Rain, rain go away - - -

Finally we were able to get outside to stay for a while. North end, sage flowers, Sweet William, Canada Anemones, et cetera. There are a couple of  'interesting' grasses. You don't have to buy grasses, you can find them; they're everywhere. Many of the plants are now three years old in situ and looking good.

The sitting room passed its second final inspection on Thursday; one more inspection to go.
Families are quick to share good and/or bad news but rarely supply follow ups which leaves me hanging and is frustrating. I really need to lower my expectations. Clicking enlarges photos

Sunday, June 12, 2016

Temperatures are back to June-normal. "What is so rare as a day in June? Then, if ever - - - "

This morning the lake was sun blindingly brilliant; rarely, but much appreciated, are the occasional and evocative sailboats. This one appeared yesterday arriving on the wind.

Thordunu Kria, Vinlands Totty, Alaskastadiors Korpur, Kersins Kata, Vinlands Piaf, Bersi av Isheim.

Clicking on photos will enlarge them.

 

 

Hot Day

The temperature was close to 90 with high humidity (duh, Lake Huron) on Saturday. Most of the new plants are doing fine but I'll have to watch them closely and water if necessary. I believe they must send out their new roots and 'look for water' actively. If you water too soon after planting, their roots stay short and shallow. I prefer NOT to water for at least the first 24 hours after transplanting to stimulate root growth. This is third and fourth summer for some of my plants: Sleep, Creep, Leap. Those older plants are coming into their own this summer. What fun.

Over the years I've tried to grow Shasta daisies; they are fussy, attract slugs, need staking, die out after a couple of years. I love the wild daisies and are hearty. Why ask for more?

One of my new favorites is the Canada Anemone: white, wild, spreading.

This is the second summer for some of my Rhodos and they are doing OK. It's a real experiment to see if they do as well up here as they did back in Royal Oak.

My volunteer, wild yellow swamp iris are coming into their own now; they're as pretty as Japanese irises and just as easy.

I didn't think I'd like the yellow Baptisia; I was wrong. I love it. It's beautiful in bud and in flower. ual

I love the Rugosa roses - virtually care free and loads of lovely smells. They are super hardy, grow on their own roots, don't get black spot; they do, however, have thorns and the flowers last only a few days. Oh, they also produce volunteers from seeds.

Clicking on photos enlarges them.

Porch!

They came and poured ~ I now have a new front (south) porch and a new, smaller, rear (north) porch.

I haven't heard from Daren since the concrete was poured; there are only one or two very small things to finish. I think he's really tired of the project. It has been an interesting and great experience.

The exposed soil is clay which is very, very hard when dry but, when wet, it reminds me of the 'slip' clay we used when I was in grade school many decades ago. I think I'll cover it with good old reliable wood chips. Clicking on photos enlarges them.

 

 

 

 

 

Porch Day

Before Forestville, I used to drive for about an hour to get to Kensington or Stoney Creek Metroparks. Now even on a misty, rainy day like today I can just step outside with my cup of tea, coffee, or cocoa and wander through my own paths marveling at my version of a semi-wild cottage garden. clicking on photos enlarges them.

Mary's -

Many of my yellow/brown Lady Slipper Orchids were covered with dirt when Clair built the house. @!#&. He left the dirt piles covering the orchids when he was "finished". However, a very few in another section of the forest survived and are flowering today. Clicking on photos enlarges them.

Left early for breakfast at Mary's Diner in Port Sanilac. Along the way there are several stretches of what I call Dame's Rocket which smell quite a bit like lilacs. I transplanted a few last year and two survived. I know they will eventually spread. There are a couple of honeysuckle bushes near some groups. I love honeysuckle; their name, however, implies more than they deliver.

After an egg and pancakes, alone I wandered the beach and pier. I realize that I may not meet anyone when there aren't crowds but solitary I enjoy the views. I am alone but rarely lonely. I made friends when I lived down south but they were mostly situational friends. I am no more alone here than there and that's fine.

 

Yesterday the concrete was supposed to come and be poured to make the two new porches, a small garage apron, and a short walk. If not yesterday, they said, then today. Well, maybe, if I'm lucky, next week.

The guys from Jeld-Wen (windows and doors) still don't have things right, according to Darin, and will have to come back again.