Digging Daffodils

My friend down the road came up today and we dug up daffodil bulbs. She had commented that mine made such a bright splash of yellow in the spring that could be seen from the road. I told her I would let her know when I needed to thin them and she could have some of them.

It is always such a joy to have someone to garden with. You can share plants, seeds, advice and general good will.

I have so many African Violets and Aloe cactus plants, I think I will go to the car show at the lake next weekend and set up a booth to see if I can sell them. Maybe also take some yard sale type of stuff to sell.

Hollyhock seeds

I have been “thrashing” Hollyhock seed. These are the really tall old-fashioned Hollyhocks. My DDL wants some for her yard. Yesterday I cut down the dry stalks and put them on a large piece of plastic (I think a mattress may have come in it) and put it on the deck. This morning I went out on the deck with a pair of shoes with lug soles and “thrashed” it with my feet. I was going to use the leaf blower to “winnow” the seeds to get the shaft out but they are too light and tend to blow away too. I even tried blowing with my mouth.

Anyway, I got some bowls and a colander with large holes and tried manually sifting them. By shaking the bowl with seeds in it, at least some of the shaft comes to the top. I can pick it off by hand, then when I sift the seeds through the colander, the dust drops down. I have so many, I may try selling them locally. I love gardening and maybe can earn some money to finance it.

I had not planned to use this blog to address anything that wasn't cheerful. Unfortunately, what has happened to so many thousands of people in the Gulf Coast deserves acknowledgement. My thoughts and prayers are with all of them and everyone all over our world who has suffered a loss of loved one due to this tragedy.

One of my neighbors called and said he had relatives that were in a shelter and may be coming here, as they now have nothing to go back to. Another relative was going to get them and take them to her own home until decisions could be made.

There will be many families and individuals who may have to move to new locations throughout our nation. Leaving their homes, friends and culture will be difficult for them. Accepting these "newcomers" will not be easy for everyone. They will have had a different way of living and perhaps even their speech will be different from those in their new environment. It is one thing to move to a new community because of job opportunities or personal decisions, but it a totally different mentality to have to move because you have no other choice. If we are in some of the communities who must help these "refugees" acclimate to their new lives, we too will need prayers and patience. So many times our citizens have opened their homes and communities to peoples of other nations dispersed due to wars, etc. Let’s remember our own fellow Americans who may need a welcoming hand or hug.