Dividing Yellow Hammer

I didn't grow dahlias in my Kingston garden, except for one. And I didn't dig it up and divide the tuber, so I lost the plant. It was a Yellow Hammer. I've seen it growing down in the dahlia garden beside Taylor Dock. Very pretty. I did grow lots of Japanese Iris and those I divided and gave away and moved around. They grew well on the Glendon, the septic system, as it was always slightly moist there. Iris grow wild in swampy areas, so the water is a plus. There are so many varieties—yellow, white, purple. Beautiful.

We've been having some good gardening days here, chilly air and sunshine and the trees. The most I've done lately around my garden is think about how I will get the next things done. I used to have a truck and that worked well, to haul the bark or the manure or the leaves. Once when I was young I went from house to house and took the bags of leaves they put out for the trash and put them in my garden. This worked well, except for when they'd included bits of wood and jun

I've not much to say right now. Trying to recover still from divorce. Trying to get more sleep and to consider where I'm at is where I'm at for the time being. I'll move into a bigger place someday or not. The stock market has thrown me (and many others) as most all my money is there. And my ex, not so sure if he'll stay afloat, which would mean I won't have money to live off of. When push come to shove, the tough get going. Well, I'm tough, but right now a little worn out. I know it will get better, when I'm not sure. After the election. I can see the market coming back up. It's dropped so low though, taking us clear back to the 90s. Eek! Positive thinking, I do believe in manifestation. So think good thoughts; we can do an experiment. Are you thinking?

That's enough about that. So, dig up those dahlias and divide the tubers. Give them away or sell them. And be sure to store them in sawdust. They need to stay dry and not freeze. And bring in potted plants that need to winter over in a little warmer temperature. I think I already said this, but bring them in so you'll have them next year. Around the water things don't freeze as easily, but still, in a cold winter, they will.

Okay, have a happy day. Flower.

You Have to Be Strong

When you're married, you have someone there with you who's strong, who picks up the pieces, who wraps an arm around you and says, It will be all right. When you're single, it can only be your friends and yourself. And some say spirit; however, I've never felt the arm of God around me. Figuratively, of course, but not physically. This is what I want, a tangible experience of Spirit and of man—eventually, that is. Many people say they are atheists, and although I can't say what is really there, I do know that the earth is there in abundance, enlivening everything. There has to be a force to make this happen. And then there is the old heart pumping away. How does this happen, this animation, without some great force making it all in the first place? These are questions that ring inside of me, waking me daily to the awe of life, reminding me to be full of joy. Here's a book I'm looking at by Julia Cameron

The garden is difinitely full of joy right now. Beautiful colorful flowers: zinnias, dahlias, sunflowers, cosmos, and glads shout with joy. I have a bouquet of dahlias in my kitchen right now. There are lovely shades of red and yellow and white. So full, plump petals vibrating with life. My sister likes to squeeze flowers and ooh over them. She is in the right profession, a wedding florist. I like to paint flowers, so much color, so much beauty.

Last night I saw Garrison Keillor at the Western Washington Auditorium. He was completely fabulous, such a professional. Such a talented man. Present, listening, making connections as the show unfolded. It was truly an enlivening experience. There was a outward expression of Spirit if I ever saw one. I was completely taken. Now I have a book to read and will enjoy every word of it. My friends Kelli Russell Agodon, Brenda Miller, and Nancy Pagh went with me. We had a blast.

Okay , then, must shower and get on with my day. Be happy and smell the flowers.

Flower

Dahlias

As I was flipping channels yesterday, I came across a gardening program that displayed a dahlia with a bulb the size of a wheelbarrow. This was one huge dahlia. The announcer said all dahlias come from central and south America. Here in Bellingham there is a dahlia society that has dahlia shows. More about the group at http://whatcomcountydahliasociety.org/

I think this is a strange hobby, since I'm the gardener that insists my garden be independent. Much as an Aries would have it, I guess. I treat my houseplants that way too. You're with me, you must be hardy. So I grow African violets, which I assume are from Africa. Do you know that you can root your own plants from leaves? It's easy. Just take a leaf and make a few cuts along the spine, where the stem travels through the middle of the leaf--then press the leaf over damp potting soil, anchoring it with some dirt over the stem. Then cover it with plastic wrap to keep it moist. It will root along the stem fairly quickly, and soon you'll have an additional plant. I've also just stuck the stem into the soil and waited, continuing to water well of course. And, be sure to use the African violet fertilizer. You'll get more flowers that way. And don't over water, as they damp off easily.

Back to dahlias. Dig the bulbs each fall. This is where I fall down on the job. I get tired of the garden right about this time of year and if I don't return until I'm out there picking chard and kale on a cold winter day, that's okay with me--well I have pangs of guilt, but my short attention span wins out. Today, I'm off to paint. I know I should be off to garden, but hey, there is only so much time in the day, and besides the rain is falling hard.

My friend Debbie from http://www.rainysidegardener.com/ gardens no matter what the weather is doing, but look at the name of her website.... What else would she do? She says it keeps away the winter blues, just dress warmly and go out there. Okay! Whatever!

Oh, I'm being a little flippant today. Must be my exhaustion of late. So I'll get a little better rest tonight. The rain quiets down the neighborhood.