Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Name this plant


Help me identify this plant. It is growing in my neighbor's yard and spilling into mine. It has had these beautiful red flowers all summer long and is still going strong. The hummers love it.
My neighbor said an old girlfriend planted it and called it Wedding Bells. I can't find any
Wedding Bells that look like this.





Check out the little butterfly I caught on this flower. Click to enlarge.


Now I know what this is. It's a fat little, late for migration, hummer. A little procrastinator. The hummers are still buzzing the place here. I may be the only place left to get fresh nectar.

200 comments:

jan said...

Carol, wow! that last pic of the red flower with the butterfly is magnificent. The colors are amazing. Thank you for some amazing pictures. I love the bring reds and greens and the hummer is adorable.

Anonymous said...

That really is a fat little hummer Carol. I've never had one that looked like that - mine have been tiny.

Also, a beautiful butterfly shot you got there. That flower its on looks like it has to little feet, when I enlarged it. That's some nice color for this time of the year. Wonder how long they'll keep their bloom?

jan said...

Thanks to all of you for your kind words and support for what happened with the student I wrote about. I talked with an administrator today and am going to talk with the student privately.

Anonymous said...

I think those hummers like that perch on your feeder. Maybe I should get one with a perch next time.

Carol said...

There is no yellow on that flower. That was the reflection of the sun on that flower.

jan said...

Chloe, I hope when you get some pics of Emma you will post them for us to see. Will you be dressing her up for Halloween?

Ivy Green said...

So where is the butterfly?

Do those blossoms "perk up" or do they always flop down like that?

jan said...

Solar, what is the "book of Winkle?"

Carol said...

No Ivy, this is as perked as they get. Butterfly is on pic #3. He kept flying around and I finally caught him land.

Ivy Green said...

Jan,
Good luck in your discussion with the student. Wise to handle it one-to-one.

Carol said...

It's a shrub not a vine. Has stalks coming from the ground. I don't think it branches off.

Ivy Green said...

Carol,
I thought they were red peppers until I looked closer. Anybody got the name of the plant yet? I don't.

Ivy Green said...

I see the butterfly now. She was hiding.

Those do look like little chicken feet hanging below the blossom. lol

jan said...

In addition to HIPPA - in education we have FERPA - Family Education Rights and Privacy Act. Refers primarily to students records.

Anonymous said...

Hi Jan. Yes, I got Emma a costume today, and will be taking pictures of her in it by the end of the week. Maybe I'll get one posted by Halloween.

I think you're smart to clear the air and have a talk with the student. Set some limits for him, and make sure he doesn't forget who's in charge, or there'll be more interruptions in the future.

Anonymous said...

"BY Joe...I think she's got it.!!"

Solar, I asked on the last thread if you liked that movie too, but decided to bring it over here.

Whenever I hear you use that expression ( I think you've said it a couple of times in the past), I can always hear Rex Harrison saying it, in my mind. I really loved that man.

Ivy Green said...

Jan,
You are so right. It was always complicated enough to have sets of laws and regulations affecting faculty and staff, but then they were always the corollaries for the students. Lucky me had to write the policies and procedures for both.

Coreen said...

They look like red bell flowers, but have
never seen any like that here.

Carol, how do you get the little creatures to
stay still long enough to get those closeups?

The hummingbird, the butterfly & your little
what is it the anole?

jan said...

Thanks Chloe, Clearing the air is just as important for me as it is the student. I don't want this hanging between me and the student. At this moment I need for us to talk out what was going on with her and how I felt about the way she handled her frustration. Also, the student needs to know that her way of handling her frustration over a test question was inappropriate and if she were to address an employer in this manner it could get her in trouble.

jan said...

Ivy "Lucky me had to write the policies and procedures for both." What kind of job were you in that you did this?

Ivy Green said...

I wondered the same thing, Coreen. I can hardly get the dogs to sit still for a picture. Charlotte cooperated, but only because she was fixated on her web. I forgot to mention I saw her this weekend, of all places, in the ivy bed. I think her burrow is in there.

jan said...

They do look like little chicken feet. I hope someone finds out what the flowers are. If we can't, lets name the plant like we named carol's Fiddler.

Anonymous said...

Carol, Is this by any chance it????

belize sage

jan said...

Carol, you say the hummers love the little blossoms. Since the blossoms look like they are hanging upside down - how do the hummers get in there to get the nectar?

Ivy Green said...

I was the always unpopular "HR Lady." Maker and enforcer of the rules. Dreadful job, now that I look back on it. Wouldn't have traded it for anything.

Anonymous said...

BTW Ivy, I like the name you suggested so much - Fiddle Faddle - that I named my little stray kitty that. So Carol has Fiddler (for Fiddler on the roof) and now I have Fiddle Faddle.

Coreen said...

Maybe, just maybe: Take a look at this
Campanula "bowl of cherries" bellflower

Campanula, Bellflower

jan said...

Ivy, is HR Human Resources?

Coreen said...

Chloe, like the new babycat's name---I am guessing that she is loving having found you.

Anonymous said...

Coreen, It looks a lot like the one a little over half way down your link, the 'Campanula x 'Kent Belle'', except a different color.

Did you look at my link?

jan said...

Chloe, What does Emma's costume look like?

Last year, my son and family had a halloween party. I found John a darth vader mask at a yard sale. He was perfect - he has a black cloak that is part of his priest "vestments" I had to go as Princess Leia - I wore his white alb (its the white "dress" priests wear under the other stuff). I have short hair and couldn't figure out how to do the buns over the ears. I had some honey buns in the freezer - so covered them with some panty hose and put on my head. It worked but later in the evening made my hair and ears sticky.

Anonymous said...

