Well, ok, I’ll be first this week! I just got my last five hostas from Uniquely Hostas here in Wisconsin. Pictures in a few minutes. Most things are looking good in the garden, but I am noticing some chomps on Hosta leaves so I will do another drench. We have had so much rain that I think it diluted the treatment. Grrrrr! I must say the perennials I planted last August are starting to look good. I may have lost the liatris (didn’t come up) but all others are growing! The backyard is starting to look full finally. I like that. A couple hostas I overwintered, which weren’t looking so hot have really done well in their pots and now went into the ground. Those are Striptease and Christmas Candy. That frees up their pots for new or struggling hostas.

Regarding the bathroom ==>> I have finally been able to shower at home!! 👏🏽👏🏽 This is good because I can’t get to the club on my own, and I can’t get in the pool until my knee wound is all healed up. My ankle is better, but swells up like crazy when I am up on it. I have to ice it several times a day. Anyway, about the bathroom, we need the cabinet, sink and ceiling lights installed yet and some finishing touches. The man who made the cabinet had a death in his family and had to travel out of the country for it, so things will get done when he returns. I am fine with that….as long as I have a shower and toilet upstairs, life is good!😊

debra

Love that Iris sandyslopes! Never saw a white one before. I bought gemstone this year and put it in a pot and it’s already getting its scapes. I have fed and rescued neighborhood cats for years now. I do trap-neuter-vaccinate- return. There are some resources here to pay for that, but they are limited. I have paid to neuter cats myself. It’s best to cut the cycle of kittens being born. Your Penny is beautiful but may well be a boy. Most orange tabbys are. Absolutely gorgeous cat!

debra

None of the rain is going around us. Oops, yes yesterday the rain went around us. Mother Nature just keeps on giving and giving and giving. My yard guy could finally get in the back yard yesterday. It's been from soggy to standing water for about 3 weeks now. We have a major mosquito problem, which is no surprise.

I have more hosta damage from the big storm than I realized. Fortunately, it's all cosmetic. They all got roughed up a bit.

I had forgotten how much I loved the blooms on Guacamole. They are so large, they just shine.

Sandy when you call your cat how many times do you call her name?

Be careful once you start you cannot stop.

Southern people get so excited about snow..both fascinated and afraid!..I have firsthand comments from cousins in Georgia and NC..

debra..so glad things are going well 👍..

sandyslopes..wish I had your productivity..I’m behind in my planting..

bkay..I love my Honeybells like you love your Guacamole..

Laurie..Penny..Penny..Penny..good one!..

great weather last week..we replaced our birdbath..then we moved our concrete pieces..one of my 4 concrete urns cracked last winter..I’m going to use it as a “spilled pot” in my east woods..moved the 3rd urn to the side yard..can be seen from the curb..now I have a pair by the back sidewalk..then used the old birdbath and a pedestal to the entrance to the east woods..

before and after the urn was planted..

my east woods entrance..

my unplanted and not in the perfect place yet.. my spilled urn..you know this idea right?..

feels great to have these concrete pieces in place..

Ann, all of your garden looks wonderful! I really like your winding, ambling pathway…..if I recall, that was a lot of work. Your planter stands are great! That’s what I need is a birdbath as a stand for hanging pots which I cut off the hanging pieces and put on the deck. Your owl and fern look really nice and some height in those garden spots. I’m so happy you have gotten things done!

FYI, put my last hosta order photo in the ”New Hostas 24” post.

debra

Rain has stopped, will be watering today.

Got wood chips delivered by a truck, I already did few loads...

Since weather might stabilize I will have to stop any transplanting till fall since it just gets to be non productive effort. I guess rain was good for something.

Family of racoons lives in the hollow of big oak. Adult one keeps sitting and watching me garden.

Otherwise morning looks good. Some hostas still look damage free but am not winning against slugs.

S

debra, I didn’t know that about orange tabbies! It was skinny and really hungry, and because it was small, I thought it was female. But now that it’s eating every day, I was wondering if it’s a male because it’s bulking up and looking bigger. It is a pretty kitty. I think it may be neutered, but I can’t be sure. Long story short, a neighbor adopts from the pound and turns them loose to keep the mice down. ☹ This could be one of those.

bkay, I can almost smell that Gaucamole flower.

LOL, Paula! I had to ask DH and he explained the Penny thing. You’ve never seen Titanic, and I’ve never watched Big Bang Theory! Hard to believe, I know. But I know enough about the show to recognize Sheldon. Doesn’t everyone?

But now I think my Penny is a Kenny!

Ann, you sound like you’ve been plenty productive! I like your urns and birdbath and how they enhance your space. ….I’m having a hard time placing any pedestal bird baths where the birds can be safe.

lindalana, a truckload of wood chips means you’re working hard. Your gardens are looking good!

Oh, sandyslopes, does she adopt cats meant for indoors?? I am sad to hear your neighbor does that….. indoor cats can often not fend for themselves outdoors. Your boy case in point. He was skinny and hungry. Indoor cats don’t know where resources are. They are used to being fed by us. Often they will appear matted and unkempt because they are used to us grooming them. I don’t know where you are in Utah, but perhaps you have heard of Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab? I have been a supporter of theirs for about 19 years and have visited there twice. I’m sure your boy is neutered as Utah is a no kill State so all animals adopted out of shelters are neutered.

I’m sure the shelter would not be happy to hear your neighbor is releasing the cats she adopts. In a way, it’s a form of animal abuse. If she wants to keep the rodents down, she should look into getting “outdoor “ cats or getting help with trapping the free roaming cats in the area.

Whew! I sure went off on a tangent! My other passion, trapping, neutering and returning free roaming cats! 😻

debra

Well I didn't get a lot done this week, spent too much time at Dr's doing several tests for some health issues, which is limiting my physiscal activities. I did do some work on the path ways and potted a few more problem hostas. Most of the hostas are doing good and probably prime right now (need to get pics).

Had my first flower of the year on Liberty, also Empress Wu isn't far behind. Is this a normal flower for Empress Wu or fascciated?

Empress Wu

Liberty

Sandyslopes, I hope I didn’t offend you by the text I made about the cats….. if so I am very sorry and apologize!

debra

Debra, nothing you said was offensive. I agree with everything you said! But this neighbor is a problem in several ways, and I doubt they’re entirely honest when they adopt the cats. I try to help when I can. There’s one I feed who’s content to get a meal a day and stay outside and away from people. But I’m trying to befriend Kenny to see if he is more of an indoor cat. I have a soft spot for all cats.

Kanab is in the south, and I’m northern Utah, but I’ve heard Best Friends Sanctuary does good work. I’ve donated to them, also.

Old_dirt, I wish you good luck with any health issues you’re having. Time in the garden is sooo much better than time at the doctor. You’ve still gotten a lot done. Nice closeups of the flowers.