiting again and again.
Next to the bulletin board is a 90-Day Organizer "wipe off" calendar. I wipe off each day as it passes. I put upcoming events that are scheduled - my Meetups, theater events, classes at my students, dental and medical appointments; and celebrations.
I have many more "free days" - days that are mine alone - days to stay home - days to choose to wear sweats, days without makeup, days to sit outside and soak up some Vitamin D. Lunch time arrives -
another healthy salad will be enjoyed or some "Stoup" will be heated up. Afternoon - I may choose to take a nap, watch some "dumb" TV or tour the yard to see what Mother Nature has "been up to".
I put on a robe and some slippers and head for the kitchen. I wash my hands before I begin the morning routine of breakfast which is the "same thing" morning after morning. I defrost a small bowl of blueberries topped off with some unsweetened almond milk. This morning's blueberries are the bigger ones. I like wild blueberries better. For protein - I boil an egg by a timer for 3 minutes and put a strip of Hormel uncured bacon between 4 layers of paper towel and Zap it for a minute. I boil some water in the microwave then pour it over a little bag filled with Green Kukicha twig tea. I get the tea at Essencha Tea House in Oakley. "Discovered" Kukicha in New York City @ TeaNY down around the corner of Orchard Street. I take a Vitamin Supplement from Dr.Sinatra.
My intake of is "wheat/grain/free" for sixteen months - following Wheat Belly Living. (More information about Wheat Belly can be found over on Facebook). I take time to write down my daily tasks - in the little notebook. Breakfast, email, Facebook, trash trashed, clothes away, put me together, Yoga stretches, outside cleanup, office matters, write, read and paint. The list varies depending upon my "choices" for each day.
Today, I will be painting more lines into "The Symphony Hotel" painting I'm working on. This blog is the "Write" task on my list. I'll read something interesting before the day is over. Yesterday I checked the inside plants after the "Water Birdie" beeped (bought at Walgreen's or Family Dollar). It beeps when the soil gets dry. After many years of having various plants as "old friends", I watch as they grow and change.
For "focus" I use a timer that I also purchased at Walgreen's. I set it for 15 minute segments and "stay on track". The timer is an incredible "assistant". As I write this, the timer has reached 15 minutes 3 times! I'm listening to small square Sony clock radio (clock clicks - but hands don't move) - music from "Showboat" plays - from WGUC. Above me is a picture of Mama "Angel Lois" as encouragement. I surround myself with bits and pieces of inspiration - a bulletin board full of items that I enjoy revisiting again and again.
Next to the bulletin board is a 90-Day Organizer "wipe off" calendar. I wipe off each day as it passes. I put upcoming events that are scheduled - my Meetups, theater events, classes at my students, dental and medical appointments; and celebrations.
I have many more "free days" - days that are mine alone - days to stay home - days to choose to wear sweats, days without makeup, days to sit outside and soak up some Vitamin D. Lunch time arrives -
another healthy salad will be enjoyed or some "Stoup" will be heated up. Afternoon - I may choose to take a nap, watch some "dumb" TV or tour the yard to see what Mother Nature has "been up to".
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Choosing to be Proactive
For too long I've been notified by "43 Things to Do" to WRITE! Seems I have plenty of ideas and thoughts to share, but getting to doing it is a "problem". The "problem" is procrastination - big time procrastination. Something else always seems to be more important than writing. It's time for me to realize that it won't get done unless I do it. I can think myself silly telling myself that I'll do it. My business card says, "Artist, Writer, Organizer". So what's the "problem"? It is absolutely and truly procrastination.
Procrastination is a habit that can stifle creativity. Can? It does snuff out all those bits of special stories to be shared, poems to be read and music to be heard. What to do, what to do? Seems simple enough to say, "Just do it". But, there is more involved in "doing it".
After several years of following various sites for home management and a lifetime reading many, books on time management, home/office organization I've finally accepted the fact that putting a task at the top of "The Priority List", setting an appointed time for the task, calling myself "boss" of myself (working for me) and using a digital timer - set in 15 minute segments will prove to be the "formula" for success in "getting the job done".
