Did You Tell Your Children Stories About Your Life?
chisue
4 years ago
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4 years agoElmer J Fudd
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoRelated Discussions
Your plant life story
Comments (8)Mehitabel & Brooke, Your descriptions of dogwood and redbud make me homesick for Little Rock and the nearby lake where people had rustic cabins. There were wild dogwoods in the woods there - even some with pink flowers - and cornflowers & honeysuckle all around. In town, there were redbuds (also in the woods), mimosa trees, and cultivated azaleas that stayed in the ground all year and got huge. Japonica, forsythia (sp?), wisteria, magnolia trees, hydrangeas, honeysuckle. And yes, the beautiful Japanese maple. Other places in Arkansas, there were fields of wild azaleas. Both my grandmothers and one grandfather had green thumbs and grew plants in the house and outside. Growing up, I was more into fish, birds, hamsters, frogs, lizards, snakes, and dogs than plants but in my early 20s, became fascinated with bonsai. In Mississippi, where I lived for several years, the squirrels got my treasures. Moved back to Arkansas and raised lots of interesting houseplants, using bonsai methods to keep them from taking over the place. No outside plants interested me much except pansies. In Minnesota, more houseplants. Always, orchids were the magical and the impossible - I'd never have the greenhouse it took to grow them, although I pored over greenhouse plans a lot. When DH and I moved into the house in the 'burbs about 4 years ago, somehow I picked up the book "Orchids Simplified: An indoor gardening guide," by Henry Jaworski. My mom, an excellent cook, always said if you could read, you could cook. I believed her and became a gourmet cook. Jaworski said if you can grow houseplants, you can grow orchids. I believed him and bought a Phal from a garden/craft chain. Sure enough, the Phal thrived and rebloomed as I followed Jaworski's instructions. One day, I was ga-ga over the orchids at a local garden center. One of the staff and I started talking. She said if I could grow Phals, there were lots of other orchids I could grow in the house, and she told me about Orchids Limited and AOS. I got chills and raced home. It was winter and pitch dark, but I checked MapQuest and headed straight to Orchids Limited, knowing they wouldn't be open that late. Have you ever seen a commercial orchid grower's greenhouses at night during a cold winter? A fairyland. In the middle of frozen Minnesota, there was a glowing oasis of light and life. The insides of the greenhouse windows were dripping with humidity, so the plants inside were out of focus, just like a dream. The next day, I left work early to get there before closing. Walking into that tropical paradise was indescribable - the warm, humid air, the fragrance of blossoms, the brilliant colors, all those lush green plants, the burble of a fountain. Outside, the air was so dry it hurt my nostrils. Inside, my eyes and lungs and nose and heart gave a big sigh of thanks. I went home and started reading about cultural conditions possible in the house. That was about 2.5 years ago. Over time, the houseplants went to other homes. The other day, I ran across 2 brand new books on houseplants that had never been taken out of the bag. Orchids must have taken over right about then. Every year, I think - gotta get some native plant gardens going outside, esp. because we have ducks, geese, herons, etc. in the pond just beyond the fence. So far, it hasn't happened. Maybe now that the lathe house for the orchids is finished... Calvin, thanks for asking. This brought back lovely memories. Whitecat8...See MoreWhat about your new build makes your life easier; what doesn't ?
Comments (25)I had lights put in cach closet so they come on when the door is opened and off when closed. I love this feature; no more hunting in a dark closet. Used T5 slim flourescest light fixtures. I also have drawers on all the bottom kitchen cabinets. Makes those dark recesses in the back go away. Did in floor hot water heat which I love. No more drafty forced air. Put a shower valve that controls a hose spigot inside the garage so we can wash the car on the outside concrete pad in the winter. Full extension glides on the kitchen drawers and the soft close on the drawers and the cabinet doors. We are at 5000 ft in northern Wyoming so we did tripple pane casement windows and 2x6 walls with foam insulation on the exteriior wall. I would do double hung windows if I had to do it again becasue the flies like to roost between the inside screen and the window pane. Have at least R50 in the ceiling that's blown in fiberglass. The new stuff that doesn't itch. I also agree with putting plenty of outside spigots and outside electrical plugs. Wish I had more....See MoreLifes little lessons.....Advice for your children
Comments (13)learned the hard way... marry someone you like and respect as a person - lasts long after the heat of passion wanes and those little worrying thoughts about parts of your partner's character start to grow. don't ever stay with anyone who doesn't think you're the greatest thing since sliced bread. not that your partner shouldn't know that you have flaws, we all do, but your flaws should be seen as part of the whole of you and just part of what makes you human....See MoreTell me about your children's amazing careers
Comments (12)Hellooo Judy, long time no see. I have to agree, a good mom and dad are priceless. As a part time sub teacher I can almost always tell which kids have parents that care and truly love them and which ones don't pay them any attention. Having a parent at home when the kids are, means so much to a child. Bravo to your DD! Do you enjoy having a son who can help you financially? We have one in our family too. He is soooo smart about money, my dh can go and get free advise!! Thank goodness for Landlords, good ones at least. I'm sure it can be a pain at times. Jemdandy, I love the Instant Hero story!! He does have an amazing job. Getting University computers to interact is no small feat. ( DS has a computer science class right now that he struggles to keep up with. The programming is tough.) Once again, that's a job I salute. Good for him for seeing how client happiness is important!! My dh was an engineer and would be frustrated with his company too, for the same reasons as your son. Now he mainly does the family farm, his true love. Azzalea- your dd found a her niche. As we all know a good optition is so important. Bigack--Marshal!! that sounds like a cool job!! wow Marry- I often say the same about my son in college. As long as he pulls off the grades and stays out of trouble, we'll stay out of his business. He does share but not near as talkative as his friends. Sherman- I'd imagine if you could have all of the kids home at one time, you could have a whole days conversation about the jobs they all do! Sounds like fun to me. Dee_ add me to the list of grateful admirers. I grew up a Navy kid and moved several times, it wasn't always easy. Thank him from me too. Thanks for your responses, I'll get to the rest soon....See Morechisue
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