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Oklahoma Gardening

Spring Fling 2018!!! - Anyone? Testing....1,2,3

6 years ago

Tried twice to start a thread. Before I go to all that work of formatting again - let's see if anyone is even interested.....or maybe I got myself blocked for excessive lurking..ha!!!!

Paula

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Eileen S

6 years ago

I am bringing a cheese and cracker plate.

The door prize I’m bringing is huge. Hope that’s ok.

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Comments (101)

Megan Huntley
6 years ago
Jen the sunflowers were right around 5 ft for me last year and if no one else speaks for them a peony would be a great Mother's Day present for my mom. Nancy, I could use one of your ornamental peppers for Mother's Day for my MIL. Bruce, I checked my soil temps - and the area where they're volunteering is in the mid-60s, probably was already in the low 60s earlier this week. HJ, I don't know where I'll put it but I'll take a tomatillo. I only have 1 dish I use them in often so one plant will be enough. Here's the recipe but add 1-2 chopped tomatillos. And for the gluten-intolerant, mashed potato flakes are a great sub to the flour for dredging.
Nancy RW (zone 7)
6 years ago
Someone should start a swap thread.
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February 2018, Week 2, Outdoors Planting Begins For Some Now
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Comments (91)
The soil gets better every year if you're amending it as you should....and the gardener gets better every year too. It all works together. : ) Here in OK the thing that throws the wrench into the works and gums it all up is the weather, because we never know when we are planting exactly what the weather is going to do for the next 6 or 8 months---it could be drought and no rain for 3 months or it could be flooding rains, 12" of rain in one day and 24" in one month. How in the heck can any gardener plan ahead and be prepared for all that? I stay out of feed stores during baby chick time or else I'll bring home chicks we do not need. They are too little, too cute, too fluffy and just too adorable to ignore. The last time we were in Atwood's they didn't have chicks in the stores yet, but I figured that for sanity's sake I need to stay out of Atwoods for the next couple of months, and TSC too. Rebecca, You probably are on track with your succession planting, but with snow peas/pole beans it might be a little tricky. I like to plant pole beans early---before the peas are done---because we get so hot here so early that my pole beans need to flower and set beans in May in case the heat is about to crank up too hot in June, which often happens here. If only the weather were perfectly predictable. My English iris, ornamental alliums, red hot poker and some daylilies (but not all) have been up for quite a while now---maybe a month? The daffodils were really late, and some of the daylilies aren't up yet, but I really think that is because of the lack of moisture. The recent rainfall should help with that. The autumn sages are leafing out, so I need to cut them back soon. Most of the reseeding herbs and flowers are no shows so far, but I saw the first couple of larkspur (sprouting in a pathway, naturally) a couple of days ago. I am thinking everything likely will just explode now that we had some rain. I hope Travis Meyer is right about Spring. I'm never going to be unhappy about an early Spring because I dislike Winter's cold so much. The incredibly, horrifically invasive pink evening primrose plants are popping up all over the front half-acre, and in the garden. I pull them out of the garden the minute I spot them. I am considering hitting the ones in the pasture with a herbicide. Yes I am! One plant gives you a million more and they invade everywhere. I got rid of them in the drought years of 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014...but they staged a remarkable comeback in 2015, 2016 and 2017's wetter weather. I cannot stand them. If you let them grow and reseed as they will, that's all you'll end up with in the end. I might keep them if they'd crowd out Johnson grass and bermuda grass---but they do not---they just happily coexist with it. Do you have any idea which parts of Fort Worth they're looking at? Maybe by direction, like North, South, East or West? The DFW metroplex has grown so very huge (7.23 million people) and Tarrant County's population so large (1.8 million I think and I am not sure how much of that is Fort Worth proper and how much is the suburbs that surround it) that it is hard to talk about parts of Fort Worth, as many people now buy homes in developments in the many suburbs that ring the city. Most people who move to the area try to choose a nice neighborhood that will be a decent commute to their work so that they don't spend an hour or two commuting each way each day. So, if you can tell me where their new place or places of employment are located, maybe I can point y'all in the direction of the great places nearby to live. And, I want them to be forewarned, it is a seller's market and homes are selling fast and at inflated rates, so if they want to buy, they need to pre-qualify to know their price limit and find a great real estate agent. Many of our friends who once lived in Fort Worth have fled to the outer, outer, outer suburbs as it all has become too urbanized for them in their former neighborhoods. Some have fled north almost to Denton, to north towards Denton and then west towards Decatur and the like. Others have fled very far south---farther south than Burleson and perhaps as far southeast as Mansfield. My niece tries to keep me up to date on what's what in terms of the neighborhoods and housing developments, and it shocks me when she mentions a neighborhood that was perfectly lovely and highly coveted when we left Fort Worth