Gardening in Wyoming

 Gardening in Wyoming can be challenging and I used to be much better than I am now.  Part of that can be attributed to my age, but mostly to the weather and each year it seems to become more difficult.  Global warming? Most of the people I know are not believers and feel that everything cycles.  I probably won't live long enough to see another wonderful gardening cycle, like I remember if that is true.  We have had rain, and more rain and some hail and even some tornadoes.  The tornadoes were a few miles north of us this weekend, but they did significant damage and destroyed eight homes, all rural thank goodness or it would have been much worse.  Because of the rain and hail, what I have planted has suffered and with such a short growing season, I am not sure it is worth the effort.  I do have a few pots that get moved several times a day and so far so good. I do have this wonderful African violet that is blooming and after only a year seems to have outgrown the pot. Perhaps I will have to be satisfied with indoor plants for now.

Our library group has taken a break from the library quilt and sew days for the summer, but above is the last completed quilt for a wall in one of my bathrooms...it is titled "We're on a Roll".  I have started a Wedding quilt since I received an Accuquilt Go machine and a couple  of dies for it.  It has taken a few sessions to get the hang of putting it together on the machine as this is an old pattern which was traditionally hand stitched.  I will try to get a picture of a couple of squares, which are not really square, but rounded in shape.

I had my friend of over 50 years come to spend the weekend with us and we hit garage sales, saw the movie "Book Club", and toured the botanical garden.  Had a wonderful time.  Our neighbors bought a new truck and they have two vehicles in their garage already.  With no room for the new truck, they purchased a Hail Protector and honestly, it looks like a large caterpillar when it is inflated.  They won't let me paint eyes on it, but it has gotten a lot of attention from onlookers and probably does a good job.  I will try to get a picture of it also when they inflate it again.

"Friendship consists in forgetting what one gives and remembering what one receives." ~ Alexandre Dumas the Younger

 I have been posting now for over 10 years although I have taken a couple of breaks, one most recently.  However, now with summer on the horizon...(I am really not fond of winter), I can get outside.  For some reason, the sun energizes me.  With this more moderate temperature, we can start the garage sale circuit.  I have always been a fan of recycling and re purposing...part of my genetic background I fear.  Mom and Dad did not throw away much, although I am sure that the cream separator probably went to the dump. We darned our socks, mended and took care of things.  So last week I picked up the two Pyrex bowls, a pattern I have in other pieces, for $2.00.  What a bargain!  This weekend we picked a piece of electronics, brand new in the box for $3.00. It will replace an old set of pieces that allow us to project a  television program from one tv to another wirelessly.  Yes we are tv people. Our children have always made fun of the fact that we have them in nearly every room.  I watch a good deal of public television, and we don't always watch the same programs. We also meet a wonderful bunch of people and I pick up pieces for friends who volunteer at the hospital...They provide baskets for cancer patients with all kinds of goodies.

This past couple of months has found many of our friends and family dealing with unfortunate situations and we have been a sounding board for many of them.  Part of it is most likely that we are all in the twilight years now of our life.  Makes one stop to think about the uncertain future.  The Mr. and I have been blessed, but know that there are critical decisions yet to be made for us.  This tree in my back yard is blooming so beautifully and the fragrance it emits is most pleasing.  But we have had rain for several days and when the raindrops hit the petals, they fall like snowflakes--all over the deck and the dogs bring them in on their feet. We have had both little rescue dogs to the vet for minor surgery and now they will be able to get groomed as they are shaggy. So, now with the gardens getting greener, I have planted seeds, pots and have some perennials to get in the ground.


"The trouble with gardening....is that it does not remain an avocation.  It becomes an obsession." ~ Phyllis McGintey

Another year

I have been absent from this blog for a few months, just needed to get some other things finished.  But I have had another birthday and find myself realizing that I am blessed to be so healthy and able to do most anything I want to do.  Spring has sprung and we have some really pretty trees blooming and we planted grass which has nearly filled in all of the ugly places where crab grass previously grew and was killed. But lots has happened to friends and we have just been busy dealing with life in general.  I had a wonderful week and have taken some pictures which will follow in the near future when I get things organized.  Just stay tuned and I will be back.