Sorry I haven't been very active here lately. Work has been very busy. I used to have every other Friday off, but now it's just going to be a half-day, maybe even a full day. Plus I've been working on my high school's big reunion coming up on July 4th. It includes every grade EVER. It's a very small school, so it's not like there will be thousands of people, more like a couple hundred, but it still takes the same amount of work. And I'm also still helping organize the church's annual bazaar that will be the first weekend in August. I have plants potted for the plant sale, but without much sunshine lately, some are kinda pathetic looking. We're having the wettest spring that I can ever remember here (not counting tropical storms). I'm sure you all have seen or heard about all the flooding on the news. My town is okay. The ditches are full. The ground is soggy. But there doesn't appear to be serious flooding into homes or businesses. At least not yet. More rain on the way for the next several days. So with all this water, I haven't been able to do much in the gardens, except try to keep the weeds out. I've been lucky to be able to cut the grass without getting the mower stuck. I haven't been able to tend to my blackberry patch because it's just too wet out there, so the grass and weeds have taken over. One of my peach trees finally died. It had been having problems since last year. So I dug it up over the weekend. Most of the newly planted flowers from last month couldn't survive all this moisture. So, if you add my busy schedule to all this depressing rain, you can imagine why I haven't been here much (I do try to at least check in on the "Good Day" thread). And thanks to you all who have contacted me to see if I was okay. Y'all are the best! It's not all miserable news. My orange tree is producing nicely for the first time. Pear tree has lots of fruit. The Kumquat is still putting on fruit (I didn't know they would do that this time of year). Haven't seen any worms on the Pecan trees. The Avocado tree bloomed for the first time too (but I think the birds got to the small fruit). My green chile peppers are doing great and have some that's ready to pick. I picked some Jalapenos over the weekend. AND.... I got my six year Stew patch this morning! wooohoooo!!! So to celebrate, here's some of the stuff that has been blooming the last week or so. Asiatic Black Plush Daylily Double Kwanso Daylily Gardenia Water Lily Dwarf Hibiscus (actually survived the winter) Snowflake Hibiscus Yellow Hibiscus (gonna see if it will survive the winter if protected) And here are the Luna Hibiscus.. See all the bug damage? Been raining too much to spray... it just gets washed off. And the prettiest view I have at home right now...
Everything looks really good. A lot of my perennials have bug damage like that too but like you, it's been too wet to spray them so the bugs are getting fat and sassy. I miss having some Hibiscus out back along the fence. But now that the tree limb that fell earlier this Spring has been cut up and removed I am going to get some of the Luna Hibiscus and large pots to put them in.
Cheryl, I'm so glad to hear from you, and hear that you are safe. Your flowers look lovely, and the weather will get better (and drier). You are certainly one very busy gal!
I'm glad to hear that your okay and there's no flooding there...and hope it dries up soon. It's too bad you lost most of your new plants but it looks like you have lots of color going on now. I love all of your hibiscus, lilies and especially the water lily. Between working extra hours plus the re-union AND the bazaar it's no wonder you haven't had time to post much! You are a busy girl!
Very happy to hear from you Cheryl. You seem so busy that I'm surprised that you were even able to even write this thread! That's the first time I have heard of a reunion that involves every grade ever That's got to be a lot of work for sure
Really good to hear from you, Cheryl. You are very bus now, but I hope that things become a little less busy for you after the 4th. I think everyone misses your posts.
You've been missed Cheryl so it's great to see you posting again. Your garden is beautiful, despite the weather and bugs. I'm so glad you didn't get flooded and that you and yours are OK. Good luck with the reunion and the bazaar - just take a little time now and then for yourself.
Thanks for letting us all know your ok. Can understand why you have not been here. Hope you get to slow down soon, so you can enjoy your beautiful gardens.
Thanks everyone! I seem to have gotten a grasp on all my activities... now if I can just keep my real job from becoming too overwhelming, I'll be fine. The sunshine is getting me out of my "funk" and out into the garden. I'll try to get back into my 'Stewing routine now. I've missed you all too!
Hi Cheryl, I am glad to hear you have "weathered" some of Texas's worst weather. Your flowers are lovely! Sounds like the high school reunion will be such fun (once you get past the work!). I hope with the sun ou'll be able to squeeze in time in the garden & time posting on the Stew.