in 1999, and she tells me it has gone downhill and is now "ghetto". I guess nothing remains the way we remember it once was. If Saginaw and the area northwest of it are near their place of employment, there's tons and tons of new housing developments and new shopping centers going up there---for at least the last 10-15 years, and the growth is never-ending. It used to be Denton was considered a long drive from Fort Worth and too far to move to live, but now people tell me Denton isn't far enough away. I think much depends on whether they want to love in a highly developed neighborhood with lots of homes close together, etc., or if they want to move further out and had a half-acre or acre lot or even more. The weather was gorgeous here today. I trust it was gorgeous where y'all are as well. It was a little wet and muddy, but that won't last long. It actually was nice to see puddles for once. Of course, we had a fire. Remember how I told y'all that when rain falls in a bad fire year, it can make things worst? It sort of did that today. Some vehicle on I-35 had a tire that was coming apart and a piece of flaming hot tire landed in tall grass beside the road and set the grass and trees on fire. This occurred less than 12 hours after our rain stopped falling and it happened maybe a half-mile from our fire station. I was wondering if the ground was muddy enough for the brush fire trucks to get stuck, and suspected it probably was. The answer, apparently, was yes, and I learned that when one firefighter was yelling "stop, stop, back up, back up, you're gonna get stuck" to the fire truck behind him. Sitting at home listening to him holler made me grin---not because I wanted for anyone to get stuck, but because it is just so predictable. So, now that we have had rain, the fires will continue on because dry, dormant vegetation reminds dry and dormant, and the fires will be harder to fight off-road because of the mud. As my son would mutter sarcastically "Great, just great." One thing that was odd(in a good way) today was that it was so warm that the songbirds did not have to spend every minute of every day eating nonstop in order to stay fueled up and warm. I didn't have to refill the bird feeders until almost sunset. The stores near us still have all the typical cool-season transplants on the shelves, but also more herbs that I think of as needing slightly warmer weather...and quite a few tomato plants. This was the first week I saw tomato plants, and I won't remember all the different varieties I saw, but among them were Early Girl, Better Bush, Roma, Better Boy and maybe Beefmaster or Big Beef. Most were the smaller transplants that cost $3.48 or $3.58 in 3" peat pots, but the Early Girls were larger and cost $5.88 in what was probably either a 5" or 6" plastic (not peat) pot. They also had flats of pansies. Last week they only had violas. I bet next week they'll have flats of petunias. It follows a fairly predictable pattern here. We only went to Wal-Mart and didn't go across the road to see what was at HD because their plants come on the very same trucks from BP, I think, and they tend to get the same plants in at the same time. Exactly the same, but sometimes HD does have pepper plants in about two months too early---and earlier than Wal-Mart does. It was ridiculous to stand there and look at those big monster plants, all of which could eat my tiny tomato seedlings in one gulp. It doesn't make me wish I'd started mine earlier---because our soil is still far too cold for tomatoes. I believe I started mine at the right time for my area given my weather and soil temperatures (even with the recent warm-up). I might feel differently if the soil temperatures start hitting and staying in the 50s while my tomato plants are still 2 or 3" tall and wide. Gardening is an imperfect science. I hope people didn't see those tomato plants and automatically assume it is time to buy them, take them home and plant them because we have some freezing nights in our forecast around mid-week. Dawn
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March 2018, Week 3......Happy Spring!
Q
Comments (100)
Kim, I wasn't worried so much about the shed warping as I was worried about it blowing away, but we built a deck-type wooden floor/frame set in posts anchored in the soil in concrete today, so it may warp in morning sun/afternoon shade, but it won't blow away. It did hurt my gardener's heart to cover up beautiful garden soil that was humusy and rich with a shed floor. Regardless, there now will be a shed to hold the tools. We plan to assemble the shed tomorrow and bolt it down. Tomorrow should be less windy than today and that will help will assembling the shed. Hooray for being caught up on your To Do List and for feeling so relaxed, and happy to have traveling money. This is just your week! Jennifer, The netting does break the wind some, and how much just depends on the size of the holes and all. I do think it helps and sometimes all a plant needs is just a little bit of help to get through these crazy Spring winds. The water heater news is not good. 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When Tim was doing the dirt work to combine the two narrower raised beds into one wider raised bed this past weekend, he dug up a sweet potato I had missed when digging sweet potatoes last year....and it was sprouting underground. I say that if you have a sweet potato sprouting in one of your raised beds, the soil probably is warm enough to plant tomatoes. The real miracle is that I restrained myself all week long and didn't rush the plants into the ground the minute Tim dug up that sweet potato. I waited almost a full week, watched the soil temps, watched the weather, etc. and made a fairly rational decision. So the beans are planted and the first round of tomato plants are in the ground. If I can get the east end of the garden prepped in time, I'll sow corn seed before the rain falls. Or, if I don't get it prepped, that will be the first thing I do after the ground is workable again. This might sound early, and it it a little early, but that little voice in my head is telling me it is okay to risk it. That little voice in my head never lets me down, so I trust it. Now, don't y'all go rushing out planting things like I did unless you're willing to risk the consequences. (grin) Dawn
