This and that

Wow - it's been awhile since I wrote here. I suppose that's because I haven't had much excitement lately - and if you know me in real life, I'm quite happy about that. July 21st is the 3rd anniversary of my Mom's death, which still doesn't seem quite real to me. May 5th was 2 years since Dad died, which also is weird. The shock has worn off, and I'm getting used to not being able to pick up the phone and call them, Mom popping in to go to lunch with me, Dad and I smart-alecking each other to see who gets the last word...

It hit me Monday when I was on the escalator at Penney's at Southdale - Mom wasn't along! She and I did that kind of thing all the time - if one of us had errands to run, we often did that kind of thing together. This whole orphan thing is for the birds. I know they're happy - it was so hard for Dad to be without Mom, and they're hanging out with my brother, but I miss them.

I'm going to the Normandale Bandshell tomorrow night with my nephew - he knows the guy that's playing there so I wanted to hear what they sound like. Hopefully we won't get rained on. They're a country band, and I guess they just released a cd, although I don't know if it's on a label or self produced. So, we'll see what the diva has to say!

The garden is coming along nicely - someone in the neighborhood asked me who "did my plan" so I was very pleased. There really hasn't been a plan - I buy something I think will work, and then plop it in and hope for the best. The hostas that I moved from under the trees like it better where they are now; so much so that I may move some of them further back next year since they seem to be taller than the coral bells and cover them up. I got lots of different coral bells, and hope they all do well.

I found some things at the Linder's garden mart for half price - some of the Flame Astilbes that have burgundy and green foliage - I sure hope they do well because they're really neat. I also got a couple cute plants that have little white flowers. Can't remember what they are but I might have to get more. I've gotten a lot of campanulas, too, so hope they bloom. I guess the test will be how much of this stuff comes back next year. I have to sketch out what's where so I don't think they're weeds next year when they're just getting started!

I wasn't too impressed with what I got from Bluestone - some of it was half dead, and didn't revive, and the columbines aren't doing too great, either. I threw the scabiosa away - looked sickly and I didn't like it after all. I put another couple hosta and - surprise - more coral bells (Peach Flambe) in the side bed, with some Burgundy Glow Ajuga.


I found another garden store I liked - Marshall's in Eden Prairie. I was on the way to Halla (not worth going back to, I think) and stopped there. Lots of nice things - plus! I found the perfect statue, for a third of what it's selling for online. Is this not perfect for a librarian's garden? This picture is from a catalog, but I put some vinca vine and a few flowers by her. I put her to the left rear so we can see her when we come in the driveway.

I will admit that I'm more interested/willing to work in the garden now that I actually have something to maintain and play with. But I sure hope I don't have to work this hard next year...although there is still the back yard to do....uffda.