2010Rememberance Ride_0001.wmv

The tree which moves some to tears of joy
is in the eyes of others
only a green thing that stands in the way.

Some see nature all ridicule and deformity,

                                                      

And some, scarce see nature at all.

But to the eyes of the man of imagination,

nature is imagination itself.

~William Blake~

1799 The Letters

A new year, a new desire

I have this itch to start a butterfly garden this year. 
Things are changing.  Me along with them.  I have never been much on growing flowering plants. 
I've been researching host and nectar plants and thinking about where to place the garden. 
I grow most of my plants in containers but I'm thinkin' I might just do some digging on the property.  I know the landlord won't mind.  I figure a lot of the flowers will produce seed so I'll just collect seed and cuttings if we ever have to move.  Sounds like a plan to me.
I will also have to get used to things chewing on my plants.  I'm kinda wierd that way.  I think it's a casualty of my line of work.  Unless a client does such gardening, they usually want anything eating their plants, gone.

                                  

I was browsing butterfly stuff and ran across this video.  It got me misty.  I love motivational stuff.

So, it has been freezing here in SW FL.  I've been holed up for two days with the flu.  I finally got out to check my plants.

 I didn't even bring my orchids in!  BAD GIRL!
 My pentas and my coleus took a little hit from the cold.


But they should recover

Or not.

The Orchid Thief

I'm reading The Orchid Theif.  Great book.  I think what makes it so good for me is I live here and the places they talk about, I'm familiar with. 
I will admit I have come by quite a few of my orchids from OP's stock but John Laroche...he takes the cake.  Susan's portrayal of John Laroche is so seedy, I find him likeable.  I haven't finished the book yet, so my opinion of him may change. 

         

The book got me so curious I'll have to schedule a trip to Naples next summer to see if it blooms again.
 rare ghost orchid

Fog as thick as Pea Soup

It's a pea-souper out there!!!
I havent thought of that expression in soooo long.

Seems we're due for some cold.  Brrrr!  It was 70 degrees this AM.

No, really!  It is supposed to get cold.

I couldn't not stop to get a few pics.

I do love a foggy morning but it can be a little depressing.

So when I got home I had to go find something bloomin'.  This is one of my "ill-gotten" ground orchids.

Pretty little thing, Huh?

What a way to start the day

In the silence of misty dawn

warm breath collides with the autum chill

Worries and troubles fade
We are here.  At this moment

Creator and created

All is well

Thank You Veterans

I remember when I was a kid, the plastic poppies that were given out on VeteransDay.    When I was young I didn't know what they really meant.  I haven't thought of them in so long and as I was watching the news, I spotted one.

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses row on row

In Flanders Field, Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae

For those who gave their lives.
For those who lost thier loved ones.
To all who have sacraficed
                             Thank you

The 8th of November
~ Big & Rich ~

TGIF

Take me to my happy place.... take me to my happy place... take me to my happy place

(how I felt as friday rolled around) 

The dreaded semi-annual plant sale was set to commence on Friday.  As much as I love plants, I pretty much refuse to purchase anything at our "sale" out of pure principle.  I have a problem giving any of the pittance I make each week back to the owner of this place.    

Shelley, our GH manager is very understanding of our desire not to come back from our route to put in more time at the greenhouse.  She usually tries her best to get the place in order.  Until our "Fearless Leader" throws a wrench in any plan she has.  He is good at such things and I believe he enjoys messing with us.  "Fearless Leader" is not our usual handle (although the first letter is an "f") but I do my best to try to keep my posts clean!

For example. Intent on organizing the cut-back house she is called  to the office to organize and dispense new work shirts.  Priority?  I think not!  Or, instead of sending  two very capable men out on a job... he sends all four!  Leaving Shelley alone.

 We bring back plants from accounts and "regrow" them.  Hundreds of mass canes, marginatas, ags, pothos.  Instead of grouping them together and putting a price on them.  Such as, 10" mass cane... $5, 6" pothos... $2, and so on.  Thursday after our route, we arm ourselves with sharpies and tape and follow "F L" around like little baby ducks follow momma duck.  Individually tagging  each and every plant, as he shouts out the price.

