After a morning of wind rattling the windows in the den (it’s always louder there) I moved my laptop into the living room. (I felt like I was in the storm scene in King Lear.) Much better. Though it was still unbelievably windy until about 6 pm, I felt much calmer. I guess all this mayhem was due to Tropical Storm Phillippe. I know that many are without power here in the Northeast. I am very grateful that I never lost power. But – if I had – I’d have still been able to cook because we have STELLA! And she runs on propane gas, so we’re prepared for a power outage now. I can still have coffee. I can make dinner. (Coffee being the most essential.)
I arrived home on Saturday to morning glories in bloom. The blooms are limited to this little area right outside the kitchen door. All the other sections where morning glories are planted are either gone because of that freeze or winding down. Today, there are two blooms. Since we are due for a freeze tonight, this may be their swan song. I’m okay about it. If Mother Nature gives me all of October to enjoy my garden, I’m more than grateful. I find I can handle saying goodbye in November. This year, I think the only porch plant I’ll overwinter is my geranium and the potted palm that gets bigger every year and is indestructible, despite having been knocked over by the wind twice this year.
The hollyhock is still blooming as well. I almost didn’t buy this plant because it didn’t look like the previous year’s hollyhock – can you believe it? I’m so glad I changed my mind. This baby has been the gift that keeps on giving. Thank you, sweet hollyhock.
What else? I’ve been reading about houseplants. I bought a book through Amazon – The House Plant Expert by Dr. D. G. Hessayon – that was published many years ago in Great Britain. It’s the “World’s Best-Selling Book on Houseplants” and it’s packed with great information and photos from the seventies. I heard it mentioned on a podcast so I ordered it. Which reminds me: I have to get that list together for you of Instagram accounts centering on houseplants and the few podcasts I have discovered. Now that I’m home, I’ll start working on that.
Yesterday, I was remembering the books I used to have on houseplants. I bought them in that previously referred to period in the seventies. I wish I still had them. They were fun and I learned a lot from them. I wonder if I can remember the titles? Maybe they are available somewhere out there in the vast cyber world? I do remember the books on talking to your plants. Still good advice, I think. I’ve begun talking to mine, just like I talk to the plants in my garden and the trees on the property.
Okay – now I’m determined to find those books. Wish me luck!
I’m debating whether to tackle the fourth and final wall in the kitchen. It’s a bit more problematic as it involves emptying and moving the china cabinet. We’ll see. This would be the perfect time to do it as I have a week and a half before I fly to Chicago.
Happy Birthday to my nephew (Mere’s eldest) who is 24 today. And Happy Birthday to my brother-in-law (Don’s little brother) who is 60 today.
Happy Tuesday.
