Propagation and Stuff

 When I traded in my old phone for a new one and planned to ask for assistance in downloading photos, it was clear that there would be no useful help from the Verizon store employee. So, I am still working on it.

I try different things, until the frustration makes me want to take the axe to my electronics. There are many things that I do that my husband does not care for, and he will just hold his tongue. Anything involving an axe is not among forgivable actions.

So, we arrived home from our adventure in dog sitting and had only one day to prepare for company. I decided I could either clean my house or clean and prepare the RV and I chose the latter. It was family, and any messiness is overlooked. My daughter and two of her grandchildren. Zamora is 7 and Kai is 5 and they did not come equipped with volume control! Most kids that age are loud. Let's face it, most kids are loud.

It was a 3-day visit and did not seem long enough and too long all at the same time. I had not seen my daughter in 2 years, and we had a lot of catching up to do. These grands are from her 2nd child. The first child has 2 children, a girl, 16 and a baby boy. Her daughter has a boy and that family moved to Canada today. Her youngest child (#4, in case you are having trouble keeping count) is expecting a little girl soon.

It was hectic and fun watching the children react to our home and menagerie of animals. They wanted to feed the turtle but were afraid she would nip their fingers. Eddie was less than enthusiastic about the kids, Bo finally warmed up after I showed Kai how to find Bo's toy and throw it down the hall for him to fetch. Toni Louise, as usual, just went with the flow. She has always been easy .... except for the shedding of fur.

Unfortunately, there was little to do with the kids during the week, and Grampa  Grumpa was his usual grumpy self. We tried to go to our favorite restaurant, and it was closed due to the owner's sister dying. That was sad and my daughter was disappointed to not have the fresh hot biscuits with warm homemade apple butter. Next time, I suppose.

I was sad to see them go. I had a doctor's appointment and rushed off for that. All my bloodwork was good with extra praise that my cholesterol was perfect. What can I say, I didn't try at all!

I have had two days to rest, and it is now time to start getting ready for colder weather. I lost so many plants last year, despite all the preparations. I have decided to wrap the screened deck in plastic. I know it will be unsightly, but if it keeps all the plants alive, I don't care. I have two small greenhouses on the deck now with grow lights set up. But my bigger plants will not fit. I lost a huge asparagus fern and a peace lily last year. I am hoping the plastic will retain enough heat to keep the 4 Boston ferns and a spider plant that is mammoth alive. I have a small heater to turn on at night to maintain an above freezing temp.

I was worried about using a ladder right next to the ravine to apply the plastic outside. I will just put it on the inside to avoid the risk or having to ask for help. Just waiting for the plastic roll to arrive. In the meantime, I have had luck propagating more plants inside. I will have 6 more hydrangeas to plant when Spring comes. I decided to try the Hibiscus, as well and it worked great. Now I am walking around in my gardens snipping stems to put in water in my windowsill. I gave my daughter some of the successfully rooted stems and took some to my niece, the mother of the twins. If it works really well, I may create enough plants to sell.

Now, though, it is time for a short nap. There is a weather front heading our way and I am aching all over.