Many pictures are duplicated here to show this “Bottle Bush“ project from start to finish. ~~ It started so innocently with an impulse purchase, followed by “peculiar person project.”  I did an Internet search and learned Bottle Trees are considered the poor man’s stained glass.

Strangely, there isn’t a blog message when I originally set up the “bush” –but several pictures. The forty pound metal “base” was purchased in North Carolina, moved to Texas, but lacked a useful purpose until this project. (I’m deliberate about a sturdy base!!)

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If you have followed my blog you know this original purchase turned into Bottle Mania.

I’d rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy.

(Below) The white plastic trash bag is in the planter for a purpose. Further down the line, see the end result.

No rhyme or reason: I like Bottle Bushes and Bottle Trees “rooted” in a planter.

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Finishing this project was more important than watching the Today Show celebrate 65 years. Would my improvised forms accomplish my goal?? 

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All afternoon, I worked at transporting plants from the tarp shelter to the picnic table. I trimmed the old, dead growth, and watered. A lovely afternoon until I stumbled…. The old lady picked herself up, felt the back of her head and realized it was bleeding. No broken bones, no concussion (that we’re aware of). Off she went to the CARE Center where staff, and nurse, wiped away blood and concluded it is only a minor abrasion. You are receiving this message from a very grateful, blessed, appreciative (etc., etc.) old lady!! I was cautioned “Don’t take a nap” so I’m going back to my “yarden” as soon as this is published. (Didn’t have my camera [lol] so I’m indebted to the nurse, and a resident, for these pictures.)

The frog disappeared for a couple of months; I thought he might have died. See my earlier message titled Life’s little pleasures.

Obsessive-compulsive old lady was anxious to complete another base so a special trip to Lowe’s for a small bag of cement. I’m moving “trees” and “bushes” closer to the “door side” of my trailer home. Specifically: My patio area; less conspicuous from the street.

This morning I trimmed away the ugly frozen foliage from the previously ignored planters. I’ve swept, raked, hosed, etc., so (imho) my yard is immaculate. Nothing “trashy” here?!

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Look at the outdoor temperature. It’s difficult to comprehend the extreme change in weather in less than one week!! A brief six days ago, twenty-three degrees!!

Unbelievable change in temperature the last several days!!

See Playing in the mud (if you missed the earlier message).

Per instructions… I used the leverage of a piece of pipe to open the blossom “stems.”

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Because we just experienced several days of hard freeze (killing most of my plants), I chose to start this with a green “plant” before I eventually add colorful blossoms.

All day–while I worked in my “yarden”–I enjoyed the music of six wind chimes. I haven’t been able to find the wind velocity listed on any of the web sites, (It’s there; I just haven’t found it.) So I’m thinking my next weather station should be a little more sophisticated and include the gizmo that records the wind. Wouldn’t it be nice to tell you that I had gusts up to such-‘n-such?

I’m grateful the Bottle Tree on the south side of my trailer home is set in a cement base. It is waving in the wind and would surely have blown over if merely stuck into the ground.

My plants look so pathetic, I began to trim those I hadn’t touched the other day. I hope, and pray, they come back from a strong root system. Time will tell?!

I’m exhausted!!

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In my humble opinion, fifteen miles per hour is low.

“Multi-tasking”: Eating lunch while preparing this message. Even before nine-forty, I was in my “yarden” photographing  more freezing temperature damaged plants. A windy morning but warm enough to start the project cement base for the “Awesome Blossom.” (A slang expression for wet concrete: “mud.”)

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Obviously, I needed to “save” the remainder of the bag of concrete?! The second base has been planned longer than I’ve owned “Awesome Blossom.” This one is tricky because I’m preparing in such a way that base for a Bottle Tree can be removed from planter. Second: The planter itself has a hole in the bottom and sits securely on re-bar protruding from the tree stump. The planter, too, will be removable. Obviously, more pictures in a few days, after cement hardens. (To repeat something I’ve expressed previously: Everything has to be portable–and removable–when I die, so things can be moved off this RV site.)

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Decisions, decisions!! My plans don’t always go as planned. I’d intended to use the simulated whiskey barrel planter but decided it isn’t deep enough. From a large variety of planters, I’m looking at these four.

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A coat of spray paint works miracles?! Because I frequently “refresh” plastic planters, I have several cans, several colors in my storage building. No extra expense today.

True story: My departed husband hated my stories (and me?)!! I grew up hearing aphorisms (as my mother grew up hearing aphorisms): “A stitch in time saves nine”;  “A penny saved is a penny earned”; “Don’t judge a book by its cover”; “Early to bed…”. Frankly, I’d never heard the word “aphorism” or “ad nauseam” but highly educated husband knew them and said them when I’d use a “saying” or launch into a detailed story. (My subsequent marriage to an older [sick] man and that’s all I’ll say.)

Perhaps my readers tire of my stories, and weary of the repetitious pictures (ad nauseam). Yesterday I “downsized” a box of pictures, journals, brochures, etc., regarding our trip to Alaska in August 1979. My mind is tormented right now with memories. If it were not so cold, I’d be outdoors, thus “changing the subject” (lol).

“There’s a silver lining” because it’s warmer this morning!! Three pictures taken approximately the same time the last three mornings. “To add insult to injury” our temperature may rocket to eighty degrees later this week.

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The plants under the tarp shelter appear in worse condition than the plants pictured here. I’m leaving that picture-taking for another day. I deliberately planned to give those plants extra protection!!

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It is my hope and prayer that the plants will recover. However, perhaps this is a nudge toward a bottle garden that requires less work and less heartache!! Yes, I’m heartbroken about the sick (or dying) plants.

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I’m indoors, out of the wind and cold, at the computer when there’s a knock on the door. “Here’s four more bottles. Can you use some old sheets?” Indeed, I can use more plant covers but I pray we do not have any more freezing temperatures this Winter.

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