Search In: Gardens.com Web
Search:

Replies: 104    Views: 1,673

PrintPrint
Author Comment

kitten0115
La Vergne, TN

October 12, 2008 5:43 PM

 It's been a while since I was online due to business. Today I was looking forward to the forum but all I've seen is people attacking people. A lot of ego and condescending attitudes. I talked to one person about begonias and another person talks to me like I'm an idiot. I thought the purpose of this site was to help others and to learn things in return, what happen to that? If I want to be attacked I'll call my mother in law at least I can hang up on her. Everyone needs to stop one upping and enjoy the rare time we have.

lbrabec
Omaha, NE
(Zone 5a)

October 12, 2008 5:51 PM

 kitten0115,
I know you feel hurt,but try to ignore the egos.Although a few people get a little condescending (SP?),most people here are really nice and happy to be of help.Sometimes I don't think people realize how they sound.
Lynn

kitten0115
La Vergne, TN

October 12, 2008 6:00 PM

 it's nice to hear a nice person today. I sewar sometimes I follow this forum for days and people get attacked for grammer, what are we 2? Anyway, I didn't get hurt I am so frustrated. I wanted to find a get away from mommyhood and everyting else and find my own niche and BAM ( on my God that was so my daughter) anyway hope you have a great week and look forward to typing with you!

Dyson
Rocky Mount, VA
(Zone 7a)

October 12, 2008 6:07 PM

 kitten0115 - ok, (bear with me this may be painful) Take a deep breath. Relax. Let the deep breath out (hopefully before you explode). Then let the light in - there is no perfect place on this planet with or without cyberspace.

This has been the closest place I have found yet. Generally the people I have conversed with here have been helpful and considerate. Some of them, to an extent that astounds and amazes me to this day.

I have had the privilege to meet a few DGer's in person and have never been in the least way disappointed.

I have had small disagreements with some and those were handled civilly (we made our points and parted friends).

Good luck - please do not give up - ever!

WeeNel
Ayrshire Scotland
(United Kingdom)

October 12, 2008 10:36 PM

 Kitten, please dont give up, that would be pampering to the few people who use the site like they were talking to a class of 5 year olds, your an adult and enjoy the time you spend on the forums, so dont give in. 99%9 of the people on the site are truly lovely friendly people who have gardening in common, maybe you just came across the 1 per cent who have no manners, no thoughts for other people and definitely no decorum, but like I said, these are very few and far between, in the past you have always enjoyed the site, so dont give up, have a good week and enjoy the garden, WeeNel.

flowerjen
central, NJ
(Zone 6b)

October 12, 2008 10:38 PM

 Also, if you get attacked over and over by the same person you should def let admin know.

The majority of the people here on DG are absolutely wonderful.

JuneyBug
South Central Ozarks, MO
(Zone 5b)

October 12, 2008 10:55 PM

 Ditto to what Wee Nel and Flower Jen said!

Nan

JuneyBug
South Central Ozarks, MO
(Zone 5b)

October 12, 2008 10:57 PM

 Some things just have to be ignored or chuckled at!

lbrabec
Omaha, NE
(Zone 5a)

October 12, 2008 10:57 PM

 I'll second that!! I am not a beginning gardener,but I often ask questions simply because I want other's opinions or I don't feel like dragging out all of my books and notes(LOL).I have found that as I get older and sometimes lazier It's easier to ask some of the real experts here than to search my memory.I have met some wonderful people here (not in person) and there has never been a day I didn't feel I learned something.This is what it's all about!! Sometimes my grammar or spelling is off,but so what as long as I am able to communicate?
One thing I do encourage you to learn as your gardening experience increases is the true names of species,cultivars,etc.This may sound confusing now,but in the long run it will really help you.Keep your plant tags,too.
I too use these forums for relaxation.Just relax,go with the flow,and never be afraid to voice your opinions(in a nice way of course)LOL.
Lynn

WeeNel
Ayrshire Scotland
(United Kingdom)

October 12, 2008 10:58 PM

 Flowerjen you are so right, but I would rather leave that personally to others, I would find taking that action as making the attacker feel important enough to merritt that type of action, best to just ignore it and try to put yourself in there shoes, maybe they just have sad empty lives, there are very few people on the site that are aggressive or belittle themselves, or take pride in trying to humiliate others with their negative replies, so why give them more attention their childish nature is craving is my thoughts.
I just hope Kitten realises she is always welcome and encouraging to most people, the other person did say sorry if their comments were taken the wrong way, thats good enough for me anyway. good luck and stick with the forum, we all have fun, thats what matters. WeeNel.

ecrane3
Dublin, CA
(Zone 9a)

October 12, 2008 11:14 PM

 There's always the consideration too that we don't have tone of voice and body language here to help us understand people's intentions--different people have different written communication styles so it could be that people aren't intending to come across in the way that others are interpreting it. I think that 99% of people here mean well 99% of the time, so giving people the benefit of the doubt and assuming that they meant well and it just didn't quite sound that way can help avoid conflicts too.

Also keep in mind since it is a beginner forum and people don't necessarily know everyone's level of gardening expertise, a post could come across as "talking down" if you're an experienced gardener, but the person writing it either didn't know someone was a more experienced gardener or felt that since there were going to be beginners reading the thread that some additional explanation might be helpful to them even if the more experienced person wouldn't need the additional info.

WeeNel
Ayrshire Scotland
(United Kingdom)

October 12, 2008 11:20 PM

 Well said Ecrane, I am off to bed now and as it is very late, I say good night to you all. WeeNel.

msrobin
Caneyville, KY
(Zone 6b)

October 12, 2008 11:26 PM

 Kitten, I feel bad that you were offended, but I think you just misunderstood the "tone" of the post you are referring to. I read through that particular thread earlier this evening and I couldn't see where anything was said rudely to you. The person did apologize to you for you taking the comment the wrong way.

