A Love Interest

A summer love interest:  Borage

What's to love - besides everything: 

• Borage (Borago officinalis) is also known as Starflower.
• Self seeding annual herb that can form colonies.
• Plant in full sun to partial shade (does best in full sun.)
• Tolerates very dry conditions after establishing.
• 20 to 40 inches high x 12 to 28 inches wide.
• Has a cottage garden informal look.
• The one-inch flowers come in white, pink and blue.  
• The blue is one of the really true blue flowers in the garden.
• The flowers and leaves are fragrant.
• Flowers from late spring until frost.
• Is a culinary and medicinal herb.

  

  A Burpee picture

• Valuable source of nectar and pollen for bees.
• Host plant for the Painted Lady Butterfly larva.
• Host plant for lacewings.  Lacewings feed on aphids, mealybugs, thrips, small caterpillars, mites, moth eggs and some scales.
• Is said to repel tomato worms.
• Because it attracts beneficial insects, it's a great companion plant for other plants in the garden.

This beautiful picture came from Burpee

What's to dislike:

Nothing!

So you know:

• It is native to Europe.
• The flowers hang down.
• Some people find the leaves irritate the skin but they are considered edible and taste like cucumbers.
• Flowers may be candied.
• It can colonize but easily pulls if it shows up in the wrong place.
• Most nurseries (Burpee for example) have seeds.

Borage Oil:

It is advertised as one of the richest natural sources of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA.)  Also has beneficial fats, fiber, proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals.  Said to have anti inflammatory properties and emollient properties for the skin.  (This is taken from an advertisement so do your homework.)  Do NOT buy it unless it says it's free of pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA.)

Reminder:  Always do your research when using herbal remedies and talk with your doctor first if you're taking prescriptions meds. 

I have Borage planted among my daylilies.

Borage is one of my favorite garden plants and although I don't use it for food or medically, the bees sure do love it, too.  I'm willing share my love interest!

The Scent of the Purge

An internet picture of spices

We've all done it: 

• Bought a spice and then used only a little until five years later it's still there, a mere shadow of its former self.  
• Bought a package of cinnamon sticks or whole cloves in hopes of making a wonderful Christmas something and there they sit, dusty and alone.
• Had a beautiful spice rack filled with colorful spices and the light, heat and moisture from being in the kitchen has rendered them useless.

What to do?  What to do?

The non savory spices (we often think of them a dessert spices but they are used in many other dishes) are perfect for humidifying your home.  Fill a large heavy pan half way with water.  Add spices.  Turn on high until it comes to a soft boil then turn down to a very low simmer.  It's a great way to add moisture to your dry inside winter air, it uses up old spices and it smells wonderful.  Don't forget it's on the stove -or- don't leave unattended.  Duh.

I've tried putting spices in electric or candle scent pots and I've not been pleased with the resulting fragrance.  

If you like the fragrance of savory spices, you could always boil as above.  I tend to think it smells more like I'm opening an Italian restaurant but you may enjoy that, too.

I feel good by simply throwing other spices outside on the winter ground and let them biodegrade.  I wouldn't put them in the bird feeders - birds can be picky.  

It's reported that using strong fragranced bay leaves, cayenne pepper, chili pepper, black pepper, cinnamon, mint leaves, turmeric powder, cloves and garlic repels ants and mice.  

I'm including all forms of pepper and peppercorns in the purge process.  It not only can loose it's flavor/smell but can take on a bitter nasty taste.

Don't throw salt, in any form, on your lawns or gardens unless you want to kill the vegetation for a long time and the melting snow may take it unintentionally to a bed.  

Pure salt can be flushed down your toilets or down the drain as it tends to clean as it goes.  Seasoned salt can go stale and flavorless over time and is best thrown in the trash.  I've never had pure salt go bad.  I have bought the odd trendy salt from the odd location and found it had a flavor I didn't like, those can go down the drain.

If you like to cook with seasonings, purge your shelves of every spice over one year old (many suggest a few months old.)  Write the date on the container. Why ruin a good dish with stale, flavorless or off-flavor seasonings.  

If you buy good seasonings and they come in containers too big to ever use it all, ask around and share with friends.  We all buy too much unless we're in the restaurant business.  

And off the dry spice kick but kitchen purge related:  

If you've had your baking soda, baking powder or yeast packages over a year, flush those babies down the drain, too.  Soda takes on fragrance from other things (it's why it's suggested we put an open box in the frig and it's why it's in many kitty litters.)  Baking powder and yeast loose their properties and will cause your baked goods to not rise as beautifully.

And when all these things are actually purged out of your kitchen, may I suggest only buying the basic spices on your first shopping trip.  As you need others, then get them at that time.  Also, if you're really into flavor and cooking, buy a good quality.  Not necessarily expensive or gourmet but freshly stocked.   Health food stores usually carry smaller containers and more freshly acquired. Although there are many other web sites, Penzeys Spices are good.

