Monday, June 15, 2009

Time For the Green Life Again


I can't believe a year has passed since I wrote about our small garden venture. We are back at it this year, having enlarged the garden to a bit more than twice the size of last year's effort.


The weather just won't cooperate with us but "never give up" has always worked in the past and tomorrow [if it doesn't rain tonight] will see the last of the tomatoes planted, maybe a few melons if I can squeeze them in someplace and the bedding plants for my cut flower garden. Then on to the combination pots, a couple of hanging baskets and oh yes...mustn't forget to find a place for the black raspberry plants I bought at a local fresh produce and flower market near here.


We have noticed that every time the economy is bad, the number of gardens rises..many more people trying to grow some of their own food and of course that sometimes costs more than buying it but at least it is fresh and you can pick it when you want it. The best part is knowing what has or hasn't been sprayed , poured or dusted on it, we try to be as organic as possible but the tomatoes need copper to stave off the blight as long as possible and this year we are spraying our old apple trees a few times, hoping for more useable apples in a year or 2.
Last week we drove down into Pa. to decorate graves. My grandparents, great grandparents and some much further back are buried there and it is one of our yearly rituals to load the trunk with flats of annuals, trowels, jugs of water, gloves [which I never wear] and invite any of our daughters who can make it go with us for the trip. This year the older 2 went with us, first to Neuman Cemetery in Great Bend and then over the bridge to Rose Hill in Hallstead.
After the planting, the day goes like this...first to McDonalds to wash up and have breakfast or lunch, depending on the hour we get there. then off to a fantastic little dollar store to pick up a few choice goodies. This year Denise and I bought little garden hooks and tiny humming bird feeders to hang on them [along with other assorted stuff]. Deb bought 3 pair of $12.00 sunglasses for $2.00 each and I bought a few other of odds and ends that I thought I needed.
My Great Grandmother Annie would have loved this day, she never came home from Binghamton with out a shopping bag full of goodies from Woolworth's 5 and 10. Maybe she was with us in spirit that day. I hope so.
Then up the road to Susquehanna Pa. where we always visit 2 neat little shops, one always has historic postcards reproductions, small fireworks, great embellished tee shirts, and lots of different items that one never sees in the big department stores and of course NEVER in WalMart.
I bought some photos of the huge viaduct at Lanesboro, and some of the old Joseph Smith home where Joseph transcribed the Golden Plates from behind a sheet back when he lived in this area. Denise found a package of little night light that must be at least 40 years old..we had that kind when the kids were small and was so delighted to buy them as they reminded her of home.
Then across the street to a small shop that sells all sorts of inexpensive vintage glass, old plates and dolls, a few stuffed toys, books for 50 cents, sometimes vintage clothing and linens, old prints and pictures, one never knows what we will find but there are at least a few "must haves" everytime we go.
Denise bought some tiny pitchers for her collection, Deb found some decorative bottles in little wire frames to hang in her windows [I bought a couple of those altho' my house overflows with "stuff"] and a couple of other goodies [she always finds something unique].
I bought a DVD of a tour of England [PBS] for 50 cents.... Denise found that and found a couple of tours for Deb one of France, the other of Paris..we will take her along next year..lol...
Enough for tonight..hope tomorrow will be good weather so I can plant and plant and plant.....




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