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2018 Spring Fling - Plant Needs/Wants
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Comments (137)
Hmm, seems like we talked about thug fights? I think everything I brought to share belongs in the thug catagory, except tomatoes! The peppermint spreads but it’s not anything like the chocolate mint. As always Dawn, you remembered the tomato varieties quite well! And yes, Jennifer, I’ll take some coneflowers!
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May 2018, Week 5, Heat Wave and Hello June
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Comments (117)
I have not been pushing any limits in the heat the last couple of days. In fact, it is sort of the opposite. I watered the plants well on Thursday and only did minor work for an hour or two yesterday and have stayed away from the garden ever since. As I am typing this, it is 99 here and the heat index is 112 so y'all had better believe I'm smart enough to not be out there in this heat. We did the whole CostCo-Sam's Club run down to the metroplex today and stocked up on everything, so we're good for a couple of weeks. It is terrible when Saturday morning feels too hot to even run errands and shop, but it did....and we went out and did everything we needed to do anyway. Now the game plan is to stay indoors, stay cool and hydrated, and enjoy having our oldest granddaughter here for what is left of this weekend. Jennifer, Armenian cukes love the heat and are very disease-tolerant. They actually are melons and not cucumbers, but if harvested while on the small side, they are very cucumber-like and even can be used to make pickles. The larger they get, the more melon-like they become, but not a sweet melon---sort of bland. I harvest them small for us and let them get as big as possible for the chickens. On hot days, I cut an Armenian Cucumber in half and put it on the ground and the chickens peck away at the flesh until there's nothing left. They love them, and it helps to hydrate the chickens as well as just entertaining them. As soon as something else finishes up in my garden, probably pole beans or squash, I'll plant Armenian cukes so I will have them for the chickens when the real (ha ha, that's a joke) summer heat arrives in July and August. I would have planted them in the back garden this year, if I'd planted the back garden. Megan, I'm sorry to hear that about your beans. If I hadn't planted mine ridiculously early (March), I would be in the same boat. I've pulled one variety because of the spider mites, but the other three are still chugging along. I am watching to see if the blooms form new beans tomorrow and Monday during the cooler weather they say is coming. (I can't see it or feel it here yet, but a lot of y'all who are north of us are cooler today, so I just hope the cold front comes this far south as predicted and doesn't stall somewhere north of us.) That's unfortunate about the gray leaf spot. I hate diseases. I am going to have very low tolerance for anything/everything this summer and won't hesitate to yank out the plants that start looking pitiful or stop producing. I am not foolish enough to think I can baby these plants through a long, extra-hot and likely extra-dry summer. It is just easier to plant fresh plants in late June or early July for fall production. This year does bear some unfortunate similarities to 1998. We lived in Texas then, but already had purchased this land and were up here clearing the woods and working on fencing in our 14.4 acres every weekend. Sometimes we didn't get much done in one weekend between the heat and the dense jungle that was our woodland. I thought we'd die in the heat before we got the fencing done. I remember it was a horrific grasshopper year, and Bruce and I both are seeing signs of that already too. Jen, As the plant gets older it will put out more tall stems. Its' nature is to have a low bushy growth of foliage at the ground level and to send up the tall blooming stems. Just deadhead each one back after it blooms and it will make more. One of the nicknames for verbena bonariensis is verbena-on-a-stick and now y'all see why. Butterflies absolutely adore the blooms. Jennifer, We have those gigantic flies here. They are horrifyingly huge. Back when Chris was in school and they had to do that insect collection in Biology, our place was incredibly popular because the kids could come here and collect enough different insects in one day to have enough for their collection. Until we moved here, I'd never seen those gigantic flies either. Bolted onions can be chopped and frozen. Paula, I have found lemon grass works as well as anything else to repel flies. I agree too, it is the little things that matter. Amy, It looks like you hit Smashed Thumb at an awesome time! Have y'all noticed that on the FB gardening pages this week, there's tons and tons of tomato problems? It is mind-boggling, and I simply cannot believe how many photos we're seeing with herbicide damage, though we also are seeing plenty with plain old physiological leaf roll. I should get off this computer and go sweep and mop my floors. I just don't want to. Heat makes me lazy. Dawn
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sorie6 zone 6b
6 years ago
Hazel we would love tomatillos!! 2 plants. Please.
okoutdrsman
6 years ago
Jen, I'm sure with a large enough container a person could grow elderberry. I have it written down in my notebook along with the other stuff.

