Foster Care for the Plants

The cooler weather has arrived along with a mention of the 'F' word...FROST !!! When I look at the beautiful flowers and plants on the deck, I know that it is only a matter of time before they will be gone. Last year I brought my two cedar planters to the school where I taught and 'Green Thumb Marty' nurtured them through the school year. I picked them up around Memorial Day, and they have hung around my house for the spring/summer. This year I am trying to get the green light for more plants to go and winter with the kids. I think it is a win/win situation. The plants brighten up the halls and classrooms, the kids get a sense of 'Mother Nature' , and the plants live longer all the while emitting good vibes into the air. It was on my helper list back in my teaching days. We called it 'The Green Team' and the plants had names, too. 'Shuffle' for the schefalara plant and 'Shakespeare' for the Imperial Palm Tree.

Do you know a teacher who would loan your plants a warm window while you loaned them some plants to observe in the name of Science? It's a teachable moment waiting to happen!!

My mom's gardenia tree and the braided hibiscus will join us on the inside of the house in the hope they may even produce a flower in the darkness of winter.

A Bit of a Bumpy Ride

Life can be challenging as each day has its ups and downs...hills and valleys...good days and difficult ones. After three and a half years, it seems as if Flo is noticibly a bit more confused. The worst part is that she has it in her head that she hasn't seen her daughter, Mare, in more than a week. And it has her very upset. I can be sitting directly opposite her in a chair, and the conversation is... "Do you know where Mare is? I haven't talked with her in quite a while. Could you give me her phone number so I can call her?"
"Mom, I am Mare, and I'm sitting right here."
"No, I mean my daughter, Mare. You are Mare, but not my daughter Mare."

Five minutes later, she will pick up the phone and want to make a call [to her daughter], and is unsuccessful and frustrated. And this conversation has been going on for days. It's like my personal version of 'Where's Waldo'? and the movie 'Groundhog Day'!!

I have become the master of distraction and pretty adept at changing the subject.

Good times have also been happening. My son and his girlfriend came into town, and did yardwork and surprise purchasing of flowers for my deck planters, and landscaped a raised bed that was empty. It was wonderful! And my grandpup, Hank, managed to stand up on the kitchen counter and do a taste test of the coconut bundt cake that they had brought!! Kind of funny when you are an observer and not the enforcer!

I am back on my meds for two weeks now, and hopefully will continue to be functioning better as each day goes by.

But the whole 'confused Mom' thing stays the main focus and is both frustrating and sad. Thank God for St Nic [ caregiver extraordinaire] because she is very good for both of us.

It would be a tremendous blessing if tomorrow when Mom wakes up...her first words are not,

"Does anybody know where Mare is?"

I've got my fingers crossed. Well, not literally...

Spread Some Glad!

Hallelujah! Back on the computer and happy to be here!!

So many stories, thoughts, ideas, new learning experiences... ups, downs, and all around the roller coaster of life!. And away we go...the first one...

Today I had a 9:30 Mammogram appointment at the radiology center. It's a yearly date for 'the girls' and 'it is what it is'. Annoying...yet necessary.

On the way to hospital, I stopped by the farmer's market and from my favorite vendor, I bought 25 colorful, gladiolas, 2 sets of bloomin' sunflowers, and 3 small bouquets of mixed flowers.

Cradling the 25 glads in my arms, I entered the hospital by way of the emergency room as I do whenever I volunteer at the one day surgery desk. I stopped at the ER window and said to the two women working there,

"Pick out a flower!"
And I explained the 'glad routine' that if you pluck off the bottom flowers as they get past their prime, the gladiola will continue to bloom- flower by flower- all the way to the top! What was the result? Great big smiles and a more scenic ER waiting room!!!

On to radiology, and as I signed in, I had each of the staff members behind the glass window 'pick out a flower!'

As I went back to the x-ray room, I recognized two women who I met back in the 70's and we were on the same softball team. And then a former student, now an x-ray technician, smiled and we chatted about her career as well as her sister and two brothers whose paths crossed with mine in my classroom. I love seeing former '10 year old friends' become adults and venture out in the real world.

"Pick out a flower!"When I was done with the 'mammo', I asked the technician how many women had appointments today while she was there.

