TheCapeBlog

Pulled up the last dozen or so of tulip stems that were making a hideous, rotting mess. Thank goodness.
The Montauks that I cut back with such trepidation are showing new growth!
Hydrangeas are starting to bud. Some Stella d’oros are blooming. The seedlings in the vegetable garden are Morning Glories. The first of the Evening Primrose are blossoming but got knocked down by the storm.

Started raining yesterday afternoon and even though it was still sprinkling this morning, we only got half an inch total.

Picked up a couple of nice hangars, two-for-one, at Falmouth Greenhouse. Dropped one off early this morning for Julia, a pretty combination of deep purple petunias, lavender verbena and white bacopa. Kept a deep pink New Guinea to brighten up the front.

Some of the 1999 seeds are sprouting.

Sowed the poppy seeds this morning, not holding out much hope, they are so tiny, difficult to handle. Won’t do this again.

The blue sweet peas are abundant, but no fragrance. Still waiting for the white ones.

Managed to prune two summersweet, two to go. That part of the garden has a lot of tiny, biting insects.

Aggravating rash on my left hand, very distracting, woke me up this morning. I shaved off some skin, thinking a) it will get rid of the poison and b) the pain might confuse the nerve endings. It’s taking a while, but I think it’s working.

In Gulf, It Was Unclear Who Was in Charge of Rig

Yesterday’s first try at a yard sale was a success – the kids worked hard, were outside all day and brought in enough cash to make them happy.
With improved signage next time, we’ll probably do even better.
I was gratified that we didn’t cancel; we never got the predicted thunderstorms, which wreaked havoc in other parts of the state. Most of the counties even were under tornado watch.
I planted 20+ nasturtiums from Mahoney’s, where I got to say hello to Paul Parent yesterday morning.
This morning, I put Neptune’s Harvest on the vegetables and most of the annuals, including the impatiens, and the lupine.
I raised the wheels on the lawnmower to cut high, and got everything done but the front yard, which I hope to finish tonight.
Busy, productive weekend.

Finished the vegetable garden today. Transplanted most of the tomato plants, left a few in the Earth Box. Planted companion flowers, marigolds, plus the one morning glory that actually sprouted. Transplanted some lettuce as well.
James and I had some lettuce tonight with our tacos.
I put in some very pretty annuals from Attaquin Acres this afternoon. Did a lot today, just stopped about ten minutes ago. Late picking up Robert, he missed his sailing lesson, although we aren’t sure anyone showed up. It might have been called off because of the morning storm.
Hyperextended my left arm at Stop & Shop and now I’m wearing an elbow brace. James is watching a DVD and I’m waiting for laundry to dry. We are doing a yard sale and transfer station run tomorrow, then transport Robert and Emme to youth group. No rest for the weary.

Pleas have been answered: we are getting rain, thunder and lightning now, and lots of it.
Storm came in from the West, is blowing from all directions but Northeast.
Fed before the storm, was dismayed by how dry the ground was.
Massive lightning strike to the North just now, lost power momentarily, must have hit a transformer. Sound waves from the thunderclaps shook the windows.
Just checked the rain gauge: we’ve received an inch so far, and still raining.
Thank you, Mother Nature!

Squidward has been keeping me company at work. Here he is on the NOAA dock.

House on Penzance Point.

The roses are so beautiful, they are a truer red than this photo.

Put up the netting on the blueberry bushes.

Fed (Miracle Gro) the houseplants this morning.
Finished edging and mulching the oval yesterday.
The new vegetable garden is almost set up.

Emme helped mow yesterday and James and Tyler did a great job on washing the truck. I don’t believe it’s been this clean since I bought it.

We may get t-storms later today. Hope so, it’s been a battle to keep the soil from completely drying out.

Went to Mahoney’s yesterday to get stakes for the tomato cages that refuse to be anchored into the dirt, which is like cement. I was so tired that I avoided the flowers, couldn’t bear the thought of planting.

The blue sweet peas have started, as well as only one (out of ten) big iris. All of the Siberians, even the brand new ones, are doing great, though, as are the smaller hibiscus.

Motivated by a dead-on accurate psychic “vibe”, I picked up five lupine at the N. Falmouth CC plant sale yesterday. Replanted the Lord Baltimore and for some much-needed color, put in the Gerberas and begonias from the Methodist church sale on Friday.

This garden should, indeed, be near God’s heart, if God is a Protestant.

Fed in the morning. Watered, which was good, we had a brief but ineffective rain shower late in the day.

Peter Randall was kind enough to schedule his regular service visit first thing, so I could touch base with him on a couple of items.
Did two transfer station runs with old furniture from Edgewater.

Dropped Robert off for sailing; they had a great day with plenty of wind.

Dug out a small plot for the tomatoes and any other vegetables that may outgrow the Earth boxes. Was thinking how pleased Carolyn would be to see how well they’ve worked out.

Decided to put off painting the front of the house until the Fall, after the plants are done for the year. Who knows, maybe I’ll be able to afford to replace the windows by then.

Peter is making progress with the contractors, we are waiting for a date for the project. Can’t wait to see the house looking good.

Supposed to be a steamer off-Cape today, headed to Newton for Cara and Ed’s wedding.

8’d the roses again and the blueberries.
Set up another soaker hose for the back right gardens this morning and put netting on the cold frame. Everything is getting tall.
Picked the first strawberry.
What’s left for projects? Put a second coat on the bedroom and bath. Paint the front of the house. Want to be done.