Right now the timer is at 12 minutes. It beeps every five minutes. At the end of 15 minutes it continues to beep until I reset it or it eventually quits beeping "on it's own". Phone calls are not accepted during this "working time". Music is nice - listening to WGUC classical station is a pleasant "backdrop" for writing. The font on this screen is too small and so that will be "adjusted" upward.
Being a "Widder Lady" has its challenges. I challenge myself to stay healthy by following the Wheat Belly Lifestyle. I started this journey 16 months ago and like what I am experiencing - energy, much more energy, some weight loss, strength building and aches/pains gone (for the most part). I'm doing my Yoga stretches, lifting some weights and walking around the circle driveway when the weather is nice.
I enjoy being a "homebody" - moving through the house from one end to the other, going up and down the stairs to the basement and outside down a few steps to the cottage. There is plenty of yard to enjoy and critters, too. Saw a squirrel enjoying a hickory nut - brought it with him half way up the Japanese Maple tree, stopped, peeled off the outer shell and finished off the inside nut then scampered on up to his nest somewhere up in one of the huge pine trees that surround the cottage.
There are many birds, too. Listening to their various calls, chirps and songs keep me alert. I like all the sounds around - the wind chimes, the crunchy-sounding leaves, crickets, tree frogs and katydids. The cicadas are gone now. Soon all the sounds of mowers and blowers will stop, too. It will be winter, soon. Yes, we may even have snowflakes before the day is over.
Listening to Rodriguez - beautiful guitar music now. The time is at 6 minutes. I'm almost done. Hooray I did it! Onward!
Procrastination is a habit that can stifle creativity. Can? It does snuff out all those bits of special stories to be shared, poems to be read and music to be heard. What to do, what to do? Seems simple enough to say, "Just do it". But, there is more involved in "doing it".
After several years of following various sites for home management and a lifetime reading many, books on time management, home/office organization I've finally accepted the fact that putting a task at the top of "The Priority List", setting an appointed time for the task, calling myself "boss" of myself (working for me) and using a digital timer - set in 15 minute segments will prove to be the "formula" for success in "getting the job done".
Right now the timer is at 12 minutes. It beeps every five minutes. At the end of 15 minutes it continues to beep until I reset it or it eventually quits beeping "on it's own". Phone calls are not accepted during this "working time". Music is nice - listening to WGUC classical station is a pleasant "backdrop" for writing. The font on this screen is too small and so that will be "adjusted" upward.
Being a "Widder Lady" has its challenges. I challenge myself to stay healthy by following the Wheat Belly Lifestyle. I started this journey 16 months ago and like what I am experiencing - energy, much more energy, some weight loss, strength building and aches/pains gone (for the most part). I'm doing my Yoga stretches, lifting some weights and walking around the circle driveway when the weather is nice.
I enjoy being a "homebody" - moving through the house from one end to the other, going up and down the stairs to the basement and outside down a few steps to the cottage. There is plenty of yard to enjoy and critters, too. Saw a squirrel enjoying a hickory nut - brought it with him half way up the Japanese Maple tree, stopped, peeled off the outer shell and finished off the inside nut then scampered on up to his nest somewhere up in one of the huge pine trees that surround the cottage.
There are many birds, too. Listening to their various calls, chirps and songs keep me alert. I like all the sounds around - the wind chimes, the crunchy-sounding leaves, crickets, tree frogs and katydids. The cicadas are gone now. Soon all the sounds of mowers and blowers will stop, too. It will be winter, soon. Yes, we may even have snowflakes before the day is over.
Listening to Rodriguez - beautiful guitar music now. The time is at 6 minutes. I'm almost done. Hooray I did it! Onward!
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Wherever I Go, Here I Am
Winter moved along slowly dropping some snow now and then. I "x'd" off the days on various calendars, erased off the dry erase daily blocks on the big 90 day Organizer Calendar on the wall here in my computer den and repeated the "Erase A Day" ritual on the magnetic fridge calendar, too. I keep a daily list of tasks to do and check them off - one by one - giving myself a "Sparkle Star" for special accomplishments, especially for doing my Yoga stretches!
