Flowers and stuff

Remember when I mentioned ornamental grasses? He is Mondo grass (Lirope), changes colors from black to iridescent purple/green shades, has delicate flowers and is a nice addition to the flower garden this year. (Click to see the spent flower pods)


Have a busy day planned--Off to Mass, volunteer at the rectory, take Rowdy to the Vet for yearly checkup, back to rectory for more volunteering (w/Allison), and hopefully early to bed this PM.


Mentioned the heritage flowers. Have spent a lot of time in the flower garden this summer and have noticed more details in all the flower/plants. Take a (click) look at this Marigold----the petals are so beautifully curled----looks like it is dressed in fabric to prance down a fashion runway.


Please take care, stay healthy, be safe, and keep in touch.

Love,
Mom

Ma's Trivia

Noticed more bees (and also birds) this year (that is good). Was cleaning off the kitchen cabinet this AM and noted an interesting comment on the"The Old Farmer's Almanac" calendar for 07/30/2009. Thought this was too good not to share.

"As aerodynamic engineers found a long time ago, the bumblebee can not fly! It's wings are too weak and its body is too heavy to fly, but, fortunately, the bumblbee doesn't know that, and it goes right on flying." (Mary Kay Ash, American businesswoman--1918-2001)

Meant to tell you earlier this AM---stay healthy, be safe and keep in touch.
Love,
Mom

Lantana Day

Featuring Lantana plants today (Pics taken on 7/27/09).

Have several different Lantana plants--lots of pretty colors. This is a heritage flower. My grade school teachers must have gotten discounts on these plants. Every year I was in grade school in Iola we would plant one in a little painted tin can, tie a ribbon around the can and give it to our mothers for Mother's Day. Love the heritage plants, e.g., Marigolds, Zinnias, Lantana, Snapdragon, Nasturtium, etc.

Thought I'd also throw on a snapdragon. (Double click for details and see the fly). Love, Mom

Whaz goin on at Ma's?

Went with Ray (contractor) yesterday to buy siding material/supplies. It will be delivered tomorrow. Ray and Sam (the other contractor) have taken off all the old siding from the South and West sides of the house.

They tell me they are a little nervous about working around all the plants on the East side of the house. Have assured them they can all be replaced---(plants, not contractors). Have possibly drummed up some business for them for a window replacement job in the neighborhood.

Couldn't end without a flower pic (Coleus and Zinnias). Raining this afternoon and the flowers are loving it. The rain has been great--not a hard rain, nice and steady. Great year for flowers.

Please stay healthy, be safe, and keep in touch.

Love,

Mom

Flowers, flowers, and more flowers

White Crepe Myrtle blossom. This is in the backyard flower bed area and being groomed into a tree. Would never have anything but the southern tree type of Crepe Myrtles. The bark is beautiful and the limbs are so shapely. (Click on all pics for details)

Another pic of the blue flowered plant. The plant has woody almost shrublike stems, blooms all summer, very hardy, and drought resistant. Need help coming up with the name of the plant/shrub. Am sure Kat will know the name---she has always been great with plant names---e.g. Dahlia. Help Kat!!!

Speaking of Kat--Catch a glance of this Nastutium. She sent the seeds to me this year. The blossoms have really been interesting--very delicate yet hardy. Have them planted on the rock garden in a galvanized pan.

Had to add one more---a Stella D'Oro day lily. Reminds me of a Georgia O'Keefe flower--color is wonderful and almost breathtaking. Warned you I had been taking lots of pics.

Have a busy day planned--Off to Mass, house siding work will start today, more working in the shed space (always a work in progress), and enjoying this wonderful cool morning w/possibility of rain showers.

Please take care, stay healthy, be safe, and keep in touch.

Love,

Mom

Keeping it Real

Day lily from MN. Bought this plant while on a trip to see Kat. It is as the name implies--a "day" lily. Feel fortunate to have captured it in bloom for its day appearance. If flowers made sounds, could sing/dance/talk--it would say "Ta Da", shake off its blooms in the windy dance days and fly away. (Double click for details)

Took lots of crepe myrtle pics and sharing another grouping of blossoms. The tree is labored, holding all the flowers. The rain really helped boost the growth and abundance of blossoms.
(Double click for details)

Kind of had a melt down last week and am realizing I may be somewhat normal. Have tried to keep real busy since Jan/March in hopes of shouldering some grief and guess what---found my shoulders are not as strong as I thought they were. Will regroup and work through this as I know all of you are also trying to do.

