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Post by desposito on Mar 4, 2024 18:46:18 GMT -5
Well, I got sidetracked with placing a card/sticker order...and doing a lot of browsing. There is still no rain!
why do you want to keep the hollow stems upright
Scholar, the short answer is, if you have a pollinator garden you're supposed to leave any hollow or "pithy" stems because bees lay eggs in them. And bees prefer to lay eggs in upright stalks, (like the stems would naturally grow) maybe because stems just thrown on the ground will get wet easier and start to rot too soon.
Here's my long answer...the first information I saw just said cut down the stems in fall to about 12-18 inches and leave them til next summer--which I took to mean the bees lay eggs in fall and they hatch in spring. However, the more I read, the more complicated it gets (which is true for just about anything I try to do...). Now they say leave the entire branches until spring (which makes sense since the birds eat the seeds during the winter. Then in early spring, cut them back to varying heights, between 6 and 18 inches. And leave them there pretty much until they disintegrate naturally in 2-3 years! Because I guess the bees lay eggs at different times, and bees can hatch out through the whole summer! Or next summer. So I am starting to cut back the stems because I've been looking at the dried flowers that are left and honestly, some of the plants look like every single seed has been eaten! Some people don't want to leave any stems in their yards, they don't like the looks of them or their neighbors don't.  So they also say it's okay to take the hollow stems, tie them in a small bundle so they don't fly around, and move them to another spot. But, they should be upright, just like the stems would be.
Now, I don't mind having stems, and the next door neighbors that can see into my yard don't mind either. Besides, when the perennials start growing again they grow up around the stems and you won't see them. But here's my problem--my plants drooped so badly last year because I was unable to stake them up, so that lots of them are lying practically flat on the ground. They still bloomed, but looked really silly. So I can't really just cut them back to 18 inches, they would be sticking out all along the ground. So this year I need to cut lots of them all the way off, hence, I will need to bundle them and prop them upright in the back part of the yard. It would be sort of similar to those bee hotels they're selling now--a bundle of hollow pieces of wood made into a little house or something, which people put in their yards, although I notice those pieces of wood are horizontal--but maybe because they're not on the ground it's okay. Those bee hotels can be problematic though, they have to be cleaned really well to prevent disease, but only once the bee eggs have hatched, and that might happen at different times--I guess the bundles of sticks will disintegrate naturally over time so they will no longer be used after a couple of years anyway, so they obviously don't have to be cleaned.
I'm hoping this year to figure out the problem with staking the plants, it's essential to do. This garden has been a trial & error learning experience so far, and will probably continue to be.
I have time for one more list before dinner.
Next:
10 minutes on plants Put a dog bed back together and bring to basement Wash some dishes Delete 10 hard emails
Diane
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Post by danny15 on Mar 4, 2024 19:04:33 GMT -5
I'm still skipping all over trying to catch up....
bree I loved your stories about your feral orange kitten befriending a raccoon.  And how cute to have had a whole woodchuck family in your garage safely born and tended when they were so vulnerable! The wildlife critters don't mean us any harm and I love when we can provide a bit of warmth, safety and maybe food when they are in need. Then they grow up, get their independence and move out. What a privilege to be part of that!
I am really feeling your mental, emotional and physical exhaustion from reading about how you are trying to mother your DD in college. My DD2 went thru such a very, very difficult time (more than once) and I remember the daily contact listening and validating (it does help!) and being her sounding board. It will get better but yeah, no one ever tells us that parenting can be so hard when we thought it might be easing up. I wonder if a mama possum ever gets annoyed when all her babies are hanging off her back and she is trying to get them all safely across a road. Or a mama duck trying to keep track of all her babies going off in different directions in a pond. Good thing we humans don't have that many at once!
Today's weather was beautiful! DD1 and I sat out front and watched a gorgeous colorful sunset and three flocks of Canada geese wheeling around and come in for a landing in the neighbor's pond across the road. I kept thinking I heard frogs too but it seems much too early for them to be out. I need to read up on them and their lives. Another neighbor still has Christmas lights strung in their trees and two wreaths on their double front doors. We watched the lights flick on just as the sun went down. I am so happy that they leave the lights up for so long! Very cheerful and pretty!