Jennifer and Lisa, 2-3 cone flowers would be great! I'll turn them loose with some of the other unruly plants I have and let them do their thing!

I want to learn more about the moth or whatever is responsible for the worms that invade my tomatillos every year. Once I come up with a gameplan on dealing with them, I'll go back to growing.
gardendragonok
6 years ago
I'll be there. Maybe with the neighbors kid.
p_mac thanked gardendragonok
soonergrandmom
6 years ago
Al and I will be there. (thanks to Lisa for the heads-up). I haven't been on the site much this Spring and also haven't been very open about what was going on in my life. We bought a house in Yukon last fall, then had some illness and just weren't able to finish moving. We brought (or bought) enough to survive with and moved down, but didn't get our furniture moved down until about 3 weeks ago. I just didn't want to post on a public forum that a house filled with belongings was there without anyone being in it. We are now in our new home with a rather blank slate for a yard. I have not planted one seed, so I am pretty needy. LOL I have 6 grow boxes to use and a few flower beds, but otherwise I will not have a garden this year.

Paula, as you know, I don't need a map. I will have some things for the drawing, will contribute to the potty fund, and can bring lots of food. Since I only saw the thread today, I haven't had time to think about what food to bring. If there is something that you think we need, I can bring about anything now that I am close.

I would love a few tomato and pepper plants and would accept about any kind of flower. This year will be spent on a few cantainer plants, and a lot of time cleaning out flower beds and preparing for a better planting place for next year.
p_mac thanked soonergrandmom
jlhart76
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Sooner (sorry, can't remember your offline name) I can relate. We moved to a house with almost no landscaping so I'm still working on it! If it weren't for the fling, I wouldn't have even had a garden that first year.
Lisa_H OK
6 years ago
Carol, you need to come by my house. I can hook you up with some flowers :)
p_mac thanked Lisa_H OK
soonergrandmom
6 years ago
Thanks Lisa. I will contact you in a few days.
OklaMoni
6 years ago
I am running so behind...

Just came and looked for this post. Am sorry to announce, I can't come. My grand daughters first communion trumps the Spring Fling.

Hopefully I will come next year again.

Moni
p_mac thanked OklaMoni
luvncannin
6 years ago
: (
OklaMoni
6 years ago
Kim, I can arrange that you can stay here anyway... just tell me, if you need/want it.
luvncannin
6 years ago
Thank you Moni you are awesome. I am still pondering my schedule. I will let you know. I will miss you either way for sure
sorie6 zone 6b
6 years ago
Paula have you sent the maps out yet?

We're trying to find a hotel fairly close so need your map.

Thanks!
p_mac
Original Author
6 years ago
Hey You Guys!!!! Sorry I haven't checked in but I have been watching....finally about to get the oldest DD & family all moved.....

Carlene, Eileen and Amy - got your maps sent.

Megan - I think I should have your email but I'm not finding it.

And Rebecca - I don't have any address for you that I can find. If you and Megan would be so kind as to "follow" me here and then send me a message with your emai, I'll get one back you! I've already followed you so I'll be sure to get any message you send.