Another view of a portion of the back flower bed. Really love all the foilage this year. Can hardly wait for the ornamental grasses to take hold and show their stuff. Know you are sitting on the edge of your chair waiting for next years' ornamental grass pics. Fasten your seat belts!

Went to Mass this AM. Planning on lunch with a friend, then picking up the house, and working out in the "shed" space to move more gravel to relocate the wood racks. Also going to put another coat of paint on the wood racks.

Please stay healthy, be safe and keep in touch.

Love,

Mom

Blog Break

Taking a weekend Blog break---but---ask you to be healthy, stay safe, and keep in touch.
Love,
Mom

Ma's stuff

Took lots of pictures yesterday. Had an ambling sort of day and seems the only thing I could focus was the camera. Went to Mass in AM, worked in the rectory for about an hour, took pics, napped and ambled.

This plant (unknown name) came in a moss type planter from Vicki on Mother's Day 2008 (via Dutch's Nursery). It wintered at Faye's last year and has done well in my flower bed this summer. (Double click for details of the petals)

The Crepe Myrtle is exploding with blossoms. The limbs are straining to hold all of them. Took several views and will send more later. (Double click for details of the petals)

Plan on going to Mass, cleaning the rectory, helping with a funeral dinner, then mowing/edging/watering the lawn/flower beds later in the day. Want to get the yard work done today so I will be rested and ready to go see Miss Saigon tomorrow.

Stay healthy, be safe, and keep in touch.

Love,

Ma

Remembering Kelli

Why did she have to go?
So young I just don't know why…Things happen half the time…Without reason, without rhyme…Lovely, sweet young woman…Daughter, sister, wife and mother (of Jax)…Makes no sense to me…
Loved ones she left behind…Just trying to survive…And understand the why…Feeling so lost inside…Anger shot straight at God…Then asking for His love…Empty with disbelief…
It's hard to say goodbye…Her picture in my mind…They'll always be of times I'll cherish…And I won't cry 'cause…
I just have to believe.
She flew up to Heaven on the wings of angels…By the clouds and stars and passed where no one sees…And she walks with Jesus and her loved ones waiting…And I know she's smiling saying…Don't worry 'bout me…Don't worry 'bout me…Don't worry 'bout me. (Words --with some changes--from "Sissie's Song" that Kurt and I thought related to Kelli.)

A mother holds each of her children in her arms but also each in a special niche of her heart. Each one of you has a special place in my heart. Kelli still remains in each of our hearts. I cherish her life and the experiences we shared. I mourn her passing with each of you. Kelli had such a loving spirit about her. She would want us to celebrate her life. She gave me this saying after Ken died and said it helped her through the rough times.
“Some people come into our lives and quickly go…Some stay for awhile and leave footprints on our hearts and we are never, ever the same…”
I hesitate to think and assume I know what people would want---but in my heart I feel Kelli would want us to celebrate her life and not grieve for her. Each one of us carries so much of her in our heart. I can still see her smile, hear her voice, laughter, and feel the pull on my heartstrings at the thoughts of fond memories of her life. She had a good life and lived it to the fullest in the short time she was given.

Please be healthy, stay safe, and keep in touch.

Love,

Mom

Ma's projects

Another Gerbera daisy. (double click to check out the ant on the lower bottom left petal) A little imperfect but vibrant color, so hardy, and another one of the volunteers from last year. Got my very reasonable water bill yesterday. This daisy shall continue to be watered and hopefully, return again next year. It is 63 degrees this AM.

Plan to go to Mass, take Vicki and Joe to surgery center for his hernia repair, go by the post office, run some errands, do some ground prep where in the shed space, then go to a meeting tonight from 6:30 to 9:30pm (a training session so I will be able to volunteer time at the school this year). I am also signed up to help with enrollment the week of 08/05/09. Did it last year--must have done okay for them to ask me back.

Signed up yesterday for a Friends of the Family card at Sutherland Lumber. Great deal--no charge, it will give me 5% return, payable every 6 months on all purchases. That will come in real handy since I will be buying all of the siding, etc. for this next project (which is now delayed until end of July.)

Please keep good thoughts, stay healthy, be safe, and keep in touch.
Love,
Mom

Trips only to Lumber Yard this year

Addendum: This is about as close as I will get to Rome--at least this year. Contacted the travel agency and was advised the trip is full with a long waiting list. The agent indicated this type of trip is offered about every 3 years. I will be more settled of heart and can enjoy a trip at a later date. It, like the Hawaiian trip we all took in 2007 was sure fun to plan----in my head.