The common practice for when you are speaking directly to someone, is to preface the comment with their name or use the Dmail for private conversations. Otherwise any posts are open for the community to join in and comment.

Robin

imzadi
Jackson, SC
(Zone 8a)

October 12, 2008 11:37 PM

 kitten heres a big hug and hope you have a better day

JuneyBug
South Central Ozarks, MO
(Zone 5b)

October 12, 2008 11:45 PM

 Yes! Please use D-Mail for things that are best said in private! Some things are not for public viewing and DO offend.
Confrontational personalities are scattered throughout the world and I still think they are best dealt with by ignoring them or (privately) laughing at their insecure little selves.....

cando1
Ozone, AR
(Zone 6a)

October 13, 2008 1:36 AM

 Kitten, these people here are really great people. beleive me i came from another site that was mostly crabapple ranters and this is such a pleasant place comparably. and it is pure pleasure to read what everyone has to say.

Sometimes i wonder if i come across as a ranter as i'm at an age i love my soap box. So please tell me when i get carried away and i'll come back and hug you.
It is hard for me to put things into a warm tone as i'm one of those nutty science nerds. who tends to "want the facts maam, just the facts." Than reread and say i did,nt say that.LOL
Anyway hang in here and here's a hug (((kitten))).
Vickie

NatureLover1950
Vicksburg, MS
(Zone 8a)

October 13, 2008 4:14 PM

 I didn't take the response as preachy or snippy either. I think the person was simply trying to provide additional information on the subject and he/she did apologize for the misunderstanding. It can be difficult to put things in writing and sometimes the written word can come across the wrong way. Hopefully, this issue can be put to rest. Let's all get back to enjoying our forum :-)

Kamikid
Thomasville, GA
(Zone 8a)

October 18, 2008 10:50 PM

 Tonight I have read several forums where people are talking about what and how they say things, and the responses that are given. As someone earlier said it is hard to know and understand exactly what the person is saying because it is difficult to understand words that are typed. Just remember that " A person can accumulate immense knowledge and still lack wisdom. Wisdom requires compassion, justice, humility, and spiritual discernment". Not all people have that ability.

ViburnumValley
Scott County, KY
(Zone 5b)

October 21, 2008 8:11 PM
Quoted:
" A person can accumulate immense knowledge and still lack wisdom. Wisdom requires compassion, justice, humility, and spiritual discernment". Not all people have that ability.


Yes, but some people are lucky enough to have it find us...

Thumbnail by ViburnumValleyView Larger ImageView Larger

lbrabec
Omaha, NE
(Zone 5a)

October 21, 2008 9:29 PM

 Love it!!!

NatureLover1950
Vicksburg, MS
(Zone 8a)

October 23, 2008 8:45 AM

 Good one VV!

Kamikid
Thomasville, GA
(Zone 8a)

October 26, 2008 6:17 PM

 Great sign and you have it and we do not. Elaine

ViburnumValley
Scott County, KY
(Zone 5b)

October 26, 2008 6:31 PM

 That's in Montana. We passed it on our way to Glacier National Park during a vacation in 2006.

I had a feeling that someday the opportunity would come to use what we had found...

lbrabec
Omaha, NE
(Zone 5a)

October 26, 2008 9:14 PM

 And you were so right!!!

Lynn

hobbyodlaren
Linköping
(Sweden)
(Zone 5b)

October 28, 2008 10:43 AM

 Hello from Sweden
Kind hearts are the gardens,
Kind thoughts are the roots,
Kind words are the flowers,
Kind deeds are the fruits,




Thumbnail by hobbyodlarenView Larger ImageView Larger

lbrabec
Omaha, NE
(Zone 5a)

October 28, 2008 12:15 PM

 Thanks hobbyodlaren,
I got a good chuckle!!

Lynn

bobyrd
Conroe, TX
(Zone 9a)

October 29, 2008 10:38 AM

 hobbyodlaren,
that looks exactly like my flower garden!

NatureLover1950
Vicksburg, MS
(Zone 8a)

October 29, 2008 11:37 AM

 LOL hobbyodlaren--that looks like my garden every spring. Each year when my flowers return, it feels like Christmas! I'm always saying, "Hey, look at that, I forgot I planted it!"

hobbyodlaren
Linköping
(Sweden)
(Zone 5b)

October 29, 2008 2:15 PM

 Yes It´s the same for me, I found unusal flower always, which I´ve forget I have sow. It is lucky surprices.
And as the pic, It's like me too, I alway mix up the labels, or even drop seedpots on the flor, so I don´t know what is what.
Bought seeds from Ebay last week and got seeds from Australien.
A nice name also on the seller shop:

All U need is Seed.

Thats the truth - Love and attension make all things grow too

~Sylvia

dahlianut
Calgary, AB
(Zone 3a)

October 29, 2008 2:27 PM

 Please hang in there kitten. DG is a warm and luving place so try not to be discouraged by a few. [HYPERLINK@thenerdofher.files.wordpress.com]

LOL sylvia. Thanks for sharing the cartoon. I have alot of somethingsomethings every year :-)

hobbyodlaren
Linköping
(Sweden)
(Zone 5b)

October 29, 2008 5:01 PM

 I say the same dahlianut, not listen to a few negatives, there is such people everywhere.
Listen to all nice and smiling people on DG and ignore others.
Lovely kitten


here is my pet his name is Morris

Thumbnail by hobbyodlarenView Larger ImageView Larger

NatureLover1950
Vicksburg, MS
(Zone 8a)

October 29, 2008 6:55 PM

 Ahhh yes hobbyodlaren, looks like my cats--they have a way of looking like they own your whole house. And they usually do too, don't they? One of my cats, Tutti, has taken over my chair to sleep in every day. Hey, have y'all noticed what a wonderful conversation this thread has turned into?

hobbyodlaren
Linköping
(Sweden)
(Zone 5b)

