More Garden Stuff

Here in the South, our gardens don't come on gradually. It is a rapid fire approach that sends you into a dizzying spiral of chores that last until the heat begins to slow things down again.

Recent treasures:

* The black iris that Thomas gave me are blooming for the first time this year...huge and gorgeous. They are so much darker than the picture indicates.


















* A delphinium appeared; I haven't planted them in two years, and this one just shows up near the roses.

* The Scilla are showing their yellow bits.









* Queen Anne's Lace is coming all over the place where it has re-seeded.











* The hydrangea are budding up.

* We have a tomato.

Hmmm...

Over at Say No To Crack, I discovered the art of towel origami!

Wild Flowers

Back to Raft Bayou for several hours again today, but I remembered to take my camera so I could take some photos of the wild flowers. We saw some more bluebirds, too, but I'm never quick enough for them.

That ended up being all that I did today, took Laddie home about 4:30, and got back myself about 5:00. Then I settled in to read a little more James Herriot...a nice change from all of the science fiction and fantasy I've been reading for the Once Upon a Time Challenge I'm participating in on my book blog.

















Some people have been having way too much fun lately. First Gerrie goes to Art Quilt Claremont...then this lovely retreat. And Connie has just returned from Paducah and is sharing her pictures. Rhonda from Art/Quilts is going to attend one of Sonji Hunt's workshops in July. Lucky ladies!

Beautiful Friday

Laddie wasn't doing so well yesterday, so I went over and took him for a ride in the country since the day was so gorgeous. He doesn't talk as much anymore, seems lost in his own world, but he loves to ride down to Raft Bayou. We saw two goldfinches and two bluebirds, and lots of other birds that we see frequently. (If we end up going back today, I'm taking my camera so I can take some pictures of all the different wild flowers.)

We stopped on the way back and had lunch at Murrell's. Two old friends came over to say hello to him--and were so nice. One of them knows Fee and said, "I'm looking for your halo. You've been married to that rascal a long time!" Just depends, I guess. Sometimes Fee is wearing that halo! :)

The Synthroid seems to be improving my situation, and I've been better able to deal with some of the stressful occasions lately. Like--Fee is talking about adding on again! He's even talked to a contractor this time, so I'll need all the help I can get as dealing with that additional disruption and decision-making is always difficult. Wouldn't it be nice to twitch your nose a la Samantha and have it turn out exactly the way you want and immediately?

Challenge, Garden, Books

After visiting Connie at Simply Quilted where she mentioned the 365 Challenge, I decided to check it out further. So...off to Leanne's House where she has lots of examples and a tutorial. I seriously doubt that I could manage anything like this, but what a neat idea! Will give some thought about what alterations could be made to make it more possibly in my realm of ability.

The garden is coming alive. I'm surprised at what is coming up where...as usual. Some things I didn't even plant last year, but have shown up anyway.



















I finally joined Bookmooch today,registered 22 books, and had 7 "mooched" within about an hour. I have all of them in their bubble envelopes and ready to mail tomorrow. All of those boxes of books that I donated to Centenary College's Book Sale...I could use you now. If you aren't familiar with Bookmooch, you receive points for books you give away and can use the points to mooch books from someone else. I've mooched 2 -- Half Broken Things by Morag Joss and The Millionth Circle by Jean Shinoda Bolen. I'll be adding a few more books later, but recently completed another book purge, so don't have that many that I'm willing to part with right now. My inventory, the 15 that are left, is here.

This and That

I read a post this morning on kimy's blog that touched me. Balance.

Yesterday, I burst out of my lethargy and started cleaning out kitchen cabinets at 7:30. At 8:30, I ran to Walmart and bought new shelf liner and a couple of the Lazy Susan's for the cabinets, then back to the cleaning. I washed shelves, replaced liner, threw away duplicates and outdated herbs, etc., rearranged my dishes, and the items in the pantry. At 4:30, I'd progressed through all of the cabinets and the pantry, and was vacuuming when the phone rang.