Good News!! Ray called. We are going to go order the siding and the plan will be to begin next Monday!!!! I am going to use the same color of paint, still have the formula and will have Home Depot match and mix for me.

Love, Mom

Projects in the projects

This Hibiscus is bigger than my hand, foliage is great (double click to check it out in detail) , but flower very fragile, paper thin petals, and bloom lasts about a day. Really have a fancy for pretty foliage and have a great number of foliage plants. Will begin planning and moving plants to the shade garden area (sans shed).


The shed was completely removed yesterday evening and this pic, taken this AM is the future shade garden area. Plan to rototiller the ground, level it up, possibly add more soil after it settles in and begin moving plants. Note the corner of the sidewalk--I am going to look for some bender board and form a walkway to the garden area.

Keep warm thoughts for the week, stay healthy, be safe and keep in touch.
Love,
Mom

Thought I'd share a Liatris and another Gerbera Daisy. Could describe the Liatris as a "bottle brush" type plant. It is very drought tolerant and the foliage is nice when not in bloom. Have it planted near some orange Croscomia and Gerbera Daisies---talk about colorful when they are all in bloom.

Only the floor of the shed remains. Jim plans to get several people over later today (weather permitting) to lift and carry it to his house. Kevin is making a metal arbor that will be placed the shed space. I am real excited to move some of my shade plants to that area. May even get some stones and make a path--kind of like flagstone--possible gravel to the arbor. Started painting the firewood racks yesterday and will place them by the back fence.

It is 70 degrees this AM, lightning in the sky, and good potential for rain. Planned to mow today---maybe later. Going to Mass, count the collection, pick up the house and finish painting the firewood racks.

With all that being said--keep good thoughts in your hearts this week, stay healthy, safe, and keep in touch.

Love, Mom

Things happening at Ma's House

60 degrees this AM. Turned off A/C and enjoying a wonderful morning. Did take some plant pics. This is a variegated Lirope ( also called a monkey plant by some). It was one of the plants by the shed.

The plant is still there---the shed is being dismantled as I Blog. Jim and Ron started early this AM and plan to have it completed before the sun sets---Yea!!! Ron arrived in style in one of his custom trucks. Caught Ron and Jim taking a break during the dismantle.





Please keep in touch, stay healthy, safe and have a great weekend!!!
Love,
Mom

Morning Glory Day

It is 62 degree this AM and perfect day for picture taking. I have all the windows open and am enjoying the cool morning. The morning glories are beeeauuuutiful this AM. The bonus is--they are all volunteers.


Found out the deposit had to be made 04/15/2009 for the trip to Rome. E-mailed the travel agency this AM to ask if there are anymore openings. Hopefully, they will respond and it can happen--if not----there will be another time.

This is a patch of ornamental grass by the porch. The color varies from tinges of purple, grayish green to dark green. It move so beautifully in the breeze and is not overwhelming like some grasses. Have planted several areas of ornamental grasses this spring.

Had a great phone visit with Bruce last night. He is staying busy, working, taking care of Jax, hiking, reading, playing the piano, etc.

Planning on Mass this AM, go with Allison to the Food Handler's class, possibly take her to lunch, pick up the house, yada, yada, yada...

I plan to be healthy, stay safe, and keep in touch---hope you do also!

Love,
Mom

Flowers, Friends...

Gerbera Daisy with accompanying Marigolds. The garden is really colorful this year. Seems like every year it changes. Some flowers/plants really shine and others sit back to do their thing next year. No rhyme nor reason to this plan---just enjoy the transformation and transition---really do think I have garden fairies who touch their magic to the plants. Would like to meet with them and provide them with BB guns to get the rabbits.

Had a great visit with Faye. She lives on a farm in Augusta. She came with arms full of fresh produce: red/white/green onions, squash, cucumbers, and white/red potatoes. She always carries her camera so I was treated to a slide show of her garden, grandchildren, dogs, etc. I shared some of my city food with her. Took her to Braums for a double dip ice cream cone. Great visit!

Allison and I are going together to take the food handlers course at the Health Department on Saturday morning. Then we will be able to volunteer at the Lord's Diner. She is in the AVID program at North High and they require the students to perform 8 hours of community service in the summer. Figure we can get that done before school starts.

