Each picture has charm (imho)–and I couldn’t decide which I preferred. Therefore, all three recent pictures are posted. Shortly after I rearranged the bottles, simultaneous with admiration and picture-taking, a friend arrived with two more blue beer bottles. She didn’t know whether I’d want them but “she thought they were pretty.” She didn’t know that I’m lusting after empty blue beer bottles.
Curious how events play out!! Dozens of items came out of the back of the KIA so James could vacuum and detail. Things have not been returned because I’m “being selective” (sorting for discards and donations). Today, the back of the KIA was empty and available to haul two wire racks from the SPCA Thrift Shop “tent sale.” (A major effort to “downsize.”)
The SPCA of Polk County is having a Giant Tent Sale & Adoption Event today from 9- 3 to raise money to help subsidize adoption fees for the organizations long-term residents (both cats & dogs). Adoption fees for long-term residents will be reduced to $25 and include micro-chipping, all shots & a spay / neuter voucher.
Come on down to 802 S Houston Ave for great deals from the SPCA resale shop. While there, adopt one of their long-term residents for only $25.
Because of the advertised “tent sale,” I was there to shop for vases and bottles. Yes, I found several… and spotted a neglected wire rack and asked if it was for sale. “Yes, $5.00.” At that bargain price, how could I refuse?! Moments later (as I continued to shop), the lady returned and asked if I’d like another identical rack–for $5.00. How could I refuse? I do not need to shop “bottle tree” or “bottle bush” again!! Now I have seventy (70) new branches for bottles and vases. ~~ FYI: I’ll need help from my “handymen” to bend the arms. I believe it is a “two-man” project: One person holding vice-grips at the site for the bend while second person bends to approximate forty-five degree angle.
When I visited the Internet, researching “bottle trees,” I was shocked by the prices!! As I recall, one “tree” was $140.00. Rejoice with me because of my bargain?!
This website shares interesting information. Maybe my fascination with bottles isn’t unique??
This morning, one of the CARE volunteers gave me two blue beer bottles. She is aware of my “bottle mania.” Those are so pretty (imho). Honestly, I didn’t know about blue beer bottles!! I plan to send an email to our RV Park forum requesting their blue discards. I’m eager to prepare a red, white and blue bottles patriotic display.
Nothing accomplished today; a totally wasted day!!
Sad news (just reached me @ 6:00 PM): A “genealogy cousin” and “shirt tail relative” was killed recently in an auto accident. He was a very valuable member of society in so many areas.
Postscript, October 29, 2016: Are you kidding?? Four dollars for an empty bottle plus shipping!! ~~ Checked… and no shortage of blue bottles on the Internet.
All day, “yours truly” worked on storage building and patio projects–but no pictures. Reorganized some…, discarded a lot; cleaned dirty stuff. In a day or two, I’ll carry numerous items to Thrift ‘n Gift (a donation).
Yesterday, after hours, one of our maintenance men was washing and waxing a neighbor’s car. I said: “Mine could use a thorough cleaning.” James just smiled. I said: “Seriously; at your convenience.” To my delight, James was on the project shortly after five. The KIA looks beautiful!! (James wouldn’t quote a price; I was generous.)
The back of my SUV has served as a pickup truck!! I’d lost track of all the stuff stored behind the front seat. Furthermore, those several “emergency evacuation“ bags. Everything came out and I’ll evaluate what goes back into the KIA.
How opportune: Today I received the Plant Care Today message about The Lady Palm. That is one of two plants received yesterday. Now I will be informed about how to nurture it.
This morning, a trip into Livingston for the screen door latch. It took about two minutes to remove old (for a sample), and five minutes to get the new one out of the box and installed. Twenty bucks!!
Are you familiar with the Ideals publications? I have a box full (buried deep in the on-site storage building). Sometime during the last three years, I picked up another issue (from a thrift shop). This one is all “patriotic.” During the shuffle of boxes, yesterday, I found it tucked safely (waiting to join the others). First poem I read: The Common Road by Silas H. Perkins.
I want to travel the common road
With the great crowd surging by,
Where there’s many a laugh and many a load,
And many a smile and sign.
I want to be on the common way
With its endless tramping feet,
In the summer bright and winter gray,
In the noonday sun and heat.
In the cool of evening with shadows nigh,
At dawn, when the sun breaks clear,
I want the great crowd passing by
To ken what they see and hear.
I want to be one of the common herd,
Not live in a sheltered way,
Want to be thrilled, want to be stirred
By the great crowd day by day.
To glimpse the restful valleys deep,
To toil up the rugged hill,
To see the brooks which shyly creep,
To have the torrents thrill.
I want to laugh with the common man
Wherever he may chance to be,
I want to aid him when I can
Whenever there’s need of me.
I want to lend a helping hand
Over the rough and steep
To a child too young to understand,
To comfort those who weep.
I want to live and work and plan
With the great crowd surging by,
To mingle with the common man,
No better or worse than I.
I won’t bore you with an analysis of my train-of-thought. Just accept the fact that this old lady loves poetry as much as she loves her garden and the birds. Stanchly patriotic, too!!
“Yours truly” is indoors, at the computer, because all energy was exhausted doing projects this morning. The weather was perfect for working in the storage building and tarp shelter. Correction: the morning weather was perfect…. It became uncomfortably hot by noon, and unbearable by two. Earlier…, I removed a lot of things from the storage building–and most are on my patio awaiting decisions. This was a good time to consolidate all my bird feeders. I fashioned hooks from old wire hangers. ~~ Honestly, I put a lot of stuff in a trash bag and all will be hauled away!! ~~ Things are set aside for a donation to Thrift ‘n Gift. ~~ A “casual,” but productive morning!! ~~ Note that I have “disaster preparedness.” Food and emergency supplies if we have to “shelter in place.”
Wishful thinking: I wish there were a few neighbor individuals interested in birds, and gardening. I’d love to share some of my “too much stuff” with them!! FREE
Mid-afternoon, I became the recipient of two more pathetic, neglected, discarded plants. Nothing I want but I’ll transplant… and nurture, and eventually (hopefully) find a new home for them. (The planters are battered and broken, and can’t be salvaged.)
Usually, I have many birds at my feeders–all hours of the day. Lately, not a single bird morning, afternoon and evening. The CARE Center maintenance staff have been using chain saws to cut nearby trees–and a big fire as conditions permit. I wonder if that activity scared the birds away. Hummingbirds are gone–and that was to be expected. But I usually have Cardinals, and Doves, all year–and other varieties.
“Patience is a virtue” we’re told. Sometimes my patience wears thin when I’m searching the Internet and can’t locate an answer to my question. Today, I want to identify the Butterflies on my Cape Honeysuckle. My picture on the left, Internet picture on the right. Perhaps this site has identification of butterfly on my Cape Honeysuckle? Am I safe to say Agraulis Vanillae? Wikipedia offers this description. ~~ I’ll be honest, butterflies are not “my thing”; I prefer birds. However, I’m curious about my visitor!!
…Google, et al, trawl my messages.This just popped up in my email messages: Big Daddy Bottle Tree.
