Things I would never plant in my garden again and other random notes

Garden Planting Regrets

Northern Sea Oats

I planted it years and years ago when I wanted an ornamental grass that would take a bit of shade and for awhile it was ok. Many years later it is taking over much of our front bed (which used to be lovely but has been taken over by said grass, some vinca which was there when we moved in and primarily by what Google told me was Virginia Creeper). The last few years have seen little gardening activity in that bed and now many of my nice plants there have been choked out (farewell Bleeding Hearts).

Goldenrod

Ok, it spreads like hell, but I admit some fondness for it despite that. Would I plant it again where I did? Nope.

Bishop’s Weed

I loved this when I got some from a friend. Variegated leaves and it crept along making a nice little border and as a bonus the flowers reminded me of Queen Anne’s Lace. Then it all went to hell and it took over and now it’s all solid green…no pretty variegated leaves anymore.

Honorable Mentions

Mint

Well, obviously of course, but I must say it got moved with some daylilies to an area in which nothing ever wants to grow so I don’t begrudge it. I finally have a bed of green there.

Grandpa Ott’s Morning Glory

I remember talking to Ernie’s folks about a million years ago and telling them I’d planted morning glories. They ranted about how horrible and invasive they were and all I could do was look at them with big eyes and think, “but my beautiful Heavenly Blues have never done that.” Then I planted some Grandpa Ott. Whew. They were everywhere. I think they’re mostly gone now but I finally understood their ire.

I’m sure there are more. What are your garden planting regrets?

Ok, moving on. We got some beautiful herbs and vegetables from Sola Gratia. We planted them in our window boxes and planters in front of our entry today and it made me very happy. Hopefully our nasturtiums will germinate in there too. Last year I had no luck…crossing my fingers as most years I get at least some.

The couple of days of storms last week really played havoc with my pain. I know some doctors say that weather doesn’t affect pain but damned if I believe that. It was a rough week. I worked on Thursday but by the end of the day I hurt like hell. I crawled into bed before dinner but was still sleepless most of the night. Felt better the next day. A mid morning nap helped but what REALLY made me feel better was watching the Wienie 500, the first race of six different Wienermobiles at the Indianapolis Speedway that afternoon. I can not begin to tell you how much pleasure this gave me. When I was little I saw the Wienermobile in Maine near my grandparents’ house. I don’t remember it clearly but I still remember the overwhelming excitement. I got one of the hot dog whistles too. ❤️ As faint as it is, it’s still one of my favorite memories. The Chicago dog fought valiantly but the Slaw dog pulled out ahead at the end.

Leftover sesame noodles without sesame (whoops) but with ground beef and lots of greens, and a couple of eggs, for breakfast. It was surprisingly good sans sesame.

Esther always watches out for me.

Sack seems puzzled by Eggy.

Roast potatoes and snow peas with honey mustard glazed salmon.

The big guy.

Got to admire the freshly painted bus yesterday. Visits from Ann and Bob do us so much good.

Thinking wistfully of when we would go with the boys to the cemetery where both Ernie’s folks and mine are buried on Memorial Day. We’d bring flowers for our folks’ graves and watch the ceremony. I was trying to remember who did the ceremony so I looked back and found this in an old post from 2016:

We stood and watched, the Knights of Columbus in their feathered hats and satin lined capes, the junior high band that bleated out the national anthem. Ernie pointed out that the crowd seems to be smaller every year we go. The crowds smaller, the veterans older. The whole thing moves me to tears every time. The boys stood attentively and clapped politely and I was proud of them. Afterward we walked over and put some flowers on the gravestones of Ernie's parents and my folks.

Onward.

Love,
Cynthia