Posts: 7688
From: Pleasanton, CA
Registered: Apr 2009

posted July 12, 2013 11:37 AM            

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I forgot about BB. I still haven't watched. I definitely wanted Jeremy to go as well. He also doesn't seem to have what it takes.

California isn't typically very humid in my experience (people always say, "It's a 'dry' heat"), but we have had some humid days this summer, so maybe that's it. How would I clean the area well?

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Posts: 7688
From: Pleasanton, CA
Registered: Apr 2009

posted July 12, 2013 02:53 PM            

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I was fully expecting to find bacterial wilt, but I don't see any sap. I cut two leaves off of two pumpkin plants, and it just looks like a tube. It cut cleanly, and I don't see anything oozing out. What does that mean?

I have seen this guy: http://vegetablemdonline.ppath.cornell.edu/PhotoPages/Cucurbit/BW_News/BW_News4.htm

On the fence in the backyard. There is a cucumber plant out there. I haven't seen any like that in the front yard where my wilted pumpkins are.

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Posts: 7688
From: Pleasanton, CA
Registered: Apr 2009

posted July 13, 2013 05:43 PM            

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I watched BB. I was surprised to see Spencer vote against Nick, and they didn't really address it. Nick gave Amanda and Helen credit afterwards in a video on CBS's site. Nick's picks to win it all were Helen and McCrae, though he thought highly of Amanda and Spencer's games as well.

I couldn't determine whether my pumpkins have bacterial wilt or not, but the small one definitely seems on the decline. I still have five that are looking decent, though.

Yesterday, a bird was just hanging out on the backyard bird feeder. It seemed quite stubborn. I got within a few feet of it to take a picture. Later, there was dead bird under the feeder, which I disposed of. Not cool. I took care of it right away, so that the other birds might feel ok about eating there. This morning I washed that feeder out just in case. The dead bird could have been the stubborn bird. I'm not sure.

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Posts: 7476
From: Blue Star Kachina
Registered: Apr 2009

posted July 14, 2013 09:19 AM            

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Without inspecting the plant, I`m not sure. If clean of bacteria wilt, it could be nematodes. The roots are being chewed on. Have the plants set yet? I harvested some squash already. Young and tender, yum.
We are in for an extended humid & hot spell. For certain I will be battling powdery mildew. So close to the season passing w/out it.
I`m digging out my old phlox this fall, while heirloom, I believe they are the instigator of the mildew and enough is enough.

.

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Christian, Jew, Muslim, Shaman, Zoroastrian, stone, ground, mountain, river, each has a secret way of being with the Mystery, unique and not to be judged.
Rumi

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Posts: 7476
From: Blue Star Kachina
Registered: Apr 2009

posted July 14, 2013 09:23 AM            

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Spencer is a cagey one. I was suprised as well. I imagine America will vote Elissa MVP again after the Nick move.
She is getting old and my head rings of Rachel when she talks. Her mouth drives me crazy and I wonder what she has pumped in her lips. Not being catty, just blunt

Oh! Did you see the snippet w/Brittany and she is PG. Wonder if it`s the showmance still in action.

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Christian, Jew, Muslim, Shaman, Zoroastrian, stone, ground, mountain, river, each has a secret way of being with the Mystery, unique and not to be judged.
Rumi

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Posts: 7688
From: Pleasanton, CA
Registered: Apr 2009

posted July 14, 2013 12:58 PM            

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Yeah, Elissa annoys me the same, and she interestingly has some communication issue. She uses words improperly sometimes, and says things in odd ways. The most egregious and obvious was responding, "I'm obsessed," when getting the MVP.

I did see the Brittany clip, but my memory is so poor with regard to her showmance I can't remember who the dad would be.

I'll have to look up nematodes.

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Posts: 5567
From: teaselb@gmail.com
Registered: Apr 2009

posted July 14, 2013 02:24 PM            

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This combination of gardening and Big Brother is.. new. I don't watch the show, so I have no idea who you're talking about.

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Posts: 7476
From: Blue Star Kachina
Registered: Apr 2009

posted July 14, 2013 03:17 PM            

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Ah, I thought I misunderstood Elissa when she said that. Good to know I`m not going deaf. Yes indeed, poor communication skills.

