I’m getting around to posting a bit late today. Usually, it’s a couple of cups of coffee, reading, chatting with Don, and then I write the post. This morning, Don had to leave early for the city and I wanted to weed whack and repot a plant before it got unbearably hot out there. So I was weed whacking at 8:30 (wanted to make sure all the neighbors were up before that noise started). And then I spread a tarp and managed to wrangle my parents’ sansevieria out the door and onto the tarp. It’s needed repotting for a while. The plants spread by rhizomes that come out at a right angle to the plant and two of them had broken through the plastic pot. Every time I watered it, it leaked. It was also getting very top heavy.
I had planned on waiting until Don could help me, but I decided to go for it today while I was on a roll. It wasn’t easy! I trimmed a lot of shoots that had broken off over the years and just didn’t look good. I guess I hesitated because it was my parents’ plant and I didn’t feel right messing with it. But I must say it looks better now and once it orients itself to the windows, some of the forward tilt that I see should take care of itself. It’s still top heavy, but less so.
Of course, after I brought it inside, the amount of fresh potting soil that I had added outside didn’t seem sufficient, so I lugged the garbage pail that holds my potting soil into the kitchen. You guessed it: I managed to spill quite a bit of the soil onto the floor and every other surface within range. Out came the vacuum to clean up the mess.
So it’s already been a rather eventful morning. I feel like I should be taking a nap right about now.
Photos from yesterday:
This bumblebee was really enjoying the lavender!
I finished The Diary of a Bookseller this morning. It’s delightful. I learned a great deal about the secondhand book business. I’m looking forward to the author’s next book, which I think comes out in August or September. Next up: The Salt Path, which I bought several months ago.
Happy Friday.
As I’m typing this comment, we’re in the middle of a severe thunderstorm right now – thunder, lightning, pouring rain. And we had this last night, too. So sick of this! And when the storms finally do clear out later today, 90+ and of course, very humid. So far I’m staying in and doing housework and laundry, some yoga, meditation and reading. If I’m feeling ambitious enough, will get on the treadmill.
I read The Salt Path last month and will not spoil it for you by offering my take on it. I’ll wait to hear what you think after you’ve read it.
We had one of those the other day. Quite violent! The humidity continues here as well. I’m tucked inside the house now after I watered all the seedlings in the garden.
Sounds like you were certainly busy this morning. Repotting plants usually require an extra set of hands….you were persistent!
We had quite the thunderstorm earlier this morning….now the sun is trying to peek out. There is plenty of activity at the oriole feeder now…we have a covered one with 4 ports…and fill it up every other morning. Not only does it feed Orioles, but we’ve had lots of cat birds, and grosbeaks as well. Who knew?
I was out weeding the other day for a bit…and I was noticing that some thing had dug holes in our mulch, and it was scattered all over the grass. I put it back as best I could. Yesterday, I went out weeding again, and to check on the mulch. Sure enough, it was scattered on the grass again. Shortly after, our neighborhood cranes came over for a visit, with their two new youngsters ( I am thrilled!), and started to dig in the mulch looking for insects I’m sure. They would grab a bunch of mulch in their mouths, and spit it out on the grass. Wouldn’t have believed that one unless I had seen it!
The bees on your lavender look to be enjoying themselves. That’s what I love about this time of year…so much of the natural world to enjoy. If only we could do it without having to endure this heat and humidity. Stay cool! ;)
Donnamae, the storm yesterday aft and the one this morning were really something!! We had 3″ of rain in our gauge this morning. Enough! And the humidity!!! (But yay!! that we don’t have to water!!)
I have noticed the Catbirds at our Oriole feeder and the Purple Finch, too. It is a job keeping it filled!! How fun that you caught those cranes in the act! Keep cool this weekend!
Chris…weren’t those rainstorms something? Might not have to water…but will certainly have to mow! You stay cool, too ! ;)
That is so interesting about the cranes! Wow!
Yes, please go, humidity!
Busy morning! I looked at The Salt Path after you mentioned it. I should read it, but sometimes I can’t seem to go back to my own life on the ocean. However, maybe a different take on the whole thing would be good for me to read. We’ll see.
But it’s a very different part of the ocean! I’ll let you know what I think of it after I get started.
I read more about it and found that it is a literal path—a walk, but near the coast—though living while journeying along this path and not on the water. So, not the same experience, but a sort of homelessness/life upheaval that is probably similar to ours, terminal illness excluded. Yes, let us know what you think, please!
Weed whacking is hard work; watch your back, Claudia; you are such a do-er; I really admire your physical strength and determination to get things done!
Thanks, Vicki!
It’s been a long while since I’ve left a comment, but I thought I’d mention that I picked up The Diary of a Bookseller from the library this morning. Thank you for the suggestion, Claudia.
I hope you like it, Karen! Enjoy.
I bought it, too, Claudia. I take your book recommendations quite seriously, even it takes me awhile to get around to reading them!
Enjoy, Vicki!
As usual, enjoying your photos and descriptive. Today your bumblebee prompts me to comment. This morning I arrived home with my usual groceries to find two dead bumblebees in our driveway. First thought: someone is spraying Roundup again in the neighborhood. Not faraway I spotted a lot of other ones looking like they were waking up, stumbling around and drying out — baby bumblebees! Practicing flying, getting the hang of it pretty quickly, too. These look almost beetle-like — only a little yellow on the head. Not like the round, yellow, roly poly-looking bumble bees of my youth in the Midwest and your pretty guy. Not sure if I should discourage them having their nest in a hole next to our house or not.
Oh my goodness! I’ve never seen baby bumblebees! How wonderful!
Take it easy Claudia, it is too hot. Enjoy your next book. “The Diary of A Bookseller” sounds interesting. Have a good week end.
Marilyn
I’m indoors now, Marilyn. This weather plays havoc with my allergies, too! Have a lovely weekend!
busy day. hope you have a nice easy night ahead!
big annual arts festival here tonight, tomorrow and sunday. will go saturday despite the forecast (94+, with a heat index about 110). love art, find it inspirational … and there’s live music and interesting food, too.
hope you have a good weekend, too.
kathy in iowa
I hope you have fun at the Arts Festival, Kathy!
It has been so hot and humid I can’t do much outside or even in the a/c stores. I just break out in this ghastly sweat and feel awful. So home it is and catching up on the some indoor this for Mom. Still not back to reading but I feel like it will be soon.
This humidity sucks! Even worse in Georgia, I’m sure! Stay cool, my friend.
Sounds like you were seriously productive to which I say, “Three cheers!” I should be out right now tackling things before it gets too hot. I really DO have to get that book!
xo Thanks, Jeanie!