OMG - really less than 2 weeks?! Wow - sure seems crazy easy this year - although Mother Nature has set us behind. I'm just hoping I have my few offering hardened off by then!!!

I'll check back again soon!

Paula
baabaamilker
6 years ago
I think our final decision is that we will not be able to come. Several of the kids and of course I'm dissapointed. Hope you all have a great time.
p_mac thanked baabaamilker
Megan Huntley
6 years ago
Paula - I got your email. Thank you. I found a door prize to bring if I'm not too late for that portion of the activities. My husband sprung on me last night that he might be able to come along but I won't know for sure until the last minute. If this is a problem, let me know and I'll tell him he has to stay home and enjoy a quiet house to himself.
p_mac
Original Author
6 years ago
Megan - if Hubby wants to come - bring him!! That's not a problem. There are several husband that congregate at these gatherings and swap info on how to control their garden-happy spouses!!! or not..........ha!

I'm going to miss seeing those of you that can't make it but I'm really getting excited for Saturday!!!! The weatherman said this morning that this upcoming weekend is going to be the nicest one in the last several months!!! We deserve it after swimming thru last-years rain-out!!! Wasn't that a hoot!

See you all soon!
Nancy RW (zone 7)
6 years ago
It was NOT a hoot, Paula. LOL
p_mac thanked Nancy RW (zone 7)
luvncannin
6 years ago
Every year gets better and better. I have my door prizes, plants ready to go but I can not think of what to bring for food. Whatever it is has to travel well.
Nancy RW (zone 7)
6 years ago
Megan. . . if you think you're gonna be late, pm me on FB and tell me your door prize and I'll put your name in, because I'm pretty sure you'll want to be in the drawing for mine.
hazelinok
6 years ago
Tom bought a couple of turkey breasts tonight and will smoke them. I'm not sure what I'll bring...maybe deviled eggs. I have a lot of eggs right now. And something else...is anyone bringing salad?

Part of my door prize has been purchased. Sadly, I might show up plantless again this year other than a couple of things. (I just reread that sentence and read it as "pantless" lol I'll be wearing pants, I promise).
okoutdrsman
6 years ago
Ooh! Deviled eggs!

Looks like we'll be bringing blueberry banana pies with the way our schedule is.
luvncannin
6 years ago
HJ Crackin me up I read pantless too. I wondered what happened to all her pants lol. Shorts are okay. Tell you what when I get there you can pretend like half of my plants are yours and then I won't look so crazy.
Rebecca (7a)
6 years ago
I haven't gotten a map yet...
p_mac thanked Rebecca (7a)
p_mac
Original Author
6 years ago
Rebecca - I'm going to another "Window" to send it right now. Be right back. Hope you're still here......
p_mac
Original Author
6 years ago
Ok, Rebecca - sent again. I used the good ol' "block, copy, paste" method this time just in case of Operator Error. ha! Check your Junk Email too just in case your server decided I'm an Evil Witch.

UPDATE!!!! - Someone asked about shade and yes, there will be plenty. We'll hold it under the carport this year. We also have covered front and back decks. It's too muddy down under the Redbuds with all this recent rain. It should be fine to pull off and park on the left or "west" side of the drive and a bit on the right or "east" side. Just a small "hike" to the carport. We also have new gravel so turning around will be much easier!

And yes, a gluten free option on a dessert would be AWESOME!!! Recipe please?! My oldest and all 4 of my grands will be here, 3 of which are wheat gluten intollerant. As well as pea and peanut. Then my youngest can't eat soy or egg whites. And Dear Hubby is diabetic. Yeh, holidays are a real challenge to my Home-Ec skills. LOL!

(SPOILER ALERT - I THINK THERE ARE GOING TO BE SEVERAL HUMAN SPROUTS/SEEDLINGS IN ATTENDANCE!!! A new generation of gardeners!!!!)

Thanks HJ for the turkey!!!!! Don't even worry about the eggs unless you just want to make fresh eggs your door prize....hint....hint....I'll arm-wrestle the person that gets that prize!!!!

Sorry Bruce...(hehehe) but those pies will NOT go to waste. Amen.

Kim!!!!! - Stop and pick up buns to go with the pork and turkey?! That's easy for you to transport and I believe you may be the winner on the one that travels the farthest to attend. That work for you?

