This just noted

My Rubbermaid "Revelations" 12 qt storage container (which I've used most recently to soak my tired cracked feet) is a "Limited Edition."

Huh?

New dog

Banjo has been a lonely depressed soul since the loss of Carlos and Lucy last year. We had a good spring alone and it was fun to see his personality without the influence of the older dogs, but I knew he needed a friend. I also knew that I couldn't handle a puppy right now as I'm limited to lifting 15 pounds and strenuous activity leaves my neck in extreme pain. We found a great Lab rescue organization down by Springfield called Canine Solutions.

They introduced us to a wonderful 18-month old black Lab named Meisha. She and Banjo hit it off right at first. They haven't been overly affectionate or playful but have gotten along great. Today, day 12, they started playing. They were in the pool and enjoyed racing each other. When I got them out, they ran circles around the yard, Meisha did the play bow, and Banjo jumped on her playfully. So good to see them happy and enjoying each other's company. She is missing her brother, from whom she was recently separated, and Banjo misses his friend Lucy.

Meisha loves our back yard pool. She doesn't bother with steps, but flings herself into the water to capture her coveted ball.

tired of all the nonsense

Recently the GOP and T-Party have been screaming about Obama's "job-killing agenda."

"Govament needs to stand back and let the private sector create jobs!"

"Govament is just standing in the way with senseless regulations, taxes, and commi agendas."

Oh, but when Goldman Sachs and BP totally F*** things up and try to ruin our nation, what are these babies crying? Why isn't Obama doing something? He needs to ride in on a big white stallion and create jobs that Wall Street took away. He needs to deal with Goldman Sachs. He needs to clean up the Gulf because obviously BP doesn't have a God-Loving Clue!

What do you want, hypocrites, government or not?

My Garden Photo of the Day 5/23/10 Wild Ginger

This year I'm trying to be a frugal gardener. I have been establishing plants in different areas of my yard, and the last several years this has meant going to area nurseries and buying perennials and some annuals just for fun.

I've been disappointed when some of the perennials didn't come back the next year. The past two winters have brought extreme cold temps (-20) so only native or the hardiest plants survived. I've decided to focus on plants that are native to Illinois or ones proven to survive here - such as peonies, hostas, etc.

This season I'm going to focus my energy on cultivating existing plants for transplant to other areas of the yard. One plant that I love and that has enjoyed great success here is one native to Illinois—Asarum canadense reflexum or Wild Ginger.

My specimens came from my sister's yard in Kentucky, but they are quite at home in Illinois, where Wild Ginger grows naturally in nearly every county. From an original two or three plants five years ago, a large patch has flourished underneath a tree in the back yard. They have lovely leaves, especially stunning when a nice colony has developed. To find the tiny flower, however, you have to lift up the leaves and look on the ground. (You can just see it in my photo.) The plant gets its name from its fragrance, which is similar to ginger. 

I dug up and transplanted five plants last week and, thanks to some good rain, they are thriving. I'm looking forward to a nice colony under our maple tree beside the patio in a few years. I also dug up (from down the bluff behind our house) some bluebells roots and planted them next to the ginger for a nice woodland effect in early spring. 

My Garden Photo of the Day 5/21/10 More Containers!

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I am also growing green peppers, Roma tomatoes, Early Girl tomatoes, and Kentucky Wonder Beans in containers.

I think the tomatoes will prevail, but a little unsure about the beans.

If they thrive I'll post photos!

I'm so into container gardening as it eliminates the need for extensive weeding, something I can't do right now.

My Garden Photo of the Day 5/20/10 Lettuce

I had hopes of growing a luscious garden this year but was restricted by recent surgery. My sister came and filled pots with soil and lifted them onto a ledge where I could easily reach them. This collaboration has resulted in a joyous display of red lettuces, mesclun mix, and baby spinach. Yum!

And watching these seeds grow has been a nice experience. Eating them - with a little Newman's Own Italian dressing - even better.

Container gardener is awesome, I have to say.

My Garden Photo of the Day 5/17/10

I never knew that purple and orange made such a brilliant combination. The heavy purple iris, unable to hold their heads up, fell into a patch of orange coreopsis.