And a really yummy alternative:

 

Then there's always the really garden/produce store fresh spice or flavoring that is another whole set of tastes.  I have froze some fresh herbs from my gardens in olive oil.

Frozen Oil & Herbs

Wash and dry herbs and veggies.  Pick from stems, remove seeds, chop if necessary. 

Assemble ice cube trays (plastic/rubber is the best).  

Put in enough herbs/veggies to be able to push down under the rim but not crush.  

Pour in a good quality olive oil to cover.  Set in freezer.

When solid, remove, put in lock-top sandwich bags and label.

And now friends:  Go forth and purge that spice drawer.

Here Kitty Kitty Kitty

This is "Maggy" then called "Buddy" after an informative vet visit.
He had a wonderful story all his own
and after many wonderful and storied years, has gone to cat heaven.

I'm a cat lover - there "I've said it!"  I know the pros - the cons - and still I would be the crazy cat lady if I didn't know the hazards.

I've had cats all my life.  When I was a kid we had them on the farm.  They were kept to the barns and porches as my Dad, the farmer, didn't believe in animals in the house.  Still, I spent many an afternoon playing zoo keeper, circus trainer, cat doll dress up and just plain loving my cats.  

As an adult, there's always been at least one house cat in my near past or future, if not in the house.  Right now, I have a sweet little house cat, Bitsey, (that likes ventures outside through the cat door in the summer.)  I don't let her out in the winter because it's way too cold and the eagles/hawks are way too hungry.  

This pretty guy "Boots" was an adventurer who had no fears.  After a few years, he disappeared
and I'm assuming his "no fear" attitude might have been is undoing although
I choose to imagine him simply living with another family of his choice.

Through the years, I've had cats dumped here, wander here or adopted here.  They've been varied in looks and personalities and I've pretty much loved them all.  

I know there are complaints about feral cats in town and with good reason.  Where I live in the country, the whole feral cat thing is a different situation.  A feral cat in the country has a very short life span due to coyotes, other predators and health risks.  Competition for food is pretty high in the country.  Protection from the elements is hard because other wild animals know those places, too.  Today, people tear down old barns and sheds thus eliminating shelter in a hole in the soft straw and hay for outdoor cats.  

This is "J", Boots' sister, who had the preservation instinct down to a science.
She lived almost 18 years as my indoor/outdoor cat and left for kitty heaven just last year.

Over the years, I've had a couple of returning big feral male cats make a stop at my house on their tour of the country side.  They aren't vicious but they are certainly wary enough to run when a human or dog is near.  Both seem to be pretty healthy in spite of obvious war wounds.

For years, a beautiful golden orange Big Guy would visit.  He was wary of me but it was with an attitude.  He was used to being dominate and that included humans.  One summer day as I was at the computer, I heard the cat door opening and turned just as Big Guy walked calmly into the kitchen and started eating cat food.  I have no idea how many times he'd performed this little trick but as I walked into the room, he turned and gave me "what do you want" look.  I politely asked him to leave (shoo shoo) and he did but not without a few back looks that let me know he was only leaving because HE wanted to not because I was insisting.  Big Guy stopped showing up a several years ago and I'm assuming Big Guy went to cat heaven hopefully by his own accord and not through an unfortunate event.    

This little boy "Bond - James Bond" loved being friends with our dog, Buddy" and they played
 and slept together for several years.  One day he zigged when he should have zagged and kitty heaven welcomed another sweet little guy.  

I've resisted the urge to feed strays because I would become the home to another cat, one that didn't particularly like people and one my own cats didn't particularly want as competition.  I was pretty sure most weren't vaccinated and probably had a case of fleas that would spread.  Another reason not to put out pet food is it attracts raccoons (dirty, hateful & damaging) and mice.    

Because none have ever looked like they've been starved, I suspected one of my neighbors fed them regularly or perhaps even took care of all their needs.  

"Bitsey" is my house kitty.  At 13 yrs. old, she is now queen.

Today, I was surprised to see the current beautiful charcoal gray Big Guy snacking at my bird feeder where I had thrown out some stale Christmas cookies.  He's well fed and today seemed healthy although a bit muddy.  I'm thinking he has to belong to someone.  He's more skittish than golden Big Guy although he likes to sun himself on my front porch.  My old cat (J) seemed to enjoy the company - my little house cat (Bitsey) not so much.  She considers anything/anyone new a threat; Children, wind, other cats, the howling of coyotes, the weather alert alarm - just about anything but me and dog Buddy sends her into hiding.

Gray "Big Guy" cat.

