Pollen Assault

The view outside my windows.

  I just finished my every other day all out assault on pollen. I happen to live in one of the worst areas in the US for the nasty yellow stuff. A couple years ago I started to suffer from allergies, and I think I pay the price for the years without them. Every year I seem to get worse and worse. It’s not just me though. Many of us suffer, even my poor dog. So this year I’m going about things differently.

  I have a mission to become known as the Crazy Plant Lady. I want plants everywhere. I want my man neighbors to scratch their head and say, “What is that nutcase up to now?” And I want the women neighbors to say, “Honey, what is she doing? I want that!” ;) Then I will plant my hedge and block them all out! Heh. *laughs a devilish laugh*

  Here’s the problem… How can I become Crazy Plant Lady if I’m confined in the house during the Spring planting season? I've decided to play things differently this year. As soon as I saw the disgusting lime-green/yellow descent start I formulated a plan. This year I mow the lawn with a mask on. If I’m outside for a long period of time I shower when I come in. Clothes get changed and washed immediately. Windows stay shut no matter how beautiful it is out. And I spray down my deck and front porch every other day. I don’t sit outside a lot when pollen fills the air. The deck wash is mostly for my dog. Every fifteen minutes she feels a need to go lie on the porch and soak up the sun. After a couple minutes she comes back in. Minutes later the routine starts all over. She gets allergies real bad, but this year since starting the deck washing and wiping her paws and fur down she seems better. So far anyway. I have my fingers crossed it stays that way. Trust me, my heart breaks when she looks up to me with those big brown eyes that say, “Itchies all over. Fix please.”

  So far so good for me too! But I just went and bought more plants today. I have started  three hundred different annuals, perennials, and herbs. Then I have bought annuals and vegetables. I went shopping today and purchased a couple shrubs, more annuals, and a vine. Yes. I’ve done some work, but most is yet to come. Bring out the mask; I've some planting to do! I’m on a mission, and I will not be stopped!

  Do you suffer from allergies? Do you have a pet that feels the effects of them? Are you a crazy plant lady, or do you know one?

Weekly Planting Information (W.P.I.) - If you have to be outside, minimize your exposure to pollen.

·         Check pollen counts before planning outdoor activities.

·         Avoid being outdoors in the early morning, when pollen is most widespread.

·         Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from pollen.

·         Have someone else mow your grass. If you must do yard work, wear a mask. (I got over the looking like a goof thing real quick!)

·         Going on vacation? Look for a place where pollen is low, such as the beach, or take your medications with you.

·         Change your clothing when you come indoors. Shower and wash your hair first.

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BFF's

  This past week I started reading the book, Firefly Lane, by Kristin Hannah. The story is about two girls who become best friends. It tells how their friendship grows throughout many years, and shows their ups and downs. It is told in such a heartfelt way it left no choice but for my mind to reflect upon some of my besties throughout the years.

  I have one friend that says I told her a dirty joke in kindergarten and got her in trouble. I don’t recall such a thing. J Somehow, even to this day, we are still friends, even after the joke incident. And I ask you… How dirty could the joke have been? It was kindergarten, peeps! I have a smile on my face just thinking about some great times we had together. This friend and I saw, cried through, and fell in love with the movie ‘Beaches.’

  I had other friends in school too that I had close bonds with. I had friends who were athletic, artistic, and brainy. Each friendship was unique in their own way, and I wouldn’t trade any of them. When I look back at them now I wonder how some of us did get along as well as we did. There was one friend in particular I was so opposite of we used to be called Yin and Yang. Okay, maybe we called ourselves that, we could’ve been called oil and water too. We made it work though. I miss her, and she is one that I haven’t heard from in years. A couple of my friends lived far enough away (20 minutes) that to call them would be a long distance phone call. Remember those days? Luckily a few of us keep in touch still.

  A teacher and coach of mine in high school had a big impact on my life. I don’t think I realized how much at the time, but now I do. She became a very good friend that I keep in touch with to this day. As a matter of fact I interviewed her for my last book! She is one of those people that you always looked forward to spending time with.

  After high school I met someone who fast became my best friend, and continues to be so to this day. We’ve been through a lot together, and apart, yet we remain close.

  Since I moved I’m pretty quiet. I have a couple close friends that always bring a smile to my face. And for that I’m thankful.  

  And then there’s the one you choose for your life partner. That one person who steals your heart, soul, and mind. The one who brings a whole new definition to the words best friend.  

  Even though miles and years keep me apart from most of the people I talked about above I still think about them every now and then. I remember our smiles, talks, and laughs. I remember the highs and lows. Certain songs or movies bring memories. Don’t think that I have forgotten our friendship, even though we hardly talk. You all have made a lasting impression in my pea brain.

