Those of you who grow peonies shall not be impressed with my small showing, but it has improved by two hundred per cent. Last year, I had only two blossoms; this year, six! They seem very faded to me and not just because they were in the sunlight.
The irises have taken over quite well as I have plenty for household bouquets this year. This is the most I have ever seen. I should introduce more variety!
That's about it for the front garden. The pink azaleas have long gone by; the red ones in the foreground of the front yard shot are still blooming, but on the wane. I figure that we are two to three weeks behind based on the yellow pollen everywhere that usually arrives over Memorial Day.
The petunias are doing well in the dappled light of the arbor and lilac tree. Since I learned how to properly deadhead them, I have a better time keeping petunias lush and full without getting straggly. These live in the back yard.
A double quarter pounder was Jake's reward on Flag Day. No, he could not eat it all. He thought he was extra hungry after scrubbing buckets. After supper, it was off to his final home baseball game. I finally made it to a game, but missed out on all of Sam's altogether.
< Slapping self in head. >
The boys told me that Jake's team lost 20 to zip. Discouraging. The coaches told them to just ignore the other team who were in high spirits as you might imagine. Jake said ruefully, "That's not very easy when they are yelling like that every two seconds." ☺
Yesterday was another lovely day. Jake arrived on the bus and Sam arrived on his bike.
My back is feeling better with each passing day...thank you for thinking of me. Do you have a wonky back? What's your best advice? ☺
Whatttt....what kid can't finish a double burger(giggling). Always a joy to visit you Vee...love, love the new header. smiles.
ReplyDeleteI love peonies. I wish they bloomed all summer. Glad to hear you back is getting better. I sometimes have a wonky lower back, but I don't have any cure.
ReplyDeleteGlad your back is feeling better. No, thankfully no back problems for me.
ReplyDeleteThe petunias I planted in the back are doing good but the ones in the front are no longer there. At first I saw that the blooms were all picked off and left of the ground and the stems were gone. I'm thinking it must be that rabbit I've seen around the yard.
Wascally rabbit! 🐰
DeleteVee,
ReplyDeleteI was wondering about your back....glad you are doing better. I use microwaveable heating pads almost every day. Sometimes though, ice does the trick. I just can't use ice in the winter because I tend to be on the cold side always....then I can't warm up.
Your flowers are pretty...I'm trying with mine, but I do not have a particularly green thumb. My dad always has a lush, beautiful flower garden but green thumb apparently is not passed down genetically... ;(
We put in some peonies that were supposed to not grow terribly tall but they are taller than I expected and do not look great where they have been placed. This year we finally got multiple blooms but they look spindly to me. My petunias are doing ok though. Yours are beautiful! Well, have a great weekend, hope we have decent weather, it's a bit gloomy out there after all the sun we have had...
Your iris are so pretty, Vee. Such a pretty color. The yellow petunias are so healthy and happy hanging on your trellis! I love it when the grands help out with projects. I imagine they are going to be a big help to their parents when they move.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear your back is better. Grayden has that problem. He does stretching exercises that helps keep a lot of the problem at bay. When he doesn't he hurts. Have a nice weekend. ♥
Is it the knee across the other knee one? That seems to help some. I've been misspelling Grayden's name...that must stop! 🤓
DeleteVee, Grayden has had back issues for quite some time now. The most relief came to him after he was referred to a Physical therapist. They had him doing many strengthening exercises and stretches and recommended he continue at home once or twice a day until the pain subsided. Then they recommended he do them at least 3 times a week. Here are some stretches he does.
Deletehttp://www.stretching-exercises-guide.com/back-stretches.html
Enjoy your chatter and pictures of your yard and house etc and miss you when you don't post. I don't comment very often and just thought, "How is she going to know how much I look forward to her posts if I don't tell her?" So here all the way from Kansas to tell you.
ReplyDeleteWell thank you! I spent a Thanksgiving in Kansas once. 🦃
DeleteLike your new headers and the flowers are lovely. I think we got two sick looking peonies this year--disappointing. It looks like you're having some lovely weather. Nice to have those two handsome helpers in your life!
ReplyDeleteLove the new header and the photo of your grandson with the burger, really made me smile. Such a good idea using some of the pails for a game of toss, I will remember that for when the Grandchildren visit. Beautiful flowers.
ReplyDeleteOur peonies aren't blooming yet, but one patch of irises may be the best they have ever been. Maybe they like all the rain? These are just the wild "blue flag" type irises that a friend gave me years ago when she divided hers.
ReplyDeleteI'm with Jake ... pretty hard to ignore it when the other team is yelling every two seconds. Think that other team needs to learn some lessons in good sportsmanship.
My son-in-law in NV has a very bad back. Stretching helps quite a bit to keep his back from stiffening up.
Your wee haven is beautiful! I love the buttery soft color of those peonies, at least that is how they appear on my monitor, not faded....And what great grandsons to help you! My peonies are over now, but they last better than usual because we didn't get the rain storm that usually smashes them soon after they open...Is that good or bad? We do need some rain.Love the photo of Jake not quite able to finish his double quarter pounder! His eyes were bigger than his stomach syndrome....But there's always later.
ReplyDeleteMy peonies got done in quickly by all the storms we had early this spring.
ReplyDeleteI've been going to therapy for my back and today they did more X-rays and set me up for an MRI next week. They think it may actually be my hip. I've already been turned down by the insurance company the first time they requested an MRI. The doctor thinks I may have a stress fracture in my hip so hopefully they'll let us run the tests. I'm so happy you're feeling better!