Each day I also "report in" to my Cleaning_House group on Yahoo.com putting down the same list as the one in my little spiral daily notebook. This list-making and checking off keeps me focused and feeling good about "getting something done". It also provides a diary of daily doings that can be checked through for appointments made with household repair people, dental or medical appointments. It's a habit!
Loss of Mama's dearest friends - Kathleen, Ann and Lelia- all gone now, Uncle Lewie and dog-buddy Knee-Hi all have happened since last summer. There is still continuing concern for Harry (Marshall's Dad and my first husband) who has been hospitalized more than a dozen times this past year for complications from heart failure, diabetes and many other health issues. Visiting him in the hospital and taking him flowers brightens spirits. We all had Valentine's dinner together at a wonderful Mexican restaurant. Harry presented me with a beautiful blooming orchid and a Valentine's box of Sweet Tooth chocolates.
Strange - right as I'm writing this - WGUC announcing concert from Westwood Methodist Church where we were married and where we will celebrate Easter in a couple of weeks!
I still continue teaching my art classes on Wednesdays at my studio. Good progress is being made by my students. I enjoy sharing pictures of their art on my Meetup "Art, Music, Theater Meetup" page and on Facebook.
The biggest change in my life is joining with the Wheat Belly Lifestyle! Been following a Wheat/Grain/Sugar Free program for nearly 7 months! And, I started a group that meets at my home on Mondays of other "followers". We're changing our lives "for the better" - more energy, healthier, aches-pains now gone!
Follow up on Irene's in Oakley - closing. I picked up my consignment items that were left. Some things sold and that's "to the good". Onward!
Each day I also "report in" to my Cleaning_House group on Yahoo.com putting down the same list as the one in my little spiral daily notebook. This list-making and checking off keeps me focused and feeling good about "getting something done". It also provides a diary of daily doings that can be checked through for appointments made with household repair people, dental or medical appointments. It's a habit!
Loss of Mama's dearest friends - Kathleen, Ann and Lelia- all gone now, Uncle Lewie and dog-buddy Knee-Hi all have happened since last summer. There is still continuing concern for Harry (Marshall's Dad and my first husband) who has been hospitalized more than a dozen times this past year for complications from heart failure, diabetes and many other health issues. Visiting him in the hospital and taking him flowers brightens spirits. We all had Valentine's dinner together at a wonderful Mexican restaurant. Harry presented me with a beautiful blooming orchid and a Valentine's box of Sweet Tooth chocolates.
Strange - right as I'm writing this - WGUC announcing concert from Westwood Methodist Church where we were married and where we will celebrate Easter in a couple of weeks!
I still continue teaching my art classes on Wednesdays at my studio. Good progress is being made by my students. I enjoy sharing pictures of their art on my Meetup "Art, Music, Theater Meetup" page and on Facebook.
The biggest change in my life is joining with the Wheat Belly Lifestyle! Been following a Wheat/Grain/Sugar Free program for nearly 7 months! And, I started a group that meets at my home on Mondays of other "followers". We're changing our lives "for the better" - more energy, healthier, aches-pains now gone!
Follow up on Irene's in Oakley - closing. I picked up my consignment items that were left. Some things sold and that's "to the good". Onward!
Saturday, August 11, 2012
IRENE'S IN OAKLEY
Yesterday evening after having a wonderful lakeside dinner at Lake Isabella with Marcia, her folks and their friends, Marcia and I decided to go on into Oakley to stop and see Irene in her new shop and then take in some of Oakley's "Second Friday" events.
We parked in the lot across the street, then walked to the other side to Irene's shop. Two racks of clothing were outside on display. The "Open" banner beckoned. We were greeted by Irene's "Happy Hugs". We saw that she had a "browser" but didn't know if the "browser" would eventually be a "buyer".