October 30, 2008 4:36 AM

 Yes it´s begin sad and turning happy. Naturelover, my cat own ower house, it is he that controlled here. When I sit in front of the computer to long, my cat jump up on the bildscreen as you can see on my pic above, now I want attension :o)

Tonight and now in the morning we have real cool, 1 degree below zero. It´s frosty outside. And soon all leaf have fell off the trees.
Tomorrow the say we shall got 1 decimetre snow in my area burr burr burr I hate it.
But it is beautiful, with all colors this time at year.
Sylvia




Thumbnail by hobbyodlarenView Larger ImageView Larger

hobbyodlaren
Linköping
(Sweden)
(Zone 5b)

October 30, 2008 4:43 AM

 I start with my garden for 2 years ago, we move from a smaller garden totally complete filled with plants, tree and bushes. Now we have a much bigger garden, outside town, there was only grass and some threes when we move in here 2006.
Now I have start much I have plant roses, much fruittrees and berrybushes. I have done a vegetable garden for potatoes and so on. And much of flower in patch.
A couple of days ago, I walk around our garden, it was and cooler sunny day, and I had company of my cat.
Here are some pic, please enjoy

Thumbnail by hobbyodlarenView Larger ImageView Larger

hobbyodlaren
Linköping
(Sweden)
(Zone 5b)

October 30, 2008 4:45 AM

 Morris the cat

Thumbnail by hobbyodlarenView Larger ImageView Larger

hobbyodlaren
Linköping
(Sweden)
(Zone 5b)

October 30, 2008 4:48 AM

 Calendula defy the winter cold

Thumbnail by hobbyodlarenView Larger ImageView Larger

hobbyodlaren
Linköping
(Sweden)
(Zone 5b)

October 30, 2008 4:49 AM

 once more


Thumbnail by hobbyodlarenView Larger ImageView Larger

hobbyodlaren
Linköping
(Sweden)
(Zone 5b)

October 30, 2008 4:51 AM

 My Populus in autumn/fall - colour.

Thumbnail by hobbyodlarenView Larger ImageView Larger

hobbyodlaren
Linköping
(Sweden)
(Zone 5b)

October 30, 2008 4:56 AM

 rosehip on Rosa Flammentanz

Thumbnail by hobbyodlarenView Larger ImageView Larger

hobbyodlaren
Linköping
(Sweden)
(Zone 5b)

October 30, 2008 5:01 AM

 My house behind stones Pinus and Picea

Thumbnail by hobbyodlarenView Larger ImageView Larger

NatureLover1950
Vicksburg, MS
(Zone 8a)

October 30, 2008 1:45 PM

 I love your pictures hobbyodlaren. You're right, it does look cold! Here where I live it's getting to be what we consider cold--all the way down to 33 degrees. But that's cold for us! We don't get the beautiful colors on our trees because it doesn't get cold enough. We bought our land (11 1/2 acres) about six years ago and built our house (did it ourselves). We moved into it in July of 2004. Like you, I've planted lots of trees, flowers, shrubs and a nice sized vegetable garden. We lived in a subdivision before this so we're really enjoying our space out here in the country.
Marleine

Kamikid
Thomasville, GA
(Zone 8a)

November 1, 2008 11:21 AM

 Just got my peonies from the co op and will plant them this afternoon. Here is a picture of my everloving Smokey Jo who is always in the room when I'm on the computer. He's also in the yard with me when I'm planting or watering. He is the most loving cat I have ever had.

Thumbnail by KamikidView Larger ImageView Larger

SteveFtWorth
Fort Worth, TX
(Zone 7b)

November 2, 2008 10:46 AM

 hobbyodlaren, Please post more pictures of your house and gardens. Would love to see a typical Swedish house and what it looks like! Thanks,

Steve

hobbyodlaren
Linköping
(Sweden)
(Zone 5b)

November 2, 2008 12:14 PM

 Hi Steve
thanks for the commission. Her are a pic of my house, but I don´t think it is typical Swedish, they say that the house looks like a Danish house.
Swedish typical house are in wood, redpainted with white corner. Sylvia


Thumbnail by hobbyodlarenView Larger ImageView Larger

hobbyodlaren
Linköping
(Sweden)
(Zone 5b)

November 2, 2008 12:16 PM

 This is a typical Swedish house in the country. Do you live in an own house with a garden? ~Sylvia

Thumbnail by hobbyodlarenView Larger ImageView Larger

hobbyodlaren
Linköping
(Sweden)
(Zone 5b)

November 2, 2008 12:19 PM

 My garden, our son dig a fishpond for our goldfish
~Sylvia

Thumbnail by hobbyodlarenView Larger ImageView Larger

hobbyodlaren
Linköping
(Sweden)
(Zone 5b)

November 2, 2008 12:27 PM

 Our son is engine man, works with dig-excavator
So he helps us when we move in here, for our fishes.


Thumbnail by hobbyodlarenView Larger ImageView Larger

hobbyodlaren
Linköping
(Sweden)
(Zone 5b)

November 2, 2008 12:39 PM

 That was spring 2007 now the pond looks like this in summer 2008

Sylvia

Thumbnail by hobbyodlarenView Larger ImageView Larger

SteveFtWorth
Fort Worth, TX
(Zone 7b)

November 2, 2008 1:30 PM

 HI Sylvia, thanks, those are great pictures. Your house and the typical country house are both very pretty :-) Actually your yard and the way your house is positioned is not too different from what one sees here in the U.S.

Most houses in my part of this country are brick, though farther north you see larger numbers of wood houses. Here is my house last April. I have an average house however a large lot, semi-country, on the northwestern edge of a large metropolitan area.

Here is the back.


Thumbnail by SteveFtWorthView Larger ImageView Larger

SteveFtWorth
Fort Worth, TX
(Zone 7b)

November 2, 2008 1:33 PM

 Here is the back porch, another angle. It gets very hot here during the summertime so we were happy to find a house with a large back porch with overhead fans.

