Please click this link and watch an inspiring video.

After a rather restless night, it was a joy to find this link in an email message from a friend.

John Wayne’s Tribute to America

John Wayne – America, Why I Love Her

Any way you look at it, it’s HOT!! I worked in the yard until 11 o’clock. Nothing very strenuous. It’s almost 3 o’clock and I’m lethargic and feel like it is nap time.

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Baked Alaska?? No, baked Lorraine!!

At eleven o’clock it was time to head into the air-conditioned trailer!! Putting down paving blocks is too strenuous in the heat. I worked on simple tasks. There were two invitations to go into Livingston for lunch and shopping. I declined; too much to do. I do need to “shop” but I know what I want and I won’t dawdle. I need some silver spray paint for the galvanized pipe for proposed structure. (The pipe is rusty, and shabby.) I need groceries because I’m sick of the crappy food they serve in the dining room!! I’ve been engrossed with my patio, and yard, I’ve neglected to shop for groceries.

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Any way you look at it, it’s HOT!!

Before dawn, I was on the computer looking for inexpensive planters–or trash receptacles. I mentioned in an earlier blog that planters are “so expensive.”  Sleepless… I decided to search the Internet believing I’d find items priced significantly less than local retailers. What a shock!! No bargains!! Look at Big Bo Pot Vase XL. I love this 3-piece set. Check this attractive square planter. Rubbermaid trash can. After several hours (yes, several hours), I found this website. These planters “fit” my budget!! I found–and purchased–from this retailer. This planter has a shape similar to my rain barrels.

Hey, Lorraine, shop in your own backyard!!

The two waste baskets will be ideal for shrubs that have a long root system. No plants in mind (yet). While preparing this blog, I see that the “A-frame”-shape clothes-rack will be ideal–with tarp or blanket–over the Cape Honeysuckle (when we receive freeze warnings). Little by little, I’m using the items from my garden in North Carolina. Remember, I’ve only been on this RV-site since January 2014. My household items arrived in February. The weather has been my enemy!!

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After lunch, I lingered in my yard less than ten minutes. Beastly HOT!!! I’ve concluded that the framework that covered the Verbena (in North Carolina) will cover the two Mandevilla plants. (Funny, funny, ha ha;  planning for winter in early August!!) ~~ As I said in yesterday’s blog, “plans for my garden are constantly evolving.”  In this brief period of time, I’ve discovered that I’ll be able to cover three perennials without moving them to the proposed “flat-roof tent-structure.” However, Calibrachoa (and others) will need the improvised shelter.

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Postscript, 6:20 PM: Local weatherman just said “We’re heading for the hottest days of the year!!” That statement on the heels of report that temperatures were 96 and/or 97 but “feels like 106.”

Plans for my garden are constantly evolving. This morning I began to consider where I’d put perennial plants when we have frost. (With our scorching temperatures, I have to “think cool.”) There won’t be room in the storage building!! How will I cover them??  Specifically, the Cape Honeysuckle as it is growing tall rapidly. I’ve been uncertain where to mount the galvanized-pipe structure (originally designed for my Topsy-Turvy upside-down tomato planters). Today (in my mind’s eye) I saw the answer. Move the picnic table so it is neatly aligned with the two large trees. Put the two cement bases adjacent to the sidewalk and assemble pipe. Prior to freezing temperatures, I can move the planters and cover them with a tarp secured to the pipe between trees and the galvanized-pipe structure. A flat-roof “tent” structure. On a much smaller scale, I covered Verbena plants with a tarp in North Carolina. ~~ The “picnic” table may never see a picnic!! I’ve always considered it for plants.

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With all that hard work (LOL), I spent the afternoon in my recliner, in the air-conditioned trailer!!

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Ninety-five degrees as I publish this blog; ninety degrees this morning when I took pictures of the picnic table.

Today only!!

How can I improve the appearance of my garden? (I slowed down but I didn’t stop. The heat and humidity drove me indoors!!) Earlier, I sat in my lawn chair and considered alternatives. Next time I shop at Lowe’s, I’ll purchase a thirty-gallon black plastic trash can ($15.88) for the planter for the Cape Honeysuckle. I won’t transplant it until late Fall or Winter. (I’m restricted to container gardening.) Large planters are extremely expensive so the trash can is a good idea (IMHO). Over the next few months, I’ll toss pine cones in the bottom because they make excellent drainage material. Miracle-Gro soil from planters–where plants expired from Texas heat–will go into the trash can. (I recycle, LOL!!)

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Après déjeuner.

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“Feels like” 105 degrees!!

How do I de-accelerate?? I need to stop but the brakes don’t work.

Well, my faithful followers know I am referring to “can’t stop,” “one-track-mind,” obsessive-compulsive, etc., etc. ~~ I’m not asking for help with my projects; I’m asking for help so I can slow down!! Monday nights I square dance and I’ve promised myself I won’t overdo during the day. I had the best of intentions: I’d go shopping for paving blocks, metal pipe for TV antenna, and a plumbing fixture or two. Yesterday, Lowe’s; today, Builder’s Supply. Neither retailer had the size fitting I needed for second rain barrel. (First rain barrel has standard size; second rain barrel does not. Frankly, I thought I could buy locally and not order a specialty item. A bilge pump flexible hose  [from Lowe’s] is OK for first rain barrel but too small for second….) ~~ The kind, considerate, thoughtful volunteer knew just what to do!! Now I am prepared for the next major rain storm and can store upwards to one-hundred-thirty gallons of rain water. The last two pictures show a plastic chain that will have rain water “dancing” down the links.

Overwhelming numbers for me!! I’m the “poor little rich girl.” I’m poor, money-wise, but extremely rich in blessings!!

Below, left, over $2,000. deck and ramp. Below, right, possibly upwards to $3,000.

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Three-thousand-four-hundred dollar deck and ramp!!

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Ladies and gentlemen, to your left, my less-than-$100-patio. (Even with the purchase of fifteen more paving blocks.) My construction project didn’t break the bank!!