  I think friendships have a way of taking a piece of one friend’s heart and adding it to the other. Those pieces add dimensions to who we are today.

  I know this book takes a dramatic, sad turn. I accidentally saw a blog by the author and she told about one huge part of this book I’m reading. It instantly brought tears to my eyes, and has kept me from fully diving into the rest of the book. I don’t know why it bothers me, considering my one friend and I loved, loved, loved, the depressing movie ‘Beaches!’

For you, Trista!

  I’m not sad though that this book has made me think of friends I maybe haven’t thought about enough lately. Friends I miss!

  Do you keep in touch with friends from your school days? Do you like books or movies that make you cry? How often do you talk to your bestie? (Other than your spouse) What is one of the best times you can remember having with your best friend? 

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Thank you!

Shopping List

  The only reason I ever leave the house is because I have to somewhat function in this world. Trust me; I would pay two to three times the normal amount if my chiropractor would make house calls. Sadly, he won’t make the trek up here to Podunk. I guess one way to look at it would be that I am saving myself money by having to get out of the house. Crazy? Yea, that’s me on a daily basis. Welcome to my world.

  You see, I have to think of things like that because lately when I step out of this house I lose hundreds of dollars at a time. GULP. Yea. Had I have known I would've bought stock in Lowe’s Home Improvement stores years ago. I hate to think about the amount of money I have spent in that store. I’m not just talking a can of paint here, a bird feeder there. NOOO. I’m talking about bigger things, like kitchen flooring, and most recently a washer and dryer. Not only that but the little things add up fast too. The Charmed One just asked the other day, “What did we buy at Lowe’s for over $200.00?”

  Yes, sadly, that’s us. I swear that every time we leave this house all the local merchants ears perk up. “I hear them! It’s them, I can tell by the sound of the car. Are they coming here? Oh goody, goody, they’re pulling in here. Folks here’s another hundred dollar sale. Now try to be nice to these patrons even though the red head can be…grumpy, sometimes. At times I think these two single handedly keep this store in business. Oh thank the heavens they picked us this time. Do-be-doo-be-do. These two may make my bonus possible this year.”

  Well, maybe it’s not that crazy, but it sure feels like it. I don’t know how people do it. It is just the two of us and every time we go to a grocery store the bill is in the hundreds of dollars. I can’t even imagine how it would be if we had kids. Listen, we use coupons… sometimes. We don’t buy extravagant things. We don’t always use name brand items. It just adds up. And quickly. I honestly don’t know how a family with a couple munchkins does it.

  So now you know one more reason why I try to be as hermit-ish as possible. I’m trying to figure out a way that I never have to leave the house, but things just keep popping up!

  Do you like being out and about, or cooped up inside? Can you go to a store and spend under $100.00? Do you have any hints to keep from spending an arm and leg at a store?

Weekly Planting Information (W.P.I.) - I went to plant some plants for a hedge today. That stopped when I found out the ground was nothing but rock. Now I have more work to do to prep for those plants. Whether for a border, screen, or fence, the right selection of plants is important. Several factors must be considered, such as size, shape, and foliage habits of mature plants and their requirements for the best growth. Of course, with any plants, the proper soil is the key ingredient!

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Review Ridicule

  Last week I purchased a book from one of my favorite authors. I absolutely love her writing and couldn’t wait for the release of this new book, the first of a new series. Sadly, that is where my excitement ends.

  If you all know me I like, and try to write women’s fiction, and contemporary romance. I read many different genres, but I try to read more romance novels because I study them somewhat while I read them. I, by far, am not a professional. I want you to remember that as I ramble on here. You see, I sometimes feel like I shouldn't be able to have a voice, like in a review. I mean, here I am, an amateur novelist. Do I know every rule of style or grammar? Hell to the no. Therefore should I be allowed to write a not so good review of this book?

  That brings up another question. We’ve all heard the saying, “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say it at all.” Should I write a review or two of this book if it isn’t going to be the nicest review? I mean I am not going to say it was a horrible book and I would never buy another from this author. I would never do that. Ever. But is it nice to give a book two stars out of five? Is it nice to write that I was not happy that the hero and heroine didn’t even meet until page 112, or that I think more time was spent on other people that should’ve been spent on the main characters?

  I do understand that this is a new series, and I can see that more time may be spent on introducing a new town and its residents. But I don’t understand how a romance novel can almost spend as much time on secondary characters as the main ones. I feel jipped of the whole “getting to know you and character intimacies” aspect of the book.

