Sunday, September 19, 2010
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Layer Upon Layer
Mostly hidden, Anemone 'Prince Heinrich', an immigrant from Fairegarden, Tennessee, blooms in the Lush. Bit by bit, garden specimen plants are placed through out the grounds. One day when weeding in earnest and regular mulching becomes habit, a layered garden with a touch of the wild will emerge.
A new wild kitty remains mostly hidden. I have seen it two more times now. It is a black and white cat like Miss Collar. That is all I know. By flashlight it is hard to tell age or overall health. For a week now the new wild kitty has been eating the bowl of food left for it on the deck. After a week, the resident kitties are less worried by the appearance of a stranger.
The first coat of paint on the long east wall and front porch is complete. The first coat. It should get a second. The second coat of the green Laura Ashley Apple #5 has been applied in the bathroom. Painting will move into the main room now with the orange colored Marigold.
The paint, inside and out are the final layers in the construction sandwich that is the wall. My head nearly spins thinking back over each layer, each process, that comprises this final thing called shelter. And there are still many other layers to add, some of which will require perfectly round holes drilled through the entire sandwich of the walls. My head just spins thinking about that.
It is getting close. Eventually the layers that make a home can be moved in.
A new wild kitty remains mostly hidden. I have seen it two more times now. It is a black and white cat like Miss Collar. That is all I know. By flashlight it is hard to tell age or overall health. For a week now the new wild kitty has been eating the bowl of food left for it on the deck. After a week, the resident kitties are less worried by the appearance of a stranger.
The first coat of paint on the long east wall and front porch is complete. The first coat. It should get a second. The second coat of the green Laura Ashley Apple #5 has been applied in the bathroom. Painting will move into the main room now with the orange colored Marigold.
The paint, inside and out are the final layers in the construction sandwich that is the wall. My head nearly spins thinking back over each layer, each process, that comprises this final thing called shelter. And there are still many other layers to add, some of which will require perfectly round holes drilled through the entire sandwich of the walls. My head just spins thinking about that.
It is getting close. Eventually the layers that make a home can be moved in.
Friday, September 17, 2010
The West Asheville Garden Stroll
In slow motion.
It is time to give the garden stroll its due. It rained steadily the entire day, at times pretty hard. That did not daunt the real gardeners. There were always other strollers in every garden that I got to. I missed three gardens due to a two hour shift as a greeter in one garden. It was nice to rest a spell and chat with folks as they came through though and I enjoyed doing it.
The Falconhurst Community Garden is in an impressive open space tucked behind the houses along typical suburban streets. Check out their trellised tomatoes in the left rear of the picture.
This very large section through the arbor was annexed this season I believe. I must say that is some sad looking corn. I think the soil needs a nice coating of wood chip mulch.
The Kula garden was begun in 2009 along with a complete renovation of a former rental property. They started in 2009 and are already done. Sigh... Mostly. There was still plenty of open space in the generous sized new beds in the back for lots more plant acquisitions.
There was a pretty nice end of season showing in the front perennial garden.
And a place out back to recline and take in the entire view of the garden.
The Enderle's garden was also another house and garden makeover of an older property.
A very large and open backyard with new plantings along a new dry stream bed that was not so dry, but an actual creek in the rain.
This garden was all about clean lines and simple, bold architectural plantings.
Little details added to the overall calm this garden evoked.
The garden was designed by the homeowners, who did not let on that they are both architects when I was telling her how much I enjoyed the design. I found out about that later.
Glenn Bass has a collectors garden in which he has set out several different ecosystems of plants.
I had to stop and smell the ginger and boy did that fragrance bring back memories.
This Japanese garden in the narrow side yard looked fairly new.
It was most inventive in getting the feeling across.
The Blau's garden had a wonderful collection of perennials and shrubs and a high number of natives. I even saw me some cotton bolls here.The numerous metal sculptures also caught my eye. Turns out Eric Blau is a welding instructor at the local community college.
This is where I spent my two hour shift as a greeter. The neighborhood Ladies Auxiliary stopped in to check up on me.
An unknown Helianthus perhaps and Northern Sea Oats at the Blau's garden.
The Paxton's garden reminded me of my own. It has that wild cultivated look with plenty of edibles and native wildflowers and blueberries out front.
A nice big vegetable garden with a strawberry patch spilling out over the edges.
