THE GREEN ROOF HAPPENING

These photos were taken by Felder Rushing, our Mississippi, gardening guru. He loves green roofs. This first picture is his home. I love his yard. It is just full of all kinds of garden whimsy and unusual plants. I don't know if I would put a green roof on my house but maybe on a birdhouse. : )

I HAVE BEEN BLESSED TODAY...COME SEE

Look what I found when I made my usual rounds this morning. Over on...Brenda's blog I have won a $100 gift certificate to French Garden House.
I am just thrilled and since we are a little stressed on finances, it gives me a chance to do something for someone else at Christimas that I may not have been able to do. We have an Angel tree for those who live in homes for the elderly and no one to buy them a present at Christmas. Thank you Brenda, I am so happy. The certificate is to this beautiful shop...french Garden House. Go take a look. She has some very beautiful things. The picture above is from her shop. Let's pay it forward, Brenda and Lidy!
Lidy's blog

French Garden House

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"We have a winner of my 200th post giveaway, folks. And the winner is...

Eve! Of Gardening On The Gulf Coast!

Eve, you have just won a $100 gift certificate to French Garden House. As soon as I finish this post, I will contact Lidy, owner of this beautiful boutique, and order your gift certificate. Please email me your full name and address so I can have this gift ordered for you.

I know you will find something for home, garden, or self. And you will also be donating to charity. So have fun with your gift! Start shopping! Congratulations, Eve."

YOUR DINNER IS READY MR SQUIRREL

Do squirrels get your bulbs every year? I have heard that you can take chicken wire and anchor it over your bulbs after you plant them and that will work to keep them out. but you must remember to remove it when they they start to grow.

You could always just plant a double layer too, and hope they won't find the second layer. The bulbs will come up a couple of weeks later but at least some will come up. I don't have a problem with squirrels where I am now, but when we lived in the country, they were a bit of problem. Rodent repellents are useless according to all the information I can find, so don’t waste your money on them. You don't want the squirrels laughing at you behind your back. : )


If you are planting a large area, you could try using an electric fence, but that may only slow them down. The same goes for using ground up oyster shells in the soil where you plant the bulbs. If the squirrels are hungry enough and your neighbors aren't feeding them their bulbs, it won't do much good. You could also try to keep the squirrels away by getting a dog. But again, if the squirrels are hungry and the dog is one of those "could care less" dogs, like my Solo, who makes friends with all wild creatures including the family of rabbits in the woods.....it won’t work. : )

BLUE IN THE MORNING SUN

As usual, one is to dark, one is too light, and one is perfect! Guess who took the perfect one? Billy takes much better pics than I do. He says you have to do more than point and shoot. In this, I have to agree.

I got this old chair to sit a plant on but it always has a cat on it, so I just let them have it. It is their porch! How spoiled is that?

I love how the center of this morning glory looks like it contains a reflection of the entire surface of the sun. The beautiful blue looks like some expensive silk fabric. Billy took this early one morning and when I uploaded it, I couldn't believe how breathtaking it was. I just love it. Click on it to get the full effect!

MAMA'S GONNA BUY ME A MOCKINGBIRD

No, this is not a Mockingbird. This is the Wyoming State Bird: Western Meadow Lark (Sturnella neglecta)

Do you know your state bird? The state bird of Mississippi is a Mockingbird and I just saw one land on my herb garden on the back porch. Of course, I didn't have time to get my camera but he sure was pretty. I think he likes basil or thyme. He is always at that end of the bed.

I love the pretty Wyoming state bird. It think he is really pretty. Here is a link to find out if you don't know yours, which I am sure all you enlightened readers already know yours. But it is fun to see the other states. You can even hear most of the birds sing. Unfortunately all I got was a rocked out version of "Mama's Gonna Buy me a Mockingbird" when I clicked on my bird video. LOL


Click here to check out your bird

VERTICAL GROWING

I want to do more vertical growing next year. Pole beans, both contender and Kentucky Wonder, cherry tomatoes, cukes were just great for me this year. We had worlds of cukes as I expected but the abundance of peppers surprised me, especially the ones that grew so tall I had to trellis them. So apparently you can grow them up a trellis if you pick the right ones. It sure is a lot easier on the back than bending over to pick them.

