The Stifling Heat & My Garden
This morning I realized I was going to have to move pots due to the heat. I had to move my Jade tree behind the settee because the leaves were getting burned.
I also moved a few other plants and am eyeing the big pots I have gathered in the middle of the patio. I don’t know as they’ll make it another month with this heat if I don’t give them some relief from the sun.
It’s disappointing to think how much time and energy you spend on your plants only to get to June and have such heat that your plants look like they might not make it past mid-summer.
It is getting worse each year. It’s getting earlier in the day that my plants start to wilt mid-morning. I’m just not sure what to do.
And I’m not sure what to do about Charlie boy either. Whether to continue his acupuncture treatments or try something else.
Charlie now has a hard time going up the doggy steps and often I pick him up and lift him up to the couch or bed.
Ivy’s just over a year old and has plenty of energy. Her latest intrigue is shadows, as I’ve mentioned.
She will get in my closet and climb up on plastic storage boxes and swat at my shirts hanging on the rod. Once she swats at them of course they start moving back and forth, which creates moving shadows on the wall.
So then she bats at the offending shirts and pulls them off the hangers.
If you want Ivy’s attention all you have to do is cast a shadow of some sort on the wall and she’s in shadow heaven.
Here is a pic I came across on my computer. Back before I knew her when she was called Allie.
She is so tiny! And she grew in leaps and bounds from the time she came to live here in October. That little curled up kitten can now stretch up to the kitchen counter.
Last night I went out to the patio and picked one of my sweet peppers. Then I made a veggie burger in my electric skillet. I piled the bun high with the somewhat tasteless tomatoes, pickles and sliced pepper.
I’ve never had sliced pepper on a burger before, but it was actually pretty good.
I watched a few more episodes of Netflix’s Bloodline last night. It isn’t quite as interesting with Danny gone.
This is the most outstanding performance I’ve seen Kyle Chandler (John) give to a role. I don’t recall ever seeing Danny (Ben Mendolsohn) in anything before, but his performance is just as good if not better.
Watching this show just goes to prove that people are capable of things they would never have thought themselves capable of.
Who thinks they’re capable of murder? But under the right circumstances, I suppose everyone is. Whether in anger or self-preservation or both, a person can find themselves in situations so dire that I suppose it is a possibility.
Sissy Spacek’s role as the mother proves that the dutiful matriarch made some very bad choices. As in when she told a young Danny to take Sarah away so she could be alone.
And Danny, trying to protect Sarah from the adults, takes her out on the boat and she ends up drowning.
Meg is the good girl who became an attorney and then went back home to help her mom and dad with the business. But it’s obvious that the role she felt duty bound to take on is stifling to her.
She tries to settle down with Marco but finds herself self-sabotaging the relationship because it is just too expected and too normal.
And though Meg wants to remain her parents “good girl”, really what she wants to do is spice her life up. As in when she had an affair while engaged to Marco.
And of course Robert, the patriarch of the family, had lots of secrets too. He really had no place judging Danny, who he turned into a scapegoat for all that went wrong in their lives.
The well-meaning youngest brother Kevin finds his business going under. He ends up resorting to behavior he judged Danny for. Because he feels backed into a corner and doesn’t know what else to do.
Just the right circumstances can occur and the proverbial pot can boil over. This is a great show!
Hello! The weather has not been bad in Kentucky. Lots of rain and temperatures staying in the low 80s or below. July and August are always are hot and muggy — my least favorite months! — but today is only 76 degrees at the moment. Wow, I think I’ll go putter in the yard a bit. I’m sure you know that your plants take an extra hard beating due to being in pots and the pots being on concrete. The concrete gives off heat and glare, and the pots don’t have as much soil so it dries out quickly. But, I guess no matter where you are in Oklahoma, it probably is pretty hot.
I’m sorry Charlie is having a tough time. I’m sure it’s hard knowing what to put him through in order to help him out. Ivy just keeps going and going, doesn’t she? As for shadows, the other day our little cat was pawing at the floor and I thought there must be something stuck to the floor, maybe a bit of food. My husband was looking from a different angle and said, “Oh, he’s after his shadow!” Then we watched him twist this way and that as his shadow moved and he tried to catch it. So funny!
Happy Fourth of July?????My dog was okay with fireworks last night. I hope he does as well tonight.
The information about older pets and how to deal with letting them tell you when it is time to let go is new to me. My sister has an older dog that has vision problems and glaucoma while my dog has separation anxiety with me. I just realized I need to give him more time with just me.
Brenda what about a patio umbrella that you could easily close when weather or wind threatens??
I agree with a previous comment about shade cloth over your patio. Do you have lots of mulch on your plants to help retain water? I’m saddened because the Oklahoma heat hasn’t really set in yet . . . .
I had acupuncture performed on my nine year poodle. It took several times before I saw really good progress. Hope it works for Charlie.
The heat here in Iowa has been oppressive also. Over 100 degrees every day and the humidity has been terrible. Hope your plants make it through all of this weather.
Here in WV we’ve had beautiful weather until the last week & the heat has arrived. Love your little pets, so very precious. Hang in there watching Bloodline. I had started losing interest in it also but it will get interesting again & last until you watch that very last episode!
Love the baby photo..with the matching paw pads and pink nose..so cute. Hope your week gets cooler..
Good afternoon Brenda,
The heat is brutal on the flowers and veggies. I have the same problem although your temperatures have not been as hot as you.
Stay inside, stay cool and take care of your cute fur kids.
HEY, BRENDA…I HATE TO THINK OF ALL THE HARD WORK YOU PUT INTO YOUR PLANTS AND THE HEAT FRYING THEM! AND IT’S HARD WORK TO DRAG ALL THOSE POTS AROUND TOO!