Nice shower. Maybe it isn't to late to add one near the basement patio. That sure would be a nice thing to have after a long day of gardening in the summer.
A Curly Willow might be a nice thing to have as well.
A good garden stroll often encourages a good paint job. Now you know I like this bold color ... on somebody else's house.
The front garden at the Barlow's had lots of herbs and edibles.
This scene came from the post stroll get together. That is the style of light fixture I want for the basement patio except in a black or grey finish.
I have two more great gardens to show you in slow motion. Maybe more if I get to the three I missed. There doesn't seem to be much of a push for that at the moment. Maybe once the planning committee has had a chance to breath the loose ends can get tied up.
The Two Parks In Asheville were also part of this year's West Asheville Garden Stroll in case you missed them.
It is time to give the garden stroll its due. It rained steadily the entire day, at times pretty hard. That did not daunt the real gardeners. There were always other strollers in every garden that I got to. I missed three gardens due to a two hour shift as a greeter in one garden. It was nice to rest a spell and chat with folks as they came through though and I enjoyed doing it.
The Falconhurst Community Garden is in an impressive open space tucked behind the houses along typical suburban streets. Check out their trellised tomatoes in the left rear of the picture.
This very large section through the arbor was annexed this season I believe. I must say that is some sad looking corn. I think the soil needs a nice coating of wood chip mulch.
The Kula garden was begun in 2009 along with a complete renovation of a former rental property. They started in 2009 and are already done. Sigh... Mostly. There was still plenty of open space in the generous sized new beds in the back for lots more plant acquisitions.
There was a pretty nice end of season showing in the front perennial garden.
And a place out back to recline and take in the entire view of the garden.
The Enderle's garden was also another house and garden makeover of an older property.
A very large and open backyard with new plantings along a new dry stream bed that was not so dry, but an actual creek in the rain.
This garden was all about clean lines and simple, bold architectural plantings.
Little details added to the overall calm this garden evoked.
The garden was designed by the homeowners, who did not let on that they are both architects when I was telling her how much I enjoyed the design. I found out about that later.
Glenn Bass has a collectors garden in which he has set out several different ecosystems of plants.
I had to stop and smell the ginger and boy did that fragrance bring back memories.
This Japanese garden in the narrow side yard looked fairly new.
It was most inventive in getting the feeling across.
The Blau's garden had a wonderful collection of perennials and shrubs and a high number of natives. I even saw me some cotton bolls here.The numerous metal sculptures also caught my eye. Turns out Eric Blau is a welding instructor at the local community college.
This is where I spent my two hour shift as a greeter. The neighborhood Ladies Auxiliary stopped in to check up on me.
An unknown Helianthus perhaps and Northern Sea Oats at the Blau's garden.
The Paxton's garden reminded me of my own. It has that wild cultivated look with plenty of edibles and native wildflowers and blueberries out front.
A nice big vegetable garden with a strawberry patch spilling out over the edges.
Nice shower. Maybe it isn't to late to add one near the basement patio. That sure would be a nice thing to have after a long day of gardening in the summer.
A Curly Willow might be a nice thing to have as well.
A good garden stroll often encourages a good paint job. Now you know I like this bold color ... on somebody else's house.
The front garden at the Barlow's had lots of herbs and edibles.
This scene came from the post stroll get together. That is the style of light fixture I want for the basement patio except in a black or grey finish.
I have two more great gardens to show you in slow motion. Maybe more if I get to the three I missed. There doesn't seem to be much of a push for that at the moment. Maybe once the planning committee has had a chance to breath the loose ends can get tied up.
The Two Parks In Asheville were also part of this year's West Asheville Garden Stroll in case you missed them.
More Paint
It rained last night with thunder. The morning was wet and misty. I began painting inside and ended the day of painting on the front porch. It felt good to get the porch done after all this time.
The bathroom has its first coat of Laura Ashley Apple #5. It's green and reminds me very much of my green living room on Maui.
Slowly, a bathroom is coming together. There is much work to do yet, a glass block wall, pressure tank and on demand gas hot water heater, a water filter, sink and vanity and a toilet just to mention the main items. Another list of details in this room alone could be added.
One more finished surface is presented to the world. It did feel good. Then I looked at the front door that needs painting and felt weary. There are times when I sure wish I had some help. It is slow going alone. A front door needs painting, a porch will need painting. Those can wait. They are not critical to an occupancy permit.