"Ten".

"Pick out 12 flowers...one for you...one for the room...and then ten flowers...one for each of the women who would certainly be 'glad' that they were taking good care of their health and the fact that it was over for another year!!! "

What did I see?
Great big smiles!! And I managed to 'squeeze' [get the pun?] a colorful addition to the stark machinery of the x-ray room.

On my way out, I stopped by the CEO's office and also to a doctor who I know is on the committee to hire new doctors, to remind them that we have not one rheumatologist on staff in the entire city and I, for one, will be GLAD when they manage to recruit one...or two. I know they are working on it, but so far no living, breathing rheumatology group has signed on the dotted line to help people who have one of the 100 different kinds of arthritis!! Neither of the two men were there and so I said to each of their secretaries,

"Pick out two flowers...one for you, and one as a visual reminder for your boss to further the cause. "

What did I see? Great big smiles! One of the secretaries said she would bring her flower to her 95 year old mother in the nursing home. Gotta like that!

As I exited the parking garage, I passed the last gladiola to the woman in the booth who collects the parking money for hours. More smiles....This is fun!!

At home, when the man who gathers my recyclables and trash stopped by on his regular weekly stop, I gave him one of the mini bunches of sunflowers to give to his mother [95], and the other bunch of sunflowers went to a friend's mom to keep her smiling while her daughter was away on vacation. What did I see? Great big smiles!

And I know that... as the flowers went to the many women whose smiles I didn't see firsthand...there were still smiles happening. And that little bit of encouragement goes on to influence their family's lives. On and on and on...And that is my motivation. My flower shower would not be considered normal [whatever that is!]

I share this only as a means of getting others to think of different ways to help generate some smiles. Bring a bag of Hershey Chocolate minibars to your next doctor appointment for the office people. I witnessed a man do this, and let me tell you...the smiles are big. Unexpected gifts are the best!

I don't want compliments for me. I want to know that you will join the wave. And how?

Glad to be back!!

Love Grows...

Sharing some seeds of thought...

There is a grassy median in town that is extra special and regularly groomed with tender, loving care. For three seasons out of four[winter excluded], there is a group of people who regularly transform a full block's length of plainness into a beautiful and restful sight for sore eyes. In memory of a loved one, this area is constantly maintained to be a visual delight. In spring, there are different kinds of colorful, blooming bulbs and sweet smelling lilac shrubs. In summer, there's a variety of different shapes, sizes, and hues of annuals as well as flowering bushes [ like perhaps a butterfly bush or a cluster of day lilies]. In fall, you will see yellow, purple, and maybe some rust colored mums as well existing burning bushes turning their brilliant 'fall red.' It also has a hanging basket or two, a wrought iron park bench, and a birdbath/watering spot for the birds. It is a definite committment of time and energy.

I share this because I like to pass along good ideas when I see them, and I find this to be novel idea as a way to share the remembrance of a loved one.

What a testament in honor of their loved one who had passed along! And the general public gets to enjoy this ever changing landscape on the city's median.

God bless them all!

Tradition!

The earth laughs in flowers.

In that case, you could say that our local nursery was hysterical! [haha]

Actually, today we took the short road trip to the local nursery so that Mom could select this year's flowering basket. It has become a yearly tradition that addresses the welcoming of the warmth of spring, the beauty of the colorful flowers, and the active participation of our favorite 'flower picker-outer'... newest addition to our home. [That would be Flo...three years in August.] So many flowers...it was a difficult decision.

So we came home with 2 hanging baskets, and somehow...a wisteria jumped into the cart on the way to the checkout.

The red, white, and blue flowering basket is right outside the picture window hanging out with the bird feeders. The hummingbird feeder has been reattached to the window, and now we wait...all the while commenting:

"Those are beautiful flowers out there."

"You picked 'em out , Mom!

"I did?"

"And I must say that you've outdone yourself this year."

"Well, thank you very much!"

A failed intervention, and the bloomin' results!

I should have known better. Why didn't I immediately changed the channel. But I was powerless, rendered immobile, and under the spell of...QVC's Spring Flower Show! 'Cottage Farms' and 'Roberta's Unique Plants '[that no one else has seen]. Once again , they will be sending me new and different surprises, and one repeat performance.