Thumbnail by SteveFtWorthView Larger ImageView Larger

SteveFtWorth
Fort Worth, TX
(Zone 7b)

November 2, 2008 1:36 PM

 Here is the front during April. We bought the house in 2006 and there was no lanscaping and were no flowers at all, so we had to start from scratch.

Thumbnail by SteveFtWorthView Larger ImageView Larger

SteveFtWorth
Fort Worth, TX
(Zone 7b)

November 2, 2008 1:38 PM

 Not much tends to be blooming here by late July....

Thumbnail by SteveFtWorthView Larger ImageView Larger

SteveFtWorth
Fort Worth, TX
(Zone 7b)

November 2, 2008 1:42 PM

 We did have a snowstorm in March, however :-) This is looking out our front door.

Thumbnail by SteveFtWorthView Larger ImageView Larger

flowerjen
central, NJ
(Zone 6b)

November 2, 2008 9:19 PM

 Slyvia, nice house. If I didn't know it was in Sweden I would think it was a house in the states. The house in post #5743656 is what we call a dutch colonial style.

hobbyodlaren
Linköping
(Sweden)
(Zone 5b)

November 3, 2008 2:57 AM

 Okay Flowerjen ,Dutch colonial style interesting. Here I will show our house we had before our house we have now Post #5743648.

It have two floor. We had a smaller house lot then. Now our house have one floor and much bigger house lot. About 3500 yard2 i think I write in american

We live in this house for 16 years, when our two kids where teenages, now the have move to own apartment and house. A typical smallhouse area in the town.









Thumbnail by hobbyodlarenView Larger ImageView Larger

hobbyodlaren
Linköping
(Sweden)
(Zone 5b)

November 3, 2008 2:58 AM

 The backside with the small garden about 500 squareyard

Thumbnail by hobbyodlarenView Larger ImageView Larger

hobbyodlaren
Linköping
(Sweden)
(Zone 5b)

November 3, 2008 3:06 AM

 Steve very nice picture of your house and garden, burr burr for the snow, soon we will get snow here I suppose. We have temperatures below zero every night now.

kitten have you leave the thread, is´nt we have nice discussions? :o)

Thumbnail by hobbyodlarenView Larger ImageView Larger

NatureLover1950
Vicksburg, MS
(Zone 8a)

November 3, 2008 7:33 AM

 Oh gosh hobbyodlaren, below zero every night?!?! That's way too cold for this southern gal. We seldom get that cold and only get snow about every eight to ten years, which is plenty for us. It's just enough to be pretty and play in for a day and it usually melts before the day is over. Love your house and your yard is beautiful.

SteveFtWorth
Fort Worth, TX
(Zone 7b)

November 3, 2008 8:48 AM

 Wow, those are neat aerial pictures you've posted, Sylvia. I think you made a good decision buying a house with a lot of room. We lived on a very small city lot just a couple of years ago and the neighbors were so close you could hear everything they said, their kids were always in our yard, etc.

I think our lot is around 9,800 sq meters or about 2.4 acres. Your lot at 3,500 sq yards, similar to 3,500 sq meters, is just under an acre, which is quite large even for this country. In fact, I think an acre or 3,500-4,000 sq meters is just about perfect in size - big enough to spread out but not so large that it is difficult to maintain. We measure house size itself in sq. feet, and a sq. foot is about 1/9 or a sq. yard, which as you state is close to a sq. meter. I think the European process is a lot simpler. You have such a nice setting. I could never go back to living in the city.

Nature, I think she's talking 0 degrees C which is 32 F. Still cold by southern standards, LOL. We get a couple snows a year and some ice storms but like you it does not stick around long.

NatureLover1950
Vicksburg, MS
(Zone 8a)

November 3, 2008 10:13 AM

 Duh! I'm sure you're right about hobby meaning 0 C Steve. But you're also right that even 32F is too cold for my liking! When it snows here, we all look like Big Foot by the time we finish getting on all the clothes we can!

hobbyodlaren
Linköping
(Sweden)
(Zone 5b)

November 3, 2008 1:51 PM

 Hello Bigfoot, I laughed when I read your comment about the cold and clothes.
Steve I also think it´s nicer to live outside the town. We have no neighbors close now, and I like that.
I our house in town, we also could hear everything neighbors said. I close to our garden there was playground and the day nursery - children play loud there.
He in my garden I hear the birds and bees, it´s nice.

Pic is Rudbeckia 'Green Wizard'

This message was edited Nov 3, 2008 6:52 PM

Thumbnail by hobbyodlarenView Larger ImageView Larger

NatureLover1950
Vicksburg, MS
(Zone 8a)

November 3, 2008 6:55 PM

 I agree about it being nicer living out in the country too! Hubby and I used to live in a subdivision and it's amazing how noisy people can get. We're now out in the country and our neighbors aren't too close to us. We love it. We can sit out on the front porch in the evenings and watch the deer feeding in the food plot we put in for them down by the creek. We love it when the does bring out their new spotted fawns. We have resident rabbits, a pair of foxes, and a pair of redtail hawks that nest in the edge of our woods every year.

Twincol
Fresno, CA

November 3, 2008 11:12 PM

 Oh, stop it, NatureLover!

Linda, who lives in town on 1/4 acre {weeping}

PS. Pic of patio adjoining "garden room." This Leading Edge Babyboomer built that patio herself, pouring the concrete over one summer about 8 years ago. Can ya' tell she's proud of such un-girl-like work???



Thumbnail by TwincolView Larger ImageView Larger

Twincol
Fresno, CA

November 3, 2008 11:18 PM

 Here's more of that little space.



Thumbnail by TwincolView Larger ImageView Larger

jcoakley
Chicago, IL
(Zone 5b)

November 3, 2008 11:25 PM

 twincol . . . I LOVE your patio! Someday we will transform our drab square of concrete to something as warm & inviting. We city dwellers just have to be a little more creative with our space. Do you have any more pics of your patio to post?

