Monday once again

Well before she left on vacation Violet Lady gave me an award, now if I could only figure out how to get it over here. Hope she is having fun, beautiful part of the world she is going to.

Thank you for the kind comments about the new header. One of the things I like about old homes are the porches. You see so many that have closed them in and to me it is a shame. I enjoy walking out and just standing there and listening and watching. When I can I like to sit out there and just be. I keep trying to imagine how we can put up screen and have it look nice, how to winterize it without spoiling it. Keeps those brain cells working and moving. I do want at some point and time to add to the porch, I like the ones that wrap around. I think I have mentioned I am a curve and arch person, squares bug me.

The hollyhocks are another joy, last year I was pleased to discover them. Once we figured they were an actual plant and not a weed, they were no longer mowed and allowed to grow. They gave a lot of flowers last summer, but were spindly and I spent a lot of time propping them up. This year they are standing tall all on their own and popping up all over. Hopefully next year they will continue to increase and put on another show of beauty. Most of the plants I am putting in are perennials so should come up again. At this point I am having some problems with them coming back, not sure what I am doing wrong. I was having pretty good luck with the ones I put in, until something maybe rabbits discovered them. They seem to find mums and daises tasty. So now need to do some fencing.

Jim will leave in the morning and it will be 2 weeks until he is home again. Hopefully the new guy they are hiring will work out and things can get a little more normal. Which of course leads to "what is normal", hummm. Too late at night to go there.

Best to you all, thank you for visiting, Barbara

Charlie's Stash

Charlie likes to stash stuff, under the sofa cushions this morning I found my outdoor clogs, a tea cup and some foam he ripped out of one of the dog beds. He has also chewed a corner off the comforter and ripped the dust ruffle on my bed, they are yard sale finds so not a big disaster. I don't put the good stuff out because the older cats would snag it as they climb up on the bed. He looks so innocent laying here. I have the kiddie gate up to keep him out of back hall, where I have put the cats food. He sure keeps me on my toes. This will all pass and he will get the idea as to what is acceptable and not. Went out to take some pictures and came back in to more chaos, he found Jim's Moose slippers again, and stuffing from ?, I'm not sure yet.

My Hollyhocks are starting to bloom, they have gotten so tall this year. I guess not mowing them and clearing out all the weeds around them helps. I have some more seeds I forgot to plant, may go ahead and put them out and see what happens. These are all ones that have come up by themselves, the seeds are different colors and doubles. I think that would make a nice mix.

I had to also check on the goats, Star fell off one of the big wood spools yesterday. I was afraid at first that she had broken her leg, I am thinking now it may be a sprain or bad bruise. She really landed hard, and after first getting up she lay back down. Eventually she got up but was limping badly, as of a short time ago she is getting around much better. It is not quite the same as one of the cats or dogs, where you can throw them in the car and go. I guess I better keep my eyes open for a small horse trailer, just in case.

I wanted to give some perspective when I talk about my thistle overload. They smell heavenly and the bees and butterflies love them, but I have far too many. They are in the 4 foot range and really bite if you brush against them. Jim's main purpose this weekend will be getting mowers running so I can make more of a dent in this jungle. I am going to leave a patch of the thistles for the butterflies, but the majority will go.

I am going to make a real effort to get one of my birdbaths finished this weekend so I can take pictures of it. I will love to get feedback on this project, I have a ton of ideas.

Best to you all and have a safe 4Th!! Barbara