It’s shocking that so many people have died in this storm. So many people without power, homes and property destroyed….. I’m thankful I’m in an area where we don’t have to deal with storms like that. We get snow and blizzards from time to time, but never anything that causes use to lose power, thank goodness! Last year we had a pretty dry winter and only a handful of subzero temperatures. I need to do my hostas drench to prevent slugs next spring. I planted a number of my hostas in pots, but will overwinter about nine. I need to water one more time I’m sure before we have a frost…. None predicted anytime soon. I must admit, I am so done with the garden this year. We’re still having such warm weather, 75 and sunny today. I am hoping our cabinet and sink will finally get installed this week which will signal the completion of the bathroom, finally! I will post pics when all is completed!

That’s it for me!

debra

Paula, pretty flowers, and I saw the pink boots. Very nice! I’m glad you didn’t need them with this storm. Two days without power is a really long time! That’s long enough to lose all the food in your fridge and freezer. Upsetting! It makes us realize how much we depend on having electricity.

I’ve been staying away from news lately, so I was surprised to see how much damage and how many people were hurt or killed in the latest storm. And still a lot without power.

Debra, it’s been a long time that you’re waiting for your bathroom to be finished. I hope you’ll have pics soon!

I’ve been harvesting and eating a lot of tomatoes. I have onions drying on a rack. I’ve gotten good advice on the vegetable forum about how to grow better ones next year, but they did all right, considering. Cukes and zucchini have powdery mildew so I want to pull them this coming trash day. I’m hoping the tomatillos have time to fill out before it cools down too much. I like to make a year’s worth of salsa verde when I can.

The deer ate the flowers before my gourds could form. I like growing ornamental ones and mini pumpkins to decorate for fall. I’m going to have to spray more or find some way to cover the sprawling ground crops.

Good news is that I have resisted getting any more plants, and I’m feeling good about it! There are a few things I’m missing out on, but I’m getting around to other things like reworking paths and cleaning up my hillside gone wild with Heliopsis and Knautia. Knautia grows like a weed here! And I’ve been moving plants around that I’ve been wanting to get to for a while. It feels good to focus my energy into what I have, rather than adding more.

It's Aster time ....

White ones, ignore the lily of the valley fighting for space. I'm working on removing it.

Pink ones

Purple ones

And Alma Potschke, the one name I remember!

Even the outside cat, PK, likes the flowers.

Just happy you were luckier than most Paula! Being without power is never fun, hopefully you get more rain of the gentle sort. What a lovely plant.

Ann glad you are okay. A little debris is inevitable with so many trees but not a yard full. Hope the clean up goes well.

Debra I look forward to seeing the end result of your remodel. This has really been an exercise in patience for you.

Lisa like you I have been reworking areas and it does feel good! Your Asters are looking really great. PK is adorable and does seem to enjoy the flowers.

I have been digging for weeks on end and over the last couple have finally been planting areas that were badly in need of a redo. Until last night when we finally got some decent rain (last week we had a tiny amount) it has been very dry. The leaves have been falling off the trees prematurely from dryness.

Laurie, it's so much easier to dig when the soil isn't bone dry. That's great you finally got some decent rain. I know your garden will be looking beautiful, as it usually does!

I'm excited today because I worked on my west hill again. Still clearing weeds and plants that aren't a good fit there any longer. And I found a hosta I thought I lost years ago, even before the drought and my perfect storm of garden misfortune. EL NINO survives! That was a nice find! And somehow its marker is still there with it.

Lisa what a great find after years of thinking it was a goner! Just goes to show how tough they are. If I recall correctly your west slope was spectacular. I hope all the construction upheaval (watermain?) is all done and you are clear sailing to restore the area. So fun to get started.

Glad to hear that you’re OK, Paula. I think Milton is too formidable, so please stay safe. 180 mph winds per NOAA/NHC tonight. Central NC should see none of that. Helene did not do too much here, but western NC has been devastated.