Saturday, August 22, 2009

Drizzling

It's been raining. Fine and misty, the roads are barely wet. This was supposed to be our big day. In a couple hours, the sun will come out. By 5pm, we've got thunderstorm watches until early Sunday morning. We really need some rain here. My mustard and collards aren't going to germinate without a little rain.

There's a couple things I want to photograph, but I'm nervous about walking on wet grass with crutches. Wonder if I can fit a spike to the ends of these blasted things? My first time ever on crutches and I hate them. They'll make a nice trellis next spring.

I'm still trying to take it easy. The swelling was worse yesterday than ever before. My leg felt as if it were going to pop. I spent all evening laying on the bed with an ice pack on my shin. This morning, the swelling was nearly gone. I could even move my ankle and point my toes. I've been putting a little weight on it when I stand today just to get used to it again. It hurts. I doubt I'll be going to work on Monday unless they are willing to make special considerations for me. I figure at least another week before I can actually take a step without the crutches. I might be too generous. This is going to take some time to heal. And the kitchen cabinets are being delivered Monday.

It's 77 degrees and cloudy with a light drizzle. Humidity stands at 95%. 50%+ chance of showers later today.

11:28am - If you guessed that I got right up and went outside, you win the prize.

The orange rose is blooming again. I know, it's not orange. It's a hybrid tea that has three different roses grafted to it. One is a salmon color, the other is yellow with orange edges, and the most prevalent is this pink. It's a very hot pink.



Turn of the Century hibiscus has three blooms. This is the small one that I divided from the original plant's rootball. It was a test to see if I could do it. This fall, I'll divide the mother plant a few more times. I've also taken 5 new cuttings this past week and stuck them in the cloner. They root in about 2 weeks.



The lack of rain hasn't deterred the brugs. The Ecuador Whites are still blooming. Each plant has one bloom on it, and there's lots of buds. I thought they would come in flushes, but I think I prefer this better.



Going to elevate my leg now. The parents are coming up this evening to make sure I'm not dead. I would normally spend this time cleaning house, but the mopping will have to wait.

8 comments:

Jimmy said...

Tom-Glad you at least are able to navigate out to garden. I can appreciate your apprehension with crutches on the wet grass.Hope you are not setting your self back by pushing it,eh?. I was going to send the dianthus cuttings on Monday, maybe I should wait.

Have a pizza delivered!:)

Tom - 7th Street Cottage said...

You can send them whenever Jim. Just let me know. I can navigate the stairs to the basement and I do get out to the mailbox every day.

I really am keeping it elevated whenever I'm not walking around, which is most of the time. Lortab only works so well and ice helps with the swelling.

L. D. said...

It sounds like it got infected a lot with all that swelling. You must be careful not to make it flare up again. I have never heard of two different rose grafts. The hot pink one sure looks nice. The hibiscus is doing well, I like how you propagate so much. I need to get organized. Too late for me now with snow coming eventually. Take care...

Tom - 7th Street Cottage said...

LD, these are Jackson Perkins rejects. They sell them to garden centers like Lowe's and we turn around and sell them for $5. I bought several this year and this is the only one with three bloom colors. Other customers have reported red and yellow on the same bush, and white and orange. But I think I was the luckiest.

Antibiotics are hopefully taking care of any infection. Also got another tetanus shot.

lynn'sgarden said...

Times in need like these, it's good your family is nearby. And they will understand about the house cleaning. The rose looks pretty with raindrops..is it fragrant?

Kris said...

Sorry to hear the leg seems to be getting the best of you right now. Glad you are keeping it elevated and taking care of it. Some guys would be trying to 'walk it off' and probably make it a lot worse. I know it's frustrating as all get out when you want to be outside and doing...

P.S. verification today is 'outfora' - as in 'out for a walk?' LOL

Tom - 7th Street Cottage said...

Lynn, my mom and sister did laundry and cleaned while my dad and nephew finished the grass. The pink rose has a very slight fragrance, but nothing to write home about. It's a powdery smell, to me.

Kris, you and your word verifications. LOL. I have no choice but to keep off it. Hurts like crazy if I try to walk on it. No walking this sort of injury off. And it looks like nothing, just a scratch with stitches. But the swelling....oh the swelling.

janie said...

Goodness, Tom, I had no idea that you had been injured. I have been away for awhile. I hope you get healed up quickly.

I love all your pictures of blooms in your garden, and your description of 75 degree days, 80 degree days, rain, rain, rain. It is 100 degrees in the shade here, and not much rain. We did get a bit on Friday evening, for which we are most thankful.

Read my blog today. I posted about grafting tomatoes. I thought you might be interested.