I paint as nature begins its annual ritual of painting the forest.
Now is the time of paint.
The bathroom has its first coat of Laura Ashley Apple #5. It's green and reminds me very much of my green living room on Maui.
Slowly, a bathroom is coming together. There is much work to do yet, a glass block wall, pressure tank and on demand gas hot water heater, a water filter, sink and vanity and a toilet just to mention the main items. Another list of details in this room alone could be added.
One more finished surface is presented to the world. It did feel good. Then I looked at the front door that needs painting and felt weary. There are times when I sure wish I had some help. It is slow going alone. A front door needs painting, a porch will need painting. Those can wait. They are not critical to an occupancy permit.
I paint as nature begins its annual ritual of painting the forest.
Now is the time of paint.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
This Much
Got painted before it looked like it wanted to rain. So I went to town to get my interior paint, the sandpaper like pads I need to paint under the eaves and a few other supplies. If it doesn't rain, this wall and the front porch should get finished tomorrow. Or I'll just paint inside.
There is one less wobble in my world. I was finally able to get rid of that annoying "there is no paging file or the paging file is too small" and the "virtual memory is to low" error messages on the computer. I searched and searched and tried every solution I could find on the web, all for naught. This morning I found that Windows may have lost the address of the paging file system. I had to go in and do one of those scary edits on the registry keys. It worked. Hallelujah. Now it starts up much faster when I turn the thing on.
I may have even figured out what is causing that annoying check engine light in my truck that, of course, came back on after another $179. The second failed safety check diagnosis gave me a printed run down of my failure with the same code. Google is a powerful thing. The code P1432 means my (THTRC), thermostat heater control has had a circuit failure. It is a $30 part, easy to get to and mounted with just two bolts. I think I can do that myself. The Google even led me to how to reset my check engine light to go off. I'm tired of mechanics, especially Ford dealer mechanics who should know what their own damn codes mean. I'll get to that repair soon enough.
I've been working on a slow post with commentary for the West Asheville Garden Stroll. It will be here shortly. There are a lot of pictures to edit and between the slide show in Picasa for the WAGS website and my normal Kodak routine for blogger, I just get a bit tired of sitting at a computer that has been annoying me.
I should be grateful. At Client # "I lost count" this week, a pipe had burst in the downstairs bath and flooded the bathroom and basement. I shut the well, water and hot water heater off then made the bad news call. Their flood is far worse than any of my wobbles.
Now if I could just get rid of that last bit of leakage in the shower at the resident gardeners house.
All my wobbles would be gone.
There is one less wobble in my world. I was finally able to get rid of that annoying "there is no paging file or the paging file is too small" and the "virtual memory is to low" error messages on the computer. I searched and searched and tried every solution I could find on the web, all for naught. This morning I found that Windows may have lost the address of the paging file system. I had to go in and do one of those scary edits on the registry keys. It worked. Hallelujah. Now it starts up much faster when I turn the thing on.
I may have even figured out what is causing that annoying check engine light in my truck that, of course, came back on after another $179. The second failed safety check diagnosis gave me a printed run down of my failure with the same code. Google is a powerful thing. The code P1432 means my (THTRC), thermostat heater control has had a circuit failure. It is a $30 part, easy to get to and mounted with just two bolts. I think I can do that myself. The Google even led me to how to reset my check engine light to go off. I'm tired of mechanics, especially Ford dealer mechanics who should know what their own damn codes mean. I'll get to that repair soon enough.
I've been working on a slow post with commentary for the West Asheville Garden Stroll. It will be here shortly. There are a lot of pictures to edit and between the slide show in Picasa for the WAGS website and my normal Kodak routine for blogger, I just get a bit tired of sitting at a computer that has been annoying me.
I should be grateful. At Client # "I lost count" this week, a pipe had burst in the downstairs bath and flooded the bathroom and basement. I shut the well, water and hot water heater off then made the bad news call. Their flood is far worse than any of my wobbles.
Now if I could just get rid of that last bit of leakage in the shower at the resident gardeners house.
All my wobbles would be gone.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Preparing For Paint On Bloom Day
The Goldenrod is set for the imminent arrival of blue. The fall blooming Blue Wood Aster and New England Aster will join the tapestry soon.