Twincol
Fresno, CA

November 3, 2008 11:41 PM

 I covered this area in concrete to avoid having to water on this side of a concrete block fence. There's a probably-50-year-old Fruitless Mulberry on the other side . . . within 10 feet of the fence. Make sense? {chuckling}

Lastly . . . .

(oooops, couldn't find that stupid pic and spent a bunch of time cruising through all those pic files)



Thumbnail by TwincolView Larger ImageView Larger

Twincol
Fresno, CA

November 3, 2008 11:46 PM

 Oh puleeease, jcoakley . . . don't encourage me!

This is a sign from the farm in Bethel, Maine, in which my father was raised. It was obviously a chicken farm -- mostly egg sales. During the Big Depression. When my 86YO mother sold their home 10 years ago I grabbed it to hang out with the birds at my house. Mostly doves and finches. I thought for years that it was simply an oval. But oh no-o-o-o . . . like duh, it's egg-shaped {chuckling}.

Linda





Thumbnail by TwincolView Larger ImageView Larger

Twincol
Fresno, CA

November 4, 2008 12:04 AM

 Oops, sorry, that's kinda blurred! Phooey! Well, you get the drift?

I just love the end result of all my work. And am really proud of the outcome.

Thanks for the encouragement.



Thumbnail by TwincolView Larger ImageView Larger

Twincol
Fresno, CA

November 4, 2008 12:15 AM

 BTW, Post #5749852 shows a 5+foot rose tree planted in a pot. That pot is so cool. It is cast iron. A half of an old "retired" ocean float.

How cool is that?

Someone up the road from me had a couple of these for sale and I just loved them and saved my pennies to buy it from him.

Pic attached is of my two "MopTops." They are lying on the driveway adjacent to the patio you see, snooping under the gate with the ice cream truck moving slowly down the road. There is, BTW, another yard on the other side of that driveway from the patio. That's my "Olivia's Rose Garden." Olivia is one of the MopTops. They are, BTW, Standard Poodles, since it isn't too obvious from the photo {chuckling}. It is very difficult to photograph black poodles, as their coat absorbs all the light and they turn into inky blobs. I haven't figured out how to adjust the light thingee on my camera yet!



Thumbnail by TwincolView Larger ImageView Larger

Twincol
Fresno, CA

November 4, 2008 12:30 AM

 Hmmm, try this jcoakley. This is the patio from dead center, looking out from the deck/landing at the sliding door from my "garden room."

OK, that's it! No more. Thanks again for the encouragement. Linda

edited to add: The concrete pad within the surround of my pavers is 10ft X 10ft, to give you some perspective.

edited once again to add: BTW, hollyodlaren, I live in the Central Valley of California. The temps in the summertime are an average 97F 36C (90-105) with wintertime lows an average 38F 3C. We are actually a desert in the center of California with lots of water brought in by canals and rivers. Much of our water is used for agriculture, as California is one of the nation's top food producing centers of the country. Water availability, drinking and personal use, is always a problem, in that the aquifers are depleted and replenished over time by rain, which is probably less than 10-12 inches annually, which isn't a lot of water as water goes. Now mind you, we also have Yosemite and Kings Canyon National Parks within 2 hours driving distance, as well. Moreover, we are only 2-2 1/2 hours from the beaches on the Pacific Coast. So, living in the desert isn't such a bad thing. We basically have just about any kind of outdoor entertainment you could want within just a few hours. I used to drive up to Yosemite and ride my bike on Sunday afternoons, returning home for dinner. I mean . . . how good does it get?! aaaahh, more than you would ever want to know . . . .




This message was edited Nov 3, 2008 8:33 PM

This message was edited Nov 3, 2008 9:24 PM

Thumbnail by TwincolView Larger ImageView Larger

NatureLover1950
Vicksburg, MS
(Zone 8a)

November 4, 2008 7:20 AM

 Twincol,
I LOVE your patio! And I don't blame you for being proud of it and the fact that you built it yourself. Hubby and I built our house and shop ourselves so I completely understand that pride factor. Nothing makes you appreciate your "space" quite like doing it all yourself. We just finished our house four years ago and I've been landscaping the yard ever since. One of my next projects will be to finish our patio and you've given me some wonderful ideas. I'm surrounding it with my butterfly garden and I have walkways running through some of the flowerbeds. I've been looking around for some type of stone to use for the walkways and I really like the looks of what you have. That will have to be my project next spring. I also understand about having lots of activities close at hand. I lived in Riverside, CA (actually Sunnymeade) many years ago when I was a mere 19-21 years old. My friends and I used to go to Kings Canyon to camp, hike, etc., to a couple of different mountain areas to sled and just play in the snow, to the beach, rode motorcycles down to Palm Springs--the list of things to do was endless. But I find plenty of things to keep me busy here. One of my favorite things to do is take my camera equipment to the woods for wildlife photography. BTW--there's nothing wrong with having 1/4 acre. It beats the heck out of nothing at all!!

flowerfantasy
Washington, IN
(Zone 6a)

November 6, 2008 7:40 PM

 Yeah I am new on here and a lady was asking for advise about black spot and I gave her the advice that I was gave and got lamblasted for it, saying kitchen remmedies are not the thing to be using on your plants, but the advice was given to me from a professonial gardenig place so , I just replied what I knew and told them if they didn't want to use the formula don't. It just beats me that everywhere I have found that I thought I could have good conversations and exchange info ,you find one person that just has to have something to say derogatory about anything that is said.