Irene shared "her day" with us which had been an overwhelming experience. A person who presented herself as "market savy" interjected hurtful comments and had plenty of suggestions of why Irene "was not - this or that" and that she, the interjector, knew someone to consult with Irene. Marcia and I were not totally clear as to the exact reason why this person had become an advisor to Irene. Where did she come from in the first place? What were her motives? Was she drumming up business for herself or someone else? Did she have an alterior motive?
I'm thinking "alterior motive". Maybe because the high-end design shop moved in next door - Irene's place became an "item" for take over by someone who had their own plans for the shop and that Irene slipped in to buy the shop before this other person had the chance to negotiate and buy it for herself or maybe her friend had "her eye" on it. Sounded "fishy" to Marcia and me.
Irene is highly talented (in our opinion) making exquisite arrangements of scarves, jewelry, purses and accessories. Her shop is "eye pleasing". She has a "gem" if she can make it work. I'm willing to help out with my business and artistic thoughts, too. I watch many "do-over" business shows and I think I've taken in a lot of information of "what to do's" to save a business or turn it around.
Immediately - I know Irene is already worn out - from being the sole person running the place. Didn't choose to take in a "partner". Needs to do this soon. Or, enlist the help of caring friends to watch the shop when she needs a break. She could set it up that it's open when the flag is out and leave at that. People would learn to call first. She needs a "rest" area - where she can sip a cup of tea, read and relax. She needs to look "less busy" and ease back to gain her strength back. She needs to slip out of the shop for a walk to "meet the neighbors".
"Social Media" is the best way to build a business in today's world. Use Facebook and Twitter to the "max". Use Meetup.com for events & classes. Build the numbers and ask friends to help! Avoid the people coming in to sell ads. Always put a card in a customer's hands. Do not let them leave w/o something "in hand". Use that guest book now! Take those names and do a regular email out to them.
I'll help and see what I can learn about marketing in 2012! Onward!
We parked in the lot across the street, then walked to the other side to Irene's shop. Two racks of clothing were outside on display. The "Open" banner beckoned. We were greeted by Irene's "Happy Hugs". We saw that she had a "browser" but didn't know if the "browser" would eventually be a "buyer".
Irene shared "her day" with us which had been an overwhelming experience. A person who presented herself as "market savy" interjected hurtful comments and had plenty of suggestions of why Irene "was not - this or that" and that she, the interjector, knew someone to consult with Irene. Marcia and I were not totally clear as to the exact reason why this person had become an advisor to Irene. Where did she come from in the first place? What were her motives? Was she drumming up business for herself or someone else? Did she have an alterior motive?
I'm thinking "alterior motive". Maybe because the high-end design shop moved in next door - Irene's place became an "item" for take over by someone who had their own plans for the shop and that Irene slipped in to buy the shop before this other person had the chance to negotiate and buy it for herself or maybe her friend had "her eye" on it. Sounded "fishy" to Marcia and me.
Irene is highly talented (in our opinion) making exquisite arrangements of scarves, jewelry, purses and accessories. Her shop is "eye pleasing". She has a "gem" if she can make it work. I'm willing to help out with my business and artistic thoughts, too. I watch many "do-over" business shows and I think I've taken in a lot of information of "what to do's" to save a business or turn it around.
Immediately - I know Irene is already worn out - from being the sole person running the place. Didn't choose to take in a "partner". Needs to do this soon. Or, enlist the help of caring friends to watch the shop when she needs a break. She could set it up that it's open when the flag is out and leave at that. People would learn to call first. She needs a "rest" area - where she can sip a cup of tea, read and relax. She needs to look "less busy" and ease back to gain her strength back. She needs to slip out of the shop for a walk to "meet the neighbors".
"Social Media" is the best way to build a business in today's world. Use Facebook and Twitter to the "max". Use Meetup.com for events & classes. Build the numbers and ask friends to help! Avoid the people coming in to sell ads. Always put a card in a customer's hands. Do not let them leave w/o something "in hand". Use that guest book now! Take those names and do a regular email out to them.
