This and That

72 this morning. Hot. Humid. 

Just some random thoughts today, which I'll intersperse with a few photos from around the flower gardens.

I didn't like the way these black petunias looked, so added some pink and white to brighten them up.

The weather has continued on its July way, but honestly, it hasn't seemed as bad this year as usual. I've said before that July is my least favorite month, but this year it's been bearable. Perhaps because we've had more rain than usual, which gave us a some cooler days uand relief? Or because, since the garden is later coming in this year, I'm not in the hot kitchen, canning? The one thing I do love about July is all the birthdays in our family: 3 granddaughters, our youngest son, and Larry's older sister. So many good reasons to celebrate.

                                                    

You know, since being retired, I've noticed something that never occurred to me before, probably because I was at work during the day. But during the workday hours, there are so many senior citizens out and about--at the stores, the bank, roadside rest areas, library, etc. It's one of those obvious things that you just don't think about, but of course this is when we'd all be out, isn't it? Weekends, of course, all ages are out and busy, but during the weekdays it's us old folks doing business, traveling, and so on. 

It has made me realize the impact we have on the economy. In past times, there were housewives out during the day and that's still true but not nearly to the same extent. And there are shift workers, but again, the preponderance of people in stores and on the road in the daytime is seniors. Think of all the month we/they spend--I bet there are some places, like the popular Bob Evans restaurants, that would find it difficult to stay in business without the oldsters. Not that this is an important or original thought, for I am sure AARP plays on the importance of the senior dollar in their lobbying efforts. But now I'm noticing, and it's interesting.

                                            

We are still getting out in the gardens early to get some of the work done before it gets hot. I do love these mornings. The air is so soft, even if I am still sweating at 70 degrees because of the humidity. But the light is just different, there is deep shade, and the scent of flowers and herbs lingers. We've been doing a little watering but nothing like in past Julys. The seeds I put out last week are all up, and I planted a few marigolds here and there in places that need color. We were dismayed to discover that the grass had grown so quickly from the rain that it was in the electric fence before we knew it, which grounded the current, so the deer got in and ate my lima beans. My lovely, lovely, lima beans. They were just doing so well and it looked like we would have a good crop. Now, we will be lucky to get a mess or two. 

                                                

But the beans Larry planted are up and thriving, and he picked some of the tiny first plantings and dug some new potatoes because he is craving one of his favorite dishes, beans and new potatoes cooked together. They're on the stove as I type. Poor man was so desperate he even snapped the beans. And look at size of this potato--they have done exceptionally well this year.

                                                

I harvested the beet seeds which had dried nicely outside, and I think I'll try planting some of them soon and see if I can get them to over-winter like they did last year. We had late beets in the fall, early beets and greens in the spring, and then I left the rest to go to seed. We shall see how they do.

                                            

I was disappointed that the seeds sold to me as rhubarb seeds are actually rhubarb CHARD, not rhubarb. I was so excited to actually grow my ow plants and just babied those things, but duh. Ah well, they'll be good greens.

Yesterday was a work day at the antique mall, filling in for the owner whose mother is very ill. It was a nice break and I got a lot done while I was there, but it sure tires me out to work a full day. I'm good for nothing by the time I get home. Usually we go in on Fridays to restock, but since I am working again Sunday we will stay home and work on furniture projects instead. We have several in the works, and need to get them out of the house.

And now that I mention it, I better get back to work. See you tomorrow, I hope.

Copyright Susanna Holstein. All rights reserved. No Republication or Redistribution Allowed without attribution to Susanna Holstein.