Relatively large portrait of a stranger- too weird? or fun?
Corinne Masterson
5 years ago
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Hosta *Portraits* from my garden! Pix Intensive!
Comments (25)Got a little bit more time, tonight to respond to the nice comments and the time some of you took, like 'idiothe'! You're SO RIGHT, I know, about the work that is ahead for me, in the not-so-distant future, but I just love the closeness of a sea of hosta! I'd rather have the instant gratification and then have to figure out what to do later, I guess. I can't wait till I'm begging people to take some divisions! I have several who have asked me "do you ever divide your hosta?" and I feel really *small* saying, "not yet"!! Not that I haven't shared, but some of my hosta are relatively new to my area, since I've only been about gathering them the past 5 summers, and I love the huge clumps they can eventually be! Phil--now that you've kidded me about 'showing off' I kinda feel like it probably does look like I am. And, I suppose I am, because I am so pleased at what all the work I've done has turned out to be, in a relatively short time!! I thought it would take me many more years to have it come together as it has, and I want you all, who are just starting out, to know you will be so thrilled with the outcome in less than 3-5 years, in my experience!!! So keep up the hard work and just know it WILL be worth it!!!! Paul--look into my eyes----you want more and more and more hosta, along with a wonderful variety of companion plantings!!! Is it working? hahaha Alexis--thank you again for your generous praise---and be careful of what you ask for! I'm easy!!! 'Threedogsmom', the only amending I do is on the surface with compost that is mixed with aged cow manure, and sometimes some alfalfa pellets sprinkled around the plants. And, I try to water them at least once a week, but don't always, especially if it rains, of course! Rain is always better for plants, over ground water and I love it when by the time I've made the rounds, the first hosta watered are already standing much taller! I have to also tell, you '3dogs' that every year that I use that composted stuff the soil is so much more improved!! I've always ground up my Fall leaves and put them on the beds, and the clay areas I've done that are nice and very black, with the clay seeming to recede down about 6" or more. With the composted stuff now being applied--just one year made a huge difference in an area out front that last year I could not get a shovel to take a bite, with me jumping on it! This year, it is now very workable!!! Amazing stuff!!! Going for more of it this week! Oh, and Dan--(one of my 'inspirational gardeners'), my pots usually do fine over the winter, but in '07 with the weird pre-mature Spring we had, I lost over 35 hosta, and many of those were in the whiskey barrels, too! Most of the others were in pots I hadn't planted yet, but I did have them tipped, to no avail that year!!! What I do, do, is plant them in pine-bark mulch that I've sent through our wood-chipper, since I can't buy pine fines or 'soil conditioner' in my area. I do add about 1/3 compost to the mix and usually I have no problems with them--AND, (a big 'AND') I've discovered that any barrel or pot will have a better chance of hosta-survival if it is in direct contact with the ground, not sitting on anything to level them or support them. In fact, I have 'planted' all my large pots, and barrels at least 2" deep (in-ground), and more deeply with the pots--up to 1/3 of the pot deep!! I think they stay more consistent a temp that way!!! I use to have my barrels on a triangle we made of treated lumber to prevent them from deteriating but find that probably is why I lost what I did in '07! Oh, and make sure to drill 1/4" (at least) holes around the sides of the barrels, every 8" or more about 6" from the bottoms and make sure there's drainage in the bottoms!I now cover the big hole in the bottom with 1/4" screening to deter voles!!! Again--thank you, all I've not addressed, so far--Lisa, Melissa, msjo, Mary, ptilda, sassy, Queenie, Starina, Carol, (Oh, I know I'm going to leave someone out--I'm sorry if I do!)--thank you ALL, for your enthusiastic comments, making me feel really good about my efforts!!! Okay--this time, I'm done!!...See MoreI hate having a cleaning service - is that weird?
Comments (16)Thanks for the replies. It does help me to know that one, I'm not the only one that find this level of "service" unacceptable, and two, that there are indeed people that would rather do the cleaning themselves. I still have much to sort out as to whether I want to continue to try having a cleaning person or would rather do it myself. But in the meantime, we are going on vacation and I already planned to put them on hold for the time we are away and just a bit thereafter. Probably 3 weeks off altogether. That will give me time to access the feeling of NOT having a cleaning service. Assuming I still want to go that route, I plan to call Wilma and explain the situation. Despite everything, she is a very nice woman, and one that I actually trust (to my knowledge, theft is one problem I have not experienced with our current cleaners). To be fair, I have not really said much to convey how unhappy I am (in part because I've barely seen her in recent weeks). I'd like to give her the chance to improve things. I will make a list of the things I want addressed and make very sure that she understands what I'm looking for. After that, if I'm still unhappy at least I'll know I did everything in my power to articulate my expectations, and I'll feel free to move on. I got a few new referrals from some friends last night that I will hold onto. I'll admit, I really do have to fight the feeling of not liking people in my house. In our house, my biggest problem is my own inconsistency. There are times when I enjoy cleaning and it almost feels cathartic. However, there are also times, due to our difficulties with our son, that it becomes nearly impossible to keep up and the house heads south VERY quickly. So until I can maintain some level of consistency on my own, I guess I'll have to continue on with a cleaning service. Perhaps if I spend a little time tweaking things, I'll end up being very happy. Thanks again. :)...See MoreMy house is a stranger
Comments (28)Jane, would you mind sharing, or is it too personal? See, I grew up in one of those beautiful two story historical houses on Main Street, small town, USA. Then my parents moved to the lake when I was 18. UGH. I've dreamt of that house numerous times since I've been an adult. It was just beautiful with all the nooks and crannies, window seats, octagon hallways upstairs and down, etc. Big corner lot. So when we remodeled and added on, we kind of turned the front part of the house into an "old" house. Except the outside looks new. We did get a good compliment from the workers, one of them asked us if this was our parents house and were we remodeling for them. lol. IOW,it looked OLD inside because of the arches we added and the colors....See MoreDo you/Would you rent out your beachhouse to strangers
Comments (45)Another who prefers renting condos, houses, etc. rather than a motel. We've had great luck and wonderful owners to rent from. Just this year we rented a cottage that had been in the owner's family for many years. It was FILLED with antiques and lots of family items. Gourmet kitchen with many nice items. That was the one where I LOVED the sheets LOL. I could not imagine having all that stuff out - both expensive and sentimental, but apparently they don't have a problem. We've rented for years in Seabrook Island from a couple who live in NJ. And next month we rented a cottage in the mountains of Alabama which is a stone cottage - again filled with antiques, etc. I know we take care of things - but I'm sure there are people who don't and walk off with things. All the places we have stayed, except one in Cashiers, NC, had cleaning services. The couple in NJ keep in touch with us and I am often their "spy" on the cleaning services at that condo. LOL About bedbugs - you can get them anywhere and everywhere. You can even get them in old pieces of furniture. And the fanciest of hotels. It has nothing to do with cleanliness. If you travel anywhere, you are at risk. Many people bring them home in their luggage. NEVER put your luggage on the floor. tina...See MoreCorinne Masterson
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