NatureLover1950
Vicksburg, MS
(Zone 8a)

November 6, 2008 8:10 PM

 Sometimes you just have to ignore the sour grapes. By far the majority of the folks on here are very nice. You see how this post started out on a down note but turned into a very enjoyable conversation :-)

NatureLover1950
Vicksburg, MS
(Zone 8a)

November 6, 2008 8:14 PM

 BTW flowerfantasy, welcome to DG. Glad to have you and hope all your experiences from here on are wonderful. And there are lots of other folks on here who use home remedies for their plants. Maybe the person who lambasted you isn't aware of organics.

flowerfantasy
Washington, IN
(Zone 6a)

November 6, 2008 8:19 PM

 Yes I did see the Change and was very glad for it. There were some beautiful pictures to look at. We have 31/2 acres just outside of town and I love it. Our home and ground are paid for and we are trying to get some flower gardens and trees and things going now that we both will be retired shortly. I have found some very useful info on this site. Was so glad when I found it and then that happens and I thought here we go again, but I feel better since I looked at the pictures and read the conversations. Thanks everybody fot the lift up !!!!!!!!!!!

That was good LOL You know if it hadn't been for organics before scientific stuff , what would a person have don't to get rid of stuff like that LOLOLOL

This message was edited Nov 6, 2008 7:22 PM

NatureLover1950
Vicksburg, MS
(Zone 8a)

November 6, 2008 9:41 PM

 Retirement--a wonderful place to be! DH and I both retired about three years ago and are really enjoying it! You're going to love it. A good friend of mine (who retired a couple of years before I did) told me just before I retired, "Marleine, after you retire, you're going to wonder how you EVER got anything done!" After I'd been retired for several months, I called her and said, "I know the answer now--I didn't get everything done. And I still don't!" We're busier now then ever and are enjoying every minute of it. When will you be officially retiring? I'm still working on landscaping our 11 1/2 acres out in the country. It's so fun having so much room for flowers, trees, shrubs, veggies, etc.

flowerfantasy
Washington, IN
(Zone 6a)

November 7, 2008 10:38 PM

 My DH retired in June of this year at the age of 66 and I am taking early retirement at 62. I have had back surgery 8 years ago and just recently neck ,as a matter of fact thats why I am on here a lot I am still on med leave. My body is just giving out for the factory work or any other for that matter, so I figure if I retire I can take my time and do what I want ,when I want. LOL I will retire in June hopefully. I know I'm loving being at home with dh. We have gotten a lot done just since I have been able to start doing things since my surgery.

lbrabec
Omaha, NE
(Zone 5a)

November 7, 2008 11:02 PM

 flowerfantasy,
I hear you.My DH retired in 2000 or 200l. I am fine with that,because he really felt he needed to,but because we need a little more to get by on,I'm still trying to work as much as possible.
Not to go into a big sob story...LOL but I have had back surgery,gall bladder,etc, 8 years ago also. And early this year brainstem surgery.I can't get my early retirement until next September.
Wouldn't it be great if we could all just retire when we need to and just be comfortable? I have never cared about wealth,just enough to get by and maybe help out a few others.
But we all do what we gotta do.

Lynn

lbrabec
Omaha, NE
(Zone 5a)

November 7, 2008 11:45 PM

 Wow ,that did sound like I was looking for sympathy.Disregard.Guess I was just venting.
Lynn

NatureLover1950
Vicksburg, MS
(Zone 8a)

November 8, 2008 8:29 AM

 Lynn, we all need to talk about our problems now and then and I think all of us here understand, especially us retired folks! DH and I are becoming convinced that when we retired our bodies decided it was time for them to retire too, LOL! I've had several surgeries too, including C-spine here recently so I know what it's like going through all that. As long as our problems are fixable, we're all going to make it. But it's nice to be able to talk with others who are going through the same difficulties as we are.
flowerfantasy--are you having to wear that awful neck brace? I hated that thing and considered is a real good milestone when I was able to take it off for good! After I finished the healing process, I knew it was well worth all I went through to get it fixed. Hope you mend quickly.
Marleine

lbrabec
Omaha, NE
(Zone 5a)

November 8, 2008 1:26 PM

 Thanks,NatureLover1950,
I'm so glad you are enjoying your retirement :-).I'm looking forward to mine.I have so much planned in the back of my mind I don't know if I'll ever get it all done,but it will be fun trying!!!
Lynn

NatureLover1950
Vicksburg, MS
(Zone 8a)

November 8, 2008 7:56 PM

 Trust me Lynn, you're gonna LOVE retirement!

WeeNel
Ayrshire Scotland
(United Kingdom)

November 8, 2008 8:19 PM

 I can vouch for the fact that once you have been retired for a year, you will wonder how you ever had time to go to work, we have both been retired for a good few years now, husband too the chance of early retirement and we have never looked back, the years slip by and we just suite ourselves what to do each day, some jobs you cant put on the back burner, but unlike when hubby worked, everything had to be crammed into a weekend, now we just take our time and go with the flow or the weather, if the winters are going to be too nasty here in Scotland, we just take off for some sunshine as we really cant garden in winter here, but this year we have been decorating /painting outside summer months and are now doing the same inside so come spring, we will be free to do the garden, I make lists of things I need to do in the garden, but they never seem to get any smaller, just grows and grows, but then, does it matter if we dont get it all done now, we will eventually, have a great retirement, this is your time now so make the most of it and be good to yourselves, you earned this time. good luck and best wishes. WeeNel.

NatureLover1950
Vicksburg, MS
(Zone 8a)

November 9, 2008 7:08 AM

 LOL WeeNel--my list does the same thing to me! For every job I cross off I add at least two or three new ones! But, like you said, we have plenty of time now so I don't worry about it. I get it in my own good time. Retirement is the best isn't it?

bobyrd
Conroe, TX
(Zone 9a)

November 9, 2008 11:35 AM

 Hey this retirement thing isn't easy! I retired in September and my DH had retired two years before. I have lots of things I need, want to do but I try not to make lists! We go to bed when we want and get up when we want, we have no schedules. I'll plan to do one thing but then I find myself getting side-tracked (started cleaning a closet-ended up looking at picture albums) you know that sort of thing and before I know it the day is gone. I think I am going to have to get some structure to my days! Some times I feel like I am wasting time! We are doing some remodeling on our house and doing most of the work ourselves. DH has his own schedule for his jobs and he treats them like they are hobbies. :o) I think of it more as getting the house fixed up so we can start enjoying it more. The things I want to do depend on when he finishes his. Oh did I mention he also has a 38 foot sailboat in Seabrook (it came through Ike just fine) that demands his attention? Such is the life of retirees. It is great!

