I’m just the “foster parent” for the coleus plant. A CARE resident neighbor lady fell and broke her hip (and still in a convalescent home). I’ve been “caring” for her several coleus plants (and mosquito plants). I’m delighted to see the beginning of a bloom!!
Yesterday indoor temperature
Today indoor temperature
The furnace is not working!! That problem needs to be resolved!! The “heat strip” installed with the new air-conditioner is functioning BUT it is very slow heating my trailer home. ~~ Less than five days ago, heat and humidity. Weather station picture (on the right) date-stamped 10/18/2016.
It’s a mystery to me why I started packing that black bag. Maybe because it is “new” and a recent thought about using it for extra emergency evacuation items? See my earlier blog message about Hurricane Preparedness. There are no weather reports about a hurricane forming in the Atlantic; no tornadoes. For some unknown reason, I packed this bag, and reorganized the red bag. 
I hope, and pray, the “preparedness” is never needed!!
I can’t resist a yard sale!! Especially one almost in my back yard. Today, Thrift ‘n Gift is so anxious to get rid of all the extra stuff, they dropped the price to $2.00 a bag. My “treasures” include (obviously) more clear glass vases, a sturdy Christmas Tree base, and “gizmos” to support plants (so they don’t droop), Two “garden flags” were begging for a home, and “Jack” was immediately put on display (“yes” a bit faded but ’tis the season).
The CARE maintenance staff is cutting down the trees across the field from my trailer home. I plan to find a two-inch limb and strip it down so I have a tree trunk. Then I’ll attach the braces for branches and bottles/vases. (Watch for pictures of the finished product,)
The red & white flannel-back plastic tablecloth will serve as another cover for my plants when/if we have freezing temperatures. I have lots of old sheets but one more cover may come in handy?!
Hidden from sight (first pictures), between the two garden flags, is a black bag. I can (and will) use it for more “evacuation” items. I’ve collected more (for evacuation) and need another bag to transport all. Let’s hope, and pray, we never need to evacuate!! ~~ Although the bag is new, it smells “musty” from storage. I’m airing it out before using it.
Postscript, same day 2:20 PM: About one-thirty, I received a phone call saying everything remaining was “free” (before left-overs are hauled to the dump). I can’t resist a yard sale in my almost back yard; I won’t refuse “free” if I think I can use it in my yard. **ALL** for my yard (except another new bag for “who knows what?”).
Seemingly overnight, I have something new in my “yarden.” I’m a novice… so went to the Internet and found this web link regarding Elephant Ear bloom. “Highly favored” because I have the pleasure of this rare sight.
Alocasia odora is also known as elephant ear plant because of its colossally huge leaves and the general shape of the foliage. They are members of the Aroid family, which encompasses plants with some of the most attractive foliage available to gardeners. The glossy, heavily veined leaves are a standout and the main attraction, but occasionally you get lucky and the plant will bloom, producing unique dangling seed pods on elephant ear plant.
Read more at Gardening Know How: Seed Pods On Elephant Ear Plants: Do Alocasia Elephant Ears Have Seeds http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/alocasia-plant/elephant-ear-seed-pods.htm
Occasionally, I complain about “too much yard work” but that’s when I’m extremely tired and “no end in sight.” An unexpected bloom is my reward!! Recently, the seed pod on the Yellow Butterfly Vine, and now seed pod on Elephant Ear. Oh joy!!
Pictures showing the rapid deterioration of the bloom (?) seed pod.
I’m republishing this message from an earlier date (10/16/16) because I don’t want my readers to miss the life-cycle of this Elephant Ear bloom/seed pod. Personally, I find it very interesting.
Day nine of the Elephant Ear seed pod. It is dry and brittle (and the reader is tired of the day-by-day pictures).
The door was open all night; I slept under a light-weight blanket. This “cool” weather is wonderfully welcome. Insignificant information for the reader but MONUMENTAL for the writer (because she’s experienced extremely hot weather for five months).
From Habitat for Humanity Resale store.
Recently, I read of the benefits of a “gazing globe” in the garden. That sparked my interest because I’m eager to do everything possible for my “yarden.”
After visiting many web sites, I speculated this selection is best for me price wise. **IF** I purchase… the globe would rest in the crystal dish and replace the bird on top of the fountain/bird bath .
A play on words!! At the Senior Citizen’s thrift shop, I found and purchased a pair of SAS shoes–for $1.00. See the identical shoes on the SAS website–for $157.00. I know the brand; I knew I was blessed to find them in my size. Frankly, I had worn out all my “work” shoes and was seriously in need of shoes for Fall and Winter. Maybe these are “too nice” for yard work?
Same thrift shop, same day, I purchased a Carnival Glass Pitcher identical to the one pictured at the left. I’m confident the Thrift Shop had no idea it was an antique. On-the-other-hand, maybe they were just glad for the $2.00 sale?? I searched eBay and found the pitcher priced from $19.99 to $45.00. Several vendors wanted more for shipping than they were asking for the item. Imagine?! ~~ I promptly donated the pitcher to the CARE Thrift ‘n Gift shop (and it may sell for $20.00 or more).
