REDNECK GARDEN UPDATE!!!

Heidy-Ho, Blogging Pals!!

Well, it's been a little while and I was unable to post for a few days there... but I'm back up and ready to provide you with an update. Sorry that's all I have... but there hasn't been much excitement around here lately. :) Not that there ever is... but I can occasionally make something exciting!

Okay... Here is the update promised in the Title!

The garden has been doing pretty well. I have given up on the lettuce which bolted early on. That's fine. I may throw a squash or something in the "double-decker!" :) There is still time. The overall view of what is being "tended" at present:

What the heck? There are three of them clustered together. There are a lot of little ones hanging around, too. Hmmmmmmm. OH! These are the spousal-unit's Anaheim peppers!! They are mature when they turn red. Wonder if they are going to get much bigger?!?!?!?!?!? Hadn't grown these before!

Both Cherokee Purple tomato plants have begun bearing fruit. Both have a couple of small tomatoes growing as well as plenty of flowers being happily pollinated by an assortment of buzzing, flying critters.

Then there are the "Three Amigos" that are the first fruits from the very first set of flowers on the larger Cherokee Purple plant!! I am watching these VERY closely!!

On a non-edible note, I decided to try growing a hibiscus this year. I had tried them in Texas but never had much success. News Flash! It's plenty hot and, more importantly, plenty humid here in Swampland! Today's bloom and tomorrow's bloom sit on the plant this morning.

With my inability to actually handle the yard work recently, the spousal-unit, God love him, pitched right in and hit the Murray to whip things into shape. Since this is NOT something he usually does (I'm very particular about my yard!) and he offered to do it to spare me, I can only say "Thank You!" for helping me out!! I will also mention I sent him this photo with the demand for $100 to keep it out of the blog. Clearly I have received no money. :) Love ya', honey, but your time is up!!!

Finally, on a serious note... as you hopefully enjoy this Memorial Day holiday with family and friends and barbeque and all of the good stuff... remember why you are lucky enough to enjoy this day off and all of the wonderful things that go with it. Many thousands of fathers, sons, mothers, daughters, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, and more have sacrificed an incredible amount so that you... yes, you... can enjoy a day off. Unfortunately, too many have made the ultimate sacrifice. While you are enjoying your freedom to boat, fish, swim, barbeque, sail, travel... whatever you choose to do... please take a moment to thank a veteran, if you know one, or thank a service person, if you encounter one. Don't you think it's the very least you can do?

Be safe!! Until next time...

TRAVELS AND UPDATES

Heidy-Ho, Blogging Buddies!! Welcome Back!!

I must report we took a little tour to the east to Mississippi to visit the spousal-unit's folks last week. It was the first time I had the opportunity to get over there since they moved there in retirement. It was lovely to see them, see their house, and visit. It had been a bit too long since we had caught up.

On our return, I took advantage of the drive to catch a couple of shots for you. Remember... I'm doing this while the spousal-unit is driving!! Don't expect mega-quality photos, please?!?

There is one thing I found very confusing. You will notice (like you could miss it!) the gargantuan watermelon in front of the Watermelon Patch? On the trip TO Mississippi, I thought perhaps this was a fruitstand and we should stop in on our return. My mouth watered with the thoughts of fresh fruit and veggies! Pay attention to the words across the top of the building after you have checked out the watermelon! If you can't read them, it says "Shoes, Shoes, Shoes!" When was the last time you bought shoes at a Watermelon Patch?!?!?!?!? I don't understand these Mississippians!!!

Crossing the great Mississippi River from Mississippi back into Louisiana:

I love this bridge. It connects Natchez, MS with Vidalia, LA. It's a great bridge!! If you are looking for a paddlewheeler, they come with the bridge. :)

For those who are interested in the garden experiment, here are a few pictures. There are three very tiny Cherokee Purple tomatoes on one of those plants, many flowers on the hot pepper plant, and I'm afraid I am not a good lettuce grower. They have all bolted on me! I picked the leaves from the red lettuce and enjoyed those yesterday. I haven't decided about the Bibb lettuces that you see bolted in the photo! I guess there is some more internet research in my future. But I am pleased thus far. I also included a couple of shots of my "strawberry pot" which I threw four little strawberry plants into on the off-chance they would actually produce. They have. They are producing little tiny (but very sweet!) strawberries. I get a couple each day. They go well with the wild blackberries that are growing all over the place. I've been picking those, too! It's sure a different environment here regarding plants! I'm having some fun with it.

There is a little red strawberry just below the right portion of the leaves above.

Look closely for the little green strawberry below the leaves on the left.

Hope things are going well for all of you as we crash head-on into summer!!

Until next time!!