  While I am writing all this I know people put up bad reviews of books. I have read some. I know potential buyers of books sometimes look at reviews, do the authors? That brings me to another ponder. I feel strange leaving a bad review to a well-known, accomplished writer when I am just a fledgling author myself. I know we all have to have thick skin, but do I have a right to be critical when I haven’t been published yet? I think I would feel differently if I were just a straight reader and not a writer also. Make sense?

  Trust me; I have left not so great reviews of a few recent books I have read. They were self published books where apparently the writer didn’t think editing was appropriate. I can’t stand that. If one is to not to take the time for something as important as editing it should be depicted in the synopsis. I believe I shouldn't have to pay money for something half finished. Unfortunately that is one of those things not easily picked up by reading a small sample. That’s just my honest opinion.

  Speaking of editing… If anyone knows an editor/writing coach I am looking! I have found that they are not easy to come by! If you know someone give me a holla! J

  Do you review books you read? Has one of your favorite authors ever let you down? Am I being too critical? Too crazy?   

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All Because Of Tardy

  So yes, I am running late in writing this. I can explain! But instead of explanations I have chosen pictures. Not pictures to explain why I'm writing this blog at ten o'clock  at night, but pictures that I hope will bring a smile to your face. 

  Picture number one I put on my personal Facebook page Wednesday. I wrote something along the lines of I hope your day is happy and warm. A lot of my friends are from the Northern US where it is freezing and snow still fills the air. They let me know they weren't happy! ;)

  If any of them come to read this I thought this next picture would cheer them up.

  This next one really just made me laugh. Honestly my hair feels like this every day...

  This one... Well... It doesn't pertain to this blog!

  And the last one was just way too cute not to put it up here.

  Actually, for me, the above should say leave the ice cream instead of cookies!

  Are you one that sometimes runs late? What was the last event you were late for? Which picture is your favorite? 

Weekly Planting Information (W.P.I.)- I have decided to try some vegetables in containers this year. Here are some useful tips to remember when experimenting with containers. Clay pots are usually more attractive than plastic ones, but plastic pots retain moisture better. Avoid small containers. They often can't store enough water to get through hot days. Add about 1 inch of course gravel in the bottom of the container to improve drainage. Vegetables that can be easily transplanted are best suited for containers. Transplants can be purchased from local nurseries or started at home. Feed container plants at least twice a month with liquid fertilizer.

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Don't Stop Believing

  The Charmed One stumbled upon a local writing competition here in Podunk. Unfortunately we found it late. Like three days until deadline late. And it so happened to be the weekend my niece came over. Naturally I wanted to spend every minute doing things with her and not writing. Even after we dropped her back off I found it hard to concentrate on a writing competition because I was tired, and I had a blog to write!

  Fortunately it was another short story competition. The story was to be around 750 words. (Yes it had the squiggly sign in front of the 750.) That was less than the last one, which was 900 words, so the Charmed One thought I could take that story and shorten it. Silly, silly Charmed. Is one really able to tell a story in that few words? I had a hard enough time cutting twenty words out of the 900 word short, there was no way I could cut more than that and have it make much sense. So Monday morning I got up and started plugging away at the short story. It had to be postmarked that day so I didn’t have much time. I did my best putting a story together in my head, then onto the computer. When I was finished I only had to narrow it down by about 15 words. Afterwards, because the deadline loomed, I sent it to the Charmed One to read over. Normally I send my stuff to a couple of friends, but this time I didn’t have time.

  Although I felt okay about what I wrote, I still wasn’t the happiest about it. That is until I walked into the Charmed One’s office. I noticed the story I wrote there on the computer. My nerves tingled a little in anticipation. Those nerves disappeared when I saw tears in the Charmed One’s eyes. I didn’t think it was a sad story. It had sad undertones, but the outcome was a happy one.

  The Charmed One asked, “Why do you write sad stories?”

  I stood dumbfounded. I didn’t expect that story to bring on that type of reaction, but when it did I felt different myself. I started thinking maybe it was a good story. I felt some small form of redemption as a writer knowing that it created an emotion like that in a not-so-emotional person.

  I am reminded of when I was in college. In a mandatory English class everyone had to take a state test. If you failed the test you failed the class. The test was nothing more than writing three paragraphs. My English teacher took two weeks worth of class to prepare us for it. Other people in class would critique our writings and I never got really great critiques. Then it came time for the test. I walked in, received instructions, and picked a seat. I chose one facing windows, a Zen thing. I knew I did well, but I was not prepared for the actual results. A couple of weeks after the test I received an email from my English teacher. In it she explained that I had achieved a perfect score on the test. The next time the class met she told the class of my accomplishment. Inside I felt that my smile ran from ear to ear.

  After seeing the expression on the Charmed One’s face, and thinking about that test in college, I know that even though at times I doubt myself there is something there. I feel better in myself even if I did make someone cry! Even if I don't win that competition I won something more. Belief in myself.