Dr. B.'s office was calling to give me the report on my blood work from my check-up the other day. Mostly good, but I've joined the legions of women with thyroid problems. Ahhh, so maybe there is a physical reason for the problems I've been experiencing lately! I started the Synthroid this morning. Dr. B. is starting me with the lowest dose, then I'll have the blood work again to see about any necessary adjustments. Fatigue is one of the symptoms, so after having expended such a burst of productive energy all day, I immediately decided to be tired. Other symptoms include difficulty with memory and thinking--I'm looking forward to an improvement in these areas! Nice to know that I'm not just confused, lazy, and apathetic. :)

We have a new litter of baby squirrels that are making their way into the world, and the silly things have not yet developed the defensive fear of humans that their parents have. The other day as I was sitting outside, one approached my chair within about 2 feet. I was stunned, but began talking to him, and I swear, he put out a little paw as if waving or attempting to shake hands! Then Mac, our ferocious squirrel dog, realized what was happening and chased the poor thing across the yard.

They are much shyer when I have a camera in hand. Guess I should have tried to get them used to it gradually, but I wanted to get a picture this morning. This is the only one brave enough to appear when a camera is in evidence.

Yesterday, I watched two of the little ones playing; it was quite entertaining watching what looked like hide and seek. One would disappear behind one of the posts, then pop his little head around. After a few of these little peek-a-boo antics, they would scramble around chasing each other, then the process would begin again. I'm not really fond of squirrels in the garden as they dig up bulbs and raid the bird feeders, but I enjoy watching them run along the fence, chatter, and fluff their tales. The little ones, though, they are a joy--even knowing that I don't want any squirrels in my garden!

Another group of unwanted visitors are the rabbits, and of course, there is a new brood of these. One of the adults is as big as Mac. I watched him the other day and tried to estimate how much he weighed. The little ones are cute, but hungry little devils. The rabbits are really hard on young plants. We do have a separate fence around the vegetable garden; doesn't keep out the squirrels, but does prevent the rabbits from having a feast.

Here is something I may need. Of course, many people would like to hand me one as well.

Back to the Blog World...

I love this wild rose with the potato vine (not "sweet potato" vine) winding it through it. It will bloom through next fall.

It makes me smile when I look at it because it just seems so exhuberant!

Took Laddie to see Aunt Mary on Sunday; she had a fall recently, too. She is 88, but sharp as a tack even if very frail. I mailed her a copy of Anne of Green Gables yesterday and have ordered her a copy of All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot. If you've never read James Herriot's books, I can't recommend them highly enough. They are so funny and charming. The BBC had a series years ago based on the books which was also excellent.

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I bought Quilt Toppings: Fun and Fancy Embellishment Techniques with my 40% off JoAnn's coupon and hope to glean some good information from it. Couldn't resist these buttons either...especially the square ones!

Monday, we had the sad news that my Aunt Janice died. It is sad, but it really was a release from a long and debilitating illness. My cousin will do the service tomorrow; he's a Methodist minister and grew up down the street from Aunt Janice, so it is most appropriate.

I've managed to finally get a little more work done on this baby quilt. All my projects have become accustomed to long periods of idleness, but they never complain. It felt good to make some progress.

Weather or not...

Monday night, or rather early Tuesday morning, Laddie fell and hit his jaw on an open drawer in the bathroom. Gloria took him to the emergency room; it needed 7 stitches. He slept most of Tuesday, but his jaw was so swollen it was scary.

Last night when we took him to dinner, he was back to his jaunty self again and made me decide on which hat he should wear. He has quite a few stylish hats. I wish I'd had my camera because one side of his face was quite debonair, but the other was a rather frightening image, black and blue down into his neck. It looks as if he tangled with a bear with a great right hook!

Another wild night around here, weather-wise. We were lucky, but tornados and hail storms battered east Texas.

All of these fronts that have been moving through our area for the last week or so play havoc with my emotional state. It isn't that I'm afraid of the weather, although I should be, it is what happens with the barometric pressure or something long before the storms arrive.

Today, I'm hoping to move out of my paralysis and get something done! I could start anywhere because I've accomplished so little on anything for the last week. Let's see...clean house, laundry, sewing, bills and checkbook, grocery store, and on and on.

Here are some spoons I bought at a fleamarket several years ago and wrote on with permanent marker to identify plants, dates, etc. The marker lasted a year or so, but is completely gone on most of them. Next time, I'll go over them with polyurethane.

My mock orange was looking great a couple of days ago, but their season is almost finished now. This has been another one of those rampant spreaders that I've got to forcibly contain, but they are so beautiful in the spring.

