I laughingly told my next door neighbor I was “overworked and underpaid” when he inquired “how are you?”.  I’ve added pest control to the long list of things I do in the garden.  Last year I had an infestation of Kudzu bugs.  I hoped they would not return–but they have.  I was just on-line (Bing) searching for the answer to “how to kill the kudzu bug.”  There are lots of web sites and this message is brand-new (date-wise).  Kudzu bugs are on my Scarlet Runner Bean (in the back yard) and Sweet Potato Vine (in the front yard).  There are no Kudzu vines in the vicinity to my knowledge.  Yesterday I sprayed an Ortho chemical.  Late this afternoon, I repeated the process. From web info, I may not master this problem.  I’m really sensitive to odors and–as you might imagine–the Ortho chemical smells very bad.  Naturally I got some spray on me, and my clothes, so I’m sitting here inhaling stinky fumes.  If I can’t eradicate the bugs I’ll have to destroy my plants.  I love Scarlet Runner Bean because it grows fast and has lots of beautiful red flowers enjoyed by the Hummingbirds.  I like the Sweet Potato Vine (hanging baskets) because very attractive plant.  (I bought four two weeks ago.)

I’ve spent almost the entire weekend doing projects in and for the garden.  AND, I prepared a couple of blog messages after downloading pictures from my camera–and editing the pictures.  I’m definitely getting a lot of exercise!!  (Exercise in the garden; nothing strenuous about sitting at a computer.)

The Scarlet Runner Bean is growing from plastic container at far end of my patio.  With the exception of the Honeysuckle Vine, my backyard garden is  confined to “containers.”

Addendum: It has only been an hour (or one-and-one-half hours) since I sprayed.  My skin is itching and burning!!  Frankly as an individual that practices “holistic health,” I did not want to buy and use a chemical.  Bye, bye Ortho!!  Now I’m heading for the shower.

Because I have “too many irons in the fire”?!?!   While my back was turned, my furry friends got into (in a manner of speaking) “the cookie jar.”  On Friday I bought two more bags of bird seed, parked them on the patio BUT did not put them in their container.  Shame, shame Lorraine!!  Absent minded old lady!! Over the last two years, the squirrels have gnawed through the lids, the edge of the container, and the bottom of the container in an attempt to get to the seed.  They even get into “squirrel proof” bird feeders!!  ~~  Friday afternoon, and all day Saturday, I was concentrating on transplanting plants.  Two Saturdays ago, I bought ten hanging baskets from a fund-raising event for our JAARS youth.  They were spectacularly beautiful plants but wilted within one day; they needed constant watering.  In order to “save my investment” I bought more Miracle Gro planter soil, and more planters.  I separated the plant and transplanted into two pots.  That… plus watering “my other garden” filled the day–and the bird seed was forgotten.

Here’s an excerpt from my earlier blog titled “Singing in the Rain.”

Yesterday the youth here at JAARS had their annual plant sale.  They raise money for their mission trip to Haiti.   A nursery donates a hundred, or more, hanging baskets that the youth sell for $7. each or three for $20.  I took a lot of garden things–as a donation–and people could buy and the money went to the youth.  After I delivered… I hauled three hanging baskets home.  The plants are three times larger than those I have purchased at Lowe’s or Home Depot.  I’ve paid $15. and $20. for smaller… at Lowe’s or Home Depot.  ~~  I returned at noon to pick up my things that did not sell.  I bought three more hanging baskets.  Although the sale was over (at noon), because there were still people arriving… I did not take my things.  I went back about 2:00… and the remaining hanging baskets were outside, on the porch, and a donation was all they asked.  I picked up four more baskets–for the (newly acquired) Shepherd’s hooks in the community garden area–and the Carolina Jasmine.

Looks rather pathetic doesn’t it? (A shadow of the former beautiful display.) Better a “transplant” rather than slow root-bound death in a hanging basket!!

My last night project after yesterday afternoon purchase.  Here is the description from a web site.

Tiny infrared video camera for inside a birdhouse! This is always one of most popular holiday gift items. It makes a wonderful gift for the bird lover.

This tiny Hawk Eye Nature Cam is designed for low-light, outdoor situations such as in a birdhouse.

