Before we really get started here this evening, I thought I'd show you the photo Mr. Moon sent me of how his flooring work is progressing. It really is a beautiful floor. When we talked on the phone he said that it's going to scratch easily but then added that the downstairs floor, which if you'll recall is going to be cement, will stand up to anything. I told him that we could all roller skate on it.
Yesterday I said that I was going to GET SHIT DONE today and I did, although I did not say that I was going to GET A LOT OF SHIT DONE today, and that turned out to be fairly prophetic. I got enough done in that I feel tired in a good way and I can see progress in the hydrangea bed and I got the firespike I rooted all winter planted out.
Here's the hydrangea bed.
Now here's the thing- I'm now to the part of that project where the border grass (what a misnomer that is, at least in this yard) is thick. Border grass, aka monkey grass, is about ten times harder to pull than crocosmia. The roots are thick and netted together. I've had to use a shovel to get in there and really get under it in order to pull it and it's still not easy. And I'm not even to the thickest part of it yet but I am determined (famous last words) to clear out that area which is also filled with the wiry-runnered chenille plant.
Again. Famous last words.
Again. Famous last words.
But I have to say that being outside, doing work that is not exactly easy makes me feel good. I may not be able to do it for as long as I was able to in my twenties or thirties or, hell, even fifties or sixties but I CAN still do it.
I hung a small load of clothes on the line, simply because it made me happy. A lot of people don't like towels that have been hung on the line because they aren't soft like towels dried in the dryer. I DO like them because they smell better and they seem to absorb better.
I took the trash to the trash collection place in the beep, beep, beep car but it's only a few blocks away so no big deal. When I was backing up to leave the yard, I saw something in the back-up camera that I hadn't even noticed before I got in the car.
I hung a small load of clothes on the line, simply because it made me happy. A lot of people don't like towels that have been hung on the line because they aren't soft like towels dried in the dryer. I DO like them because they smell better and they seem to absorb better.
I took the trash to the trash collection place in the beep, beep, beep car but it's only a few blocks away so no big deal. When I was backing up to leave the yard, I saw something in the back-up camera that I hadn't even noticed before I got in the car.
The shadows of the still witchy-branched pecan trees. They are starting to leaf out but not enough really show up in shadow. They remind me of a vascular system.
The flame azalea looks like this right now.
Not really that impressive, I know, but look at this.
The new pink native azalea I planted is alive and living, as evidenced by the fact that it's putting out leaves. I did not take its picture.
Maggie has been texting to inform me about the upcoming Grandparent's Day at her school which is when the grandparents get to come and have lunch with the kiddos. Glen and I have been doing this for years and of course we will do it until it no longer happens. I think this is Maggie's last year and since August and Levon's school does not have grandparents come for lunch, this could be it.
I cherish these texts.
I cherish these texts.
This is so Maggie to correct the time from 11:50 to 11:48 and to plan out the menu down to the ranch on the side. And wheat bread.
I shall do my best to please her.
That's my life today. I just realized I need to go change the calendar to April. Time, like my life now, is speeding up to the point where I'm having problems even fathoming it. I had a little chat with Maurice today. I couldn't find the plastic container I keep her chicken chunks in gravy refrigerated in after I've opened it.
"Maurice," I said, "Your old mama is getting very forgetful. I cannot remember where I've put things. Do you have this problem, because you're no spring chicken either."
She looked at me but didn't say a word.
"Oh well," I said, "As long as we're cute, it doesn't matter."
Again, she remained silent.
I had to be honest with her and so I said, "That's a lie. It does matter but we're doing the best we can."
I like to think she agrees with me.
She slept with me all night last night and has been my constant companion all day. She misses her father human.
Even knowing this, I love her company. She may love me second-best but love me she does.
Love...Ms. Moon
I miss going to grandparents day, my two are young adults now. The floor is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteIt's always something of an adventure.
DeleteThat floor is amazing, I think.
That floor is beautiful. Are there three chest of drawers that the owners left? Odd to just walk away from furniture. Did the owners die? Or just downsize? I'm so nosey:)
ReplyDeleteI love feeling tired from hard work, but it does wear me out more now. I finished painting the bathroom finally, my thumb feels much better. And then I scrubbed the tile floor and the grout to get any paint drips off and to make the grout look nicer. I did a fair bit of it and was pretty tired this afternoon.
I got the dogs walked too, while Jack and poppa watched the Artemis 11 launch.
I'm looking forward to sheets drying on the line. They smell so good. I wonder what the smell is.
Hope you have a good day.
The owners had to move out, due to old age. One was in a nursing home. I think they may both be dead now. Their children sold the place to us. And yes, they left at least seven dressers behind. One or two are not bad. The rest are sort of junk.
DeleteI'm yard work weary again but not too bad. I've learned not to push myself past a certain point. I'm glad your thumb feels better.
I haven't scrubbed grout in forever. I have mildew but it's stained the grout at this point so there's no actual getting rid of it. Florida.