Back to the garden

Things are warming up here again, and I can get back to the garden.
Physical activity is something I really need right now, as high anxiety has been the watch word around here lately.

Some garlic.

A little rose white...



















and rose red...

on "dappled things" and "golden grove"

Kay sent me a link to this glorious quilt that is based on Gerard Manley Hopkins' "Pied Beauty." I've absolutely fallen in love with it.

Even as I was writing this, another email from Kay mentioning another favorite by Hopkins - Spring and Fall.

Another Color update

I've been absolutely overwhelmed with the responses on color. Thanks to all of you who have responded on the blog or sent private emails with your information.

Like most of you, I've been very busy over this Easter weekend, but I'm so appreciative of all of you who have responded and am busy trying to catch up with all of the emails.

A poem for National Poetry Month:

Pied Beauty

GLORY be to God for dappled things—
For skies of couple-colour as a brinded cow;
For rose-moles all in stipple upon trout that swim;
Fresh-firecoal chestnut-falls; finches’ wings;
Landscape plotted and pieced—fold, fallow, and plough; 5
And áll trádes, their gear and tackle and trim.

All things counter, original, spare, strange;
Whatever is fickle, freckled (who knows how?)
With swift, slow; sweet, sour; adazzle, dim;
He fathers-forth whose beauty is past change: 10
Praise him.

Gerard Manley Hopkins

Color Update

I know I'm not keeping up with my email as well as I should, but things have been hectic around here lately, and I've been getting home late. Today, I'm having a late start, but want to thank all of you who have responded to the previous post on color.

Some links that take away some of the mystery about Thomas, "the enigmatic color dude":

on dynamic symmetry and typography (scroll down to guest artists) and Nature's Design Connections...

He is still checking this blog for info, but if you'd prefer to contact him directly, let me know.

Now, I'm off again.

"Your Thoughts, Please"

A friend of mine is working on a proposal for a book on color. He wondered about quilters and their color decisions, and so I'm putting some of his questions to you.

How do you use color in your work? I know that I have a preference for brights contrasted with blacks, but I also love dusty, antique colors, and monochromatic schemes. How much do you have in mind before hand and how much occurs by auditioning fabrics?

What color questions come up in your work? Some quilters are quite daring and combine colors that I'd never consider...which means I miss a lot of opportunities.

How many of you have any training in color? What kinds of training have you had? Art, classes or seminars, retreats that feature guest lecturers?

Or is your work mostly intuitive? If so, how do you make your color decisions or get your inspiration for color combination and use?

Do you have any favorite books on color? If so, could you share them? Which ones are most useful and why?

What quilters use color in ways that you find inspirational? I inserted this question and don't even know how to answer it because there are so many. Mrs. Mel, of course, bursts with color and comes first to my mind.

Thomas is a graphic artist and has become interested in the way quilters approach the use of color. Any help would be appreciated. You can answer in the comment section or on your own blog, but please leave a link in the comments section to let me know. Many Thanks!

Garden Sunday

Had a full day in the garden yesterday with wonderful weather...if a bit warm. Accomplished much, but of course, there is so much more to be done. Even as one chore is completed, another 2 or 3 are added to the list.

The weigelia is in full bloom, although this picture shows it rather beaten down by Saturday's rain. I attempted to get pictures of both bumble and honey bees on the blossoms, but the little buggers wouldn't stay still.

The vegetable garden is completed, but more may be added later. Right now, there are tomatoes, bell peppers, banana peppers, parsley, cilantro, dill, eggplant. Fee and I can't understand where the zucchini and crookneck squash plant disappeared to. We evidently left them in the cart. Duh!

But until I get another space prepared, there isn't a place for them right now, anyway.

In Saturday's gardening section, several gardeners listed invasive plants they wish they'd never planted. I have most of them and several they didn't mention.


The list included Homestead Purple Verbena, Queen Ann's Lace, mint (I've got several), Chinese Chives--all of which I love, but battle with every year.

They didn't mention monarda, lamb's ears, achillea, lemon balm and a few others that must be strictly thinned and controlled.

The grapevine is doing well; what a difference a week makes in the spring. Studded with tiny grapes about the size of seed beads, it will give much pleasure to the birds again this year. We never get any, but we have happy birds.

A good day, but exhausting. I've already been out this morning, checking the list and adding to it.