The Ups and Downs of Pudgeduck's World

This is the end of the road for the Road Kill cactus. He never grew much, sorta just limply hung in there. Not sure why he died. I am just not that good with cactus. Now, Road Kill looks just like his name--road kill. Reminds me of a squished frog in the road.

I think this is the beginning of the demise of the lithops. I have kept these two out of the original five alive for 15 months and I was feeling a little cocky about it. Isn't that the way life goes? Get on top, thinking your s--- doesn't stink and then someone flushes! Seems that's the pattern with my cactus and succulent gardening.

Then, one small bloom shows up on my Gymnocalycium multiforum this week and I soar back to the top! Looks like a couple more buds are forming. It's a good thing I keep my inventory small, otherwise, I would probably go into a three month funk over all my losses!

Squirrel Tales Continued...

I thought we were finished with the squirrel invasion, but we had to bring out the trap again. After we set the trap for the last visitor and left it up for a week, the squirrel got trap-smart--because he just left and never came back! Instead, another little guy about half his size showed up. I am hoping he is as smart as the other one and just leaves without resistance!

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Every week I make a pot of vegetable soup to share with my family. For around two months earlier this year, my son, now in his 40s, was addicted to it. I would send over a pot or he would stop by on his way home from work. These past two months my 23-year-old granddaughter is the soup recipient. I started making the soup last winter and I'm not sure how long this kick will last. I use organic vegetable broth and as many organic vegetables I can find. So far the most I used at one time was 11 and never under 8. The ingredients always include cauliflower, broccoli, celery, carrots, kale, onions, one sweet potato, zucchini, and spinach. The last time I also added cabbage and a yellow bell pepper--that makes 11! Prep time time takes more time than the cooking, but start to finish, it's only about 35 minutes. Every day I eat 3 or 4 cups. I feel good after eating the soup--sorta like the feeling I get after a good workout.

Bees Aplenty

Check out all the pollen on the bee's legs!! I just finished my first data collection for this year's Great Sunflower Project. The bees are plentiful, so I had to count them for a specific time, and then record it. It didn't take long at all to finish the survey! I will continue this until the sunflowers stop blooming. This is the second season that I have particpated. Another reason to get away from the computer for a while!

Anyone can join and get free seeds! http://www.greatsunflower.org/

I Came Home To...

I had a good time during my recent house sitting stint for a friend in Prescott, Arizona. It was about 20 degrees cooler there and I was very relaxed, listening to the music of the birds. It didn't rain but there were many afternoon clouds that swiftly passed by. Lots of wildflowers to cheer me along with Shelby the dog, who stayed by my side keeping me company. We had to check each night for Javelina before I could let her out--the back yard was full of them!!

I had lots of pictures before hubby accidentally deleted all of my photos during his attempt to snap a picture of a strange lizard. Drats! There were lots of bunnies, quails, and other birds, all feasting together on the fallen seeds from the bird feeder. I can't wait for another get-away!





I came home to find a second squirrel and a little cottontail bunny living in Turr Tull's home. In the 18 years that I have lived here, I have never had either type of mammal in my back yard before. A new occupant in Turr Tull's home is troubling...he still hasn't appeared at all. He's been late before, but came out at least once before his regular summer feedings.

I also found...

Strange skies...Could it be a sign of something???

Wind blowing my plants askew--again...

Sail boats on the lake enjoying the wind...

And having to tie up my wind chimes

once again because of the wind!

Ahaaa, it's good to be home!

First Time Parodia Bloom!

This is the first time this Parodia magnifica has bloomed! I won it in a raffle at last year's Cactus and Succulent Society Show. It was large when I got it and it already had a lot of offsets, but look how many there are now!





This cactus needs some shade in the summer, so I keep it on my front patio behind a pillar. It takes twice a month water in the summer, but it has to stay pretty dry in winter. Sometimes I forget to water it, but it stays alive.




Getting ready for the Black Mission figs to ripen! Can't wait for one of my favorite summertime treats! This is my daughter's tree--my son's tree has even more, so the fight is on.



Now, I'm on my way to cool country to house sit a few days. It will be a fun break from our early heat.

Sunset

Heaven - it is God's throne. The earth - it is his footstool.

Matthew 5:34-35

I LOVE Gaudy!

On a recent spring garden tour one of the gardens had groups of vases and bottles that were placed in a few areas around the garden. Some were all blue, and one area had multiple colors, all different shapes and sizes. I liked the look so I started buying the colored glass whenever I would find them for under $2.00. Most were marked $3.99 at our local Goodwill Store, but when they had a half price sale, I could get them for under my target price. Eventually, I will fill up three tree wells at my daughter's home with my finds. I don't have any room at my place, and luckily my family lets me release my pent-up collector's drive by accommodating my ideas.







This is one of the latest finds at the local Goodwill. I stared buying brightly colored Mexican garden decor for the block wall that I was going to paint like the those at my daughter's side yard. I just love the bright colors, but I changed my mind about painting and just started hanging up yard art instead. This was priced at $4.99 on a half price day! I can't make myself even pay full price at the thrift shops! Is this a sad commentary of the times, a sign of old age, or just being smart? Probably all of these! I give away more to Goodwill than I buy, and I just don't want to pay them the original inflated price! Imagine that. A $75 Iguana for $4.99 at the full price, and I think that's too high!

This gaudy little planter almost makes up for not painting!

Here's more acquisitions. I tend to go overboard--so it looks like I will have to start storing more junk when the place starts looking like a Mexican restaurant on crack!

This sunflower has almost reached the top of the 8 foot bottle tree. The recent winds blew the plant over twice. We tied it to the bottle tree, covered the roots and I think it will make it!! The recent rains and clouds have helped and the newly planted Vincas as well. Oh! And it helped me too!!!