I haven't been to acupuncture since December so today I made an appointment for Wednesday and was lucky to get that. I really, really need it. My back is in bad pain most of the days again even with compression shorts. Tomorrow I'm going to bite the bullet and make an appointment with the back surgeon again. There is no way I want to go thru another surgery but it's getting to the point of losing so much function that I have to do something.
More advice (a warning) to younger people out there ~ get your dejunking and cleaning and paring down done now, before your body starts to say, nah, I don't think we are going to be doing that. Your health and your time are treasures not to be squandered!!!!!!
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Post by danny15 on Mar 4, 2024 19:11:39 GMT -5
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Post by TML on Mar 4, 2024 19:18:28 GMT -5
Hi Everyone!!! Thanks for getting the week started lennon !!! I am slow to start this week. I just keep plodding away at house and work. I need to add working on my health more actively to my plodding away too. I am working on clothes tonight in the house. I need to get a donation box started. I have been buying clothes - it has been ages since I bought any clothes and with going back to work on site I needed some new clothes - working remotely it was sweat pants and tshirts with house slippers. I now have 3 pairs of comfortable work shoes (took forever to find some) and am working on my work ward robe again. Next is getting my health kicked back into shape and start exercising routinely again. |
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Post by desposito on Mar 4, 2024 19:50:14 GMT -5
Good evening TML!
Danny, that is wise advice to younger people to take advantage of their good health and energy while they can.
Today I moved an old milkweed stalk from last year and underneath were two millkweed beetles! So things are hatching, maybe it is frogs you're hearing. I heard robins several times today.
I just went downstairs and straightened up a few things, now I will do the same upstairs--it looks pretty good in here.
There has been no rain yet, the clouds on the radar are moving northwest and seem to be passing over us, I'm going to see if I can find a local forecast on TV that has more up to date information. The weather site I most look at online shows a clip of a forecast shown at 5am and then doesn't update it until the next day. I wouldn't worry about it if I wasn't concerned about the roof. A little rain would be good but I don't want any high winds or crazy downpours, at least until I can have the roof looked at.
Diane
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Post by desposito on Mar 4, 2024 20:41:33 GMT -5
I found a forecast that says we will still get rain tonight, so we'll see.
Good night everyone, see you in the morning!
Diane
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Post by catcats on Mar 4, 2024 22:09:20 GMT -5
Hi ! I did the daily things and brought the recycle bin back to the back yard. Did some laundry. Did a bunch of PUPA. With difficulty, managed to get a piece of trash from the street in front
of the house.
Paid a bill by phone and did some other business work. Processed mail. Talked with my BFF in CT. Read a bunch of Lenten readings. Watched a Netflix movie. Did a few other small things.
My best wishes to all.
catcats
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Post by mylittlescholar on Mar 4, 2024 23:07:28 GMT -5
thanks so much for that explanation, Diane! I will talk to DVD about doing that here.
oh, gosh, danny15 , that is so true! I recently realized that I may never be able to "get back in shape." That was always the fantasy excuse for why I wasn't working on it today. Its a bit of a shock! Cause I have done it several (many?) times throughout my life. Now I just want to conserve what I have.
catcats we have a small "Days until Santa" (296!) board with numbers on hooks. The wind knocked it over, and I have yet to find one of them! We did get some trash picked up while looking, though.
DONE: research and fill out ballot work on scrapbook
ERRANDS: drop ballot off return items to store
TO ROLL OVER: boot laundry train reorganize freezer update freezer inventory make menu plan for the week w/ DVD continue to work on bill pay updates order a few items do art homework schedule time w/ DMIL--need to call
deposit check get acct #s ask about app
We also checked out a new much hyped taco stand. It was outstanding! They are doing something new--using cross cut fried potatoes as the base for interesting toppings; half of them veggie options. So I could put off the freezer project for another day.