Friday, August 10, 2012
OUTSIDE CLEANUP
Summer 2012 has been challenging for this "Widder Lady". Storms have knocked down tree branches again. Last year one of the huge oak trees "out front" was hit hard. A huge branch broke from it's "center" and required heavy "cherry picking" equipment to be brought in. Drove in across neighbor's yard. Oh my! Twenty five hundred dollars later, the tree still stands and put out "extra" coverage to hid its wounds.
This year, more limbs have fallen from weaker trees. I pulled one limb to the driveway and gradually lopped off the small limbs and twigs. Then, I used one of the new pruning saws that came as part of my being a member of the National Home Gardening Club. It worked, but I had to watch my shoulder muscles and not "over-do". I pulled the bigger pieces over the driveway ledge and led them fall. I will take them to the back fence line to rot away.
More overhanging branches from old trees along the back fence line "gave way" to the weight of wild grape vines a few weeks ago. I lopped off some of the branches and pulled what bigger ones I could over to the fence line. There is still a pile of branches and debris waiting for me or "someone" to remove. The yard mowing guys mowed over part of the smaller branches. I figure if they go back and forth over them again and again, my "work" will be even easier. Just a week before they had been doing the annual clean-up, prunning the bushes by the side of the house down to "small shrub size" again. They had taken several truck loads of branches, leaves, weeds and yard debris away. It was wonderful to see "things looking good again".
As I write this, I can hear mowers running around the cottage. Wondering if I will get out in time to ask them to use the blower on the two cottage porches - saving me from another outside task. I'm also thinking about the water running into the old hot tub area and what I can do to clean it up.
The pool guys and I discussed possible solutions for this "problem area". This "hot tub" worked many years ago - at least 25 years ago. It was added on to the main pool as a triangular shaped spa area. There were "seats" and a plexiglass divider between it and the pool. It required a separate set of equipment - motor, bubbler, heater, strainer. It was expensive to run! Then, somehow it was ruined - and I think it was because I had a huge bolder put in as a "design element" into another triangle-shaped bed. I think it broke the pipes.
(Time for a break - go outside). Met with landscaper guy "chief" to discuss hot tub situation. We turned off the water that I was running through to clear it all up. Suggested some Clorox (may not do it - fumes). He will call his cement guy for possible solution of filling it in with cement and "be done with it". Would give me a nice area to set the long outdoor lounge chair again. Used to set it down on the rocks, but it wasn't the best solution. Struggled with this "problem area" too long. It's time to solve it! Onward!
This year, more limbs have fallen from weaker trees. I pulled one limb to the driveway and gradually lopped off the small limbs and twigs. Then, I used one of the new pruning saws that came as part of my being a member of the National Home Gardening Club. It worked, but I had to watch my shoulder muscles and not "over-do". I pulled the bigger pieces over the driveway ledge and led them fall. I will take them to the back fence line to rot away.
More overhanging branches from old trees along the back fence line "gave way" to the weight of wild grape vines a few weeks ago. I lopped off some of the branches and pulled what bigger ones I could over to the fence line. There is still a pile of branches and debris waiting for me or "someone" to remove. The yard mowing guys mowed over part of the smaller branches. I figure if they go back and forth over them again and again, my "work" will be even easier. Just a week before they had been doing the annual clean-up, prunning the bushes by the side of the house down to "small shrub size" again. They had taken several truck loads of branches, leaves, weeds and yard debris away. It was wonderful to see "things looking good again".
As I write this, I can hear mowers running around the cottage. Wondering if I will get out in time to ask them to use the blower on the two cottage porches - saving me from another outside task. I'm also thinking about the water running into the old hot tub area and what I can do to clean it up.
The pool guys and I discussed possible solutions for this "problem area". This "hot tub" worked many years ago - at least 25 years ago. It was added on to the main pool as a triangular shaped spa area. There were "seats" and a plexiglass divider between it and the pool. It required a separate set of equipment - motor, bubbler, heater, strainer. It was expensive to run! Then, somehow it was ruined - and I think it was because I had a huge bolder put in as a "design element" into another triangle-shaped bed. I think it broke the pipes.