DeleteIsn't the state of medical care horrid? Deny, deny, deny...that's all we hear anymore.
Lovely flowers, never underestimate the power of kid power. I know! I have two grands that regularly help me. Glad your back is better.
ReplyDeleteI definitely have a wonky back! I'd say the best advice is to be careful not to move in a twisting motion quickly but then again, I've pulled a muscle just taking clothes out of the dryer the wrong way.
ReplyDeleteWe went from cold and wet to suddenly hot, humid, and needing rain for the crops. Thankfully there were a couple days of a good steady rain but it increased the humidity to jungle levels. Which is why by the end of June, I'm always ready for October.
Glad you back is on the mend! Thankfully that is not one of my ailments - so far! Those boys sure did a good job of cleaning up the pails and what a fun game to play with them. Your flowers are pretty in spite of your recent weather. Take care and have a wonderful weekend.
ReplyDeleteI take pictures, but don't get them posted these days. Your yard and flower gardens are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteAbout the cure for a wonky back....Aspercreme and Motrin AND using the leash for our blind dog rather than carrying her up and down steps.
I love seeing your yard/flowers. Thankful your back is some better. Prayers that you will feel much better soon. I miss having nieces/nephews closeby to attend their ball games. We are so hot/humid here in GA; we limit our time outdoors.
ReplyDeleteGod bless your weekend.
Glad to hear your back is better. I have only had a couple of times when the pain was severe and going down one leg...it was scary. My go to treatment plan is trying to keep moving as much as possible and ice, ice, ICE. Your yard and flowers are so pretty and I would appreciate hearing your tip on dead-heading the petunias. It was so good of your grand boys to help out...anything for a cheeseburger, right? :D
ReplyDeleteSo glad your back is feeling better. I get bouts of a wonky back. Vacuuming is the worst things for mine. Your grandsons are a couple of fine lads. So glad they will help around your place. I read on Lorrie's blog that peonies last for a 100 years so there's hope for your plant to produce more in future years. Yikes, that was quite the discouraging defeat. Hope their future games aren't as brutal. Have a good weekend Vee.
ReplyDeleteYour yard and posies are looking pretty, Vee! Lucky for you to have such great helpers. I'm glad your back is feeling better. I did have a back issue the other day when I had four grands over, and little Harper wanted me to pick her up a lot. I ended up taking some Tylenol that evening and doing some cat and cow yoga moves, and I guess it helped!!
ReplyDeleteHappy weekend to you, Vee.
I am glad all over again that the boys are going to remain nearby! They are a big help and I'm sure that you are a blessing in their lives as well.
ReplyDeleteI am also happy to hear that your back is feeling better. I pulled something in my back once many (20-ish?) years ago. It was terribly painful and I spent a couple of days flat on my back. I have never had anything like it since, but the memory of it gives me great sympathy for those who suffer with back pain.
I am amazed that you have azaleas in color on June 16th!
Vee, your peonies and irises are lovely. My Mum grew both in a long bed along her driveway. I love the fragrance of peonies, they bring back such memories for me. I am sorry I did not try to move some from her garden to mine... So glad your back is doing better! :)
ReplyDeleteYour grandsons are just the best. Glad they live in drop by range!
ReplyDeleteAside from usual ice/heat, pain killers, yoga stretches, chiropractic care the one unusual fix is one we learned when Bernie threw out his back just hours before he had to fly cross country for an interview and could barely stand up and walk: the doctor said to slather castor oil over his back, cover it with flannel and wrap it all up in Saran Wrap. Son of a gun...after he was flat on his stomach with the oil concoction on his back for about an hour he was able to get up and walk, made the flight, did the interview and got the job. Good stuff that castor oil.
Love your peonies and irises! You don't need a ton of flowers to enjoy them :) Glad you got some 'young' energy to clean those buckets. I don't have a wonky back but strain a muscle now and then when I try to do too much yard work. A frozen bag of peas helps with inflammation. It usually takes two weeks to feel good - no matter what I do.
ReplyDeletePeonies are my favorite and I've never tried to grow them...someday.
ReplyDeleteMy mother raised the prettiest irises...and white daisies..
Your wee garden looks great...
Your flowers are so pretty! The boys are so sweet to help you. I'm glad to hear your back is doing better. I've had different back issues over the years, and find that it helps to have good support for your back when your doing computer work or sewing type activities. Try to get up and move regularly, use heat or ice as needed, and rest!
ReplyDeleteVee, I do know what you feel about cutting all the peonies. I've had years where the blossoms were in such short supply, but this year the buds promise something a little more fulsome in the blooms department. They are still creating buds right now. I do love peonies.
ReplyDeleteAre you a mind reader? ☺️
DeleteI did cut all but two because of the week of rain we're in. I figured that I could enjoy them best in a bouquet.
Your flowers all look lovely.
ReplyDeleteAfter suffering for 35 years with back problems, I had back surgery on two herniated discs with a fusion and other things in 2007. My back seldom bothers me now. The best advice I can give you is what I got in "back school" in 1993. I was told to do these exercises before getting out of bed: Bring one knee up to your chest while lying on your back. Do this several times, then the other leg do the same. Repeat several times. This simple stretch helped me so much as well as putting my legs over the side of the bed and using my arms to help push me up.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post!!! I am low on Internet so I was so happy to get to see the last few posts from you! Grands are so much fun and they can be such a help. Glad yours were. I am blessed with a good - albeit crooked - back. My Summer - not so much but she is doing fairly well. The back surgery was a huge success. It's the piriformis that is still causing her issues!
ReplyDelete