Figuratively speaking “I stubbed my toe.”  This message is a day late!!

Voting was Tuesday, November 2nd, 2004. Everything was packed (and the moving van was already en route); I was ready to move from California to Ohio. However, I lingered so I could vote–and then started the two-thousand-two-hundred mile trip from Lancaster to Brookville.

If you haven’t noticed, I like to go back a year (or two) and see what I was doing on that date. I’ve “planned” to do this “twelve years later” blog message BUT the beautiful weather kept me outdoors. “One track mind”: My “yarden” and (more recently) bottle mania!!

“Eighteen bottles of beer on the porch, eighteen bottles of beer.” (Reminds me of a song.)

The beer never entered my home; it was handed over to friends moments after I took the picture. They will return the empty bottles and I’ll (eventually) put them on a bottle tree. The two friends laughed and said “You are one unusual lady!!” (I receive that as a compliment.)

.

Maybe I should stick to gardening?? I’m a failure as I attempt to paint the inside of clear glass vases. Several friends, and acquaintances, told me this was the simple way to get colors of my choice. The two neon green look good in that picture but the color drained to the bottom–and so unattractive I’ll never display them. Remember the old saying “If at first you don’t succeed, try try again”? I’ll keep “trying”!!

.

Postscript, Friday, November 4, 2016: There is no substitute for colored glass!!

Trying to paint glass vases unsatisfactory (in my humble opinion).

The “façade” received a makeover this morning. Lots of work; lots of exercise!! Frequently, the approach to my door is cluttered (albeit garden). I’d like to have everything “picture perfect’!! A gorgeous day, weather-wise!!

The welcome sign is out for big visitors–and small “critters.” However, snakes are not invited to my “yarden.”

You’ve heard me speak of years devoted to health and nutrition?! Yes, half my lifetime. I believe a “holistic” lifestyle has served me well. However, for almost two years I’ve had a persistent problem that I hoped, and prayed, would go away. It hasn’t!! Six days ago, I saw the Nurse practitioner at the clinic here at the CARE Center. Blood was drawn… and I’m anxious to hear the results. An appointment was scheduled at the local Livingston hospital. I had a restless night; I was showered, and dressed, before six and at the hospital before seven (appointment time). I’m doubly anxious for the results. You could care less **BUT** I have tiny veins that are difficult to locate. I resent being a “pin cushion” in the lab!! Both arms are bruised from last week and this week!!

The reader knows my life is an open book. So I’m checking in with my unusual day. (No yard work.)

“Yours truly” had no desire to attend the CARE Halloween party at 2:00 PM. Instead, the old lady sat on the white step stool and systematically removed the electronics from the candle. The candles were destined for “the dump” after the CARE Thrift ‘n Gift yard sale a week ago. I rescued them, and boxed them neatly. Surely they would be appreciated by a local craftsman? Coincidentally, providentially, the man (craftsman) was at the CARE Center early this morning and I told him I had a treasure for him. Come to find out, he donated them because they don’t work. So-o-o-o, in the interest of salvaging them, I took them apart, discarded the electronics, and will add the small plastic pieces to my “pebbles for planters.” Such a waste of my precious time?!

Y’all know I’m fond of my plants?! However, it is increasingly difficult (for this old lady) to keep up with all of them. There’s an old saying “Be careful what you wish for.” Today, I posted an email message on the forum for our RV Park and CARE Center soliciting a new home for several plants. Almost immediately, there was a request for the Boston Fern, Elephant Ear and Christmas Cactus.

They went to a good home!!

.

No, I’m not schizophrenic!! There are many projects to work on and I shift from watering, harvesting, organizing, etc. “Evacuation preparedness“ returned to back of the KIA (best place to “store”). To my delight, the CARE maintenance man, James, bent four “branches” on the wire rack–and will return, after hours, to bend the other branches. For emphasis, I grabbed the sweater (worn this morning) for background.

I’m so eager to create a bottle tree Christmas tree. I have strings of small lights that I’ll weave around the “tree” and insert into some clear glass vases.