I somehow doubt she will have had 100% "failure to launch", lol by the time spring rolls around but it certainly will help to keep the planted area watered this year. I think the hostas will fare better from the neglect than the heucheras but we'll have to wait and see I guess.

It is too bad, Esther...you must feel a tad disappointed about the way things look right now but take heart....something is bound to survive - think positive! ;-)

Good to hear from you - have a terrific school-year!

Thanks, Josephine. I will relay this "wait til next year" to my friend. I am soooo disappointed on her behalf; I'd actually converted her to a hostaperson, and then the hostas and heuchies failed to put on a convincing display. Mine, as folks saw in earlier photos, have been glorious this year. I have not been able to water them as often as I would have liked, because I've been ill all summer. But fortunately, I am at the end of that, and tomorrow will assemble a platform I designed, made of 1/2" PVC pipe, to put my oscillating sprinkler on. The Obligatory Bushes block the spray, so I tried putting the sprinkler right on top of them. Then the motion of the sprinkler eventually caused it to heel to one side, spraying my windows and those of the downstairs neighbor. Fortunately, she just laughed and said I'd saved her from having to wash the windows. I believe that placing the sprinkler on the platform will prevent any movement and therefore it will stay aimed from one end of my garden to the other. It adds a bit of fun to my downstairs neighbor and myself to have to try and dodge the sprinkler when leaving or entering our homes. Of course, when I'm done watering, I will have to stash my platform or the idiot maintenance workers will trash it.

Glad to hear you are on the mend :) but sorry you didn't get to enjoy your summer off as much! :(. Being the resourceful individual that you are, I have no doubt you'll achieve your end with the platform and sprinkler situation. Try not to get "showered" outdoors, LOL!

Take care, Esther. :)

I'll take a picture of the finished platform and post it for y'all. Meanwhile, first project of the morning is sanding, drilling, and assembling a simple 2-step "stairway" for my giant Maine Coon cat to get up to her new 24" high observation post. She has lately developed a new habit of jumping up to my keyboard tray and stretching out over my keyboard, which wreaks all sorts of havoc on my computer screen, desk, anything in reach. So Cat Mom bought her her own C-table, which is 20" long. If Bijou would leap up to it from the floor, she would surely skid off, like a plane on a too-short runway. So, Cat Mom designed a simple stairs for her, went to get the supplies at Home Depot last night and will shortly assemble. Sprinkler platform is next on project list for today. Stay tuned! It's gonna be 90 degrees or so today so sprinkling garden will be critical.

Sprinkler platform was 150% success! It kept the oscillating sprinkler dead on target and did not wobble or fall over. Neighbor was mock-disappointed that "her windows are now not being cleaned" by oscillating sprinkler, but garden plants were luxuriating. I kept that thing on for like 4 1/2 hours tonight, to give some TLC to the plants having had to roast at 92 degrees for the past few days. Will try to take and post some pics tomorrow of Esther's "Steady As She Goes" sprinkler platform.

Maine Coon Cat launch pad to enable Bijou to leap up onto her C-table was also complete success. She is laying next to my keyboard tray (instead of ON it) as I type this, having using my newly finished step to do so.

Congratulations!!! Now....where are the pictures!?LOL (including one of the more-content Bijou on her launch-pad) :-)

Bijou is a very pretty kitty! Good idea about the step. She must have caught on quickly that it's there for her convenience. I'm glad you got your garden sprinkler working, too.

Love your diva-kitty! She is beautiful, Esther and reminds me of one of my daughter's (Meyou) only it is black and white...one "pantaloon" (back of leg) is white, the other black...one furry, loveable fluff-ball that is 15 but still has the face of a kitten. Bijou has trained you well to accommodate her needs so efficiently! LOL. the step is brilliant.