Mounted inside your birdhouse, it will show everything in the birdhouse in focus. Watch the secret life of your bluebirds and other cavity-nesting birds.

Plug the cord into your TV or computer screen and sit back and watch the show. Or plug it into your VCR and record the action.

Comes with an built-in microphone and 100 feet of cable. (Extensions available.)

The Hawk Eye Nature Cam is easy to use. Audio, video, and power run between camera and your TV or computer. Simply mount the camera, run the cord into your house, and plug it into the TV. See complete instructions, with each unit.

You can also mount it in the open near your bird feeders, and enjoy colorful, close-up views of hummingbirds and other birds feeding.

Watch a demo video.

A year (or more) ago I looked longingly at Bluebird houses with a camera mounted in them.  But, frankly, I wasn’t going to pay almost $200.  As you know (if you have been reading my blog), I have a deluxe Bluebird house that cost about $80.  I’ve considered adding a camera and, suddenly, May 17th was the day to make my purchase ($50.00).  Then, after dark, on my patio, I worked gently with the birdhouse and installed the camera.  It wasn’t “difficult” but I spent time attaching and making adjustments.  I’m eager for “Mama Blue” to lay eggs.

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Postscript, Friday, May 24th, 2013: I haven’t been able to properly focus the lens of the tiny camera.  I’ve worked patiently… to no avail (all I have is a blur on my TV screen).  I’ll have to work “under cover of darkness” and I must be extremely careful because last night there were three little eggs in the nest.  I did not “see” the eggs; I explored the bottom of the nest with my curious right hand.

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Postscript, Monday, May 27th, 2013: I still haven’t been able to properly focus the lens of the tiny camera!!  Give me an “E” for effort!!  ~~  Now there are four eggs in the nest.

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Postscript, Tuesday, May 28th, 2013: “Mama Blue” on the nest.  You’ll have to take my word for it because a blur.

My camera is always convenient. These were taken through the patio door glass from inside the apartment (over a period of time, some seconds apart, some minutes or hours apart). Within the software program, Picasa, I cropped each original. It was a thrill to see Papa Blue and Mama Blue with their four recently fledged babies.  All are enjoying mealworms in the blue feeder. (Click each picture to enlarge for better viewing.)

Something old, something new, something different, something blue.  ~~  Old garden flag; new wild Jasmine blooms at the edge of the woods.  The “power wash” of the patio was different.  Bluebirds; I’m always taking pictures of the Bluebirds!!  ~~  After a brief absence, my Bluebirds are back.  “Mama Blue” is building a new nest.  I think the adolescents from the previous family are “hanging out” with Mama and Papa.  ~~  I’ve washed my patio hundreds of times.  The “power wash” really got rid of a lot of grime!!  ~~  Note the half-barrel planter ready for new summer plants.  (Click this link for details about my first half-barrel planter.)  ~~  Question: Will I have “Carolina Jasmine” climbing the windmill or will I have wild Jasmine (in Carolina) instead??  Only time will tell.  Incidentally, the Jasmine survived the transplant and seems healthy (at the windmill).

Postscript, Saturday, May 18, 2013: New plants added to planter.

Strange thoughts cross my mind in the middle of the night when I am wide awake.  I’ve had the blue “base” for some time. If we go back a couple of months (blog messages) we find it with colorful pots with non-blooming daffodils. Last night I imagined a white planter with red flowers. After the trip to the chiropractor this morning, I headed for Garden Ridge. Pots are so-o-o-o expensive!! This white urn is really (cheap!!) light-weight plastic and the least costly available. The red flowers are artificial but I plan to start red living flowers for the planter.  ~~ Memorial Day is just around the corner. Independence Day not far away.

For over a year, I’ve drooled over attractive decorative garden fountains. A few months ago I bought… but it doesn’t follow my theme of simulated wood half-barrel, and black wrought-iron. Today, at Garden Ridge, I succumbed and purchased the barrel fountain.

Below are a couple of pictures from earlier blogs.