It is an "event" all us techs dread.  Thankfully it is only twice a year.  The best part of it is watching how the "newbies" respond to the whole fiasco.

The snow-birds are back which has made the already unbearable traffic, worse.  By Friday, it's all I can do to not get pulled over for road rage.  Self control must prevail!  I tell myself.  The fact our office phone # is splattered all over our trucks helps a little too.  As I climb on my bike.  Knowing it's almost over.  Just dodge a few more drivers unaware of anyone else on the road but themselves... I'll be home free.

I love the weekend!

    

    So.  Most of the time my "happy place" is with my honey or with my plants.  As everything was bone dry and neglected I opted for the plants.  I found my Oncidium in bloom.  Another "ill-gotten" aquisition.  Well... some would consider it ill-gotten.  I even came across a humorous article this morning about seed snatchin. 

Most of my plants are in containers as we rent and the plants go with.  The weather here in SW FL has finally started  to break.  I even had to don (is that the correct spelling?) pants for the ride to work.  It got down to 66 degrees a couple mornings.  I still have to change into shorts because the afternoons are too warm for pants.  There has been a pretty strong wind all week because Ida is blowing in the Gulf so I have been picking up overturned plants the last few days.  The Poinciana I started has really gotten  beat up.  Poor thing.  So after picking everything up and watering.  And watering some more.  Like I said.  BONE DRY. I had to adress the mite problem on my frangipangi and the scale on the oleanders. 

Next issue.  Squirrels.  Now, we do love our little critters.  Most days I can put up with their intrusions into my world.  I will usually pack some peanuts in my pocket because they usually follow me around the yard waiting for a handout.  But it's been a rough week.  No handouts today!As I repotted my lillies, again.  Redistributed the soil they dug up in 90% of my containers.  I was rethinking if I made the right choice.

The weekend is still not over.  I can still burn dinner!! Not really.  Maybe my guy will win in Texas!  Yeah right!  Guess I better leave well enough alone.  

  He found his "happy place"

National Chocolate Day

This is definatly a day to celebrate!!!!

What's in store ???

Can you picture yourself growing old and cruddy with the one your with???

For most of my life I couldn't.  Yeah... I may have been with someone.  But actually going through life with them was another story.  I cringe at the thought.  Most I could barely stand after the initial fascination was over.  The fascination stage usually lasted about 4 months.  Why I stayed?  Boredom.  Rebellion.  Afraid of being alone.  There are a lot of sick reasons.  I had issues!

Back to the initial question....

Can you picture yourself actually going through life, till the very end, with the one your with?

I am happy to say.  Now I can.

When I picture Tim and I.  Too old to hold up two wheels.  This is what I see.    

The perfect picture!  This is our dream.  After grinding out a few more years, we're throwin what we can in the sidecar and headin out.  It's on our Bucket List. Headin out on Rt 66.  What fun!

West Coast Rally 2009

The most fun I've had making a fool of myself sober!  I entered the motorcycle games, ended up with 0 points!  It can only get better from here on in.

~This is me knocking over most of the poles~

We met Bob from Haps Cycles.  Very cool guy.

 He invited me on board as a rider in the doubles.

~we rocked~

  Like I said... Bob was a cool guy.

He gave Tim and I his gift cards he won.  They were for the Harley Shop.   He's GM at Honda.

I wonder if I can turn them in for some riding lessons!

Good Morning!!!

Monday Monday!!!

AHHH... what a way to start the week!

Cuban Sandwich

I wanted to do a little something different for raceday munchies. 

Have you ever tried something new and had it turn out like pooh?  I have, and it sometimes keeps me from experimenting.

I used this recipe from Three Guys from Miami
There is a link to follow for the lechon (pork).

Hope ya like garlic!  I LOVE garlic.