Some folks will watch QVC as they would watch any regular programming. Not me.

Other folks wouldn't give them the time of day. That's not me. [I'd relay that info!!]

My particular MO [method of observing] is to 'stop in' as I happen to channel surf by it. To me, their 'Quality, Value, Convenience' works for me.
Delivered to my door, [I am on a first name basis with my UPS man, Ronnie] I have purchased television sets, a recliner, solar lights, Mrs. Prindables Chocolate covered apples, a picnic table that doubles as a bench, clothing, etc...all while not watching!

I may pause for a couple of minutes of Easy Solutions, Electronics Today, and Quacker Factory...
So when I returned to my house, walked in, and this beautiful 'Pink [cotton candy] Ornamental Grass was being featured...Nic and I exchanged glances and we both knew that I was powerless. She took the dog for a walk, and before the walk was over...those plants were ordered. And then another [a Royal Red Summer Lilac Patio Tree]. And a third one[a Golden Magic Gardenia Deco Kit]. Help! I am seriously in need of an intervention!![ In the plants and flowers department, that is!]

And then a funny thing happened.
As I went to QVC's website to get pictures of my newest additions for this entry, I noticed a whole bunch of customer reviews that completely nixed the idea of actually getting the same results as they stated during the show. It wasn't just a few bad remarks; there were many. And being the not-so-proud owner of the three year old 'barren blueberry plants', I figured that my intervention had occurred! I called customer service and cancelled that cotton candy. Yes I did!

And then, as the show was nearing the end of the 'Spring Preview', they showed the beautiful and grand strawberries that I ordered last year. We watched them grow, and it was so entertaining as well as lots of fun. But...Not a single berry did we get to eat! Before we could pick one and 'hum the ummmm'....they were gone!! Birds? Chipmunks? Squirrels? the UPS man? It's an unsolved mystery, and a cold case at this point. I do, however, believe that the necessary barriers needed to prevent this are within my power. So...I ordered another set. Huh? Yes I did!

And a couple of cedar planters, too.

QVC: Quick...Versatile...Captivating!

Things are a-popping!!

The Popcorn Factory sells a variety of treats, and a 25 day snack countdown to Christmas is both colorful and tasty. Each day has goodies wrapped in plastic and a puzzle is on the bottom side of each little box. I had one delivered to my mom as a daily activity...something interesting to look forward to...keep track of...sounds lovely, right? Well, getting each little box out of its space is next to impossible!! And then to get the top off of the box is difficult, too. Yesterday was Day 9, and after 8 days of aggravation, I just had to give it some added force to get that sucker out of its 'bonded nest'. I leaned it forward a tad, and the equivalent of 52 card pick-up flew everywhere into Flo's lap and onto the floor! Twenty-five little numbered boxes tumbled out, and putting them back into the box in order was cause for laughter and wild words simultaneously! Whew! The treats are fun, but you really have to have a whole bunch of patience.

Another focal point of patience [and also well worth the wait] are the amarylis and paperwhites that are planted and growing in the living room. Mother Nature's treats are awesome! There are also some container bulbs on the front porch which will alert us to the beginning of spring!! They are alongside the 'barren booberries' and 'stolen strawberry' plants that are wintering on the porch instead of the garage this year.

The birdfeeders outside the picture window are a 'feathered feeding frenzy' and at the moment we are winning the war with the squirrels. That could change at any moment, though!

And there you have it! A short summary of what we have our eyes on as we take 'one day at a time'. We are still looking for some deer to grace the landscape. Wahoo!

And then...when you least expect it...

Have you ever stopped and thought about the process that results in a flower bursting upon the scene?

Some start as bulbs, others as seeds, and some have pretty unusual circumstances in their journey to bloom. Some very pretty flowers grow up right through the smallest cracks in cement sidewalks and driveways. Wild flowers adorn highway edges, and dandelions win out every year despite the efforts of those who have deemed them as 'weeds'! They get to live on my lawn because I don't use pesticides and chemicals. I don't see them as evil weeds. I also have some clover and other tiny, little blue flowers that pop up at some point in the warm weather.

