Finally, the last of Lowe’s mark-down plants are in planters. Nothing specific (garden-wise) awaits my attention (Praise the Lord). I’ve had the Rosemary plants for over a month–from a neighbor in the Escapees Rainbow’s End RV Park. Through “the grapevine” I was told the Facility Director does not want plants in the ground. The planter bottom has been removed… so, ultimately, the roots will go into the soil. The two Rosemary plants are my exception to his rule; they may not survive in their location; maintenance may yank them out.  ~~ This morning I rearranged the electric cord to the fountain to (hopefully) prevent water damage (and burned out pump). More holes were drilled in the bottom of planters. Etc., etc., etc.!! Tools and clutter needs to be put away. It’s 5 o’clock and I feel I’ve earned a break. (A nap would be nice!!) ~~ Correction: The Black & Decker Weed Eater needs to come out of the box and be assembled. The grass and weeds need cutting!!

Welcome to my yard!! Come sit and visit!!

CARE Center fund-raising activities–and followup meeting–are in the record book. Finally, my time is my own. Yesterday I went shopping in Livingston (and spent $777.84). Now my roof repair is paid for; now I have items for garden projects. (1) Repair items would have cost as much as a new Weed Eater–so I purchased a new one. Later today I’ll use it. (2) New pump for the garden fountain. (3) Chick Starter for my mealworm “farm.” (4) One more Mandevilla plant. (5) Miscellaneous items for my homemade products: Insecticide for the plants; mold remover for the T@B. (6,7,8,9,10) Much miscellaneous, and a few groceries. ~~ Before it was dark, I got the new pump going on the fountain. The original pump was inserted from beneath the fountain; none-such available. Now I have the electric line draped over the edge (less attractive). The squirrels love this fountain!! ~~ The previous evening, I pushed the black audio-video line (for spy camera) through white PVC pipe to protect it from foot traffic (and weed eater). The pipe came from North Carolina so no current expense!! ~~ Last evening, I prepared the mealworm “farm” with larger plastic container (from recent CARE garage sale), Chick Starter and wheat germ (and carrot, potato & apple) and shredded brown paper bags (according to the instructions). ~~ Today (if I get “a round tuit”) I’ll make the “witch’s brew.” FYI: It is almost impossible to find Borax, Fels-Naptha, and Ivory soap!! ~~ It’s a cold dark cloudy day so an opportunity to work on indoor projects.

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No, the top does not perfectly “fit”  on the mealworm “farm” plastic box–but satisfactory. Yes, I drilled lots of holes in the top for air.  (Wonder woman at work.) ~~ 10:50 AM and I just turned on the heat. Hate to do that; it’s supposed to be Spring!!

And everything in its place?? I’m working on it!! ~~ The weather warmed up this afternoon so I worked ceaselessly in the yard (it’s 6:15 PM). I repaired the chairs; I drilled holes in the bottom of the planter; I transplanted the Mandevilla. I purchased the “potty chair” at the recent CARE garage sale knowing it would be an excellent “trellis” for a vineing plant. Likewise, the wire basket will welcome the runners?! Wire basket, macramé plant holders, and plastic waste basket (suitable for a planter) came from the CARE garage sale. ~~ I had a dirty job (but somebody’s got to do it) removing stinky rotten garbage from the composter, and stinky compost from Nature’s Head Composting Toilet. The Mandevilla has a healthy amount of each. Then I added the last of Nature’s Head compost to a planter but have no idea (yet) what will be planted. (It will not be an edible plant.) ~~ My drill battery does not hold a charge very long so it often takes several days to drill all the holes I want.  I haven’t found a battery for the drill–and new drills are so-o-o-o expensive. So I patiently wait between charges.

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In North Carolina, I had a baby-bed-springs for a trellis–and other unlikely items (for trellis). It’s fun to be creative!!

Postscript, 4/18/14: I’ve been told by long-time residents to plant everything “in the shade.” Plant information may say “full sun” or “partial sun” BUT everything “burns up” with the intense summer heat. Thus the Mandevilla next to a tree trunk and in the shade of a huge Pine tree. Almost everything I do with plants–in Texas–is an experiment.

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Today’s inspiration from Charles Swindoll’s The Grace of Encouragement says: “Not many really creative people–in the process of creating–keep everything neat, picked up, and in its place.” He continues with the scripture “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven…a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them.” Ecclesiastes 3:1,5 NIV.

THANK YOU!! I needed that!!

During this (hopefully) brief period of time between nesting, I inserted the spy camera in the Bluebird house. Notice my fancy workbench?? (Scatter rug on the floor of my home.) Until a few hours ago, I actually thought I’d forego the pleasure of the intimate view. Why? Because it is a BIG (repeat: BIG) job to get the television off the bracket, hook up cables, attach TV to bracket, etc. Frankly, I couldn’t justify the time and energy it required!! Suddenly, I remembered the tiny Haier TV that I haul in my tiny T@B trailer. Perfect for this project!!