Today was exhausting!! I continued attempting to dig red clay out of the hole. The water hadn’t soaked in after twenty-four hours; red clay soil as hard as cement!! I hauled three laborious loads to the edge of the woods. Then I hauled three loads of decayed vegetation from another location (in the woods) to fill the hole.  The Carolina Jasmine is nested in Miracle Gro planter soil. Then windmill was “wiggled” into position and vine was “teased” around a “tomato cage.” In time, I hope the Jasmine will climb the structure of the windmill.  ~~  Too much exercise!! By three o’clock I could hardly move. As I focus on this pain, I’m not thinking about another year without contact from children and grandchildren. Tomorrow is Mother’s Day.

It is cold and rainy!!  The calendar says it is “Spring” but, as the weather forecasters say, “feels more like March than May.”  We won’t see sunshine until Wednesday according to weather people (we have more women forecasters than men).  I’ve donned a stocking cap and winter coat and spent time in the yard.  Yesterday I spent time in the “community garden” area that is my **new assignment** pleasure to maintain.

Now I have even more gardening to do.  A vacated apartment “almost” next door has flowers, asparagus, black berries, etc., etc., all around the apartment.  (Previous years, he had a vegetable garden in the “community garden” area [pictured above].)  I’ll keep the plants watered and weeded–and help myself to the asparagus and berries.  The residents left Shepherd’s hooks, windmill, water fountain and a large planter with pretty blooming flowers.

Yesterday (Saturday) I moved (with my small hand truck) the large planter to the “community garden” area next to the parking lot.  (See second picture [above], far left.) The maintenance man moved the windmill to the “community garden” area.  As mentioned above, I have been assigned the task of maintaining that area.  I plan to plant Carolina Jasmine  at the bottom of the windmill so it will climb up the “Erector set” metal base.  ~~  As with my back yard, this area is a “landscaping in progress.” Much to do, much to learn; what’s the name of this plant??

Yesterday the youth here at JAARS had their annual plant sale.  They raise money for their mission trip to Haiti.   A nursery donates a hundred, or more, hanging baskets that the youth sell for $7. each or three for $20.  I took a lot of garden things–as a donation–and people could buy and the money went to the youth.  After I delivered… I hauled three hanging baskets home.  The plants are three times larger than those I have purchased at Lowe’s or Home Depot.  I’ve paid $15. and $20. for smaller… at Lowe’s or Home Depot.  ~~  I returned at noon to pick up my things that did not sell.  I bought three more hanging baskets.  Although the sale was over (at noon), because there were still people arriving… I did not take my things.  I went back about 2:00… and the remaining hanging baskets were outside, on the porch, and a donation was all they asked.  I picked up four more baskets–for the (newly acquired) Shepherd’s hooks in the community garden area–and the Carolina Jasmine.

As you can see, I keep adding more work to my schedule so not much time for RVing.  Because of the weather, I haven’t been able to get back to the T@B to do “after the trip” duties. The T@B, and KIA, need a scrubbing bath!!  Both have lots of mud on them!!  I have the scrub brushes, and garden hose accessories; I just need a warm day!!

FYI: One o’clock and official (from the web) Waxhaw, NC, temperature is 54 degrees.  Web says 90% precipitation but actually 100% in my yard!! Humidity is 94% and wind is two miles per hour.  ~~  Aren’t the yellow blooms on the Carolina Jasmine beautiful??  (Picture appropriated from the web.)  It will be a **l-o-n-g** time before ours is that beautiful because I’m starting with a plant in a half-gallon nursery pot. On-the-other-hand, I might be surprised.The half-dead Honeysuckle (planted last Fall) is growing exceedingly fast and has dozens of buds. (Ignore the “busy” background. I have no way to photograph the Honeysuckle without Pansies, Calibrachoa (Miracle Bells), sickly tomato plant (in red pot) and storage room door, etc., in the background. Further complication: There is a reflection on the patio glass doors of things behind me.  If you look closely, you can see the computer screen in the background, left side, two-thirds of the way up.) ~~ Another comment: The tomato plant was large and beautiful before I left for the Blue Ridge Rally. Large and beautiful!! It was almost dead when I returned!! It had a “globe” to slowly dispense water; it was in the indoors location it has occupied for months so plenty of light. “Enquiring [sic] minds want to know”: Like the birds, and squirrels, did the tomato plant sense that “the lady of the house” was gone??

Postscript, Sunday, May 12, 2013: One of several Honeysuckle blooms in my backyard.