What prompted this discussion is probably the result of my plate-sized pink hibiscus shrub has finally burst into the flowers that are always very impressive. Many wonderful compliments applaud this bloom and I like to cut one off [at a time] and place it in a bowl in the living room. Awesome!!

On the flip side of this, I also have a small white flowering hibiscus shrub that did not do well this year. You can see in the photo that it is kind of naked and only a couple of its branches even sprouted leaves! [It is in the forefront of the young evergreen tree that boasts just one pinecone!!] I figure that either the winter 'salt ruck' had a negative effect on it because it is relatively close to the road. Or, the frequency of cars ' backing into it ' as they turned around in my driveway!!

In any case, even though I figured its days were numbered, I didn't cut it down because it didn't 'look good'. And then, one day, as I was walking to my garage, I noticed something different about it. There, at the top, in the middle, of the semi-dead shrub...was one white flower in full bloom. I couldn't believe it! I didn't notice a bud...heck...I wasn't expecting anything from this sad-looking perennial tree that I think most people would have buzzed when it was apparent that it was a mere shadow of its former self. And now it has two flowers. I wonder if it might make a comeback next year...given the chance. Time will tell.

I guess beauty really is in the eye of the beholder.

Or, all things in good time.

I'm melting!!

I realize that there are many people who think that this summer has been less than wonderful. It has rained often and we had not had temperatures in the 90's more than a couple of times. I am not one of these people!! We are currently in a week long stretch of some those HOT 'dog days of summer' . The dog, I might add, is panting sitting on Flo's lap in the living room with an air conditioner on!! Speaking of Flo [Mom] I am beginning to think that I am adopted. She doesn't sweat, while I look like I have stepped out of a shower, and that is from being...at a state of rest...watching TV or playing hearts on the computer!

Where is the happy medium? Now the flower beds have to be watered at least once, sometimes twice, each day. Ok, I'm done complaining.

The ripened fruit at this time of year is so amazing. Watermelon, cantalope, and peaches...my favorite. Apples are about to make their timely appearance. My brother visited us this weekend, and we went to get some apples for him to bring home[tradition]. We also went to a flower show at a local church. Beautiful arrangements everywhere. We took a picture in front of a group of blooms on the altar, and it will remain unpublished. I look like a stranger, and Flo has a wide-eyed look about her as if The Holy Ghost has landed right in front of her!!

I sent Paul home with about 30 glads ...of which he wasn't too glad. First of all, he had a 6 hour ride ahead of him, and secondly, he hadn't yet experienced the power of those flowers. Some were for people in his office, and the rest...I said, " Surprise people and just give them away."

I'm sure he will have stories to tell. If they are printable, I'll share them.

Flowers just make ya want to smile!

I am happy to share the latest in "Spread Some Glad!!"

The farmer's market is where I buy my flowers to pass along to random people, and it is where I saw Emily, fellow teacher and friend. When I mentioned that I buy the flowers to bring on surprise smiles, she mentioned the many flower gardens at her house that could join the cause'.

This morning, Emily called and said that the storm over the weekend had knocked down many of the flowers in her gardens, and would I be interested in stopping by to get them. Would I? Oh Yeah!!!

On my way to volunteer at the hospital, I stopped by her house. There was a basket of flowers arranged into many little bouquets of colorful flowers, secured in coffee cups with some water...and ready to share... Mother Nature's bounty via Emily's loving care and attention, given a boost along the way by the thunderstorm...and delivered my me...the messenger. Here they are lined up on the counter awaiting a home! So where did they go?

1-to the woman in the parking garage booth[cubicle]

2-to my former student Lauren who happened to be the emergency waiting room clerk[!!] I'm thinking she brought me flowers when she was in 5th grade.

3-to Gertrude, the volunteer, whose place I took at the desk at 11:15.

4-on the counter of the one day surgery desk

5-to the windowless volunteer office

6-through the retractable drawer at the drug store drive-thru window [This one was really fun!]

7-my 88 year old neighbor, Betty

8-my 97 year old mother Flo [ of course!]