(Time for a break - go outside). Met with landscaper guy "chief" to discuss hot tub situation. We turned off the water that I was running through to clear it all up. Suggested some Clorox (may not do it - fumes). He will call his cement guy for possible solution of filling it in with cement and "be done with it". Would give me a nice area to set the long outdoor lounge chair again. Used to set it down on the rocks, but it wasn't the best solution. Struggled with this "problem area" too long. It's time to solve it! Onward!
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Rainy Saturday - July 14, 2012
Life moves along "swimmingly" (I do swim) here at this place I call "home". Critter update: two does with youngsters here. I think the does were twins and now they have their own offspring. One has twins and the other has one. For awhile I was confused and thought it was just one doe and one fawn, but I think I have the situation figured out now. But to be sure, I would like to see two does together with 3 fawns, total.
Chipmunks are everywhere - holes to their tunnels are under the patio, around the edge of the house and outside in the "beds". I see them scurry and run back and forth. They like to roll in the dirt, so I had a few pots that I never planted flowers in this year. The dirt gets thrown out, so that means they have had a good dirt bath. One pot had Freezia bulbs in it, but nothing came up! Not one single sprig or sprout! Figuring that a squirrel or one of the chipmunks enjoyed a bulb dinner. Thinking, though that I ought to go up and dig around to see if the bulbs are still there!
Hornet Story: I had several pots sitting near the Topsy Turvy stand. They were filled with odds & ends - some chives, a wild strawberry vine and some lemon balm. I did plant one basil plant in the square pot and left the other alone and now a tomato plant is growing and blooming in it. I was cleaning up the magnolia leaves and debris that gathered around those three pots when several buzzing hornets came out of the one with the chives, etc. I pushed the pot with the broom handle and "pow" - out came some mad hornets after ME! I ran as fast as I could - knocking off my glasses (didn't know I'd done it) as I was being stung on my nose and knocking away the one that was stinging my right shin. Got them off and ran into the kitchen, grabbed some baking soda, made a paste and put it on my nose and leg. Talk about HURT! Those stings hurt for hours and hours. I used ice packs, cold washcloths and took some Ibuprofen. I took time to look up some first aid cures. I also immediately put lemon halves on the wounds to take out poison.
Thought I wouldn't get over the pain! Awful stuff! Luckily my nose didn't swell too much. It was sore, but my leg was sore for quite some time. The situation was under control, except now I didn't have my glasses! I was afraid to go back out to find them! I found a pair of glasses which I had prescribed to me last year, but I never wore - so for several days I was "off" with my vision. I finally found my regular pair in the pot of Thyme!
Did I leave the hornets alone. Not! I got some Hot Shot that had been around here - and opened the door off the dining room and aimed! Made the hornets mad again, so I retreated. Then I kept hitting the pot with the hose jet to see if they were still there - they were! I told the yard guys to "beware of the hornets"! The pot was turned over one morning and I wondered if the raccoon did it or if Knee-Hi did it. Could have been the squirrel! So, I figured they were gone (all of this took place over a week's time). Not so, a few more were buzzing around.
Asked the yard guys about hornets moving somewhere else. The fellow said the queen will move far away to safety and that seems to be what happened. I looked for evidence of dead hornets, but they outwitted me, the Hot Shot, the water jet! Now, where they have gone, I don't know. I sure hope someone else doesn't experience a hornet hit from these traveling demons!
So, life goes one around here. The fellows got a lot of pruning done - took many hours of labor to cut through overgrown shrubs. I had hacked at several shrubs - testing out my ability as a pruning genius! I belong to the National Home Gardening Club and got all kinds of saws in a kit to be a professional. Those big loppers take a lot of strength and I hurt for days "after". I swacked off the three burning bush out front that were blocking the new Siberian Spruce trees. I also cleared out another bush (can't recall name as I write). Guy said the branches should be "open enough for a bird to fly through". Did it!