…….SINCE YOU HAVE A HANDYMAN TO DO HARD WORK FOR YOU, I’LL REMIND YOU ABOUT THE 4 X 18 FT. CATTLE FENCING THAT LOWE’S SELLS. YOU CAN JUST PLACE ONE END NEXT TO YOUR HOUSE, THE OTHER END NEXT TO YOUR FENCE, AND PRESTO! YOU HAVE AN ARCH THAT WOULD BE HIGH ENOUGH FOR YOU TO WALK UNDER….LOWES ALSO SELLS A WONDERFUL SUN SHADE IN THE GARDEN DEPT. IT IS BEIGE, LOOKS LIKE CANVAS, AND CUTS OUT 90+% OF SUN. WHEN I GOT THE CATTLE FENCE, , EACH PANEL WAS $19.00…. IF YOU DON’T WANT IT TO ‘ARCH’ OVER THE PATIO, A FEW $3 LANDSCAPE LOGS COULD BE SET UP AS A FRAME, AND CUT THE WIRE TO BE SECURED TO THE FRAME….ON TOP AND ANY SIDE YOU WANTED TO USE TO SHADE…. JUST SAYIN’……
Ivy just cracks me up with her antics. I can only imagine the scene in the closet. I think I’d discontinue the Accupuncture if you aren’t seeing a difference and don’t stress him with the car. I see great results with Cbd now. I have to run get Ziggy from the groomers. Stay cool.
Please consider trying the CBD oil. It’s a medicine like any other and it has helped my sons 15 year old dog so much with pain and anxiety. I don’t know if acupuncture is supposed to bring immediate relief or if it builds. My dog had laser treatments and they were great for her. We all age s d all we can do is try and stay out of pain and go along. Hope Charlie feels some relief soon. My vet says he’ll keep a dog here as long it can eat, drink, walk and wag its tail. Happy Fourth of July to you and your babies.
Hi Brenda, I live in Southwest Florida, but we might as well be in Africa. I will go out around 7:00 in the morning and give the plants a good soaking. Sometimes again late afternoon.
Has Charlie been diagnosed with arthritis? I have had past fur babies with that illness. Ivy is very pretty and, of course, Charlie is a cutie.
I love your pictures.
I always appreciate your Netflix recommendations. We started watching Bloodline and we really like it. We are not as far along as you are in the show, but it’s definitely intriguing. We live in Florida and have visited the Keys many times … in fact, Islamarada was our first visit to the Keys ever … so we can appreciate the heat and humidity they deal with on the show. Thanks and keep the recommendations coming!
Brenda our kitty used to love climbing clothes in the closet and ruined a lot of my clothes before I realized with claw holes and pulled fabric runs. Lol needless to say he was banished from my closet! Expensive mistake! So sad the sun is ruining your beautiful garden! Do you mulch the tops to keep the roots cooler and from drying out? Just takes a two inch layer. Our north Texas heat is brutal here too.
Hi Brenda, you might check out this website for Charlie’s issues ; Prana Pets as they have meds in dropper liquid form that helps with various pet problems. Our furbaby is over 12 years old and has Cushings,heart issues, and age related bone and joint problems. Recently he probably has lymphoma as he has three swollen nodes in the neck area. We purchased Adrenal Support for the Cushings symptoms,C Support for the swollen nodes, and CBD to help with pain and anxiety with our Vets blessing. Chip responded to each of these meds in a very positive manner and we know that his life has been extended and he continues to eat, drink, and enjoy life. Of course there is not much we can do about the aging but we love him and want him with us as long as possible and not having extreme pain issues. As for your plants: is it possible to tie the sun “sails” over the plants. This at least provides some shade. Worth a try? I enjoy reading and visiting with you each day. Hope this info provides some help.
Hi Brenda,
I have to water now in the morning and sometimes late afternoon and evening when it is so hot and that sun beats down on my plants and flowers. We have been in the 90’s the last few days and my pour flowers are looking droopy mid morning. I love seeing all your pretty flowers. I hope you can find something to help little Charlie be able to move better.
Happy 4th.
Kris
I might just have to give that show a watch! As for your garden, my yellow hostas in the birdbath garden look like garbage – I am not sure if it’s due to a light frost earlier in the season, or if they are getting too much sun and getting scorched – it’s so frustrating, they looked so great in spring!
Hi Brenda~
*About your plants.. Have you thought about a canvas tarp..not plastic, or even a drop-cloth stretched across from house to fence for shade? That would provide enough shade to cool both plants and concrete while not restricting light and airflow. They are available at Home Depot https://www.homedepot.com/s/canvas%2520tarp?NCNI-5
*About Ivy..she has really grown since she’s come to live with you! Neither of mine are into toys.. When Bubba was younger, he preferred one of hubby’s old socks tied into a knot..which he would curl around and “kill ” with both rear feet! Bella does not play with anything..she’s out the door as soon as i open it early before the heat sets in.. then it’s back indoors until early evening..
*About Charlie.. have you noticed ANY improvement since beginning the acupuncture?
if not, i personally would discontinue it.. have you discussed this with his regular vet?
It is very hard when pets become elderly/infirm..you wonder what to do to keep them alive.. sometimes it is better to face the inevitable..
my vet told me she would keep both my pets comfortable until they themselves let me know it was time for them to go.. which they did.
Hugs and prayer for you and your furbabies!
Lou
Hi Brenda,
Yes, in my opinion the Danny character was the star of Bloodline. Once he was gone, it was never the same.
I am having issues with my plants and the heat as well. Keep rotating them!
My rescued 9 month old kitty’s new interest/toy are my shoelaces!
Forget pet toys.
Shoelaces and empty boxes!