I had to smash'em using a brick wrapped in foil.  This worked great if you don't have a press. 

                         Made some of these bad-boys for desert.


My honey is a patient man.  I made him wait till I got a decent shot of the sandwich before he could eat. 

 Yummy-yum.  I love sugar!!!

Update:  The Cubans were excellant! 

One of the things that really makes me happy is when I make something and Tim really likes it.

My orchids new home

I really needed to get some of my orchids out of the tree.

 I don't want them to root in there so much it's difficult to get them out.

So off to Wally World I go

 Wally World sells orchids, orchid mix, orchid fertilizer, but no orchid boxes! 

They didn't even have orchid pots.   

As I am way too lazy to run around Sarasota looking for stuff.  I came up with this handy dandy coconut planter.  Whatever works, right?

This is where I stash my starts till I'm energetic enough to pot them up.  In my punk tree.  They love it.

As I was digging some of them out of the tree I found this guy!  A newbie!

I've said it before...

They thrive on neglect

 

TGIF

I got to work and Sandy was on the phone with her sister.  She's somewhere in Indiana I think.  She was saying it was 44 degrees that morning.  BRRRRR!!!

Here's what I had to deal with.....

~Check out some Florida Wildflowers~

My boss would probably pop a vein if he knew I was playing photographer on his time.

I can't help but take a few minutes out of the daily grind and appreciate the beauty that surrounds me.

It helps me to remember that God is there and still in controll

Greenhouse News

Usually the greenhouse kitties greet me when I arrive in the AM.  Actually they aren't greeting me. 

They just want their treat.

I thought it strange when only two showed up.

White paws and bandit got fed.

Where could Smokey be???

White Paws was none too happy when these guys showed up.

She was Queen Kitty since the other one went to kitty heaven a few months back.

We think she coaxed the little guy into the critter trap. 

Rotten kitty!

Quotable Quotes

It matters more whats in a womans face

than whats on it

~Claudette Colbert~

Survival Stories

This plumeria is a cutting my mom was going to throw away.

Excuse me.  Not while I'm around!

I started him about three months ago.  Blooms already!

I love it!!!  

I have to smell him every time I go by.  The fragrance has got to be somewhere close to heaven. 

To think he was headed to the trash. 

.

Hibiscus are a regular in SW FL landscape.  They are everywhere!!!

You see so many you might miss their beauty.  I did.

Check out the flowers.

 

The hibuscus below was actually planted in the ground.   Most of my stuff is in containers in case we move.  Anyway... his spot got too crowded so we had to yank him up.  In the process, his trunk split.  OUCH!  I felt bad. 

He was pretty sad looking for about three weeks.  Tons of yellow leaves.  Droopy. 

Two weeks ago I pruned him back pretty good and look.  He's blooming.  I think he likes his new home.

Another survivor!

Whats growin' today???

It's probably been three months ago.  The neighbor up front moved out and we were cleaning up the lawn.  I, of course, had to grab some of the bulbs that  were there. 

I thought they were amaryllis.

I do a walk-a-bout everyday and am usually the one who spots someting blooming.

Not today. My honey spotted this.

Turns out what I thought was an amaryllis is actually Hymenocallis, a genus of the ammaryllis family.

I ran across a cool site while searching for the proper name of the bulb.

International Bulb Society

I was also excited to see the Alamanda seeds I had planted are sprouting.  I had grabbed a couple pods off a bush.  They have been sitting around for quite a while.  Not knowing whether they would grow or not, I planted 5 and 4 have sprouted.

Easy... that's what I like.

Whatever... Just Bloggin'

I've posted before about our squirrels (click)

They do entertain us while we have our saturday mornin' coffe

This guy decided we didn't hand out enough peanuts so he's takin' matters into his own paws and lookin' through my seed cache.

The other day I found random peanuts around the house. 

We sometimes keep our back door open and they help themselves to the stash.

They know where we keep the goods.

Sorry if you find feeding rodents offending, but it amuses us.

I've said it before...

We're simple people!