Today is my house’s birthday, as my house anyway. Much like a stray cat, I don’t really know when its birthday is, though I do know my house is considerably older than I am. We were told it was built in the 1930s, at least the first part, but it doesn’t show up on the SCS 1938 air photos. Hm.
Although I’ve been in this house for four years, I’m still finding new things.
They nicely complement the things I already knew about.
Buying a house (or even renting one) that had been lived in by people who liked gardens is always highly entertaining. Even if they did things I would never do, like plant English ivy around the house. The house with vinyl siding, that is. There were some unfortunate interior choices as well, but those are mostly fixed to our taste. The ivy, I’m still working on. You know the old gardener joke? Q: How do you get rid of ivy? A: Sell the house.
If I’ve owned the house for four years, then I’ve been back in Pennsylvania for six years, half again as long as I’ve lived anywhere in my adult life. No wonder I’m feeling kind of fidgety. It’s obviously way past time to move several states away. (Don’t worry, I have no plans to actually do so, unless the powers that be close down my lab as threatened. For now, everyone is ignoring that possibility.)
I’m going to go mow the lawn. Again. The house doesn’t seem to appreciate birthday cake, and it seems only right to do something for it.
on May 1st, 2008 at 5:40 pm
Happy Houseday! And thatnks for showing the flower pictures. I especially like the purple-y and yellow ones. :) What are those? I am considering (just considering!) trying my hand at a bit of container gardening. Mostly vegetables, but I want some flowers, too, and those are very pretty.
on May 2nd, 2008 at 1:19 pm
hmm, houses have feet too you know (well, Bab Yaga’s house anyway) – so of course your readers are concerned about the status of the ….socks….
I’m just saying…
on May 2nd, 2008 at 2:06 pm
Baba Yaga’s house would need really complicated socks, probably with leather toes. Or maybe toeless socks, more like foot gloves.
I like the flower pictures, too! And I encourage Kim in her venture towards container gardening.
Speaking of being in one place–as of fairly recently, I have now been in Oregon longer than I was in New Mexico, and over 2 years in my current apartment, with no plans to move. I like my _apartment_ very much, but there are yelling, screaming children who negate any chance of a pleasant afternoon on the balcony. I’m not sure what to do…
on May 2nd, 2008 at 2:15 pm
Kim: I think they are primroses, but I’m not entirely certain. Primroses would do well in containers. Pinks work beautifully, and smell good. Marigolds, petunias, pansies, of course. Herbs – basil (especially bush varieties), parsley. I’ve always had good luck with cherry tomato plants – look for pictures of last year’s cherry tomato that took over the courtyard!
I’m sure you must already read the Journal of Mythic Arts, but just in case:
http://endicottstudio.typepad.com/
There was much good stuff this week – many links I need to follow up on!
Tamie, I’m telling you, the socks are nearly done. They won’t fit Baba Yaga, even with the extra length I added, but should fit you. I’ll finish this weekend, I swear!
Laura, is that the opposite of handschuh? Sounds like an entertaining art project, anyway.
How about earplugs? Or loud music on your mp3 player?
on May 6th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
Thank you for the flower and container garden info! Cherry tomatoes! How perfect. I hadn’t thought of them, and I really like them. I’m going to give them a try!
And yes, I do read the Journal of Mythic Arts. Love it so much, but they are real troublemakers with their constant adding to my list of books to read! :)