Of course I had to look up the sheet smell.
ReplyDeleteSheets dried outside smell fresh because sunlight acts as a natural purifier, triggering a photochemical reaction (photo-oxidation) that creates sweet-smelling organic compounds like aldehydes and ketones on the fabric. UV rays from the sun also kill odor-causing bacteria and break down lingering chemicals, leaving behind a clean scent, a phenomenon explained further in this CleanTechnica article.
Thank you! That does sort of take the romance out of it though, doesn't it?
DeleteI like Maggie's firm grip on planning!
ReplyDeleteJason says he's the same way. Maggie does very much like to be in control of situations.
DeleteI tried Ranch dressing once and it is definitely not for me. I like the "vascular system" shadow and those flame azaleas are gorgeous. I think Maurice loves you.
ReplyDeletePeople over here practically drink ranch dressing.
DeleteIsn't that flame azalea amazing? Such beauty.
I think Maurice loves me too. Just in her own special way.
I'm going to show my ignorance here but is there no way to kill that monkey grass rather than having to dig it up? I'm not talking about chemicals - I was thinking of vinegar actually - but then I guess you wouldn't want your whole yard smelling like a fish and chip shop even if it did work, so scratch that! And I LOVE the floor in the lake house! It's absolutely stunning!
ReplyDeleteWell, vinegar does kill or injure some plants but not the roots and since monkey grass has roots that are thick and plentiful (which is what makes it so hard to pull up), it would not do a bit of good.
DeleteIsn't that floor something?
Hamster ham!
ReplyDeleteI am still a bit mystified.
DeleteHamster ham and maynouse! Sounds interesting. Love all today‘s photos. And oh that shadow photo!
ReplyDeleteThis should be an interesting lunch. Well, it always is. I look around at the gazillions of grandparents and think, "Jeez. These people are old."
DeleteAnd then I think about that.
But they ARE old! I don’t know how they get that way.
DeleteI think a lot of people at David and Karen's wedding had the same thought about how old everyone was while in our hearts, we're still those crazy hippie, dope smoking, earth mama, music making kids. Well, speaking for myself.
DeleteLunch promptly at 11:48 a.m. Ranch dressing on the side. Magnolia June is my favorite kind of human.
ReplyDeleteI am not sure what she's going to do with the ranch dressing but there will be some.
DeleteStrange way to honor grandparents in that they have to bring the lunch! But still, sitting with grands in the cafeteria will be such fun! Love your flame azalea. Good luck with the grassy removal. Ugh. I'm so glad it's you and not me!
ReplyDeleteA lot of grandparents bring lunches from fast food places or deli's. I don't know how I got into this habit of making the lunch. It is fun to sit in the cafeteria but I always feel SO sorry for kids who have no one there for them.
DeleteTwo of my grandsons are here all day today as they are on Spring break but their parents are working. Right now they are playing Legos in the basement while I read my blogs. I'm disappointed that today is a rainy day so we will be stuck inside.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you get to go to Grandparents day with Maggie. They grow up so fast!
Legos are SO good at keeping kids busy, aren't they?
DeleteThey grow up way too fast, Ellen. As you know.
I like your monkey grass and think it would be perfect in a different spot where it can grow and multiply as it likes. Would a patch of monkey grass in front of the bamboo keep the bamboo in position?
ReplyDeleteMy pachysandra is like monkey grass, and it grows where nothing else grows. I've given it to neighbors and even planted it in woodland locations. A big splash of unexpected green makes a statement.
Sweet Maggie, she knows what she wants for lunch! You'll make this a very special lunch and add a few surprises just because this might be the last time for Grandparents Day with Maggie.
Sheets and towels on the line is perfection.
Monkey grass would absolutely not stop bamboo whose roots are stronger and bigger.
DeleteI really do not like introducing non-native plants to areas that are wooded and this stuff is definitely non-native. Now if it just grew where a normal lawn would be, that would be fine because mowed it looks like grass. Sort of. But the problem is, it spreads everywhere. Right now it's trying to choke out my camellias. And all of that started because someone was just trying to keep a border around that area. It's also called "border grass."
I will do my best to make Maggie very happy at her grandparent's lunch.
I miss your cover photo of your flowers on your deck over the water scene. I love to see your flowers and yard and southern style house. But that just may be me.... You are my alternate self...your gardening, as well as eye for beauty in flowers makes my day.
ReplyDeleteDo you mean a picture of my porch with my plants on it? I don't remember a specific one I used like that but I probably did.
DeleteI am happy to be your alternate self!
Classy floor XXX
ReplyDeleteI'll tell Mr. Moon you said so. He'll appreciate it.
DeleteMaybe Miss Magnolia could invite a friend whose grands couldn't come to sit with you all? And I can see a logic to "hamster ham" - ham made from hamsters, perhaps? Or a favorite of hamsters? Linguistically logical but non appetizing. I'll stick with the ranch sandwiches.
ReplyDeleteCeci