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A “sixth sense” told me the babies had fledged. Out came the ladder and “Grandma” checked the nest. I truly believe they fledged because “Mama Blue” and “Papa Blue” are coming for mealworms and flying across the field to that enormous tree. In about two weeks I can expect parents and babies on the mealworm feeder (if they behave as “my” North Carolina Bluebirds).  ~~ I removed the old nest, hosed clean, and have the doors open so the wood will dry. If all goes “by the book” Mama Blue will start building a new nest almost immediately. They do not reuse an old nest.

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I recently discovered that a tiny bird (yet unknown to me) adopted the second Bluebird house. Today, with the camera, I see that she is sitting on four tiny eggs.

Postscript, Tuesday, April 15th: Still unconfirmed but several acquaintances think she is a Black-capped Chickadee. See the last picture. (Click to enlarge.)

Postscript, Saturday, April 19th:  I’ve been told the bird is a Carolina Chickadee. (Last time I looked, the eggs had not hatched.)

Two-thirty on a cold and miserable afternoon!! Raining hard, with thunder and lightning!! Although I have the furnace on and the thermometer says 72 degrees, I am wearing a warm sweatshirt. I’m so concerned for the fragile baby Bluebirds. I can visualize them clinging to a tree limb, cold and wet. I have provided mealworms three times today–and will add more soon. The parents are making regular visits to the mealworm feeder.

The automatic clock–with information from a satellite–is wrong: Rain, no sunshine!!

My Federal and State Income Taxes were just e-filed at 5:55 PM. Shame, shame on me!! I started the taxes in January. Then I wrote that I was Jinked, and speculated on a Domino Effect. (Interesting reading as I look back on those blog messages.) Well, the April 15th deadline forced me to resurrect the paperwork and reopen the computer file (Turbo Tax).  Bravo, one less concern!! ~~ I missed supper in the Dining Room; I’ll heat a can of soup.

Trimming the grass and weeds is my new concern. Because of frequent rain, the unwanted vegetation is ankle-deep. (And I’ve been busy with other projects and neglected the task.) So now that the CARE garage sale is history, I wanted to “tidy up” my yard. The used Black & Decker Grasshog String Trimmer gave me frustrating problems. BUT, truthfully, it was only my second use so a learning experience. However, I came to the conclusion that it will need repairs so I went to the Internet for answers. Now I have the parts in a bag ready for a trip to Lowe’s. If they can’t accommodate me, I can order on-line. When I get to Lowe’s I’ll look for a new pump for the garden fountain, and some long slender bolts to repair two well-used, inexpensive, aluminum and plastic lawn chairs. I’ll return the product described to kill “over 65 insects.” (I don’t want that in my garden!!) ~~ I’ll probably purchase another Mandevilla because I have prepared a site, and planter, for one.

This evening, I climbed the ladder, opened one door of the Bluebird house and took a picture. When I looked at the picture–after moving it from the camera to Picasa software–I became concerned. The babies were not “gaping” and I feared they might be dead. So I got out the ladder and checked the house again. This time I had on an apron with pockets and I carefully transferred the babies. They are all healthy, as far as I can tell, but “Mama Blue” and “Papa Blue” were really angry with me  for invading their space.  For over an hour, I’ve watched them sitting on a nearby limb. They are “carrying on a noisy conversation” that I surmise is heard by the babies. Neither has entered the bird house with live mealworms that I provided. ~~ I hope and pray I haven’t frustrated the parents so they abandon the nest!! ~~ In North Carolina–viewing the nest with the spy camera–the babies were always hungry, they were always gaping. Both times I’ve taken pictures (recently), the babies were resting quietly.

I’m such a proud Grandma!! I am constantly telling people about my Bluebird babies. Yesterday (at the CARE garage sale) a lady told me she had five babies but when she checked a couple of days ago they were dead. That prompted my concern.

The CARE garage sale winds down tomorrow afternoon. It has been a long, tiring week. It appears we may take in close to $5,000.

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Postscript, Sunday, April 13, 2014, 9:00 AM: The Bluebird parents did not abandon the nest and the babies. Furthermore, I have them trained to come to the feeder for mealworms when they hear the “tap, tap, tap” of plastic container against the plastic feeder.

Up to my earlobes in trash. “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” The large “living room” of the CARE Center has a dozen long tables, and yards of improvised clothes poles. Everything was full yesterday and more things arrive today. The area in front of the building has an enormous number of large items and electronics.  It’s an interesting challenge!! And we haven’t started pricing yet!! (This is “fun,” not work.) ~~ Thus an explanation why I’m not posting blogs this week.