In this neck of the woods, I’m known as “P.P.” (plant person). Today I’m patriotic person!!

Will you join me? I plan to pray, fast, and vote.

I started the day sad. See the November 7th postscript on Unexpected planter project. My Heavenly Father is so good to me!! Four friends brought four gifts (they didn’t know I was sad). The little book is titled Happy is the House That Shelters a Friend. The “frosted” bottles are attractive; the green peppers will be delicious (when I’m off the “fast”).  Gardenia: I love them!! There are several rooted clipping that I will plant soon. My next-door neighbor told me she saw a Bluebird in my yard yesterday. I love Bluebirds!! I’m delighted they are back.   🙂   🙂  

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Some quotes from the little book. From Charles Haddon Spurgeon “Friendship is one of the sweetest joys of life. Many might have failed beneath the bitterness of their trial had they not found a friend.”

After Benjamin Franklin had received a letter thanking him for having done a kindness, he replied. “As to the kindness you mention, I wish I could have been of more service to you than I have been, but if I had, the only thanks that I should desire are that you would always be ready to serve any other person that may need your assistance, and so let good offices go around, for mankind are all of a family. As for my own part, when I am employed in serving others I do not look upon myself as conferring favors but paying debts.”

John Greenleaf Whittier said “The joy that you give to others is the joy that comes back to you.”

Margaret E. Sangster wrote:

I thank You, God in Heaven, for friends,

When morning wakes, when darkness ends,

I have the consciousness

of loving hands that touch my own,

of thoughts that cheer and bless!

If sorrow comes to me I know

that friends will walk the way I go

and, as the shadows fall,

I know that I will raise my eyes

and see–ah, hope that never dies!!–

The Dearest Friend of All.

Yours truly can’t say “outdoor living” because there’s a publication by that name (if my memory serves me correctly). But I speculate I can continue to talk about LOR(raine)-DOOR. True story: I spend more time in the yard than I spend inside my trailer home!! I love my garden!!

My RV site is out-of-sight. Personally, I think the “bottle flag” is so pretty the whole wide world should see it. WWW (whole wide world) starting with the traffic on Care Center Drive!! Election Day less than seventy-two hours away. The Polling Place is just across the street in the CARE multi-purpose room.

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There seems to be no end to the variety of garden “stuff” I have hidden in the tarp shelter. The three-leg wire “gizmo” provides the opportunity to display one each, red, white, and blue vase.

Simultaneous to spray painting glass vases (see postscript on Try, try again), I refreshed two shabby planters.  ~~ At our noon meal, it was announced our resident, Helen, will be “home” tomorrow. She broke her hip a couple of months ago and has been in the hospital, and convalescent home. I’ve been tending her plants and always planned to transplant the Coleus prior to return. This afternoon, I had to scramble to complete the project.

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The Coleus needed a major trimming!! If they were mine, two-thirds of that growth would be cut off!! With Helen’s permission, I’ll “butch” them later. Perhaps the clippings will root, and I’ll prepare planters (for give away or for sale at Thrift ‘n Gift).

Postscript, Saturday, November 5, 2016, 10:00 AM: Plant project completed.

Three mosquito plants were trimmed and staked. They should be in larger planters but I’ll check with Helen first. Likewise, two Lily plants (with a name I can’t remember) need attention. 

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Postscript, Monday, November 7, 2016: Damned if I do, damned if I don’t!!

I’ve lost count of the number of people who have asked me “Did you take Helen’s plants?” I answer in the affirmative and hear “Where are they?” My answer: “On her deck.” Then: “Where is the Amaryllis?” Helen’s concerned (“obsessing” according to our Facility Director) over a plant and planter I never saw. Honestly, if the plant had been there, I would have nurtured it also!! I’m not looking for “thanks” but no comment, or reference, to the eight plants I took care of for two months. “Making a mountain out of a mole hill”?! I’m very sad!!

The following is a blog message previously “under construction” and this is the appropriate time to publish it (imho).

“Curiosity killed the cat, satisfaction brought it back.” In early September, I began the foster care of three Coleus plants. Those… are not my choice for a garden. I want flowers to attract Hummingbirds and Butterflies. I spent time on the Internet looking for information because I’d hate to kill the plants. Colorful Coleus plants for indoors or outdoors. and Three Tips for Spectacular Coleus Color are just two of many…. First bit of necessary data: Sunshine or shade? I’m questioning whether they’re at the right location on my patio. During research, I appreciated the comment about “pinching” top and sides to create a fuller plant. I’ve wondered if I could do that because these three are quite tall and slender. My desire: Send the plants back to their owner bold and beautiful. Their owner, my neighbor, another CARE resident, fell and broke her hip; she’s recuperating in a local convalescent home.

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Truthfully, I was weary of all the tropical plants on my patio. I spent several hours “redeeming” the area. The Coleus were moved… and with twenty-twenty hindsight, I should have trimmed and transplanted at that time.