Thinking about taking an 8 day pilgrimage to Rome with our Bishop toward the end of the year. Have a couple of gals in mind who would be great travelers and roommates. We'll see.

Stay healthy, safe, and keep in touch. (Guess who trimmed trees yesterday, got poison ivy while hauling limbs to back field and found a tick on the ear? Guess who was in NJ and spent some time w/Lauren, Lindsay, Phia, and Ori yesterday? Guess who came to change the oil in the lawnmower, fix some hose connectors, and shide me for cutting/hauling limbs? Guess who took a ride on a boat during work hours yesterday? Guess who misses everyone of you---Keep in touch and ye shall know!)

Love, Mom

Summertime and the flowers are growing

Constant talk of weather usually singles you out as being old or a meteorologist. I am neither---in heart at least. Just make note that certain weather patterns affect how I feel. Woke up to sprinkles of rain, cool, light air and temp. of 68 degrees. That takes the age off from anybody. The yardman (who sprays/fertilizes/etc) put an application on the yard yesterday and encouraged me to put as much water on it as I could the next few days----Thank you, God!

Faye is planning on coming in to Wichita today for an eye checkup. She is coming in early so we can visit, tour the flowers, and gab. She has a wonderful flower and vegetable garden. I plan a visit soon to see her ton and a half of CO egg rocks. May get some to put around the arbor (in the works) area following the removal of the shed.

Bought several lantanas this year. They are annuals, quite hardy, lovely little colorful blooms, and might be considered heritage flowers---they have been around a long time. They also tolerate drought well.

This little patch of dwarf white Zinnia was a bonus---came in a pot with the red ones. I separated it. It is small but mighty and one of the boys favorite leg hoist spots due to its height.

Hope your day goes well--stay healthy, be safe, and keep in touch.

Love,

Mom

Flowers, Rain, Boys, and Nuns

This is a type of Mallow and looks like a relative to the hollyhock family. Numerous flowers grow on the stalk and it moves nicely in the breeze. It will be one of the plants I move before the shed is torn down. Have several to move but really do not want to disturb them until the last minute as they will take a lot of attention following the move.

Answer to my prayers----We had some rain last night and it is also in the forecast for today. Now might request less heat today following the rain. Next, I will be asking for the moon. Seems I ask for too much anyway--must work on that.



Have found 2 perspective dog/house sitters (both referred by reputable friends) to meet and interview. One of them is an dog trainer and 20 something years old--the other is a retired ex Dominican nun who does this for a living and also a Mt Carmel school mate. Will be visiting with one this weekend to meet and get the "boys" approval then will contact the next one to set up a visit. Could make this be a Ma's contest question and ask: Now who is in the lead to be chosen? Will see.

As always, I ask you to stay healthy, be safe, and keep in touch. (Someone had to have a tooth pulled on Monday--hopefully, you are in touch and know who that person is--Aha--another quiz for the stay at Ma's).

Love,
Mom

108 degrees

Pleeeeeeze, a little less sun here! Trying to put the squeeze on it. Have kept the sprinklers going all day and the flowers are still wilting. HELP---send rain!!!!

Mom

"Hot" flowers

The flowers are still doing well. Early morning pictures are the best---catches them before they have their daily heat wilt. Plan on another 100+ day. This is a different type of Galardia, note the separate blossoms around the center. They do well in drought.

Plan to fo to Mass, volunteer at the rectory for an hour or so, grocery shop, possibly have lunch with Susie and Carolyn, water lawn/flowers, and try to stay cool this afternoon. Exciting---huh?

Declined the invitation to go to Mt Carmel's 50th year class reunion. Have enough changes in my life right now---just trying to handle the daily stuff.

Please stay healthy, be safe, and most of all keep in touch,
Love,
Mom

Fixin and flowers

Am planning on making a visit to Borders today to shop for a DIY home repair book--preferably for Dummies. The lawnmower is ill and the hose reel blew a hose connector. Tried not to use anymore equipment the rest of the weekend just in case there was something else I could break.

Otherwise spent a peaceful weekend. Recorded the Kite Runner. Allison has to read the book this summer as part of her school program--I also have the book--we agreed to each read and discuss the book then watch the movie. Kind of like a two person book club. Will have to come up with a name for our book club--Hmmmm, might add that as a challenge for Ma's guests to name the book club when they come to Ma's for the free lodging/food offer. (NOTE: All entries must be presented in person.)