A lot of cantaloupes served as dinner for the rabbits. I'm ready for them next year. I am growing the small ones and putting them up in the air. I'll use netting as a sling to hold them up. I think vertical growing is so much fun. You have less disease and pests and it is just so much easier on the back to harvest. Can rabbits climb? I believe I can train yellow squash to go up a trellis too. It is worth a try.

I am going to check into the baby type veggies too. I love the baby ones for salads. Baby corn is something I love. Baby carrots, baby corn, pearl onions, cherry tomatoes, baby pumpkins ( they call one "baby boo"), midget cucumbers, tiny cabbage heads, tom thumb lettuce, baby eggplant, Easter egg radishes, little dumpling squash...and the list goes on. These could be raised in containers all around the property. A healthy vegetable plant is as pretty as any other green plant.

WHERE WERE YOU WHEN THE WORLD STOPPED TURNING?

On Friday, November 16, 2001 Alan Jackson had the lyrics of his song "Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning" read into the Congressional Record by His Honor, Congressman Mac Collins.
HONORABLE MAC COLLINS of Georgia
House of Representatives
Friday, November 16, 2001

"On September 11th, 2001 our nation suffered a cataclysmic attack of unprecedented proportion. More than 6,000 Americans lost their lives in less than 1 hour's time.

In the two months following that tragic day, our citizens have struggled for ways to accept and deal with such a horrific loss. We have held candlelight vigils, all night prayer groups, talked of memorials and rebuilding. We have launched a major military campaign to seek justice for those victims. But one young man, whose name is known to many of this body and many of the American people, has found a way to genuinely memorialize those victims and that day in song.

Alan Jackson was born in Newnan, Georgia in 1958. Since that time he has grown into one of the nation's most loved Country Music stars. Some have called him the conscience of Nashville for his actions and the type of music he makes.

On November 7th. at the Country Music Awards, Alan sang a song he wrote, which more than any other that I have heard, expressed the wide range of emotions experienced on September 11th, 2001. I would like to read those lyrics to you now. "



Where Were You [When The World Stopped Turning]
By Alan Jackson



Where were you when the world stop turning on that September day

Were you in the yard with your wife and children
Or working on some stage in L.A.

Did you stand there in shock at the sight of that black smoke
Rising against that blue sky

Did you shout out in anger, in fear for your neighbor
Or did you just sit down and cry

Did you weep for the children who lost their dear loved ones
And pray for the ones who don't know

Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble
And sob for the ones left below

Did you burst out in pride for the red, white and blue
And the heroes who died just doin' what they do

Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer
And look at yourself and what really matters

I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man

I watch CNN but I'm not sure I could
Tell you the difference in Iraq and Iran

But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith, hope and love are some good things He gave us
And the greatest is love

Where were you when the world stop turning on that September day

Teaching a class full of innocent children
Or driving down some cold interstate

Did you feel guilty 'cause you're a survivor
In a crowded room did you feel alone

Did you call up your mother and tell her you loved her
Did you dust off that bible at home

Did you open your eyes, hope it never happened
And you close your eyes and not go to sleep

Did you notice the sunset the first time in ages
Or speak to some stranger on the street

Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow
Go out and buy you a gun

Did you turn off that violent old movie you're watchin'
And turn on "I Love Lucy" reruns

Did you go to a church and hold hands with some strangers
Stand in line and give your own blood

Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family
Thank God you had somebody to love



"I would like to take this opportunity to commend and congratulate my former constituent, a great American who has used his gifts as a songwriter and performer to lift the American spirit in this great pursuit for justice. Alan Jackson has crafted a thoughtful memorial to the victims of September 11th and serves as an example of how all Americans can help heal our nation from the wounds we suffered on that tragic day. Thank you Alan, for helping us to remember those we lost and for helping to keep their memory alive."