Then today, opened up another bill from Madison Tree for "Hydraulic Feeding" of all the trees around here! OMG! Over $700.00. Talk about tree care! They get sprayed, they get fed, they get groomed. I spend more money on trees than I do on myself! This fall more tree work will be done - removal of the willow tree and an ash tree (maybe). Keeping the crabapple tree - still blooms and the squirrels eat the crabapples and shakes "extras" for the does and their fawns. As Maude said, "We've got to save this tree"! (favorite movie - Harold & Maude).
Chipmunks are everywhere - holes to their tunnels are under the patio, around the edge of the house and outside in the "beds". I see them scurry and run back and forth. They like to roll in the dirt, so I had a few pots that I never planted flowers in this year. The dirt gets thrown out, so that means they have had a good dirt bath. One pot had Freezia bulbs in it, but nothing came up! Not one single sprig or sprout! Figuring that a squirrel or one of the chipmunks enjoyed a bulb dinner. Thinking, though that I ought to go up and dig around to see if the bulbs are still there!
Hornet Story: I had several pots sitting near the Topsy Turvy stand. They were filled with odds & ends - some chives, a wild strawberry vine and some lemon balm. I did plant one basil plant in the square pot and left the other alone and now a tomato plant is growing and blooming in it. I was cleaning up the magnolia leaves and debris that gathered around those three pots when several buzzing hornets came out of the one with the chives, etc. I pushed the pot with the broom handle and "pow" - out came some mad hornets after ME! I ran as fast as I could - knocking off my glasses (didn't know I'd done it) as I was being stung on my nose and knocking away the one that was stinging my right shin. Got them off and ran into the kitchen, grabbed some baking soda, made a paste and put it on my nose and leg. Talk about HURT! Those stings hurt for hours and hours. I used ice packs, cold washcloths and took some Ibuprofen. I took time to look up some first aid cures. I also immediately put lemon halves on the wounds to take out poison.
Thought I wouldn't get over the pain! Awful stuff! Luckily my nose didn't swell too much. It was sore, but my leg was sore for quite some time. The situation was under control, except now I didn't have my glasses! I was afraid to go back out to find them! I found a pair of glasses which I had prescribed to me last year, but I never wore - so for several days I was "off" with my vision. I finally found my regular pair in the pot of Thyme!
Did I leave the hornets alone. Not! I got some Hot Shot that had been around here - and opened the door off the dining room and aimed! Made the hornets mad again, so I retreated. Then I kept hitting the pot with the hose jet to see if they were still there - they were! I told the yard guys to "beware of the hornets"! The pot was turned over one morning and I wondered if the raccoon did it or if Knee-Hi did it. Could have been the squirrel! So, I figured they were gone (all of this took place over a week's time). Not so, a few more were buzzing around.
Asked the yard guys about hornets moving somewhere else. The fellow said the queen will move far away to safety and that seems to be what happened. I looked for evidence of dead hornets, but they outwitted me, the Hot Shot, the water jet! Now, where they have gone, I don't know. I sure hope someone else doesn't experience a hornet hit from these traveling demons!
So, life goes one around here. The fellows got a lot of pruning done - took many hours of labor to cut through overgrown shrubs. I had hacked at several shrubs - testing out my ability as a pruning genius! I belong to the National Home Gardening Club and got all kinds of saws in a kit to be a professional. Those big loppers take a lot of strength and I hurt for days "after". I swacked off the three burning bush out front that were blocking the new Siberian Spruce trees. I also cleared out another bush (can't recall name as I write). Guy said the branches should be "open enough for a bird to fly through". Did it!
Then today, opened up another bill from Madison Tree for "Hydraulic Feeding" of all the trees around here! OMG! Over $700.00. Talk about tree care! They get sprayed, they get fed, they get groomed. I spend more money on trees than I do on myself! This fall more tree work will be done - removal of the willow tree and an ash tree (maybe). Keeping the crabapple tree - still blooms and the squirrels eat the crabapples and shakes "extras" for the does and their fawns. As Maude said, "We've got to save this tree"! (favorite movie - Harold & Maude).
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