September

Time flies because I’m not sure how we got to the second week in September already. We’ve had a couple of days of cool weather and were able to open the windows. That’s a really good thing since several of the line items on our electric bill have gone up almost 20%.

The list of fall chores is long, but I’ve been working on it along with my fall job of moving. Moving is what gardeners do, right? I have a couple of beds that I’m transitioning from perennials to shrubs, and some did better than others in their previous spots. I also bought a dwarf white dogwood, and I moved two other shrubs to get the perfect place for the dogwood.

Along with gardening maintenance, how about some numbers this Monday? I like numbers, at least the regular kind that don’t have letters attached, but even I don’t like these numbers.

57.  Yesterday, we traveled to a neighboring town to do a couple of errands. On the way, we saw a lot of deceased squirrels on the highway. On the way back, we counted 57 dead squirrels on a 9.5 mile trip. According to the news, last year was a big reproductive year for them and now they are hunting for food. NH does a really good job of picking up litter along the roads, but I think they need to head out there with a shovel because it’s pretty gruesome out there.

78.  Seventy eight were the number of people waiting to be seated at Newick’s Lobster House on Saturday evening of Labor Day weekend. I was there to get some clam chowder to go because I knew I could do that easily. Have you ever stood in line with that many people to eat at a restaurant? Not me, I don’t care what they serve.

264.  Two hundred and sixty-four was what we were charged last week for a 30 minute service call. I am grateful they came, I’m grateful we had the money to pay it, but really? Does anyone really deserve $254 in labor for less than 30 minutes. I’m thinking some of the younger generation needs to forget the corporate world and instead start a service business.

Happy Monday, September 10th.

Tomorrow, I think I can safely say, we will all stop to take a moment and remember 9/11. Gone but never forgotten.

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless, yes. Stingless, no.  🐝 Benadryl and ice, yes.

Thursday Doors

I just know there are houses that you pass by regularly that you always glance at because they just call out to you. This is mine. It is on Silver Street, and I pass it numerous times per week. It’s beautiful, and it just screams historic New England.

This is even the second time I’ve shown you that handsome black door. So, why the repeat? In those two parallel beds next to the walkway, they always had a row of red geraniums plants in the ground that were quite eye-catching.

But, this year, they installed six massive black iron urns planted with annuals that just almost stop my gardening heart. My yearly gardening budget probably wouldn’t cover the cost of one of those planters, but I sure do enjoy them when I drive by.

If anyone would have asked me if the home owners could have done anything to draw more attention to this door and house, I would have been at a loss for suggestions. Someone with extremely good taste has certainly shown me how to increase curb appeal with the addition of six planters proportionate to the size of the house. Garden on.

Best wishes to everyone for a long Labor Day weekend. NH is only expecting about a million visitors this weekend which means I stay off the interstate. Stay safe, have fun, and get ready for leaf blowing because a few maples are already starting to turn. 🍁

This post is linked to the head door aficionado, Norm Frampton’s, Thursday Doors, August 30, 2018.

Covered Bridges

Love them or leave them?

I love them. I always enjoy looking at the construction and thinking about the community of local residents and craftsmen who came together to provide a simple solution to crossing a body of water. No battery packs or air compressors, just men with skills and simple tools.

When we are heading out on a road trip, I check to see if there is a covered bridge in the area so I won’t miss one. Recently, when visiting the western part of the state, we lucked out – there are four covered bridges in the town of Swanzey crossing the Ashuelot River.

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Standing there, I think about the people who travelled these bridges, and I applaud the various organizations that still keep them maintained and in use today.

New Hampshire and covered bridges seem to go together. If you’re visiting don’t forget to check them out, but heed the warning – $5 fine for riding or driving over this bridge faster than a walk.

Happy last week of August – stay safe and cool. We’re looking at two days out of five this week hitting 95 degrees. 😎

Thursday Doors

A couple of weeks ago, I was shopping and parked not far from this tiny door. The very idea of camping in this vehicle stopped me dead in my tracks thinking about how it would work.

Could one person survive in here? Sure.

I had to walk past it to get to the store and noticed there was a Massachusetts retirees sticker on the unit along with their art work – Sippy Hour, Dawn and Mike. Wow – two people were camping and apparently having plenty of fun in here.

Now, I needed to see what the floor plan looked like so off I went to the web.

The Scamp inside is 10″ long, 6’3″ high, and 6’6″ wide. It includes an ice box, two-burner stove, and a table that converts to a bed. Several other items are available but extra.

I have experience camping, but must admit this unit would be just too small for me. I do understand the draw because it only weighs 1,200-1,500 lbs. and can be pulled behind most small SUV’s.

Do you think you and your significant other could enjoy camping in a Scamp?

One thing you can say about the Thursday Doors collection is that it will be eclectic. Check out a variety of Thursday Doors at Norm Frampton’s Thursday Doors August 23, 2018.

Flower Power

I can talk flowers this Monday, but not veggies. My veggies in raised beds are done for the year because they couldn’t make it through the every other day rainfall. I’m sure the local farmers markets will look forward to my business. I guess there is a first time for everything, and this is the first time I’ve had no fresh veggies in mid August.

My flowers have endured the heat, humidity and every other day rain. Matter of fact, some of them have flourished. It’s pretty out there.

So, what am I doing with no veggies to tend? Well, I’m getting a little work done in preparation for fall. I’ve moved a few small plants when I know it is going to rain, which is quite often. I’m also making a list of larger plants that need moving, but I need to wait for cooler weather. I think in the official definition of gardener there is an asterisk and the words ‘moves plants.’ 🙂

I’ve painted numerous outdoor items. I may be helping the economy with the purchase of spray paint so I could update eight trellises and an obelisk. I’ve also painted a sign, the chicken coop, and next on my list is a very small storage shed. I like to paint so these chores aren’t a problem.

The truck has come in handy hauling branches and yard waste  to recycling. I’m fighting two invasive vines – Virginia Creeper and Oriental Bittersweet. They’re definitely winning the war, but I’m still putting up a fight so they don’t snuff out all the trees on the property border.

It’s 62° F this morning with a side of 90% humidity. The humidity is getting old, but I’m headed out anyway because the summer is coming to a close, and I don’t want to miss a minute of it. 😎

Happy Monday friends, and enjoy the week, because somehow  it is only two weeks until Labor Day.

Thursday Doors

About ten miles north of Concord, New Hampshire, there is the small town of Boscawen right off Interstate 93.

The New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery is located on 104 acres of land that was previously part of the state forest. This site was set aside on July 1, 1997 as the final resting place for NH residents who served in the Armed Forces and their spouses.

I’ve been to Arlington National Cemetery and a couple of our American Cemeteries overseas, and this state cemetery can hold its own. It is beautifully landscaped, lovely gardens, well maintained, and a humbling place to visit.

For 100 nights, from Memorial Day through September 11th each year, taps are played at 7 p.m. each evening. Following the 100 continuous evenings, taps are then played each Sunday at 1 p.m. rain, shine or show.

Why? “So We May Never Forget”

Mission Statement:  To provide and maintain a dignified final-resting place to honor all veterans and eligible dependents which expresses the State’s gratitude for their service to the country.

The New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery conveys peace through natural beauty and is a source of pride to veterans’ families and residents of New Hampshire.

Linked to Norm Frampton’s Thursday Doors, August 16, 2018.