Love/Hate
Last week I was over at Red Dirt Ramblings reading Dee’s post about plants she used to hate but now loves. It got me thinking about the plants I love and hate. Daylilies used to be among my hates, particularly the ‘Stella de Oro’ variety. I think I really dislike them because they’re way overused, at least here in NE Ohio. Every shopping complex and retail area has them everywhere. When we first arrived at Chiot’s Run there were a good number of daylilies planted in the garden, most of which were given to my mom.
Why do I dislike lilies? I don’t really know, perhaps it’s because the flowers fade so quickly and look untidy. Maybe it’s the shape of the plants. For some reason I’ve always disliked them.
Although certain day lilies are now welcome in the gardens of Chiot’s Run, I still haven’t learned to love the poor ‘Stella de Oro’. Arborvitaes & yews were also on my list of dislikes when it came to plants, but both have been slowly making their way onto the tolerable and possibly useful in certain situations list.
Are there any plants that you used to dislike but now like?
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Quote of the Day: Three Sisters Garden
Every American knows that a stand of well-grown sweet corn is a delight to the eye, as well as to the ear when it rustles in the wind. The classic mix of squash, beans, and corn is tricky to achieve in such a manner that the squash gets sufficient light and the beans to snot smother the corn. They should be planted only when the corn is already well on its way. Once grown, the stand of corn provides one of the best vertical accents possible.
Louisa Jones in The Art of French Vegetable Gardening
There’s something so classic about a three sisters garden. Last year I grew one featuring an heirloom yellow popcorn, a special heirloom bean that can take the shade of the corn, and Cinderella pumpkins along the edges. Everything seemed to thrive.
This is the first year in a few that I’m not growing popcorn. I typically grow it in my mom’s potager, but there was no space left for it. Plus with the possibility of a move I didn’t know if I’d be around during harvest time.
Hopefully in my new garden I’ll have space to include both sweet corn and popcorn. We’re lucky to have a local farm from which to purchase fresh sweet corn, but I’d love to grow it myself. I’m not a huge fan of the new super sweet hybrids, I like a less sweet corn with more “corn” flavor. I’ll definitely be trying to find a good one for next summer.
Do you grow sweet corn in your garden or purchase it from a local farm? Any special varieties to recommend?
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Jury Duty Again?
I must be of the perfect demographic or something because I’m always being called for jury duty. A couple years ago I was on a federal grand jury. That meant that every fourth week I had to drive to Cleveland, a one hour forty-five minute drive) for 1-3 days during that week. This went on for 18 months. Needless to say, it was a HUGE hassle. Some things I heard were interesting and eye opening. I’ve taken an oath of secrecy and can never talk about them and they burned out notebooks after our stint was over. Last year I was summoned to state jury duty up in Akron for a 3 month period.
Just last week I got jury summons for Sept 2012-August 2013 for our county. I was also called for county jury duty during my term of federal grand jury so I got off the hook a few years ago. I’m not sure why I get the ‘privilege’ of being called all the time, Mr Chiots has never been summoned for jury duty. I am more than happy to participate as my civic duty, but it’s getting a little ridiculous.
Have you ever served on a jury?
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Quote of the Day: Stone Walls
History is about leaving our mark. The old settlers’ mark is a bunch of tilting gravestones and some broken down stone walls, and I wonder if, as they heaved rocks onto the intricately fitted walls, they thought about us, the future, or were they just trying to get those stones out of the field. Whatever their motive, they left a mark with their lives. And we leave one with ours.
Linda Tatlbaum from Carrying Water as a Way of Life: A Homesteader’s History
I always notice stone walls when we’re out and about, especially the old ones. Perhaps it’s because I’m a stone wall builder myself. When I build a stone wall I’m not necessarily thinking about it being here in a few years, I’m more doing it because I love the look and I have a ton of rocks on hand.
Gardening organically is something I do with future generations in mind. I know not using chemicals in the garden is healthier for me, but I know that it will make a big difference to the generations that come after me. They are also on my mind as I blog to encourage others to go organic.
What kinds of things do you do for the sake of future generations?
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Traveling with Cats – Suggestions?
Our biggest worry about our move to Maine is getting all the cats up there. We have 2 outdoor cats, one is indoor/outdoor and quite tame (Dexter), the other is still kind of feral. She’s only been in a car twice, both times to go to the vet. Dexter gets carsick, though we’ve found a homeopathic treatment that works for him. Samson & Soafie, the indoor cats, aren’t much for car travel either. All the cats spend the entire time in the car yowling, panting, and generally causing a ruckus.
I’ve been wondering how we’re going to handle taking them all up to Maine. It’s a LONG drive, usually taking 12-13 hours in a car, with a moving truck it will take even longer. The plan is to drive the car behind the moving truck with just the animals in the car. The Chiots may ride with Mr Chiots in the moving truck, she is quite fine with long trips. In fact she gets all excited when it’s time to go somewhere in the car, especially “to grandma’s”.
As much as I’m against pharmaceuticals and drugs, I’m actually considering a sedative for all 4 cats to make the trip a little less stressful, both for them and me. The thought of spending 14 hours in a car with four yowling cats isn’t a pleasant one for sure. I also don’t want to have to worry about any of them escaping during a rest stop.
I figured that a couple of you must have had experience with this and might have some suggestions for me on traveling with cats.
Have you ever traveled/moved long distances with pets (cats, dogs or other)? Any suggestions for making the trip less stressful for them?
