Speaking of chickens, if you live in Houston, please go to the Wabash Feed and Antique store. you can get a chicken there for about 30 dollars. Or a baby bunny. Or a swan. Or some blueberry bushes. Or a strange animal sculpture made from salvaged metal. What a wonderful place. When Michael asked the plant man, "what do you know about stinkhorns?" He started chuckling and said, "you want to get rid of them, right?" What a place!
Fortunately though, I believe the organic fungicide he recommended will not be necessary as Poppe has removed all infected mulch, and placed it in 30 of the new houston "bio bags" which will hopefully be carted off on thursday for us. And not only has he done that, but the men in my life spent the entire weekend fixing up the yard for me. They transplanted 7 boxwoods, 7 holly bushes, and 4 or more red-tipped fontinas. They put in my new azaleas (purchased at Costco believe it or not) and my dad cleaned up a trashy corner by the garage and put in a new Yew pine tree (from Costco) that will hopefully fill out and we can shape it like a giant oval or tall rectangle one day. The weekend included 3 trips to Costco, 2 trips to Houston Lawn and Garden, a trip to Lowes, a trip to Home Depot, and a trip to the Heights to visit Wabash and Joshua's Native Plants (that store is expensive but really awesome.) I am so excited to be free of stinkhorns and for the house to look like we actually kind of like living here again. Next we will tackle the backyard and the hardest part of all....the maintenance....in the summer. Why oh why can't it be spring forever?
And now i am going to put a shout out there to the folks. i have felt really loved and spoiled by my sweet family. my mom's unending cleaning of the kitchen and cooking, and entertaining ford while the yard work was happening was completely awesome. i am extremely blessed by their generosity of time, talent and treasure during this strange season. (did you catch that Rufus-ism? if not, you can catch that on your way home.)
how blessed i am to have kind parents AND a quotable pastor.
Dearest Stinkhorns, thanks for being fodder for my winter's thoughts and blog. May you take refuge at the dump and find a home where you can prosper in peace.
my homage to the "Go Wildcats" as frank calls them. i am so proud our team and am working on a letter of appreciation to Frank Martin.
this was where the plumbing problem once lived. I am excited to see this area fill in and get all hedgey.
while this looks terrible, it won't for long. it is a bit of an experiment in salvaging plants we had. Hopefully you can see some results in the next few months.
one of the few photos from the week. a typical scene. Poppe sharing his water bottle with whatever grandkid that wants to drink from it.
i like this one.
and one to keep you guessing
I've missed you! I'm so glad you are feeling loved by your family and have gotten to enjoy this beautiful weather outside!!
ReplyDeleteA Texas Longhorn? Okay, maybe not.... But def not a Wildcat.
ReplyDeletejp