What is it with toilet paper roll replacement? I mean a stack is at the ready — easy access — nearby and all it takes is (actually) picking up a new roll, removing the used and replacing the new roll in its place.
There is lazy and then there is LaZy but folks who are unwilling to replace the roll of toilet paper is just plain L-A-Z-Y and thoughtless. Like Jim, the retired teacher I stopped dating because he would not put the toilet seat back down. Thoughtless.
I’ve mentioned before that I am a quilting nut-job — I mean I love to quilt!
The feel of the fabrics soothes me as I work on each block and the creative aspect of designing each block — individually — then seeing them come together to create A-R-T out of swatches of fabrics always makes me feel like I’ve done this remarkable thing.
I remember, as a child, how I loved to run my hands over fabrics. I also remember Mama saying ”Please, stop twisting your dress skirt around in your hands, people will think you’re crazy!” I guess I was crazy — crazy over fabric — and nothing has changed, I still run my hands over my clothes to feel the fabric. It’s soothing, honest it is. I guess if I were really crazy I’d be continually twisting my hair around my fingers or ripping paper into ragged strips and eating them. I don’t do either of these things, but I do admit to uncontrolled massaging of bolts of fabric at my local quilt store. And, yes, sadly I’ve been noticed doing this.
Recently I’ve began searching online for bargains — fabric can be experience — on fabrics I know I like. I want to increase my fabric stash so when the notion hits me for a new project I’m already set to get started. Nothing d-e-l-a-y-e-d means my quilts have a chance of going from concept to finished project if I can audition various colours and patterns of fabrics while the concept is fresh in my head. Having a nicely balanced colour/pattern stash at the ready is pure bliss. Of course justifying the purchase of more-more-more bundles can be a little tricky, not to mention storage issues. I’ve ‘hidden’ neatly folded stacks under beds, in closets, dresser drawers and linen closets. I’m a pro! But, when I need them their all over the house — not good. Luckily, I will have a designated bedroom with a nice long converted closet plus a dresser chest where the bundles will be easily accessible. My daughter and I are looking forward to ‘our sewing’ room’s grand opening next month. It’s been a long time coming and we are excited beyond words.
The only problem — she doesn’t know the extent of my fabric stash. Maybe I’ll put it away while she’s a-w-a-y!
My Mama wasn’t to be messed with — period!
Mama was a kindly and sympathetic woman who took great care to raise children of strong character. We weren’t allowed to be disrespectful to our teachers and we were expected to be kind and fair to our classmates — the consequence for being otherwise brought down her wrath. As far as second chances, there weren’t any. You learned your lesson the first time around so you didn’t repeat the infraction.
It warms my heart beyond measure to see my grandchildren being raised by women who teach their children the same as I was thought, by my own Mama. It gives me comfort and hope in the future for a better world for all of us.
Don’t think you have room for a vegetable garden? Perhaps you think it might be unsightly to have rows of veggies growing in a landscaped yard. Perhaps you fear what onlooking neighbors will think and say. You might think the soil will be unsuitable to grow anything other than crabgrass and to make the soil suitable to grow food will be experience. All these concerns , valid as they may be, are unfounded.
When I decided to turn a portion of our backyard into a vegetable garden I was sure the first years bounty would give everyone a good laugh and that the neighbors would be the ones to laugh the loudest but I was wrong. The soil under a well nourished lawn is perfect for vegetable gardens. The lawn provides clean and crisp garden border. It did take a little effort to remove the sod below the roots but once done, tilling in needed amendments is extremely easy.
Being creative with row design adds to the visual interest when viewed by visitors. Try incorporating a few bright coloured flowers to improve pollination and add beauty to the garden. I love to plant marigolds and basil around tomatoes and peppers and to include a patch or two of daisies or asters somewhere in the garden.
Also, being creative with trellises for beans and other climbing plants adds to garden interest. I never toss anything out! Everything gets a useful second life in my garden. Thinking outside the box when thinking trellises is kind to the pocketbook too. Gardening centers charge premium for things you might already have on hand if you recycle what you already have.
The plot doesn’t have to be large . My daughter began with one five-by-five foot square space that proved to be a huge success. I began by planting vegetables in a flower bed. No space is too small.
Most new gardeners begin with tomato plants and in my humble gardeners opinion a vine ripened tomato is the only way to go.
Happy gardening 🙂
I’m past my prime! Apparently. This year no filing taxes — I’m not sure how to feel about this.
Spring temperatures have finally arrived — garden soil amendments and seeds at the ready! Soon green shoots will emerge from well tended soil and we’ll be up and running for another growing season.
The Joyful Gardener
marilu davis 