A pleasant evening walking down memory lane!!  Magic Moments: The Best of ’50s Pop on Public Broadcasting System (PBS).   Rosemary Clooney, Pat Boone, Debbie Reynolds, Perry Como and dozens more!!

Briefly, I almost forgot about all the tragedy from the recent numerous tornadoes, the fires, the floods.  Friends (and others) in Lake Hughes, California, may have lost their home to a wildfire raging at this very hour. Will Paul Newman’s boys ranch survive?

Please visit “Pandora’s Garden.”

I, Lorraine Edwards, confess to plagiarizing the following narrative.  I read it on a web site and recognized myself.

My Travel Plans for 2013

I have been in many places, but I’ve never been in Cahoots.
Apparently, you can’t go alone. You have to be in Cahoots with  someone.
I’ve also never been in Cognito. I hear no one recognizes you there.

I have, however, been in Sane. They don’t have an airport; you have to be driven there.
I have made several trips there, thanks to my children, friends, family and work.
I would like to go to Conclusions, but you have to jump, and I’m not too much on physical activity anymore.

I have also been in Doubt. That is a sad place to go, and I try not to visit there too often.
I’ve been in Flexible, but only when it was very important to stand firm.
Sometimes I’m in Capable, and I go there more often as I’m getting older.

One of my favorite places to be is in Suspense! It really gets the adrenalin flowing and pumps up the old heart!
At my age I need all the stimuli I can get! I haven’t been in Continent, and I don’t even remember what country I was in. It’s an age thing. They tell me it is very wet and damp there.

When I have “an idea” and/or a project like “my other garden” I cannot leave it until completed!!  Honestly, I’ve just about dropped from exhaustion the last couple of days!!  But I can’t stop!!

That wicker hamper sat by the dumpster for several days (from the vacated apartment).  The maintenance man obviously hoped someone would recognize their need (of a hamper).  I imagined what I could do with it but hoped (and prayed) it would find a new home.  After three days I hauled it home and a mere three days later I tackled “the project.”  I’ll use it for “another trellis.”  “Trellis??  You aren’t serious??”

There has been a minimum of expense; there has been sweat equity!! It all started when I rescued the Honeysuckle Vine from the brink of death.   Digging the hole was a BIG job!!  Later I installed a “dog fence” in front of the A/C-heat pump for a unique (and inexpensive) trellis.  Even then, I wondered if Honeysuckle vines would eventually twine around the corner.  The former hamper is ideal for the transition from “tall” to “small.”

While clipping away at the woven wicker (around a very strong metal frame), I was sitting in the shade on the patio.  But just above my head, the thermometer (in the sun) registered 100 degrees.  Yes, I was in the shade but I was sweating.

This morning I transplanted another plant from a hanging basket.  I moved several large cement paving stones to “my other garden” (now affectionately called “Pandora’s Garden”).  Oh yes, I cut away a lot of “dead heads” from the rose bushes (and took them to a neighbor who wants the peddles for potpourri).

Frankly, I’m feeling guilty because I’m sitting at the computer rather than being in the yard.  There are two more Sweet Potato Vines to transplant.

Click on each picture to enlarge for better viewing.

This afternoon I was “baking” while transplanting Sweet Potato Vines.  I could not keep enough water on the plants–in hanging baskets–so I’ve planned this project for a couple of weeks.  First, I needed new planters (and I’ve shopped at several stores).  On Monday, I found a reasonably priced item for a large planter.  That large white plastic box is a Little Tyke toy chest–and Goodwill was asking ninety-nine cents.  How could I refuse??  PLANTERS ARE SO EXPENSIVE!!!!!

It was 90 degrees (by my thermometer) while I prepared the first transplant (2:30 PM).  Due to extreme heat, I retreated to the apartment until five o’clock when I completed the second transplant.  Look at the temperature on my thermometer.  I didn’t stay out very long after placing the plant, soaking with water, and taking a quick picture.

Fourth picture shows “two in the box” and two Sweet Potato Vines in their original hanging baskets.  Soon they, too, will be transplanted.

“Don’t Worry, Be Happy”: Remember that catchy tune, and words??  For some strange reason, I find myself singing that song while I work in “my other garden.”  I’m receiving lots of compliments about the attractive area–and all at a minimum of expense.  Mostly just lots of exercise, water, fertilizer and words of affection expressed to the curious collection of plants I inherited.

After my trip to the chiropractor this morning, I visited the grand opening of a Chick-fil-A. That isn’t a cardboard poster; it’s a warm-blooded mild-mannered bovine.

Actually Sunday, June 2nd, 2013. I wanted the pictures to follow details in earlier blogs.   I affectionately call this “Pandora’s Garden.”  Truthfully, I don’t know some of the plants (and haven’t been able to learn from the garden departments at Home Depot, Lowe’s and/or from the Internet).  After they bloom (?), I’ll be able to decide what they are and whether they should remain.  Weren’t the contents of Pandora’s Box a mystery?

Is nothing safe?? The squirrels don’t understand my admonition when I tell them the bird feeders–and seed containers–are off-limits!!  I reinforced the bottom of the heavy-duty plastic container, and patched the bag with duct tape.

Frequently I quote an old saying: “Too soon old, too late smart.”  Over two weeks ago I bought ten plants in hanging baskets.  Beautiful plants!! However (with hindsight) they were (are) root-bound and require LOTS of water. Yesterday (after visiting the chiropractor) I visited Garden Ridge. The variety of planters is endless!!  I was searching for “just the right” planter for a Fuchsia plant. After work, I transplanted it into the white five-gallon pail–with lots of room for root growth.  The white pail will be inserted in the large brown planter.  Repeat: “Too soon old, too late smart.”  The Fuchsia plant cost $7.; the planter cost $50.; white pail $5.; organic soil over $10.  ** Not a wise plant purchase!!**  ~~  I’ve searched the web for information about Fuchsia and discovered my $7. purchase was destined for an early death if it continued to hang in “my other garden.”  For one thing, too much sun!!  I’m uncertain how well the plant will grow so put it in the white pail rather than directly into the large planter.  White pail fits inside the large planter.  Can you believe that big plant came out of the small hanging basket (in the foreground of first picture)??  Hopefully the Fuchsia will thrive on the back patio with morning sun and afternoon shade. When it blooms, the Hummingbirds will love it!!  ~~ At Garden Ridge, I couldn’t decide between planters so brought both home.  I like the way the square planter compliments the plant stand but face the question “What will I plant in it?”.

Postscript, Wednesday, May 29, 2013: I returned the square planter to Garden Ridge.  I just could not justify the $40. planter!!  Believe it or not, at Goodwill (en route home), I bought a Little Tyke white, large, heavy-duty plastic toy box for 99 cents.  Yes, ninety-nine cents!!  It is larger than two planters!!  I won’t have it on that plant stand BUT envision it in “my other garden” with all four transplanted Sweet Potato Vines trailing down the sides.

My first Nasturtium, first Scarlet Runner Bean bloom (not yet open), and Salvia.  My garden gets prettier every day!!

Postscript, Sunday, May 26, 2013:  Surprise, surprise!!     A bloom on the Sweet Potato Vine.

Shame, shame Lorraine!! You’re concerned about Kudzu Bugs??  You fret over minor problems in your gardens?? “Think outside the box.”  (Think beyond your small community!!)

I’m brokenhearted for the families in Moore, Oklahoma!!