Monday, September 26, 2011

Mish Mashin' Mondays

Perennial Snapdragons, one of the cheeriest flowers in my autumn garden.
May I just say...?

This was one glorious autumn weekend! Though I had to fight tooth and nail to make it happen.

Over-achieving John Cabot Roses are still budding ~ into their 4th flowering month.
I'm odd [on many levels] but my top oddity ~ the one that makes other people c-c-c-crazy ~ is how sometimes I desperately need some down time.

As in, alone time.

Helianthus, perennial sunflowers. Had I deadheaded, she might have gifted with more blossoms.
I imagine that's the introvert in me. Hard to explain to those extroverts skulking about. Doubly hard to explain without hurting those dear friends' feelings.

Thankfully, wild Coneflowers saw the need for more color and came to my rescue.
Do you ever feel like this?  How it might be awfully convenient if cell phones were never invented? ('Cause, unlike landlines, they know you're not picking up.)

At the very least, they should offer a 50% off plan for weirdos like me who prefer to make calls, not necessarily receive them.

Blanket flowers, Catmint, and one last Pincushion threatening a bloom.
So, I'm feeling a tad bit guilty about saying, Oh, sorry... Super busy! (When I wasn't at all.) But, sometimes a gal's gotta do what a gal's gotta do.

And, that scheme was a huge success. I managed to schedule absolutely nothin' for the entire weekend. Which gives most normal folks the yawns. But, I haven't had time off like that in... well, never.

Which means there's nothing worth reporting. Except for this...  

Mind-boggling science experiment!

Most beloved kitty: Bright eyes now match his bushy tail.
My sweet kit cat, Buddy, has been battling an eye infection. And, I've been battling the need to take him to the vet -- because visiting the vet really stresses him out. (And, I've got the scars to prove it!)

So, I tried that home recipe of 1 TBS apple cider vinegar rubbed into the nape of his neck. And, whaddyaknow. It works! Trust me, I was more skeptical than you are but 1) it worked on a pretty serious eye infection. 2) in 48 hours and 3) for some odd reason he didn't try to fight me when I poured that stuff on his head.

Hollyhock seeds: Want some??
Last but not least!
I've harvested a ton of Mom's heirloom Hollyhock seeds. Want some?

Tip: If you experience rust on hollyhocks, remove the stalks and all debris early in the fall, after they are finished flowering. Rust is a fungus that overwinters in hollyhocks, causing problems the following summer.

* Mish Mash Mondays is the brainchild of my dear friend, Monica ~ whom I haven't chatted with in awhile. Because she, like me, is ignoring her phone. :)

18 comments:

Carly said...

I can totally relate Kate. My whole family is like than to one degree or another and we all need some alone time. So to me it sounds like a perfectly wonderful weekend.

Thinking of introverts and extroverts have you read this article? It's quite insightful and you might be able to get your extroverted friends to read it.

http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2003/03/caring-for-your-introvert/2696/

Kate/High Altitude Gardening said...

I knew we had something in common and now... 2 things! I really enjoy The Atlantic, though haven't thought to read it in quite some time. I'm on it. :) Hope all is well.

Jennifer@threedogsinagarden said...

Hi Kate, I find that my only true alone time is when I take a trip on my own (usually for business). Being away from my everyday routine gives me a fresh perspective and I look at things from the more neutral position of being outside "normal". I firmly believe that time alone is an imperative.

Kate/High Altitude Gardening said...

Hi, Jennifer;
Hmmm... I wonder if that's how it started for me, too, and I just didn't realize it? I used to travel quite a bit for biz and so I had to learn to be 'alone.' Great observations!

Diana said...

Having some me time is all I need to feel very well again

Rose said...

I sure do relate to this, Kate. If I don't get enough alone time, I get stressed out and unable to accomplish anything very well. Maybe that's what's wrong with me today--I could use some quiet time to flush out all the negative thoughts swirling in my brain.

Good to see Kitty feeling better; I've never heard of this remedy before. And thanks for the tip on the hollyhocks--mine have been plagued with rust the last two years.

Lisa at Greenbow said...

I find it quite easy to not answer a phone wheter it is attached to a cord or not. It is such fun to go back when you "feel" like talking, listen to the messages and then respond. You bet I need time alone. People that know me want me to have it too. :) I hope yu feel better now. I have had a few hollyhocks. They don't grwo too good for me due to lack of sun in my garden.

khaki said...

With a gardening team like that no wonder everything looks so pretty!! I am with you on the phone thing... I answer for work but outside of that I am not much for the phone. Emails are great- you can answer, ask questions "talk" etc.. and be done. I know that sounds horrible but the way it is. Just no time to sit on the phone and when I have the time, the phone is not where I want to be.... I enjoyed reading your blog- great photos! Glad I found your site!

Melospiza said...

I SO ABSOLUTELY know what you're talking about! I am very much this way, to the point where I will schedule "sick time" in order to have the house to myself. One of the things that's brining me down these days is not having enough alone time (and even when I do have it, it's invaded by guilty thoughts about how I could be doing x or ought to be doing y.)

Carolyn ♥ said...

Ahhh... you had my kind of weekend. I'm way over due.

Unknown said...

Kate,
I would love some hollyhock seeds. I finally have a place to plant them!

Marguerite said...

That is what is wrong with my hollyhocks!! Here I was thinking they were underwatered or the soil was just crap. The plants are still growing unbelievably, and flowering, should I wait until they've died to cut them down? and boy do I understand the need for down time. I'm the odd one who has a cell phone but refuses to give out my number!

Brenda said...

I'm fascinated with your lovely and colorful flowers

Janie said...

I'm glad Buddy recovered, even though the "cure" is an unusual one, for sure.

Unknown said...

It's definitely the introvert in you. "I"s recharge on being alone... "E"s recharge their batteries by being immersed in company. :)

I adore your snapdragons. I don't think that I will ever have a garden without snapdragons.

CanadianGardenJoy said...

Kate girl I am a total loner but I am lucky to have two girlfriends understand that quirky part of me.
Sometimes I feel guilty but most times NOT ! LOL
You truly NEED to have down time when you even "think" you need it so TAKE IT !! I hate answering the phone and won't 99% of the time .. carry a cell for emergency only .. I have used it twice in all the time I have carried it around with me and once was to ask hubby about a garden hose I found (some emergency eh ? LOL)
I am a cat fanatic so this information was great ! Thanks girl .. hope you feel a bit Halloweeny ? LOL
Joy

Sally said...

Having some down time is not an oddity, dear. It's something we just need! Ifeel totally identified with this post :)

Lucy said...

Loved your pictures!