We have... seedlings!

Seedlings, that's the stage that comes between seeds & full-fledged plants, right? How would I know the correct terminology? We've already discussed my lack of green thumbed-ness.

Two weekends ago I moved/transplanted/toppled pots in an effort to separate the seedlings as instructed. I'm not sure this was done with any level of success, but all the plants are still green & nothing is shriveled!

We call that ---- major achievement!

They've moved from their previous residence in the garage to a nice, luxury location on the front porch. It seemed to me they were crying out for more sunlight (all the little plants were leaning toward the window, that is a sign, isn't it?). Now they have more by way of reflected, semi-direct & shade throughout the day.

I could have put them on the back deck, but by the time summer gets here it's going to be more like a furnace out there than a hospitable environment for delicate (b/c I am growing them) little plants.

I'm not too sure all of the seeds are going to turn into something... you know, edible... but it's looking like 85% of the seeds will turn into something other than just seeds. I'm sure that counts are 'growing a garden'.

I'll take what I can get.

Someone is already asking for my 'overflow' of plants. I'm hoping this is not a jinx. Talking about the future in such ways is sure to make it go astray! Perhaps I should declare the topic off limits... Of course, saying things are off limits is like trying to get Roxyann to stop torturing the one plant we actually do have in the house.

In another development, I came home from work the other day and found, oddly, one of the smaller pots 'tipped' over on an angle. I thought to myself - was it really windy today?

Self said: No, it wasn't.

I take a step closer & see that not only was that pot askew, but there were 'dig' marks in other pots! WHAT THE???? Just what has been DIGGING in my pots? My poor little seedlings! They were molested by an unknown assailant! That's just wrong!

The discovery had me concerned. Obviously I couldn't have all my hard work eaten up by a freeloader stopping in for a snack! I wanted to see these things reach maturity! I asked Cop'er to come up with a solution.

Still waiting.

I might have to be creative for this problem. Perhaps I need to put a 'scaredog' out there...

What color is my thumb?

Last year I had the great idea to use part of the backyard & create a garden area. Cop'er & I went to Home Depot, got the supplies, dug out the area, pulled the weeds. I even let Cop'er play with the electrical tools... We planted tomatoes, watermelon, cucumbers, peppers and herbs.

I had the best intentions - really i did! The long, hot summer wore on... the rain was less frequent; oddly, so was the watering from me.

I admit I was disappointed. The only place in the yard that we had space to put the garden didn't offer enough sunlight for the poor plants. They just didn't perform well. It was a loss. Very sad. I really wanted homegrown veggies!

This year I decided to try a different approach. I bought seeds & planted the seeds in  little containers & am currently growing them in the garage. I went out there a few days ago to water them & little tiny sprouts were working their way out of the dirt.

I went out there yesterday & they were growing like weeds - which they aren't, because we didn't plant those.

In just a short while, I'll be able to separate them into their own pots. I'd like to have enough to share with family & friends... but I don't want to get my hopes up. I know things can go horribly wrong in the blink of an eye. Things go from green... to... gone!

It's Times Like These...

That I wish I still had my convertible!!!! The warm air, the music turned up loud, the pollen inhaled in obscene amounts... Yeah... love convertibles!

Cop'er bought me a used Sebring convertible a couple of years ago. It needed engine work, so we finally got it running just how it should be. I tooled around town in it - top down, of course. I'm one of those people who will put the top down even if it's a little on the questionable side of warm. I figured it was all ok since I could still use the heat!

I LOVED having a convertible. LOOOOOVVEEEEEEDDDDDD it!

One fateful afternoon, as I was on my way to a doctor's appointment, I was hit by another car on the interstate. Granted, the whole situation was a freak thing - something in the road, officer on the side of the road trying to get it, cars going around the obstacle... yeah, it was definitely a freak accident.

However freak it was, it didn't change the outcome. My little convertible had to be towed away. Then it had to be poked & prodded by the insurance adjuster to see what kind of surgery it might need. Turns out, there was no saving it. It was totalled.

Damn the luck! Just when it's going well, someone comes along & messes things up for me!

Here are the last shots ever taken of her... Oh how I miss the wind in my hair!!! RIP!

Spring has Sprung

"Spring has sprung. The grass is riz. I wonder where the little birdies is."

That is something mi madre has been saying to us since we were kids (granted, that was fairly recently for my siblings!). I wonder if she knows it's not correct grammar...

The little green blades of perennial surprise have finally unwrapped their little gifts. Hello, daffodil! Where have you been hiding all winter long? However did you survive under all those many inches of snow? I don't know how, but here you are in all your yellow glory! How fresh (though fresh not as a daisy) and alive you are looking!

Though fall is my favorite season, I'd say spring is likely the 2nd fav. Considering it's the thing that drives away winter, it's not hard to imagine why. Winter never fails to fool with its dastardly trick. You know the one, you look out the window and it's a beautiful day. Cloudless sky and brightly shining sun indicate the kind of day that people rush out to spend time in.

Not so much... did i mention that by 'warm' I meant it's 40-degrees outside? I did say winter was dastardly!

Spring, on the other hand, is sweet and kind. It actually gives us that warm that not only looks inviting, but is inviting. Today the temperature was in the low 70s--people were out wearing their inappropriate clothing already! Ahhh, yes... a prelude to the season that is summer.

Stretched Thin

I started writing TV-related articles for examiner.com a few weeks ago. They like for you to write at least 2-3 articles a week. I don't think i can cut the mustard though! I feel stretched thin... overworked & under (way under) paid.

It's just too much like work. I can't come up with interesting articles that involve both TV & Richmond. Small city-living Richmond? Not to mention, several 'big' shows are winding up their regular seasons... doesn't equate to tons of material to write about.

So i feel that i am at a crossroads... to keep or not to keep... Do i give it the old college try & work on more articles? Or do i shrug my shoulders, call it a loss & do other things with my time?

It's not a hard decision to tell you the truth. I'd rather get paid nada & use my time to add content to my bloggy here and take photos with my new toy. With the spring season just around the corner (spring back on your clocks this weekend!), it's calling me for more outdoor activities. Of course, this is only after having taken the appropriate allergy precautions.

I saw the beginnings of perinnials in the yard this weekend... those little blades of green signaling the renewal we all look forward to after a long, cold (very snowy) winter. I'm excited at the prospect of shooting more pics of scenes that aren't covered in snow or hibernating for the winter. My camera is anxious to show it's stuff!

I wonder if i should read the manual first...