Can't let a day go by without sharing some flowers. The lillies were wonderful this year. There were numerous blooms on each plant and the blooms lasted for quite some time.

Please know you are all in my thoughts. Keep healthy, stay safe, and keep in touch. (Someone is getting retainers put on next week--if you keep in touch you will know who.)
Love,
Mom

Flower Tour

Photos taken 07/11/2009

Featuring lime thyme (double click on pic for fine details) --growing in the rock garden area with the ajuga. It really does smell like a lime if you rub a piece of foilage in your fingers. Also have lemon thyme, rosemary, anise, spearmint, and my favorite--lavender. Hopefully, they will be featured in an upcoming sections. (I'll keep you in suspense---Kurt keeps asking about the pictures---kind of like ---enough already!---or are we there yet?)

This little Gerbera Daisy has bloomed for almost 2 weeks--note the White Yarrow, Sedum, Bouncing Betty, portion of Columbine foilage (upper left to right), with a tad of some ornamental grass and ajuga.

Kiss Me Kate was great--got a lot of exercise throughout the show--I moved back and forth/left to right to see around the lady sitting in front of me. She had the longest torso I have ever seen, highest hairdo, and visited back and forth with her companion throughout the show. Needless to say I worked all the kinks out of my body and wish I would have had on my pedometer to check my mileage. Be proud--be real proud of me---nothing said, nothing done that would have ruined the day. I felt great about attending this matinee---looked around and noted I was probably the youngest in attendance and the only one without a cane or wheelchair. I always arrive early--when I departed--I realized why I was the youngest---the nursing home/assisted living buses/etc. were lined up outside to pick up and deliver. Now that is great that they planned an outing.

Going to Mass this AM, do some reading, and chill this afternoon (105 degrees here yesterday).

Please stay healthy, be safe, keep in touch (someone lost their first tooth this week--if you are keeping in touch--you will know who it is. May have to enter this as a quiz question in the July 4th contest for free lodging/board at Ma's place. If you submit the correct answer--I will put you on my guest list.).

Love, Mom

My quest

Addendum: Okay here is the scenario---Keith and I both tried and tried to start the lawn mower last night---the thing would not start!!!!! I am driving home from Church this AM and think to myself---what would be the likelihood---(I am in casual/dressy clothes, good shoes)---that the lawnmower would start since I am not prepared to mow? Just to prepare for the expected/unexpected I did open up the garage door. It started on the first attempt!!!!! Guess it thought it was too hot to mow yesterday. Finished mowing, showering, am decked out in my Kiss Me Kate clothes and ready to go see Richie and Trae.

Took a post mowing picture to share with you. Something good should come from my ranting----thus sharing the flowers. Also noted a dog rear end at the mid left portion of pic(double click)---Whoever names the dog will be put in the drawing for the July 4th special at Ma's.

Love, Mom

Keeping it "reel" --GO KEITH!

This yellow zinnia has been blooming all summer and the nine bark (shrub) is also taking off nicely this summer. (Double click to catch all the details) Water the flowers/shrubs every other day. Still waiting for the water bill to arrive...

My lawn mower is sick. Was beginning to think I was going to need another rotator cuff repair after the numerous attempts to start it. The lawn mower is just a year old. Keith and Becky went out to eat last night, visited with some friends, they had the same problem with their lawn mower and Keith is sure he can fix it---GO KEITH!!

Planning on another busy day. Going to Mass, visiting with Richie and Trae (and see Richie's newly constructed deck), catching the matinee of Music Theater's Kiss Me Kate, and hopefully, if the lawn mower is operational mowing this evening----GO KEITH!!!!

Please stay healthy, be safe, keep in touch, and enjoy your weekend.

Love,

Mom

Flowers and Special Visitors

Monica and Ben came for a visit yesterday. It was great--enjoyed the visit with Monica and of course Ben was a bonus---happy baby, such sweet smiles, great day!

Hostas and marigolds are thriving. (The water department will also benefit this month from the extra watering required to keep them thriving).

Have a busy day planned and a quiet evening in the works. Woke up to 80+ degree temperature this AM with promise of 102+ by afternoon. Plan to go to Mass, have volunteered to do some cleaning at the rectory today, come home and mow, edge, weed before it gets too hot, and then chill with the pup posse---almost sure a nap will be worked in there somewhere.

Please stay healthy, be safe, and keep in touch.

Love,

Mom