I just searched our group and found the beginning thread of my 1st hosting back in 2010. Wow. I got ALL emotional!!!! I'm so very much looking forward to this weekend!!!! Going to get the pork out of the freezer to thaw.....
Rebecca (7a)
6 years ago
P-mac, I'm bringing peanut butter cookies. Will your peanut intolerant littles be able to be around those, or should I switch those out with something else?
Rebecca (7a)
6 years ago
Got the map!
MiaOKC
6 years ago
I'm bringing pasta salad and a cake or cupcakes or brownies, haven't decided yet! Plus my two sprouts ;)
p_mac thanked MiaOKC
p_mac
Original Author
6 years ago
Rebecca - you are a very sweet person to ask but no, my Littles can't be around the peanut butter. I hate it for them AND their Mom. We'll have to share stories. The Littles of mine will have to experience peanut butter in a controlled Dr's office with an EpiPen handy. I never imagined that would be a concern when their Momma was that age but our food supply just ain't what it used to be! Again, thanks for checking and HAPPY HAPPY you finally got the map!!!! Take THAT, Garden Gnomes!!!!
luvncannin
6 years ago
I got buns P_MAC thanks for the idea, 30 or 40 OR 50. I will bring something else too maybe some sliced fresh west TX onion?

Also I thought I'd bring my market tables. Last couple years we ran out of room and it would help us uh tired folks if we don't have to bend lol. I think I will also make a pecan candy treat.

I am so ready.
p_mac thanked luvncannin
luvncannin
6 years ago
Oh and I have some trays from Lowe's. We don't need the type I grabbed so I thought I'd bring them to carry stuff home in.
Rebecca (7a)
6 years ago
P-mac, I hear you, so no peanut butter treats! Tree nuts ok? Or avoid all nuts?
p_mac thanked Rebecca (7a)
gardendragonok
6 years ago
Hmmmm- I wasn't sure about the food I would bring, but since a few diabetics will be there (including maybe my husband) maybe a sugar free desert like pumpkin pie. I still have puree in the freezer from Thanksgiving.
p_mac thanked gardendragonok
AmyinOwasso/zone 6b
6 years ago
My current plan is hummus and a red bell pepper dip. With pita chips. This could change.
p_mac thanked AmyinOwasso/zone 6b
MiaOKC
6 years ago
One day! Eeek! jlhart, did you have any takers on the peonies you mentioned way upthread? I never turn down a peony, *wink wink.*
jlhart76
6 years ago
Gotta go thru my list again. I have one potted up for someone but I'll pot up another & put your name on it.
p_mac
Original Author
6 years ago
Big door prizes are AWESOME!!! Everyone holds their breath to see who wins that gem!!

Every edible item sounds delish. I'm down for the Oink-Fest! The pork is pulled and ready to warm. My DH Ken did an AMAZING good job getting the place ready. Tea, lemonaide and bottled water are on ice as I peck. I think we've go this!!! Can't wait to SEE you all tomorrow!!!!
Nancy RW (zone 7)
6 years ago
Now, see, Paula, I would be putting a big heart emoji here now. You guys are the best, and all of us can easily see why you do it; and when you pass the baton, all of the rest of us would love to take it up. As much as I'd like to have it here, I must admit, you are the perfect place, and even Kim can make it that far. Jack, Jay, Jacob, and the rest of you who are in the netherlands, you should try it just once. (Hmmm, is there something about J's?) You do it because you have a big heart, and you love your fellow members, and because your place is perfect.

I don't see most of you as often as I'd like. . . which would be 6 blocks away, max and with 10 minutes notice for visiting. Okay half an hour away. Like many of the rest of you, the LAST thing I want to do is to leave my gardens and the property. I'd be a lot more engaged with groups and folks and clubs if I could do it at MY home. :) I HAVE gone out on a limb and connected with Amy and Eileen in the Tulsa vicinity since I have willingly foregone time away from home for that. And now, having forged a bond there, I'd probably even make up an excuse to see those two characters. AND even their hubbies!

I miss George, and think of them often. I think about Jay and Jack, and Carol and so many others who don't check in often. And now Jacob. As you all have noticed, I check in here often. I moved down here four years ago. Didn't know a soul. Have many dear friends in Wyoming and Minnesota. Miss all of them so much.

