No pictures because I was intent on my early morning garden activities. Indoors now (with A/C) because a miserable hot humid eighty-three degrees outdoors (at 10:20). First: I mixed liquid weed killer and sprayed around the planters on the south side of my trailer home. Few if any birds in that area. (I don’t spray under bird feeders although lots of vegetation grows from seed on the ground.) Second: I mixed water-soluble plant food in a gallon watering can and “fed” the flowering plants. Two extremes: Kill and nurture!! Third: Filled bird feeders (finished a fifty pound bag).

Several months ago I published a blog message titled Mandevilla Experiment. Prior to that: Indoor Project. I’ve waited almost seven months to declare “success.” From time to time I refer to myself as “silly old senior.” Today, it makes this “silly old senior” very happy to see the open blossom!! Contrary to my earlier comment about “parent plant looking good on June first,” parent plant has been in neutral (didn’t grow and didn’t die). Fifty-three weeks since I purchased that plant and I think it is (belatedly) a colorful addition to my garden. Rereading details about Mandevilla care, I speculate the soil isn’t sandy enough. Gardening is such a worthwhile challenge!!

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Snake in the grass. No joke!! The gardener saw it in my yard while he was mowing the field. He knocked on my door so I could get pictures. ~~ I welcome armadillos, birds, geckos, moles, & squirrels but reject snakes in my yard!!

A CARE resident walked by my yard mid-morning and said “Too much work.” My reply: “It’s such good exercise; it’s a great place to work.” She persisted: “Too much work.” ~~ Later, a lady stopped by to pick up the Angel Wing Begonia. (I was the “foster parent.”) She, on-the-other-hand, raved about how beautiful it looks. So I am delighted someone appreciates my hobby. 😉

Freeze-frame: A morning in the life of your blogger.

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Postscript, four o’clock PM: Thanks to a reader, I now have details about Wax Begonia. As I read about soil requirements, I marveled that my plants have thrived. Especially that root-bound old Begonia in worn-out soil in that planter!!

“A picture is worth a thousand words.”

A few days ago, a Copperhead was killed in the nearby Rainbow’s End RV Park. I’m researching in an effort to identify my visitor. I cropped my telephoto images to get a better look at the markings. I’ve read half-a-dozen web sites and (at 7:15 PM) do not have an answer.

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Postscript, Tuesday, May 24th, 2016: Knowledgeable folks tell me the visitor is/was a harmless Texas  Rat Snake. ~~ A Texas native quoted this old saying: “Red next to yellow kills a fellow. Red next to black is a friend to Jack.” An Internet search produced this valuable information. (My visitor doesn’t appear to have red, yellow or black but the article is [imho] very interesting.)

On April 15th, I published the following brief blog message.

IMHO, the recently acquired plants needed attention. Examination of the Elephant Ear revealed a loose bulb on top of the soil–and it was quickly planted. Good “how to” information. OMG, another (potentially) large plant!! Seriously, I don’t think I have space for this. Previously, I planted flowers to attract Hummingbirds and butterflies. I’m not interested in a “tropical garden.” This year, my focus is directed toward my veggie garden.

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Fast forward to May 22nd: At the rate they are growing, the two Elephant Ear plants will soon take over my patio!!

The bulb I planted is now twenty-eight inches tall; the original plant is fifty inches tall (measured from base of planters).

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When I became the “foster parent” for a number of abandoned plants, I didn’t even have a name for the plant. I never imagined it would thrive and grow this tall in five-and-one-half weeks. ~~ Recently I read an Internet article about mixing plants to enhance the beauty of the garden. Following their suggestion, I’ve added the similar leaf (mark down) plants for color.

Yesterday, thrift store shopping, Lowe’s plant mark-downs, Dollar General, etc. Today, mixed Epsom Salt and sprayed my tomato plants. Transplanted recent plant purchases. Just another day in the garden. 😉

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…but a painter none the less.

Also spray painted the black wrought-metal hanging baskets (no pictures). ~~ It was tricky to spray paint a planter with the plants inside!! All went well. The Petunias were “no problem” but I doubt I can do likewise with the Begonias.

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Fifth planter-of six. ~~ A clearance item, $5.00 can of spray paint made the biodegradable bamboo planters look like new. Too bad they didn’t retain their original rich color.

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Postscript, later: I moved the Begonias from planter number six. No expense; I already had the simulated whiskey barrel (plastic) planter.

In earlier blog messages I discussed my delight with free planters. Look at the price of these planters. ~~ I’m receiving daily email messages from a dozen different Internet garden centers. Not always, but frequently, I click and read if they indicate they are having a sale. I shudder at so-called sale prices and shout “hallelujah” when I think of my large, sturdy free containers from the farm store. The only reason I saw the (not on sale) Tuscan Rolled Rim Planters is because the web site is advertising a small greenhouse with substantial discount and free shipping. (My next project: A small [winter] greenhouse for Garden Tower on the summer sunshine cement pad. Price-wise, I will probably “do it myself.”)

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Postscript: I must have a champagne appetite on a beer budget?!?! Even on eBay, look at the price of plant dollies.

Impulse purchase!!

I was shopping at an open-air market (dozens of vendors) and saw the metal, tri-fold, hinged plant hanger. I didn’t “need” it but fell in love at first sight. It has hangers for nine planters. Even before I made the purchase I was thinking “Where will I put it?” At home, I was contemplating locations. I decided to place it next to the support for the awning. Due to some of our high winds–for safety–I tied the stand to the awning support. ~~ I also purchased two small planters with purple Verbena. (The price was right!!)

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Later: Out of curiosity, I searched the Internet but did not find an item similar to my purchase. This is the only thing I found. I paid less than the shipping…!

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Postscript, Monday, May 16, 2016: Ye ole story-teller here.

Acquaintances wanted more details so I’ll give you “the rest of the story“ (as Paul Harvey used to say).

On Saturday morning, a resident on a “deeded lot” (Escapees Rainbows End RV Park) was at CARE and commented she might go to Trade Days. I said “In two-and-one-half years, I’ve never been to Trade Days.” She said “shall we go” and I said “yes.” We only browsed, did not spend money. It was “garage sale” Saturday so lots of vendors!! (We had so much “will power.”)

One established vendor (under roof) sells Himalayan Salt Lamps. I visited with him and told him my cord burned out and I hadn’t been able to locate another (Lowe’s, Walmart, etc.). He suggested I come back “next month” and he would repair it. (Trade Days: Friday, Saturday, Sunday, once a month.)

Yesterday I returned and he repaired. Now I’m thrilled to have it operational. (So many health benefits!!) I showed it off at CARE last evening meal because so many were curious. (Curious because I arrived late for lunch and was talking up a storm about my exciting trip to Trade Days.)

Center of Hope still had their big Garage Sale going on. I bought the very nice, looks-like-new, metal plant stand from them. I was very glad to give them $50.00 for it because such a worthy organization. Later I was curious about how much something like that sells for in a retail store–but couldn’t find with an on-line Internet search.

There you have it, “the rest of the story.”