NatureLover1950
Vicksburg, MS
(Zone 8a)

November 9, 2008 11:44 AM

 OH bobyrd! I feel your pain, LOL! Retired life is such a hard job but, as they say, someone's gotta do it! I'll bet taking care of that sailboat is really hard on your DH too, isn't it? For about the first year after DH and I retired, my daughter would try to call and not get any response after several tries. She'd finally get us late in the evening and ask, "Where WERE y'all?" I finally told her to quit worrying, we DO have a life, LOL. I explained that we are far from ready for the rocking chairs. She deals with us being gone a lot much better now.

bobyrd
Conroe, TX
(Zone 9a)

November 9, 2008 11:52 AM

 Naturelover,
I know, aren't kids a hoot? My daughter is always checking on us. Of course my mom is 83, lives in Austin and still drives. Now her I worry about! ;o)

The sailboat is my husband's pride and joy. He built it back in the 80's when he was younger, then took his "then" wife and 3 kids off to sail for a year from Dana Point Ca. to Houston on the gulf coast where they took up residence. I am afraid if I had been married to him then I would have been his "then" wife too! Day sailing is about all I can handle.
Bonnie

Thumbnail by bobyrdView Larger ImageView Larger

flowerfantasy
Washington, IN
(Zone 6a)

November 9, 2008 2:41 PM

 Nature lover.
I wore a collar for about a month and that is all have been out of it now for a few days. My neck still bothers me some but I will know what a day with out pain is after I get completely healed I hope. I think what it is now is that my neck just gets tired and then starts to ache. I could go on and on about my aches and pain but nobody wants to listen to every complaint there is LOL

NatureLover1950
Vicksburg, MS
(Zone 8a)

November 9, 2008 5:08 PM

 Bonnie,
You're absolutely right--kids are a hoot! My DD is learning that now that she has a 13 yo son and 9 yo daughter. NOW she understands what me and her step-dad went through with her and her brother, LOL! I'm with you on that year-long sailing trip. I love the outdoors but not full time! I do enjoy my comforts at home.
flowerfantasy,
Did you have your c-spine fused? That's what I had done earlier this summer. It hasn't returned to it's original state but it's sooo much better than it was prior to the surgery. The doc told me it would never be 100% again but that's O.K. I still get an occasional twinge in it and I can't put my head all the way back to look up for more than just a few seconds but I can live with that. Before surgery, there was pressure on a nerve which made my shoulder hurt something fierce but it's better now. I think you'll be pleased with your results once you've finished healing. Getting out of that neck brace was wonderful, wasn't it? Good luck.
Marleine

flowerfantasy
Washington, IN
(Zone 6a)

November 12, 2008 1:04 AM

 Yeah I did and it also has a metal plate in there too.Dr did an MRI of my shoulder just to make sure that I didn't have a tear in the rotorcuff because I was having so much pain in it and I was having pain in my back just under my shoulder blades and it even got rid of that. Right now I have this burning itch in the big muscle of my neck that leads into my shoulder on the left side and it is about to drive me nuts. Have to go back to the Dr this next Monday and I am going to ask him about it. Ok is everybody ready for winter LOL I am not. Can't get outside and do the things I want done. Well actually I want my flowers to bloom so I can see them LOL

NatureLover1950
Vicksburg, MS
(Zone 8a)

November 12, 2008 12:36 PM

 Flower, I think everything will settle down in time. I healed quickly but it took several weeks for everything to really settle down. Ready for your flowers to bloom already? Wow, you're not a winter lover are you?!?! At least by the time next spring gets here, you should be all healed and ready to tackle all those flowerbeds. I'm still trying to finish my fall flowerbed cleanup and get mulch around all my trees before it starts to get cold.

kays_camelot
Port Sanilac, MI

November 12, 2008 6:17 PM

 Retirement IS GREAT! We sure love it also! I never had many flowers before. I always said I loved to weed; I could do it all day. Everyone would laugh because our veggie garden was always a mess along with the few flowers I had. I didn't have time. Now I have time to weed and my body can't take more than an hour or so at a time. lol. However, dh made 5 more gardens this year alone along with the ones we did last year. It keeps us busy and I LOVE IT. "Grow old along with me, the last of life for which the first was made". We are so blessed., don't know how long it will last but we just thank God for every day. They are all a bonus!

flowerfantasy
Washington, IN
(Zone 6a)

November 12, 2008 6:47 PM

 kays_camelot Amen to that for sure.
NatureLover, No I am not a cold weather person I hate it, but can't just pick and go somewhere warm as we own all of this and just can't go off and leave it and to DH doesn't want to go anywhere but here. LOL HOMEBODY !!!!!!!! Well I think I got everything we put out ready for winter. We put out so much this fall I can't be sure of anything at this point LOL. I just want to get thru the winter so I can get back outside again.