  *For the record not all of my writing is sad. The Charmed One and I even laughed because I am generally a joking type of person.

Do you live in a big or small city/town? What have you accomplished that brings a smile to your face? Do you ever doubt your talents? 

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Dairy Queen Disasters

  It is cold and has many flavors. It can be ordered either hard or soft. One can find this in many different places from restaurants to little stands, in the city or country. It doesn’t have many boundaries. It is popular with both young and old. It goes great with cakes, pies, or cobblers. It also does great as a standalone. It is popular at parties. It’s also popular with the more depressed crowd. It doesn’t care. What is IT?

  We’re talking ice cream today! Yes, me. I say I don’t eat too many sweets, but I always find a way for ice cream. It is my downfall, my drug. I can’t say no. It has been a weakness to me my whole life. (Personally, I think I inherited it from my mother!) I cannot remember a time that I declined a scoop. Or two. Or three.

  Ice cream is just a feel good food to me. When I eat it I feel better. Really. It’s kind of like some women love chocolate, or cookies. No matter what life deals us we have our go to food. And speaking of chocolate… If I am eating custard ice cream I usually will have chocolate, or sometimes a mix of both. But if I am eating hard ice cream I like mint chocolate chip. Or peach. Or black cherry. Dang it, I am developing a hankering for some right now.

  Why am I talking about ice cream today? I have stories that have accumulated. Amazingly they all stem from one store known for their ice cream, Dairy Queen. A few years ago the Charmed One and I set off on a trek. As we drove through the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains we stumbled upon a DQ. Needing to stretch our legs we figured it was the perfect opportunity to do so and get a little snack. We stood in line patiently waiting our turn. When we finally stepped to the counter the Charmed One ordered a small vanilla. Attention turns to me and I order a small chocolate. This is when my world turned upside down. The young girl behind the counter states, “We don’t have chocolate.” Huh????? I don’t understand. You are an ice cream business that operates on two flavors. How can you not have one? Like the most popular one? I stood dumbfounded for what seemed an eternity. I even think the Charmed One had to pick my jaw up off the floor. All I can remember saying is, “Wait until I tell my mother.”

  I don’t know if I ever fully recovered from that trauma. I still think of it to this day. I also think of it as my luck that I would actually find another one that didn’t serve chocolate. That’s right. I found two Dairy Queen’s that didn’t serve chocolate. The second was in the bottom of Georgia. When they told me they didn’t serve chocolate I turned around and walked out. Sometimes I feel sorry for the Charmed One.

  How many DQ stories could I possibly have? One more. This past Friday we went to our local DQ. For fun we’ll call it Podunk Dairy Queen. The Charmed One wanted to go. I think it was an attempt to make me feel better over the epic house failure. I must say just mentioning it did lighten my spirits a little. We drove up, ordered two medium twists. There were a couple cars in front of us. When we finally got to the window the young girl working stated… “Our ice cream isn’t frozen. I could give it to you in a cup with the cone on the side.” Yes, you read that correctly. I sat with my jaw clenched. The Charmed One was dumbfounded. The conversation sort of went like this…

Charmed: “I don’t understand.”

DQ Worker: “We’ve been busy and the ice cream maker can’t keep up.”

Charmed: “What are you telling me?”

DQ Worker: “The ice cream is too sloppy for a cone. We can give you the ice cream in a cup, with a cone separate.”

Charmed: “What?” Looks at me. I shake my head.

DQ Worker: “Well, you’ll have to wait for the ice cream to freeze.”

Charmed: “No I won’t.”

  We took off and went to the little ice cream shop about a hundred yards away and got hard ice cream. I would like to know how she thought the driver could eat ice cream out of a bowl and drive at the same time. And what were we supposed to do with the cone? Scoop the sloppy ice cream into it? I don’t understand how this can happen. It wasn’t like it was 90 degrees and everyone was clamoring for ice cream. No. It was near 60. I think I have finally learned my lesson with that company. Honestly I don’t know how they are still in business.

  What is your favorite flavor of ice cream? Do you have a certain food that is your downfall? Have you found any DQ’s that don’t serve chocolate? Have any ice cream stories to tell me? Do you have cake and ice cream on your birthday? Today's my big day. I can almost guarantee I'll at least have ice cream!

W.P.I. - I have started over 200 plants the past couple of days. I had a late start because I thought we were moving. Now I plan to make up for it. Ideally they should have been started last month. If you keep seeds warm it encourages germination. Also once the seedlings sprout turn them daily to encourage stronger stems. Add a little love and you should have flowers and vegetables in no time! 

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