On this September Bloom Day another intense flush of color sweeps the mountain top. Vibrant yellow goldenrods have been added to the white waves of Ageratina, Frost Aster and White Wood Aster. It joins many still blooming plants like the Buddleia
Meanwhile, the long wall of the cozy cabin is now set for the arrival of gray paint. The overhang of the eaves of the roof have the perfect shape for roosting bats. Bats poop. I wiped this entire wall and the front porch wall by hand to get them ready to paint.
Other odds and ends were attended to as well. More primer was added to the pipe insulation box. While doing that I discovered some varmint had already started to chew a hole at the newly caulked stovepipe/wood junction. I don't know if I sealed something in or sealed something out, or both. Damn varmints! I re-caulked the new hole.
A shampoo shelf and soap dish were added in the shower.
Three coats of primer were painted over my color samples. In the morning I may decide to do a fourth on a couple of the color samples. I was still seeing a shadow under the white on a few of them.
The winning color remains.
Hmm, it's so orange.
Tough.
Painting will commence.
Back out there for Bloom Day, the mini Fairelurie is looking good after a haircut of the fading Chicory. The three main plants in this scene, the pink Muhly Grass, Verbena bonariensis and the Sheffie Mum loaded with buds all came from Frances at Fairegarden.
The Miscanthus 'Morning Light' is now in bloom. This roadside flower bed has been most pleasing to me having something in bloom during every wave of the growing season.
Next year I may divide some of the Miscanthus again. I think they need to be repeated down in my section of the sunny utility meadow.
One entrance to the roadside vegetable garden has been sealed off by the asters and goldenrod. I just swim on through.
A recent addition, the Gaura lindheimeri is having a completely full second bloom. It has done much better than the two Erysimum planted right behind it. Sometimes why plants work or don't work can be a complete mystery.
There are a a few weeds I let go in the roadside vegetable garden. They make a very nice addition to a Bloom Day repertoire that spans the globe and is brought to you courtesy of the lovely Miss Carol of May Dreams.
And so ends another September day. A little more progress has been made towards completion of one small cabin.
Tomorrow I paint.
On this September Bloom Day another intense flush of color sweeps the mountain top. Vibrant yellow goldenrods have been added to the white waves of Ageratina, Frost Aster and White Wood Aster. It joins many still blooming plants like the Buddleia
Meanwhile, the long wall of the cozy cabin is now set for the arrival of gray paint. The overhang of the eaves of the roof have the perfect shape for roosting bats. Bats poop. I wiped this entire wall and the front porch wall by hand to get them ready to paint.
Other odds and ends were attended to as well. More primer was added to the pipe insulation box. While doing that I discovered some varmint had already started to chew a hole at the newly caulked stovepipe/wood junction. I don't know if I sealed something in or sealed something out, or both. Damn varmints! I re-caulked the new hole.
A shampoo shelf and soap dish were added in the shower.
Three coats of primer were painted over my color samples. In the morning I may decide to do a fourth on a couple of the color samples. I was still seeing a shadow under the white on a few of them.
The winning color remains.
Hmm, it's so orange.
Tough.
Painting will commence.
Back out there for Bloom Day, the mini Fairelurie is looking good after a haircut of the fading Chicory. The three main plants in this scene, the pink Muhly Grass, Verbena bonariensis and the Sheffie Mum loaded with buds all came from Frances at Fairegarden.
The Miscanthus 'Morning Light' is now in bloom. This roadside flower bed has been most pleasing to me having something in bloom during every wave of the growing season.
Next year I may divide some of the Miscanthus again. I think they need to be repeated down in my section of the sunny utility meadow.
One entrance to the roadside vegetable garden has been sealed off by the asters and goldenrod. I just swim on through.
A recent addition, the Gaura lindheimeri is having a completely full second bloom. It has done much better than the two Erysimum planted right behind it. Sometimes why plants work or don't work can be a complete mystery.
There are a a few weeds I let go in the roadside vegetable garden. They make a very nice addition to a Bloom Day repertoire that spans the globe and is brought to you courtesy of the lovely Miss Carol of May Dreams.
And so ends another September day. A little more progress has been made towards completion of one small cabin.
Tomorrow I paint.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Just Another Sunset
I finally saw the cat that has been lurking out there for the last four days. It was on the deck with Crawford. It was black with a big white spot on its chest. No it wasn't Mama Spot. The last two mornings the bowl of food left on the deck has been empty.
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