And one of my commentors stopped back [on my July 28th post] to say that she passed out flowers to the people in the highway toll booths. So, join the grassroots cause..and help 'spread some glad'. Flowers come in all sizes, shapes, and colors. All beautiful!

You're going to like the smiles!

Spread Some Glad!

I went to the Farmer's Market last Saturday, and bought fresh fruit and colorful flowers...sunflowers and glads. I had St Nic take a couple of sunflowers home with her on Sat when she left for the day. On Sunday when my friend Debbie stopped over, I encouraged her to take a couple of flowers with her when she left. On Monday, after my surgeon's appointment was done, my 'doctor appointment shopping partner' and I went to Marshall's and TJ Max. Not enough time for The Christmas Tree Shoppe on this trip.We always find unique treasures, and enjoy ourselves since we both like the same stores. When she left my house, I had her take a couple of flowers home. All of these friends had big smiles as they left the house with a couple of flowers. But the gift of a flower that was the most fun was...

I had 3 gladiolas in the car with me to bring to the doctor's office. I've done this before, and it never ceases to amaze me how surprised they always are..."These are for us?? Why??"

" No reason, just because.."

But it wasn't the dr's office that was the best...they got 2 glads. When Kate and I went through the McDonald's Drive-thru to get the standard 'breakfast on the road' Egg McMuffin, I arrived at the window where the money is collected. The woman said, " That's $8.59, please". I thought to myself that she probably stands on her feet for hours, it was a Monday morning, and 'what the heck'...I reached over and pulled out one of the gladiolas and handed it to her along with the money to pay for our order. Well, Holy Mackeral, Andy! She was so surprised, excited, amazed, and a great, big beautiful smile spread across her face.

"This is for me? No one has ever done this!! Thank you! Thank you!"
It was a flower. What a wonderful thing!

I had experienced this impromptu "Wow!"smile when I gave out a flower to the person standing in each toll booth on the ride from NJ to NY. The men were just as 'glad' as the women! So, the moral of the story is...

SPREAD SOME GLAD.

You never know the domino effect it might have on people's lives when they are in a good mood and it transfers from them to others.

And the world could certainly benefit from more people in good moods!!

The porcupine eraser...soon to be known as...

We have a number of garden fruits and veges growing in containers. It is fun watching for signs of life and being a part of it all. I had promised myself that I would NOT order flowers/fruit plants from QVC this year. While very reputable and accomodating [if it doesn't grow, they send you new ones the next year], I have 3 year old blueberry plants that thus far are fruitless! But as I channel surfed my way through the stations, there were these strawberries guaranteed to be either huge or produce everlasting growth throughout the summer. They even had packaged the container, dirt, and plants as a kit. So I weakened...$38...planted...and they are on the deck...and we are watching and waiting.
We spotted greenery! Yeah!
A flower sprouted! Wahoo!
And then...with very close inspection...there was what looked like a pencil eraser with miniscule porcupine-like things sticking out...and...
Yes! We have a strawberry in progress! Unbelievable!!
We called it the $38 strawberry. And entertainment at its best!
Well, we now have 3 baby pin cushions in sight, and so they are the $12 strawberries!
We'll keep you posted. And hope that the price continues to go down as the strawberry patch produces more and more of the potential red sweet berries!
And those blueberries? They could learn something from their cousin berries. And, for that reason, they are now right beside the real fruit producing container.
Here's hoping they get the message. Or they will remain those 'boo-o-o-berries!

Dancing, pancakes, and the color 'yellow'.

For Flo, I started another set of pools because they help keep life interesting and something to look forward to. It is the first time that I have watched the TV show, 'So You Think You Can Dance' and it is in its 4th or 5th season. It is the dancing version of American Idol, and I was so surprised at how much I truly enjoyed it. It really just began with the top 20 dancers [ 10 guys and 10 girls] competing for the win. Everyone [ in the pool] gets one girl and one guy to cheer on [luck of the draw]and Flo has Janette and Jason. I like the way that the show changes the partners each week, and the variety of dance is refreshing. I watched all 10 dances, and the talent of these people amazed me. As a kid, we always watched 'The Ed Sullivan Show' with alll of the variety of talent that it offered. Coming up soon is, 'America's Got Talent', but we don't watch it until it is beyond the stupid auditions. And then, it is interesting. [and yes, another chance for Flo and 9 others to win some $$. And pass some time...watching some entertainment...especially since Flo doesn't get out often enough.