NatureLover1950
Vicksburg, MS
(Zone 8a)

November 13, 2008 7:02 AM

 Kind of beginning to look like we should move this wonderful conversation over to the Retirement Forum, LOL! It's ironic that the title of this thread is "anger," and here we've all turned it into such a nice conversation. DH and I are really enjoying our retirement too. He's working a part-time job to pay for a surprise purchase we made. While we were building our house (during the HEAT of summer down here!) we tried to take frequent breaks. One time we were standing out in front of our half-finished house and DH looked across the creek to the wooded lot in front of ours (we had bought the flag lot) and said, "You know, I don't want to look at the back of someone else's house. Let's look at our budget and see if we can buy that front lot." We did and now it's almost paid for--when it's done, he will retire again, hopefully early next spring. But we still have enough extra time now to do a lot of the things we always wanted to do before retirement but just never had time.
Flower, I don't like the cold either but I won't let it keep me inside. I get claustrophobic in a hurry and need at least some outside time every day. Of course, we don't usually get as cold down here as you do up there. Hopefully, spring will be here before you know it and you and your DH will be outside making even more new flowerbeds!

peony01
Prattville, AL
(Zone 8a)

November 14, 2008 11:25 AM

 flowerfantasy - Hey Lady, I grew up in the Tell City/Cannelton area. There are transplanted Hoosiers everywhere. Hang in there, and pray for IU basketball. Happy Gardening!

flowerfantasy
Washington, IN
(Zone 6a)

November 19, 2008 8:17 PM

 Hey
I am hanging in there. I actually got out yesterday and put some stuff in the ground and some more today. Just about froze my fingers off in the dirt yesterday but today wasn't bad. I think the wind blowing like it was yesterday is what made it so cold. I still have a few things comming thru the mail that I hope gets here b4 the ground isn't workable anymore. If they don't I don't know what I am going to do with them. Any advice. They will be hostas.

JuneyBug
South Central Ozarks, MO
(Zone 5b)

November 19, 2008 8:32 PM

 Maybe you could heavily mulch the area where the hostas will go. that might keep the ground from freezing so soon.

Or, dig the holes and put the dirt in bags or buckets in the garage. When the plants come in, you could plant them in the pre dug holes with un-frozen dirt.

lbrabec
Omaha, NE
(Zone 5a)

November 19, 2008 10:19 PM

 Great idea,Nan.I always have a hard time deciding what to do when plants arrive so late!!
Lynn

JeanK
Deland, FL & Hot Springs Village, AR, AR

November 20, 2008 1:46 PM

 I agree with all of you who are retired that it is great! There has never been a day when we got up and said, "There is nothing to do today." It is more like, "What can we get done today?" We have so many projects and hobbies we feel that we won't have enough time left on this earth to get all of them done!

NatureLover1950
Vicksburg, MS
(Zone 8a)

November 21, 2008 10:21 PM

 DH and I know exactly how you feel JeanK! There never seems to be enough time to accomplish everything we want to do either. I would hate to have to go back to work now!

lbrabec
Omaha, NE
(Zone 5a)

November 21, 2008 10:52 PM

 Ok a little envy popping in :-). My DH has been retired for 7-8 years and is always running out of time.I'm still working and feel like I have too too much time on my hands at times,yet not enough to do some of the things I would like to.Go figure.....LOL.

Lynn

JeanK
Deland, FL & Hot Springs Village, AR, AR

November 22, 2008 10:46 AM

 NatureLover, it was interesting reading your post about being able to sit out and watch the animals. Both of our homes are "in the woods," and sometimes I have to go out and shoo the deer away from our azaleas and hydrangeas here in AR but enjoy watching them while they aren't grazing on our plants. Last summer in FL, DH and I put in a daylily bed beside our house and had a pair of owls who sat up in the tree and watched us all afternoon, although we walked under the tree many times during the afternoon! Will try to find some of the pix to post later.

Vicksburg, MS -- what a lovely place to live! We love driving through MS and visiting Vicksburg and Natchez. As a gal raised in the south, there is no place like it!

NatureLover1950
Vicksburg, MS
(Zone 8a)

November 22, 2008 12:16 PM

 JeanK,
I have to plant only things the deer won't eat out on the west side of our property and down by the creek because of the deer. Of course, there's the food plot down by the creek for the deer. The first year we were in our house, I planted some flowering trees surrounded by daylilies out on the west side of our yard. That's when I learned that daylilies are "deer candy," LOL. I ended up having to dig every one of them up and either plant them in my flowerbed by the house, which is surrounded by electric fence, or give them away. We do like it here in Vicksburg. If you and your DH come through here again, give me a holler--maybe y'all can stop in for a visit.

JeanK
Deland, FL & Hot Springs Village, AR, AR

November 22, 2008 8:05 PM

 Found out the hard way about the "deer candy." Planted some daylilies last fall that I bought at Home Depot after they had bloomed and they bloomed this year and I got to see them one day! The next day, all three had been topped. Your place sounds beautiful -- thanks for the invite! Found the picture of our owls in FL. Kinda look like love-birds, don't you think?

Jean

Thumbnail by JeanKView Larger ImageView Larger

NatureLover1950
Vicksburg, MS
(Zone 8a)

November 22, 2008 8:46 PM

 The deer do love those daylilies! Mine kept trying to grow back but the deer didn't give them any rest. The all recovered after I moved them to a safer place. That's a great shot of your owls. I love to go out to the woods to do wildlife photography and I only have one shot of an owl. It was sitting up in a sycamore tree and I had to creep down into the creek and slip along the bank--I got a couple of good shots of it before it flew off. Birds out in the wild are really hard to get pictures of. Guess anything that has to be able to see insects on the fly in order to have lunch has to see reeeeally good. I've been trying to get some shots of the pair of Great Blue Herons that wander around down at out creek but there's no way to sneak up on them.
You cannot post until you register and login.

Other Gardening Questions Threads you might be interested in:

Subject Thread Starter Replies Last Post
Exactly what is compost is it fertilizer or is it soil or joy112854 4 Jan 6, 2009 2:37 AM
shredded cotton fabric in compost bin? dryer lint in compost sharonlacreta 7 Jan 5, 2009 11:12 PM

Other Forums you might be interested in:

Flowers Discussion ForumFlowers Gardening Questions Discussion ForumGardening Questions Houseplants Discussion ForumHouseplants Landscaping Discussion ForumLandscaping Vegetables Discussion ForumVegetables What's This Plant? Discussion ForumWhat's This Plant?
Home About Us Privacy Policy Contact Us Gardening Resources Advertise With Us
Copyright © 2000-2009 Dave's Garden. All Rights Reserved.

A Dave's Garden Production.

NameMedia Home and Gardens