The little plant I used to buy for 99 cents or so at Shopko for many years never disappointed. These days, I’m fortunate to be buying from a local nursery in Gretna; they are a lot more than the 99 cent variety, but they are spectacular! I’ve overwintered some a few times, pulling them out of the dirt, and storing them in a brown paper bag, then putting them inside in a pot of soil in March or April, hoping they grow. They do sometimes. This year, I purchased the flowers in the header photo, and they’re doing quite well in the planters. I deadheaded some this morning, and a memory stirred about the 99 cent variety.
When I was a little girl, Mom took me once in awhile to the St. Bridget’s Mother/Daughter Breakfast. It was an annual event, in May. All mothers and daughters went to the 7:30 a.m. Mass, followed by the breakfast, made by the Men’s Club. Every table of four had one geranium plant. Everyone was given a numbered ticket, and the drawing was held after breakfast. Such tension in the room! I know every other little girl prayed they would win also. When I did win, the plant thrived for a minute or two, in my south facing windowsill. They usually died from lack of water and general neglect. I’m sure they all did. Back then neither Mom nor I knew anything about gardening. I do believe now we would be able to keep them alive at least for the summer. Too bad, the school is closed, as is the convent, and the priest is a young man who grew up in the parish and went to school with us. Father Safranek visits Mom once a month with Communion. She enjoys the visits, despite her disagreements with the Church ideology over the past thirty years or so. Maybe time has healed her heart on that count.
The Babe was home this morning. While he mowed and did the weed-eating in the back yard with the dogs, I was in the front yard, pulling weeds from the stone fill in our landscaping. The rock looks wonderful when you’re not having to spread mulch, it’s a one and done, but dirt accumulates withing the rocks, and it’s just enough to start some dandelions, water grass, and other creeper-type weeds. No one had done it yet, so it was a mess.
Of course, my mind still thinks I’m younger(ish) and still agile. My 70 year old knees and back are protesting. I’ll be sorry later, I think, but at least the weeds are gone in the front. Tomorrow morning, I’ll tackle the back fenced in flower-garden. No weed barrier there, but I may put some down. It’ll be cut into a billion little pieces and placed around the plants. I’m retired, so it’s ok. I’ll make some time and get some good fresh air these next couple of days.
What a beautiful day it’s been! When we finish here, I’m headed out to the patio to water those flowers and plants. It’s supposed to storm again tonight, and I may be over-doing it for today, but then I won’t have to tomorrow. I started reading the book, “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo,” by Taylor Jenkins Reid. I’m only on page 29, but so far, I love her writing. She has two other books; “Malibu Rising,” and “Daisy Jones and the Six.” I may put them on my Kindle or my wish list for physical books.
As I have gone on this journey, it’s been such fun to develop stories of plain, every day things. Some people I went to high school with have told me they enjoy the memories they have while reading about my memories. That tickles me to death. I’m glad you get happy memories while reading my words. And I’m even more happy to get to write. I’ve checked with the printing company and am waiting for them to respond.
In the meantime, I’m astounded at a message I have on my screen each time I hit “Publish” on a blog. It tells me how many people will receive notifications on the latest published blog. Yesterday, it was 901. WOW! I’m pretty excited about that. I’m getting near 1,000 blogs published, won’t you do something for me? Ask your friends to follow me, like my author page on Facebook, and my publishing company? I’d love to hit 1,000 followers notified in July. Why?
I’m adding two more pages to my website in July; one for Jewell Publishing LLC, and one for Grandma Kathy Books. I’m also adding one for my illustrator, Jordan Ullom. She is a local graphic artist, and is getting quite a resume together. She’s done another author’s book cover, and a musician’s album cover. How fun! Once Jordan gets her ideas, narrative, and photos assembled, we’ll publish her on a page, too.
With that, I’m going to tend more plants outside. And read about Evelyn Hugo’s Seven Husbands. Enjoy the rest of your day! So much to look forward to! And today is pretty cool, too. Take care; see you tomorrow!
Kathy Raabe 