I pretty much know this is what drives my fondness for OKGW--I have found a community of like-minded souls that has filled the emptiness in my heart for my other friends (many of whom I still visit, virtually, or because they come visit, or because I make trips and see them.) But it came about because every time I had a gardening question to figure out, 9 times out of 10, the Google results pointed me here. And rightly so.

Speaking of that, I am going to Minnesota in June. I haven't been back for nearly 2 years now. I am so excited. We had two very important life events come up in Dec. 2017. One granddaughter graduating June 7, another getting married on June 9. What were the chances. I didn't even realized it until about 2 months ago. When it finally hit me, I talked it out with GDW. As we saw it, the only option was for me to go to Mpls, and for him to go to the wedding near here. It's good, in that he'll be here to take care of the cats and dog and garden. It'll be good for me, as I'll be visiting many close friends up there. AND I get to see my revered and precious beauticians, who will fix my hair! (LOL, they have become very close friends of mine outside of the hair stuff.) Nevertheless, I'm kind of sad about it. I would so much prefer that he and I were there for both.

This is certainly not a post before driving to OKC to see all of you. Well, maybe it is. I have so loved getting to know you all better, even if not in person, and will be so tickled to see you all.
Rebecca (7a)
6 years ago
Just took the last tray of GF chocolate chip cookies out of the oven. Will be on my way at 9!
MiaOKC
6 years ago
Paula, it was amazing as always. It was wonderful to see everyone. The hours fly by at the spring fling! My kids were cranky and several hours past their nap time - I think they were asleep by the time we made the stopsigm at the end of your road, lol.
AmyinOwasso/zone 6b
6 years ago
It WAS great. We're finally home, Sasquatch collected from daughter's and feet up in the recliner. It was fun to see you all and put faces to names!
Nancy RW (zone 7)
6 years ago
It WAS great. We're finally home now too. Why do I feel like someone beat the tar out of me??! Who knew visiting was such exercise! Paula, thanks so much to both of you for hosting it. We so appreciated it. And we so loved seeing everyone. Mia, I have no idea how I missed you. At first I thought you were part of Paula's clan and kept thinking I'd get to you to say hi. Now I realize you were YOU. And I'm still sorry I missed you! :)

Thanks to all of you for the yummy food and the yummy plants! Amy, like you, think I'll put my feet up. On the couch. . . guess you know what THAT means. :)
Rebecca (7a)
6 years ago
I am already showered and in bed. But I'm so glad I was there. Looking forward to the next meeting of The Sisters of the Traveling Plants.
Okiedawn OK Zone 7
6 years ago
Mia, Your kids were and are precious and I never saw one cranky moment from either of them. It is so cool to see y'all in your role as parents---I can tell both of you are great ones. Can the next baby, if there is another one, be a sweet little girl so you'll have someone on your side in the house as the boys grow up? (grin) Otherwise, woman, you are going to be severely outnumbered.

Amy, It was so good to see you and Ron again. I'm glad we got to share a birthday moment with you too.

Nancy, I always feel exhausted at the end and I don't know why. It isn't like I'm working hard while we're there....maybe it is just from having the excitement build up all week until the big day arrives. Maybe it is from overeating because I want to have a little bit of everything on the table.

Y'all be careful putting those feet up on the couch or someone will be snoozing off to dreamland. If so, I hope you dream about gardening and plants.

Rebecca, We seriously need t-shirts that say Sisterhood of the Traveling Plants, but we need one for the men too....perhaps Brotherhood of the Traveling Plants....or, if the men don't like that one, they can dream up their own t-shirts.

Thanks for bringing the yummy cookies. They were the best! You have serious baking skills.

I hope everyone dreams sweet dreams tonight and then is able to get all their plants planted soon.

Dawn
Rebecca (7a)
6 years ago
I think we decided on "Supportive Spouse" for the men. Whether they are or not.
Nancy RW (zone 7)
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
I don't think we better do it. What about Bruce? And Mike? And Dale? (Just saw you here, Jacob) and Jacob? And all the rest of the gentlemen planters. Personhood of the Traveling Plants sounds stupid, though. Humanhood? Peoplehood. . . kinda defeats the title of the movie, huh. ROTFL. I believe snoozing IS in order.
okoutdrsman
5 years ago
I threw this one out to my creative daughter, who also does t-shirts and all kinds of sublimated clothing for a lot of the ball teams in our area. Not trying to plug her business, but she is really cheap and I'm constantly getting on her for not charging more!

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