Brittany married her high school sweetie as her her showmance with Hayden didn`t last past 2 seasons..

teasel, just let it flow

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Christian, Jew, Muslim, Shaman, Zoroastrian, stone, ground, mountain, river, each has a secret way of being with the Mystery, unique and not to be judged.
Rumi

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Posts: 7688
From: Pleasanton, CA
Registered: Apr 2009

posted July 15, 2013 12:38 PM            

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I guess you need to start watching, Tease!

Yeah, with regard to Elissa, I saw another conversation...oh, maybe it was her final words before the vote, where she just mangled some sentiments. The, "I'm obsessed," I heard it, and then I read it in closed captioning, so I knew it wasn't just me.

I just watched the new one this morning. They spent a little more time on Spencer, but it still seems like they're avoiding showing too much of him.

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From: Blue Star Kachina
Registered: Apr 2009

posted July 15, 2013 04:28 PM            

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Her "why I shouldn`t be evicted" speech was next impossable to decipher. Spencer`s move warrented more notice as it was the move, along with McCrea, to end the M.C. It`s odd.

Also, I find it odd Judd is never mentioned. I didn`t even notice Kaitlin until this week. Her and Aaryn need to GO. Ugh they are so mean. Bullies and they remind me of someone we know.

A hot & humid spell fell so working out will be a hoot this week. I will get up at 5 a.m. and get an early start.
Lots of watering going on.

My Chicago Peace rose has 12, count them 12 juicy buds. If they get diseased in this humidity, I will be sick.

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Christian, Jew, Muslim, Shaman, Zoroastrian, stone, ground, mountain, river, each has a secret way of being with the Mystery, unique and not to be judged.
Rumi

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Posts: 7476
From: Blue Star Kachina
Registered: Apr 2009

posted July 16, 2013 06:15 PM            

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Holy smokes, it`s hot. 97 is about unheard of plus humidity, lord have mercy.

My diabetic dog is really miserable. Lake MI here we come!

It`s a juggling act to get everything watered.

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Christian, Jew, Muslim, Shaman, Zoroastrian, stone, ground, mountain, river, each has a secret way of being with the Mystery, unique and not to be judged.
Rumi

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Posts: 5567
From: teaselb@gmail.com
Registered: Apr 2009

posted July 16, 2013 08:51 PM            

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My dog went from bad shape, to *really* bad shape over the last.. not even twenty-four hours. She threw up around midnight Sunday, and hasn't drunk anything by herself since Saturday or Sunday.

I'll save the rest for elsewhere. This is my Emily. It isn't the heat - it's cancer.

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Posts: 7476
From: Blue Star Kachina
Registered: Apr 2009

posted July 17, 2013 08:27 AM            

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teasel, I`m sorry to hear that. What meds does the vet have her on?
It`s been a long road treating and loving Thunder. I know the emotional pain and question when is the right time to let go.. He still loves life & is playfull . With pain meds & insulin he has the ability to do so.

It is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all

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Christian, Jew, Muslim, Shaman, Zoroastrian, stone, ground, mountain, river, each has a secret way of being with the Mystery, unique and not to be judged.
Rumi

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Posts: 7476
From: Blue Star Kachina
Registered: Apr 2009

posted July 17, 2013 08:34 AM            

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I always put my happy hat on and go off to work. Today the hat is leary and tired before I head out.

I do the flower beds at a Country Club; a reclaimed swamp/marsh and it is never a wonderful time. I always can smell the lawn chemicals ,asphalt and other items that create a fake landscape.

In this humidity ,the steam actually rises from the sod and the smell is disgusting and burns the nostrils. I am seriously thinking of letting the job go.
BB tonight!

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Christian, Jew, Muslim, Shaman, Zoroastrian, stone, ground, mountain, river, each has a secret way of being with the Mystery, unique and not to be judged.
Rumi

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Posts: 7688
From: Pleasanton, CA
Registered: Apr 2009

posted July 18, 2013 05:40 PM            

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I went ahead and pulled two pumpkin plants out. The big one and the runt. I'm not sure what ended up being the cause of their wilt. Maybe it was me watering too much in an effort to get them to snap out of it. I also pulled up some ill-placed sunflowers that didn't look like they were living, or if they were they weren't thriving. I think they were over-watered, too, but not by me. I suspect a sprinkler started dousing them starting at the heat wave. I'm sad to see all of these plants go, but I still have high hopes for the remaining plants, and now there's more room for whatever we plant next.