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Post by oust on Mar 4, 2024 23:12:16 GMT -5
Hello Catcats and Diane and all others who keep this thread going
Happy with what i did today. I actually got to the stovetop which was in a bad state
I made some green tea i found in the cupboard
picked up all laundry and its all in a basket ready for wash day
a couple of other small things that made a difference too
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Post by danny15 on Mar 4, 2024 23:24:25 GMT -5
~~~~~~~~~~~ DIANE would like your perspective. Is a kennel or at home best? The person watching the cats can also watch the dog but it would not be an overnight. Puppy is very social but this would be for six days and seems long to be in a kennel. Very unsure if what is best. Best for me is in home but what is best for puppy? It is a mom daughter duo. Daughter is young teen and would play w puppy. Help! Anyone can chime in  I'll chime in. I agree with everything Diane said. Depending on the dog and the caretakers, home is best. But six days is a long time whether in home or kennel. To me safety is the priority before possible boredom.
If the dog gets out at home and the caretakers cannot get her back that is a horrible nightmare. If they are walking her and the young teen wants to take the leash will her mother be firm enough to say, no let's not take that chance. How much time will they be spending in your home? Will puppy be confined to a room when they are gone? Will she start to tear things up out of boredom? Can they get her to an emergency vet quickly if necessary?
Have you filled out paperwork that gives them the permission to authorize emergency treatment and to what extent? You can fill out paperwork to leave with your regular vet. There are different levels of care (usually 3 or 4) to be authorized. I always left the final decision to my vet who I completely trusted. Any treatment necessary, short of cracking ribs and manually massaging the heart to resuscitate. Some papers ask if you want the vet to call with prices before attempting care. My bottom line ~ do everything necessary to save my baby (with the above exception), no need to waste time calling me. Unless the vet thinks that death is inevitable, then call me so I could be there, if at all possible, to hold my fur baby.
I've worked in two kennels, one was a major luxury pet resort. In both places the employees were mostly very good and responsible. Both places had multiple safety doors/fences in place to prevent escapes. In the first kennel (almost 50 years ago) we did lose a German Shepherd. She climbed the 8-foot chain link fence surrounding her private run and then climbed the 12-foot chain link fence surrounding the larger outdoor area. It was in the country and no one saw her again. After that all the outdoor runs were covered but what a hard lesson and of course the pain for the owners was awful.
Every kennel is going to have some problems. But I would say 99% of the time the kennel is the safest place to be. Even much, much better if they provide round the clock care with a vet onsite. In my second kennel we were a 24-hour emergency vet as well as boarding all kinds of animals. Most kennels will offer playtime (either one on one with an employee or in a group setting supervised by several employees with dogs who have been tested for compatibility) and walks and special treats so the animals get lots of interaction. Good kennels will also offer private indoor and outdoor runs. When we had little dogs who were especially nervous they often got to sit in the laps of the girls tending the front counters (no extra charge). Because the people who work in kennels love animals the pets get a lot of attention naturally. Most kennels will allow you to leave the pet's special blanket, toy, your own smelly t-shirt to snuggle with in their run. Of course, the extras can make the stay prohibitively expensive.
Bottom line, if you trust the people watching your dog to be exceptionally careful that can work. But for almost absolute safety a kennel seems like a better choice.
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Post by desposito on Mar 5, 2024 8:48:07 GMT -5
Good morning!
