Weight Going Up, Swelling Going Down

I ordered some fade-resistant, water repellent, mildew resistant curtains for my outdoor living space! These will definitely help block out the HOT south sun this summer, as well as the balcony patio of the house next door.

I really love these sunflowers....

"Giant Sungold" is the full-size version of dwarf Sunflowers called "Teddy Bear", which gets about three feet tall. The Giant Sungold gets six to seven feet high, and mine kind of split the difference, so I don't know which they are.

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I am healing fast from by bike accident. I haven't experienced any soreness except for my sprained finger. It is NOT broken! I will have the stitches removed Saturday, just in time for a night out with the family. Army Grandson has a 4-day pass! He will be flying in from Kentucky, and he wants a steak dinner as soon as the plane lands! His menu is already planned for his four day leave. Indian Fry Bread--his Mom's specialty and a family favorite for Sunday, then spaghetti at his aunt's on Monday, and of course, Mexican food in between!! All this food plus Hubby's insatiable appetite after chemo, and a daughter-in-law who sabotaged me with (sorry you had an accident) cookies--how I'm I suppose to ever lose weight? My sis says the answer is "Just say NO! No one is making you eat it just because it's there." And tell myself that all the extra padding is what saved me from sustaining more serious injuries from my bike accident. Maybe I should get a job in Washington. Good spinmeister!

Face Meets Road

I had a terrible accident yesterday while riding my bike. I started to change gears while going uphill, and in a moment's inattention, I lost my balance and my bike and I went down an embankment and I spilled out onto a main road. I hit face first onto the pavement and it felt like I shattered my skull. I assessed my injuries and it seemed I didn't have any broken bones, no dizziness, eyesight good and no pain, so I slowly sat up and then noticed I was covered in blood.



I didn't panic. I actually tried to calm all the people who stopped to help. I found out today I do have a broken finger, as well as 12 stitches over my eye, scraped up legs, arm and shoulder. Didn't have any broken teeth, or head injury. But, I feel blessed because it could have been a lot worse. I could have been run over, had brain damage or a major bone break, so these injuries seem slight compared to what could have happened. Eveyone tells me I'll feel the real pain, soreness and stiffness two days after the accident, so I'm not looking forward to tomorrow.




This was a life-changing event for me. It was my first fall--old age I guess. Until now, I thought I was immune to balance problems. I always had such good balance. Five years ago I would have been able to control that bike. Well, at least I think I could have. Depressing thoughts--but I know I'm through with bike riding! Eveyone tells me I'll feel the real pain, soreness and stiffness two days after the accident, so I'm not looking forward to Wednesday.

The Brugmansia bloomed today and it smells as good as it looks!

I'm not sure of its blooming habits but there aren't any more buds on either plant, Maybe it only produces flowers one time a season. I'll keep checking every hour. LOL!

My Veggies are Legal!

I only bought one eggplant and the lone eggplant is about 3" long. The plant has had a lot of blooms but they aren't setting yet.

I love the blossoms on the zucchini. I found a receipt for squash blossom soup but I need more plants before I can try it-it sounds good! I don't know why I haven't grown veggies all my life! It's really fun watching them grow and develop.

The Candy Cane Zinnia is not very healthy looking. The package said the Zinnia flowers should be big and bold, but they are only an inch across.

This can't be a sunflower! But, maybe it is some form. The planting mix was various sunflowers, but this is so different than the sunflowers I'm used to. I like it, though.

The stalks are loaded with buds so I should have a good crop soon. These are the only two that have bloomed and I can't wait for the show!

This is planted in the wrong place, but I just had to have it and I will have to prune it to keep it in the space. It is a Mexican olive (Cordia Boissieri) and it will have lots of attractive blooms year round.

We are in the middle of another redo!! In fact, we are in the middle of about three--replacing the entire sprinkler system, doing my secret garden and tiling the pony wall in front.

Hubby had a small boat, not used, and traded the boat for the labor and materials for the sprinkler system. After a couple of mistakes it looks like it will be finished this weekend--just in time to plant the Vincas! I have been buying a few flowers vines and shrubs and planting them in pots. I don't have any room for them but that doesn't stop me--just have to have them! You would think at my age I would have more control. I hope I live long enough to correct all my bad habits!

