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Harvest Cooking

Thoughts for RiverRat/Karen

5 months ago

For those who don't know, Karen's beloved Charles has passed away. I reached out to her and she asked that I post something here for the "old timers" that might remember her.

Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers as she faces life without him.

Annie

Featured Answer

Lars

5 months ago

Very sorry to hear this, but thank you for letting us know. My sister (also named Karen) lost her husband last year, and it's been very difficult for her ever since - she is still adjusting to it.

When we bought our house in Westchester 15 years ago, Karen sent me this heliconia as a housewarming present:

which is still growing in the back yard, although we sold the house last month.

Photos from July 2023. I've enjoyed this plant for 15 years, and it always makes me think of her.

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Comments (12)

Islay Corbel
5 months ago
I am so sorry to hear this. Please pass on my hugs and best wishes.
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annie1992 thanked Islay Corbel
colleenoz
5 months ago
How sad for Karen. Please pass on my best wishes as well.
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Well, I have not been able to get over to Karen's since my post :(. Don't know whether anyone else has either. May need to wait till the spring now, and just get things cleaned up and mulched as things start warming up again, and hope the plants made it through the winter ok (which they most likely will, since they've been in her gardens for years). I'll try to touch base with Karen at some point - curious if she has connected with any other group of folks who can/have help out. Gosh, it would be nice to get a large group of people (10 or more) to go together for a day and get it all done - at least all the weeding and cutting back of the larger deciduous plants and all getting the clippings into garbage bags - as having just a few takes much longer and more trips. IMO, cutting the daylilies all the way back isn't complete necessary right now, other than it helps expose the weeds that may be hiding underneath. They will need cleaned up by clipping off the old foliage in the spring, however, if it doesn't get done before winter. Many projects to do, and so little time to get them all done!! Marj
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The truth is that evergreen azaleas are not really suited for Z5 climates unless they are grown in very protected niches and/or given winter shelter from burlap or other barriers. Labels and catalog listings make claims to the contrary and hide behind the "semi evergreen" ruse, but they all wind up looking just like yours after a typical Z5 winter. Your theories are logical and might apply if you lived in a warmer place, but plain old cold temperatures and wind are to blame, nothing else. Any flower buds set last year were probably killed. If you prune back to live wood, new growth will very likely emerge, but next winter will result in the same sort of damage. You can try barriers of burlap or evergreen boughs to protect from sun and wind, but this doesn't really do anything to modify deep cold. There are rhododendrons and deciduous azaleas which will grow and flower well in Z5, but Karen and other evergreen azaleas just won't.
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bbstx
5 months ago
Please give Karen my condolences. Having been there, I can appreciate what a tough time it is for her right now.
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annie1992 thanked bbstx
busylizzy
5 months ago
Old timer here, so sorry to hear of Karen loss. BTW ANNIE, your salsa recipe is being told that it was not tested, how can we email so I can stop this? I oh so miss the old Gardenweb.
0
annie1992 thanked busylizzy
denise8101214
5 months ago
I’m very sorry to learn this
0
annie1992 thanked denise8101214
CA Kate z9
5 months ago
Thank you letting us know about this sad loss for Karen. Having been there, I, too, can appreciate what a tough time it is for her right now.
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annie1992 thanked CA Kate z9
annie1992
Original Author
5 months ago
busylizzy, you should be able to send a message via Houzz/gardenweb, but if you cannot, my email is annie1992 at yahoo dot com.

As for the salsa, well, people just have to say something to prove they "know" something, I guess. Perhaps the confusion arises because the first batches were pressure canned, then the recipe was finally tested, then the "salsa rules" changed and my extension service suggested I increase the acidity "just to be safe". I did that, but that means there are a couple of recipes floating around out there. The first one, which was tested for safety, and the second one, which had more acidity "just in case".

I care less and less as I get older, LOL. People can make it or not, as they wish. I've retired, the person who finally managed to get it tested has retired and her replacement who suggested additional acidity has retired. I grow tired of "defending" myself to whole new groups and generations. If they do not wish to use the recipe, fine with me.

Meanwhile, people have much more serious issues than my salsa, and so Karen remains in my thoughts and prayers.

Annie
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booberry85
5 months ago
So sorry for your loss, Karen.
0
kim47
5 months ago
last modified: 5 months ago
My condolences to you Karen.
0
dedtired
5 months ago
Just seeing this because i dont drop in here so often. Karen and i stayed in touch via Facebook but then my account was hacked and i had to start over. Lost my connection with Karen. I loved seeing updates about her family. I am very sorry to hear of the loss of Charles.
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Sooz
5 months ago
last modified: 5 months ago
Thank you Annie for letting us know. So very sorry, Karen…sending prayers.
0

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