Sooooo - today gray Big Guy realized I was photographing him from the window and scooted towards the woods.  With these cold temperatures, he must be one tough guy to be wandering so far from home.  Hopefully, after some cookies, he'll catch a few mice and get back to whoever loves him enough to keep him fed and healthy.  And he'll have some leisurely time to clean the mud off his face.  Being the neighborhood Big Guy is a lot of responsibility.    

A Spot of Tea?

This isn't my picture but it's a cutie example.

As I was walking the isles of T .J. Maxx/Marshalls/Home Goods, I was seeing LOTS of teapots.  You know those pretty little painted pots every British sitcom has during every conversation whether it's a murder, romance or news show.

Has there been a revival of serving tea in the US - In pretty little pots?  In an era when hurry, easy and immediate are everything?  

I thought maybe it was a misadventure from some manufacturing firm but I checked the more upscale lines and they, too, had tea pots of every variety.

Whatever the reason, there's a great use for thrift store teapots or that collection you've pushed back into the corner kitchen cabinet.  

They make great birdhouses!  

The reason (besides being pretty) is they already have a door (the top), they're easy to clean (size), they have sufficient drainage (the spout) and they have an easy way to hang (the handle.)  Win win win and win! 

I've used teapots, coffee pots and water pitchers for years as bird houses.  Screwed to a tree or hung by the handle, they are sturdy and easy.  Here are a couple of mine:

An old metal coffee pot screwed to the wall.

Aluminum water pitcher screwed to the wall.

This may seem like a waste of good silver but I found (when I sent mine to auction) that no one wants silverplate anymore.  It sold for less than a birdhouse - I wish I'd kept it for just that.

   And all of these four are from Pinterest where you can see several hundred more ideas from simply hanging to fancy affairs.  

Side notes:  

• If you plan to drill a hole in the bottom so you can screw a ceramic pot to a surface, there's a good chance it will break the entire pot.  I noticed some were wired to boards and others appear to have been super glued.  
• Some (as shown in the silver coffee pot above) have the opening modified to entice certain birds.  Not all birds like a big entry to their house because it's easier access for predators.  
• I put some of my pots under the garage overhang to help shield them from heavy rain.
• Other examples show them used as bird feeders but I envision this being a messy labor intensive projectThis Pinterest example has a few more fun additions for those who have woodworking talent.  

Thrift store pots are often really cheap because they apparently haven't got the word "American loves tea pots".  
   

Time Flies When You're Having Fun

Amaryllis up close and personal 

The old saying "Time Flies When You're Having Fun" is the other side of "Time Slogs When You're Not Having Fun".  

It's been a year plus where each day can feel like slogging through mud up to my neck and other days where I fell asleep wondering what actually happened because it went so fast.  It's called "the grief process" and mental and physical exhaustion.

Without going into too many details, my husband had his cancer come back for the third time, it was a long horrible ride ending in his being in home hospice and his death in October 2018.  I was his primary care giver.  It was hard - enough explanation.

2018, my garden got out of hand -or- went to hell in a hand basket.

2019, my garden was often ignored -or- developed a life of it's own.

2020, I'm hoping for a workable plan -or- something - maybe.

Because I'm the gardener and my husband was the heavy lifter, the balance of duties was thrown sadly off.  Not the kind of whine that he left me wanting but the kind of realization I simply couldn't do it all and still have this kind of garden.

• What do I get rid of with a clear heart?
• What do I modify to keep in a different form?
• When do I find help to do for me?
• What do I learn to live with but isn't as perfect as I want?

All these are good questions at any time in life or in anyone's garden.  Made a little harder because I was still in my "I'll just add one more flower bed over here" mode of gardening.

Then there was that period in time where some of my concerned family thought I should sell this high maintenance old property and move to a new little place in town.  That stopped my gardening until I came to a decision.

And even though I've decided to stay here for the time being, I needed to factor in the implications of a move someday and/or making the yard attractive to a future buyer.  

Cut walnut tree that was dangerously
close to the garage.

Some decisions were made for me:  The 2018-19 extremely harsh winter killed or damaged quite a few trees.  Not only did I have them removed but a few others that always dropped limbs, caused maintenance problems or were just bad choices for their area.  It let me know I could make good gardening decisions.

I've always had trouble culling poor performers as it seems like offing a relative.  Last summer my cull strength hit optimum and I realized how so many of those problem children actually made my gardening harder. 

This year, I'll be lifting some favorite plants and giving away or killing everything else in those beds.  When I return the favorites, I'll add a good layer of mulch.  (My mulching philosophy is another article for another time.)  This will make garden life going forward much easier.  Pulling that same invasive over and over every year is a foolish time and energy waster.  I swear if I do ever move, I will never (write that down in red pen) ever plant another ground cover. But that's another whole article, too.


Well, that's the plan - loose and uncommitted as it is.  But, it gives me hope and hope is certainly a comforting balm.