Danny, I agree with your statement that safety comes before avoiding boredom. Plus, if left alone at home with almost no attention, that will be boring too--at a kennel, there are staff walking around and other dogs barking--so, not 100% boring. I know of a couple of dog escapes from facilities--one was from the vet I worked for after I left the shelter--they had a big open backyard instead of outside kennel runs, the outside gate was supposed to be locked but someone left it unlocked and somehow a dog got out. I wasn't there that day so I don't know exactly what happened, but a couple of the staff members with cars drove around the neighborhood incessantly and found the dog the next day. The other case was during my dog walking years, there was a news report of a dog that got out the front door of an animal hospital during boarding. They had a double front door that was supposed to require people to be buzzed into the second door, but it wasn't working properly, and while cages were cleaned the dogs were let out to roam the whole building and probably two people came through the doors at the same time and the dog bolted out. I honestly don't remember for sure what happened in that case, but I think the dog might have eventually been found. So it does happen--but, rarely enough that a news organization wrote an article about it when it did. So...poor bree, she's probably considering cancelling her business trip by now! I guess the answer is, what is your gut feeling on trust--which set of caretakers feels more trustworthy.
We did have thunderstorms and steady rain during two parts of the night, so I didn't sleep well. I was thinking about the roof, but also thinking that at least I didn't have to worry about the dog--there was constant thunder for several hours. This morning I checked the basement but it's dry. From the rain bucket outside, it looks like we got an inch--it sounded like more judging on how long it fell. So, not great sleep, I hit the snooze alarm a couple of times before finally getting out of bed this morning.
The high today will be 45, which is almost 30 degrees colder than yesterday's high. That's fine with me, it's where we're supposed to be at this time of year.
Diane
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Post by desposito on Mar 5, 2024 10:53:01 GMT -5
Bree, I had another thought about the kennel if you're leaning in that direction--you can ask them to show you what measures they take to be sure no one escapes--if the system seems secure, you will feel better about it.
TO DO:
Call decluttering client Wash some dishes Print some forms Delete 10 hard emails
Diane
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Post by ohblondie on Mar 5, 2024 11:43:47 GMT -5
We have used kennels in the past. We have been happy.
We could have moved my mom in with my dad but she would have had to pay the nursing home care rate and she does not require that level of care. the visits are so good for my dad.
It is raining today and it will rain for several days. We booked a pavilion alongside a small local lake for my DD's baby shower. Please keep your fingers crossed that the lawn area on the property dries out and isnt muddy for the shower and that we have a sunny dry day......
Visitors:
My other DD will be home in Mid May for this shower
A sorority sister will be visiting early June for a college reunion
My goals include:
A spotless bathroom (up and down stairs)
A spotless guest room
A spotless kitchen
Stairway cleared and cleaned
there can be boxes and things stored in the bedroom and kitchen - but the floors will be vacuumed and mopped, sheets will be clean, pathways clear, counters clean and clear.
LR and DR should not send anyone running - that is where the big lift will be.
I am on a conference call this morning. It has nothing to do with my work - directly but is important I know. It is getting harder and harder to get up and come to work.
Tonight - I need to stop at big box store and make a return. I thought I bought body lotion and I grabbed body wash. I think I will grab something to cook for dinner - a pork loin or something.
Last night I helped my mom shower and changed her sheets. I went to the pharmacy and grabbed a prescription as well.
When I got home I grabbed a bin and started going through it. I put scarves in the scarf bin, I tried on some clothes and they went straight to the donate bin. I uncovered a brown denim type jacket made out of a softer fabric. I got this used and a rummage sale or thrift shop. It fit so nicely and is a classic cut. I realized that I have been carting this jacket around for years and I have never worn it. Brown is not my most flattering color, I dont know if I have a scarf or shirt to go with it. Why cant I get myself to put it in the donate bag? I shouldnt keep it just because it fits or just because I can make a cute outfit out of it. UGH......
OK - almost time for lunch.......
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Post by desposito on Mar 5, 2024 11:56:15 GMT -5
Good morning ohblondie! So your target date to have things in order is mid-May? Do you have a retirement date set?
Next:
10 minutes on seedlings 10 minutes on old paper Make a new stamp list Delete 10 hard emails
Diane
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Post by desposito on Mar 5, 2024 12:38:21 GMT -5
Next:
Call Covetrus pharmacy to double check that there will be no more auto shipments of anything Go to yard to give birds clean water Fill up 6 gallons of water from the rain barrel
Diane
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