Wolf's Den

Every time we go to visit my family on vacation, I make a point of visiting the really spiffy yarn shop in town. I always seems to come back with between 7 and 9 new yarns, in various colors- though I've yet to pick up any pinks or reds, hrm.



This trip was no different. In addition to yarns of all kinds, YourLocalYarnShop also has unique buttons, magazines, books, classes, you name it. This time I picked up 9 yarns and a couple sets of really cool buttons.

( Goodie alert... )

He's gone.

Dad called right as I was walking into Mark's work to have lunch with him.

Seems Grandpa has taken a downward turn and the doctors are saying it won't be long, within the next few days at best.

He said not to rush into anything, but that they'd let us know when they knew more. So, we're in a holding pattern right not until I hear from mom, hopefully tonight.

But it seems we may be going on vacation a few weeks early.

In a way, it's a blessing really, with the Alzheimer's/Dementia taking him away from us like it is. But that doesn't make it any easier.

So if you can, spare a few good thoughts for my family. And hug yours tight.

I went to Michigan the week before Memorial Day, on vacation, to see the family.

While there, we went to my Grand Aunt Rosie's house a couple times. She's decided that her wonderful yard and garden is too much for her, at her age- she's in her late 80s- and has decided to 'downsize'.





So between my dad and I, we got quite a bit of new Irises, Daylilies and more from her. I myself received 20+ Irises, mostly hybrids, quite a few in clumps of 2-3 fans, 2 clumps of Daylilies, at least a dozen Tulip bulbs from my dad, 2 large clumps of Snowdrop bulbs and a few Daffodil bulbs from Grand Aunt Rosie, and a Michigan Wildflower plant.



It only took almost a week to get around to it, but since this morning was in the mid 70s instead of mid 80s, I took advantage of the cooler weather (hahaha) and put what garden soil I had, mixed with a bucketful of compost, in one end of the new raised bed, then transplanted all the Irises into it. It filled maybe 1/8 of the bed, and yes, I know they're too close together, in 5 rows of at least 4, but until I get more dirt, this will help keep them alive.}:)

The Daylilies were transplanted up the hill where Rue and Puck (the rabbits) are buried. I think they'll do well there.

The Wildflower was transplanted near the Birch Tree, with the other Wildflowers that come back every year. The purple will look good with the rusty red and yellows.



The bulbs will be planted when I fill the rest of the new bed, that way I can have them scattered around and through the Irises, like I do the rest of my Daffs and the like.

Then I had to water everything in really well. Nothing like trying to fill your 10gal bucket to find you have a hole in the bottom. Good thing I had a towel handy. Ended up using my 5 gal bucket and doing extra trips, but everything was watered, including the Tomatoes that aren't happy right now.

The poor Tomatoes are wilting a bit from the excessive heat. So I mulched in some used coffee grounds, some more egg shells and watered them. Most are perking up nicely. The Lebanese is still wilty, so I'll need to go water again later this evening when it starts to cool off again.

I'll be so glad when we get a new hose next week. I think I'll get a new sprinkler then too. Heh.



The Lavender is blooming, the Raspberry Wine Monarda, the Clematis, the Paprika Yarrow, the Lamb's Ear, the Love In a Mist are all blooming as well. It's looking like I'll have some sort of blooms at least through July at this rate.

I'm worn out after all that hauling of dirt and transplanting, but it's a good tired and I feel a sense of satisfaction when I look over my gardens. They're a constant work in progress, but I love them.

Had an apparent tornado yesterday afternoon-evening (Flyovers to survey the damage will be happening today). They still have no power, but my family is ok. The road out to my grandparents’ house was nearly impassable, but my brother, SiL and oldest niece (possibly nephew and youngest niece too) managed to get out there, as there were people out trying to clear the trees from the road so trucks could get through.

Seems the Wattles neighborhood, Lakeview neighborhood, Post Addition neighborhood (close to my parents’ house) were hit particularly hard. Trees shredded and uprooted everywhere. Couple businesses lost roofs, several house have one or more trees on or through them, if the house wasn’t completely destroyed.

The grandparents’ lost most of the trees in their front yard, including the old Apple tree I would climb with my cousins as a kid. The Grever's Nature Center and property across the road- which is now a wildlife preserve- </a>mom was saying Scott couldn’t even get to, there are so many trees down there (it was/is heavily wooded and swamps, with some ponds and gardens). Mom and dad had a large branch come down from one of the trees in the side yard, but the old Oak out back is still standing.

Seems at least 102,000 people in south-central Michigan are without power. Supposed to be in the upper80s- low 90s for the next few days too. Possible tornado in Coldwater, funnel cloud had been spotted in another county too.

So they need any good thoughts you can spare.