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Glad you asked...the AZ SB1070 law is only 16 pages and mirrors the Federal law. Do you wonder as I do, what is going on in America? No one seems to think it's important to read the law, only listen to what others who haven't read the law say about it. Lest we forget--Illegal is not a race--it is a crime! My hope is for DIVINE INTERVENTION, as obviously nothing else will work.

Garden Tower Yard Art

I saw a Garden Tower in a magazine and I just loved it. I quickly found items around the house and put it all together with epoxy. Pretty cute, don't you think? Next I will make a stand to hang gourd birdhouses that I spotted on another page of the magazine. The gourds hang en masse on the horizontal part of a cross setup.

Little Surprises Make My Day

Turr Tull just finished his brunch and instead of going into his newly built house he has been sleeping on the patio. After all our hard work, he hates it! It is the same area he went to after his return home, and we decided that it was the best place to build his home.

We used building blocks and covered the top and sides with about 6-8 inches of dirt. Not sure what the problem could be. He lived at the neighbor's home under bushes and ate only what they had in their small back yard. I wonder if he enjoys being treated like a king, having food delivered once daily? Could it kill him to show a little gratitude and move into his new home that was built with love, and located in a secret garden? What more could he ask for? What an ingrate!

I am growing an artichoke plant for the flower rather than the artichoke, so the largest one will stay on the plant. I will harvest the others when ready. Ummmm!

This was on the clearance table at Lowe's. Can't find the tag but it is a hibiscus and the flowers should be orange. It will be a small plant and a good container plant.

In the side yard in a neat row, Silver Puffs (I think), grew without any supplemental watering, and they are now in full bloom. The seeds were planted three years ago in a flower bed and they never came up! I love that my garden is full of surprises each season, and I am still amazed that seeds can come alive without any help from me!!!

Gazania

For Flowers that bloom about our feet,Father, we thank Thee;
For tender grass so fresh and sweet,
Father we thank Thee.
For the song of bird and hum of bee,
For all things fair we hear or see,
Father in heaven, we thank Thee.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Lots Growing...

Great Grand son is now seven months old. He is such a happy baby!






The Escobania Missourieusis, or it common name, Mansfield Cemetery Cactus offsets that Claude sent from Texas have not grown a bit since last year, but at least they are alive! The other cactus and plant he sent have passed on. Sorry, Claude, I did my best!

I potted the Angel's Trumpet (Brugmansia) cuttings that Dee from A Desert Observer sent to me last October. I rooted the cuttings in water and then planted them in potting mix. These photos was taken in March. These cuttings have really taken off, so I consider them a success!

Here they are now, and growing really fast. I can't wait till they bloom this summer! If I ever remember to look at my list when I shop, I will buy some Epsom salts to feed them once a month. Thanks, Dee!

My Ultra Dwarf Plum tree has also grown! This photo was taken in March. I Am looking for a good organic fertilizer for the tree and my vegetable garden, although it looks like it doesn't need it!

And here's the plum two month later--May!

My favorite tree--Desert Museum Palo Verde, is filling out and it grew fast this spring. The photo above was taken last May.

Here it is now. It isn't in full bloom in this photo but..... isn't it beautiful??

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Hubby continues doing well. Almost time for a review of his progress. It is hot enough here that we are already thinking about our annual family camping trip the last week of June, and we want to be free of chemo treatments so we can enjoy ourselves.

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Summer is the time when one sheds one's tensions with one's clothes,

and the right kind of day is jeweled balm for the battered spirit.

A few of those days and you can become drunk with the belief that all's right with the world.

-- Ada Louise Huxtable

Birdbrains

The Coots have left the building! Here comes the hot weather! After days of unseasonably cool weather, the heat is here. It's going to be a long, long, long hot summer.

Another dove nest built in the wrong place--on a patio chair at a friend's home. Now I know where the expression, 'birdbrain' originated!

And to top off birdbrained ideas, it's next to the sliding glass door! I really wonder why there isn't a shortage of doves....

See what fertilizer can do? My son-in-law uses lots of it and his weeds are humongous! Next to it is a normal size one. He won't listen to me about his over use of water and fertilizer! I have to admit that He does have a beautiful yard, as well as a profusion of flowers, and a garden full of vegetables and herbs. I suppose I should not give him advice, just think my thoughts in silence!