This morning it is in the 30's. I went outside at 7 and picked up the remainder of the branches that had been blown down in the wind. (That darn River Birch...such a messy tree, but at the same time so beautiful.) I had a whole lawn cart full and took them back to the woods to dump. I was going to ask the kids next door to help me out, but I found that I could do it myself. I haven't had much exercise since hurting my back. I'm still going to the Dr. and asked if I could do a few more strenuous things...he said do what you can do...you'll know when to stop. I used to push myself and do more than I should have...now I have the sense to stop when I am tired. I was out for about 30 min. and it felt good. A little each day is my new saying.
I'm just about finished with organizing the Christmas decorations downstairs. We still have the tree in the living room, and it will be put away next week. I still can't say goodbye to Christmas. In between the Christmas project I have been making some changes in my craft area downstairs. Going through my paints and tossing those very old bottles. I have been doing some mixed media projects and I bought some beautiful papers at Michael's. My drawers are getting full of paper things. My storage area will be changed completely this week. I can't work in a mess. When I used to paint full time...I would have to clear any mess away before I could start working. I guess I'm an organization freak. My knitting is the same way. Everything for one project is in a basket. When that is finished a new one is started.
The plants that I brought inside to winter over are in the compost pile. After lugging them all downstairs and re potting them last fall.... something was on them that was making the leaves drop off...killing the stems, after turning brown. I don't know what it was, but spraying with soapy water didn't do the trick. I couldn't see a bug. This kept spreading to my other plants...so out they went. I didn't want my plants upstairs affected. My saved Amaryllis bulbs weren't affected....ivy, African violets, pothos, cactus...are fine. I'm watching them very carefully. I guess I'll just have to buy more dipladenia and geraniums.
I hope our gardens fare well with this, so far, snowless winter. I don't like to drive in snow, but this up and down in temp isn't good for our gardens. We need snow cover. I hope I don't live to regret these words, but please Mother Nature...just a little snow.
Balisha
3 comments:
I understand what you mean about no longer pushing yourself. I used to do the same thing and now have decided same as you. Snow cover is so good for the plants. We get a terrible lot of heaving here in this area. Last year we did have snow on the ground much of the time. Maybe your plants picked up a fungal disease. Sometimes it seems everything in this yard has fungal diseases. I'm not good at getting spraying done... oh, well, don't get me started on fungal diseases!
Sorry to hear about your back, Balisha! Sounds like good advice from the doctor.
Also sorry to hear about your overwintering plants. What a disappointment. Sounds like you did the best thing getting them out of the house.
I love the photo! Those seedheads are so valuable to the birds this time of year, and they make the garden more interesting when there's not much else going on.
Enjoy the beautiful day! It's up to 51 degrees here in the south 'burbs. As much as I'm enjoying the mild temps and lack of snow, it sure is odd for January.
It was 62 on the sunny deck today.
My weather is all over the place.
This year I can no longer push myself either. Need to start walking until gardening time.
Did walk through the woods today.
Not all that comfortable when no one is here. So many really big old trees with dead branches.
Sure want nothing to fall on me.
Always carry phone :)
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