Teasel, I was sorry to read about your dog on FB.

BB was interesting. I'm very tired of Helen's crying manipulation. I mean kudos for getting it to work (that is what the game is all about), but someone needs to see through that, and take that option off the table for her. I'm generally one to always suspect people of trying to manipulate things to their favor, so I wonder what I'd make of her if I were in the house (and whether I'd already be on her good side or not).
I didn't mind Elissa putting up Spencer. I tend to agree with her sentiment of not being told what to do. Spencer and Howard are basically interchangeable, and there's really more to Spencer's game than Howard's. Howard might be a physical threat, but big guys are usually less of a threat than they're made out to be. No big guy won that first HoH challenge, and the only challenge Jeremy won was a brain challenge.
Agree with you about Kaitlin and Aaryn.

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Posts: 7476
From: Blue Star Kachina
Registered: Apr 2009

posted July 18, 2013 05:52 PM            

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I really liked Helen until she said she cries to manipulate her children. What?? That`s horrible!! The rest of her bawling is crazy and they will see thru it.

Elissa said a big word kudos to "ultimately" Their stragety has worked... so far.

Will Jeremy go home tonight??

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Christian, Jew, Muslim, Shaman, Zoroastrian, stone, ground, mountain, river, each has a secret way of being with the Mystery, unique and not to be judged.
Rumi

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Posts: 7476
From: Blue Star Kachina
Registered: Apr 2009

posted July 19, 2013 05:56 PM            

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A vote of 9 to 1
That should tell Kaitlin something...

I`m sorry for your plant loss. I know how distressing it is to have to pitch a plant I`ve nourished to the compost pile. Enjoy the fellers you have left and share pics!
My pumpkins are not set yet but I have high hopes as the squash has been producing meals already. Tomatos are ready to turn and some cherry tomatoes are ready. The lettus wilted or seeded out ( I can only eat it so fast lol) in the heat so I will plant a fall crop.

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Christian, Jew, Muslim, Shaman, Zoroastrian, stone, ground, mountain, river, each has a secret way of being with the Mystery, unique and not to be judged.
Rumi

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Posts: 7476
From: Blue Star Kachina
Registered: Apr 2009

posted July 21, 2013 07:52 AM            

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Good lord, what a difference a day makes. I woke up freezing yesterday a.m. and it was confusing to say the least
A promised cold front moved in and it dropped 30 degrees. Now, I have to promise myself to not complain about the lack of heat!

I see my sunflower side arms are developing buds and are taller than the fence now. Grow my beauties, grow .

Don`t forget BB tonight. Judd is HoH and now we should see what goes on behind that TX accent!

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Christian, Jew, Muslim, Shaman, Zoroastrian, stone, ground, mountain, river, each has a secret way of being with the Mystery, unique and not to be judged.
Rumi

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Posts: 7688
From: Pleasanton, CA
Registered: Apr 2009

posted July 21, 2013 01:19 PM            

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Tennessee accent. I think his voice is kind of funny. It has that strange quality about it.

Moon(666)child just posted a gorgeous picture of a ponytail palm on FB. Now I want one. It would grow well here, too. I'm just not sure where I'd put it.

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Posts: 7476
From: Blue Star Kachina
Registered: Apr 2009

posted July 21, 2013 01:51 PM            

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Hmmm, I was sure TX. Oh well, now we can learn more about him!

I have a ponytail palm as a house plant. It is nice in the back ground of violets and polka dot plants.

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Christian, Jew, Muslim, Shaman, Zoroastrian, stone, ground, mountain, river, each has a secret way of being with the Mystery, unique and not to be judged.
Rumi

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Posts: 7476
From: Blue Star Kachina
Registered: Apr 2009

posted July 24, 2013 05:41 PM            

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Geez louize Judd is the epitomy of empty barrels make the most noise. What a lame player.

