The Garden Community for Garden Lovers

One of THOSE days.

13 comments


Are you sitting comfortably? This is a long one.
It’s been one of those days. ‘Old jeans’ was my first thought when I looked out of the window this morning. The sky was overcast, but a glimmer of sunshine struggled grudgingly through a break in the cloud, and there was a gentle breeze blowing. Ideal. There was so much I wanted to do today, some of it quite strenuous. The overcast and the breeze meant I could stay cool.
But first, open the greenhouse, then have a cup of coffee(de-caff.of course) and a light breakfast.
I had just finished when I heard it, and my heart sank to join my breakfast. Rain on the window. The sky darkened, the wind picked up to a brisk blow, and the heavens opened. When that happens here, they stay open longer than Arkwright’s. To cap it all, there’s a leak in the launder (gutter, to you) and I’ve got a mini waterfall running down the window, onto the path below. It sounds like a horse peeing on a pavement.
O.K. Change of plan. I kept my old jeans on, though, just in case. Love those jeans. I can identify virtually every stain, splodge, streak and splatter, from the delicate spray pattern laid down by a cheap fence brush, to each oddly shaped plant stain in various fetching shades of green, yellow and brown.
Odd, isn’t it? When you want to use a plant for dye, you need a mordant to set it, otherwise is just washes out again. Except when you don’t want it; then it’s there forever.
However, I digress.
The two main jobs I wanted to do were; clear an overgrown area at the top of the bank behind the shed. It’s tricky to get to, but there’s a terrific view out to North Cliffs and over St. Ives bay. I also wanted to top up the soil level in the raised bed before planting Argyranthemums and Dahlias. If they stay in their pots much longer they’ll be leaving to find more spacious accommodation!
What to do with the day? Check out GoY. I read some good blogs, made a couple of comments, answered a few questions. We certainly do have some interesting people. So caring and sharing.
Nearly lunchtime, but first, a quick phone call for some well-rotted horse manure. £2 a bag, free delivery if local. Can’t miss that! Dialled the number. Nice but dim on the other end. Takes my phone number. “We’ll call you back soon.” I’m still waiting. I think she must have written down the wrong number. It’s one of those that can easily be mistaken, and it’s also only one digit different to that of a local estate agent. I’m thinking of charging them referral fees. Don’t want to change it; had it too long.
Spent most of the afternoon drinking coffee and looking through my daylily books, trying to identify a couple that have lost their labels. I can’t remember them all; not any more.
It finally stopped raining at 7.p.m, so I nipped out to close up the greenhouse. The wind was still blowing a stiff south-easterly which made me shiver (in June!), and when I looked in the greenhouse, there was a huge snail heading up towards the aforementioned Dahlias. I’m sure I detected a greedy glint in his (her?) stalky eyes. Have you noticed the bubbly squeal they make when you pull them off a hard surface? Anyway, I gave snail a quick flying lesson, heaped praise and adoration on the tomato plants just to keep them happy, although I don’t think they need it. They now occupy one complete side of the greenhouse, and two plants are in flower.
On the way back I noticed the runner beans had grown another foot. If I don’t keep a careful eye on them, they’ll walk away. (Sorry! Flush it!)
Well, I’ve been a member of GoY for nearly two weeks now, so perhaps a little review is in order. I’ve finally learned how to use the camera I’ve had for nearly twelve months. I’ve bought a memory card for it and got the hang of transferring and uploading pictures. I’ve remembered things I didn’t even know I’d forgotten (eh?), dredged up long forgotten things from the depths of my horticultural memory, and also learned a surprising amount of new things; and no doubt while I remain a member of GoY, I shall go on learning. If it hadn’t been for the unique qualities of GoY members, I probably wouldn’t have done any of these things. Thankyou. Meur ras dhywgh hwi.
Bye bye. Me gone.

More blog posts by bigbumblebee

Previous post: Friday Night Wurble

Next post: Parkinson's Law?



Comments

 

A great peek into your day...resembles mine a bit; full of this and that and the other thing.lol.

8 Jun, 2009

 

Isn't it frustrating when you have such great plans for the day and they all come to naught?
How much manure do you get for 2 pound? I can get 18kg of Moo Poo for $4.89 which I think is very expensive for what it is. Just wondering how prices compare to the UK.

9 Jun, 2009

 

Great blog! When can we expect the book to be published?

9 Jun, 2009

 

loved your blog

glad you are enjoying it on here
its like an extended family

x x x

9 Jun, 2009

 

Sounds like most of my day’s I seem to go round in circles getting nowhere fast.....Great blog keep them coming. :0)

9 Jun, 2009

 

Crumbs certainly do get days like that,no good whatsoever making plans because they invariably get altered,not always down to me I might add,enjoyed reading about yours and had a chuckle along the way.........

9 Jun, 2009

 

but i so want rain :o(
non for ages.
weatherforecast showed heavy showers for us.
nothing :o(

glad you sorted that snail. [it is both male and female or hermaphrodite] I've noticed that noisy too.

9 Jun, 2009

 

Enjoyed your blog, BBB, felt like I was there with you! Hope your weather improved for a while and let you get some of your jobs done!

9 Jun, 2009

 

Psst - snails love flying lessons - as soon as they land they head back to base for the next one. Tests have been done with coloured dots on the shells, give it a try!

9 Jun, 2009

 

Oh My Bbb you have really cheered me up just when I needed it, I think it was the bit about giving a snail flying lessons :o)))) I love it.

10 Jun, 2009

 

I liked your blog, yours was very lucky snail, in this garden they feel the weight of a size nine clog and hear their last crunching sound as their shell disintegrates on the flag path, slugs get the same treatment, I don't think they like it very much, but there is no room for them in this garden. can't afford to be giving them flying lessons as they only slither back to where the best food is and bring their mates and offspring.

10 Jun, 2009

 

Enjoyed that :o)

15 Jun, 2009

Add a comment

Recent posts by bigbumblebee

Members who like this blog

  • Gardening with friends since
    30 Jul, 2008

  • Gardening with friends since
    22 Oct, 2008

  • Gardening with friends since
    29 Dec, 2008

  • Gardening with friends since
    4 Jul, 2008

  • Gardening with friends since
    20 May, 2009

  • Gardening with friends since
    11 Apr, 2008

  • Gardening with friends since
    29 Mar, 2008

  • Gardening with friends since
    1 Jul, 2008

  • Gardening with friends since
    10 Nov, 2008

  • Gardening with friends since
    27 Apr, 2009

  • Gardening with friends since
    8 Jun, 2009

  • Gardening with friends since
    27 May, 2009

  • Gardening with friends since
    9 May, 2007