Tip of the day: Fiber One makes a pancake mix that [to me] made better pancakes than traditional/other kinds. We made half of them with fresh blueberries, and the other half with chocolate chips. You could eat them without syrup or you could cut them in quarters and eat them without silverware, dipping them in a little bowl of maple syrup. Either way, tasty and nutritious.[ and, oh yeah, the fiber, too!!]

And lastly, I had another flower bed made outside the living room window. Today, we purchased flowers to go into the new bed. Mostly a shaded area, begonias and impatiens were recommended. And there were YELLOW impatiens!! I love them! The pink, purple, and white are nice, too, along with the begonias . But yellow impatiens...

Wahoo!"

I'm sensing that you are not...

Words of wisdom from my mom's friend Gladys: Sometimes you have to get outside just to 'blow the stink off you.' After being indoors for most of the week, the four of us [Flo, Nic, Gracie, and yours truly] rolled into the car today for a ride in pursuit of Gladys' de-stink-tion!

We saw much...a Finger Lake's beautiful water, cows, horses, birds, amazing spring trees in total blooms of many colors, flowers, waterfalls, Gracie's ears straight back,

We heard sounds...the waterfalls' rushing waters, people talking, the drone of lawnmowers, the wind blowing in the window and rattling a plastic bag in the car [the open window because Grace would not forego sticking her face out of the window and into the wind!].

Ahh-h the aromas and fragrances of...lilacs, a chicken barbeque in progress, air rushing at your face, newly overturned earth recently plowed by farmers.

Taste? We didn't stop for anything while on the ride, but at home, we enjoyed a bowl of fresh strawberries, blueberries, bananas, topped off with a bit of whipped cream. Hours later, Flo and I munched on popcorn and drank some cold iced tea...mmm...while watching Michael J Fox's Special on Optimism.

The sense of touch... wicker [ holding onto the the dog's bed on my lap and the curls around her collar so that she wouldn't fall out].

I'm thinking that most of the time, we could be more aware of our surroundings.

Here's a great example:

For about 5 summers, I was the director of The Summer Fun Club at the YMCA for kids 5-7 years old. It was a combo of swimming lessons, arts and crafts, and field trips from 10-3 Mon.-Fri. And we did have fun.

I was working on the next field trip on the schedule. The phone conversation went something like this:

"Hi! I'm calling to schedule a field trip for 5-7 year old kids. The nature trails and museum that you have will be both exercise and education. I know that I have always enjoyed communing with nature on your 5 trails and I want the kids to get outdoors and have that experience, too."

"Great! Let me look at the schedule. Do you want the blind guide?"

"What? ...What did you say?"

"One of our guides is blind. She has a separate schedule."

"I apologize... I thought you must have been kidding! How does she do that?"

"Assissting her is her working guide dog. This tour is different from the others in that the tour is experienced from the perspectives of sound, smell, and touch."

"Wow! Sign us up for that tour. It will be something very different and unforgettable for the kids. And me, too. I love to learn with them."

It was pretty cool. She would listen and identify the birds by their sound. The trees were identified by the feel of the bark, and other features were pointed out by their smell.

We learned to use more than our sense of sight.

A very eclectic experience, and one that I'll never forget.

So, how about you?

Have you placed your nose up close and personal to a ''hyacinth'' and then breathed in through your nose? mmm...a rose? lilacs? sheets dried on a clothesline, chocolate, coffee, sauce cooking,

Do you take a moment to enjoy the tastes of your meals or snacks? rice krispy treats, a cold orange, a fresh strawberry

Do you know how soft a dog's ears are? flower petals, your pillow, shampoo lather, a baby's face,

Listen to silence? bird calls, train whistles, the wind, hummingbird wings in flight, cackling laughter, geese in a V formation honking to each other,

And lastly... O say can you see? What do you see?

Have you ever watched a cat's ears move independently? lightening?

What are some of your favorite sights, smells, sounds, etc.?