As long as one of those 2 go home, I don`t care which.

I have a new zucchini recipe I`m waiting to try. It is halved, gutted and mound an Italian seasoned meat mixture (like a meatloaf but heavily seasoned w/Italian seasonings) to fill the boat. Marinara or spahgetti sause to cover and bake. Add oodles of cheese and melt. Doesn`t that sound delicious?

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Christian, Jew, Muslim, Shaman, Zoroastrian, stone, ground, mountain, river, each has a secret way of being with the Mystery, unique and not to be judged.
Rumi

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Posts: 7476
From: Blue Star Kachina
Registered: Apr 2009

posted July 28, 2013 08:39 AM            

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Sunflowers bloomin!

Zucchini is starting to mildew but I have harvested enough for an army so no loss.

End of July.

Realizing it makes me feel meloncholy and lonely.

The clouds, gloom and cold is a taste of what`s to come and I don`t like it.

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Christian, Jew, Muslim, Shaman, Zoroastrian, stone, ground, mountain, river, each has a secret way of being with the Mystery, unique and not to be judged.
Rumi

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Posts: 5567
From: teaselb@gmail.com
Registered: Apr 2009

posted July 28, 2013 06:05 PM            

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quote:

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Originally posted by juniperb:
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End of July.

Realizing it makes me feel meloncholy and lonely.

The clouds, gloom and cold is a taste of what`s to come and I don`t like it.

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I feel like I'm barging in now, but I've been oddly looking forward to Autumn, since my Summer has been ruined. I was so set on wanting to be up early for Spring and Summer mornings, that I stressed about it. Now I'm up early, but I'm down one dog, and it just doesn't feel the same. I don't want the dark evenings and mornings, though.

My zucchini is doing well, and I think that squash is trying to grow, but the plant might not be getting enough sun. Cucumbers are trying, and I think I have a couple of pumpkin plants as well - they're all stretched out and have a lot of blossoms, but nothing growing underneath. Cabbage is too covered by one of those plants, and I think my peppers gave up, but I'm not sure. Picked my first tomato on Thursday, and made a small salsa. I need to check my onions. Kale is going well, and spinach is now growing. Maybe I can salvage a bit of Summer, after all.

I spent yesterday afternoon and evening (part of them) at the bookstore, Krieger's and Home Depot. I love the kitchen setups there, and dream about making over our home. I was actually trying to work out if we could afford one, if I cut down on my food budget most weeks, but I can't if I want my stomach to be better off.

Back to my Gilmore Girls marathon, before I go out to the store. One of my books (In a Sunburned Country) had me crying with laughter a week ago, which made a nice change.

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From: Blue Star Kachina
Registered: Apr 2009

posted July 29, 2013 09:18 AM            

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teasel, it sounds like your garden is producing nicely! Do you can?

Summer sped by so fast. I`m almost stunned it is so late in the year already.

Gloomy and highs of 50`s just stink.

A new week so I`m scraping up a new attitude and suck it up

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Christian, Jew, Muslim, Shaman, Zoroastrian, stone, ground, mountain, river, each has a secret way of being with the Mystery, unique and not to be judged.
Rumi

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Posts: 7688
From: Pleasanton, CA
Registered: Apr 2009

posted August 01, 2013 01:31 PM            

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After leaving my plants to a housesitter over the weekend, my pumpkins may not come to fruition. All four of my side yard pumpkins wilted significantly while I was gone (despite leaving instructions to water them). Only one of them may have a chance at revival. My watermelons that were out there also shriveled away.

Thank goodness sunflowers are resilient! Some of them declined significantly, but I thing I've got plenty left.

My remaining front yard pumpkin declined, but may be salvageable. It's near the corn, which may be the only thing the housesitter did water.

I bought myself a ponytail palm to ease the pain of loss. I repotted it in a nice blue pot. It's still a little guy.

I went to Portland over the weekend. There everyone is growing stuff in their front yards. I saw some wonderfully happy plants while walking around my sister-in-law's neighborhood. Lots of squash or pumpkins, too. They looked great. I guess that's a good climate for growing things.

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