Well Coreen, I can tell you one thing. She'll be safe for life... and spayed as soon as she's old enough. That'll save her a lot of hardships. She's a real sweet hear - I'll take a pic of her to in the next few days.

Coreen said...

I did look at the saliva, & it could be that
as well, hard to see if the leaves on each of
the different flowers are like Carol's.

Coreen said...

not saliva, salvia, silly me!

jan said...

Chloe, love your kittie's name. If someone else gets a kittie, can name it Fiddle Dee Dee.

Carol said...

Both look darn close. I will study them both and then go outside tomorrow and look closer at the plant. It's a wonderful plant. The hummers go after to flowers that lay on their sides. They love that plant. So do the butterflies.

Coreen said...

Curiously, if you read about the salvia, it says it attracts hummingbirds, could it be
what helps all those little guys to Carol's house?

Coreen said...

Carol, I think Chloe found it then, as I said
about salvia attracting hummingbirds.

Carol said...

We got to have some Emma Halloween pics. Lots of them. And pics of Fiddle Faddle. Soon Chloe!

Anonymous said...

That sounds like great fun Jan. Do you have a picture of you two in those costumes?

Emma is a little small for her age, so I ended up having to find one between 6-9 mos., so the selection wasn't great. Actually we got two to try out. One more or less looks like a pumpkin, and the other is a little 'cow' suit. Weird, I know, but no much comes that small, and they are cute. I just don't know how I'm going to get her to keep on the hat long enough to snap the picture. Whenever I put anything on her head, she immediately rips it off. She does the same thing with bibs. She's definitely got a mind of her own. Ha! I don't know where she gets it.

Carol said...

Chloe, get pics of her in both costumes. We can vote on which one we like most.

Coreen said...

Carol, reading my mind, thought the same thing
try to have Emma model both costumes.

Anonymous said...

"Curiously, if you read about the salvia, it says it attracts hummingbirds, could it be
what helps all those little guys to Carol's house?"

I bet you those flower sure help. Carol get a lot of hummers. Now I'm going to want to find some of them to plant in the spring. They have a really long flowering season too.

jan said...

Chloe, "She's definitely got a mind of her own. Ha! I don't know where she gets it." LOL, I bet you know exactly where she gets it. Good for her. I always hated hats too.

Carol said...

To get hummer pics, I stand by the window, forever, holding the camera, losing sensation in my arms, snaping lots of pics with no hummers cuz they fly off before the darn thing actually takes the pic. There is alway this delay after hitting the button.

Carol said...

Yep, Emma sounds like a chip off the old block, so to speak.

Coreen said...

Chloe, that is interesting about the size Emma
wears. The sweater I'm working on is for an
18 month old, my friend's daughter (Ella) is not yet 1, & I have no idea how it will fit.

I did make a practice sweater (not the same pattern) when she was in CT last month, & it
fit, so I am hoping this one will work.

Anonymous said...

I plan on having her model both, but she may have different ideas. For being a girl, that baby sure hates for me to dress her. I have to bounce her around, make funny noises and all kinds of stuff, to get her to cooperate, somewhat. When her and I wrestle, she always wins.

Nine months old, and she has me wrapped around her finger.

jan said...

"The hummers go after to flowers that lay on their sides. They love that plant. So do the butterflies."

Carol, I wonder if this plant is why you have hummers longer than anyone else.

jan said...

Coreen, are you knitting the sweater?

jan said...

Carol, talk about patience - with taking those pictures.

Carol said...

I also have three feeders and a sign on the river that says.....Last Stop for 500 miles...

Anonymous said...

Coreen, I seem to remember that most kids wear a bigger size than their age. Especially with a sweater, you can always roll up the sleeves a little (which I do for Emma). I like getting sweaters a little big, so they'll be around for maybe 2 seasons. I think you're smart going with 18 months. A lot of the things I got Emma for this winter are 12 months, and I adjust them with a roll up here and there.

Anonymous said...

Coreen, They grow so fast at this age, they're apt to change sizes very quickly.

jan said...

Ok, I have to go see who gets kicked off DWTS's. It gets here later than where you are Carol.
You all will probably have gone to bed when I get back - so if you are - sleep tite and don't let the bed bugs bite.

Anonymous said...

".Last Stop for 500 miles..."

Carol, You're supposed to be sending them my way. You said we're only about three hours away from each other, I think. What is it, I'd guess about 200 miles?

Anonymous said...

Carol, I think the route between us is almost a perfectly straight line across, east to west.

Coreen said...

Yes, Jan, I am knitting a baby's sweater for my best friend's niece's little girl, who now
lives in NC. The plan is if this comes out
right, when they come home to CT in I think
December, they are going to have Ella christened here (dad is in the Army in Iraq right now, so they are waiting til his tour is over to have the christening)& may use this little sweater (it is white with a hood, the hood & sleeves are made with velvetspun so it looks like a little teddy bear--its almost done, I just hope it fits. For me, it is like making doll's clothes.

Carol said...

Maybe less than 200 miles, Chloe.

Ivy Green said...

"Fiddle dee dee, fiddle dee dee,
The fly has married the bumblebee
They went to the church,
And married was she
The fly has married the bumblebee"

Carol said...

I know who got kicked off Jan. Nah nah, nah, nah nah.

Anonymous said...

Jan, I just saw your post where you said you hated hats too. That's funny. You know how they are at that age. They throw everything on the floor.

They're your field of expertise, aren't they Jan? From baby's on up?

Ivy Green said...

Fiddle-de-dee, Fiddle-de-dee,
The Fly has married the Bumble Bee,
Says the fly, says he,
"Will you marry me?
And live with me, sweet Bumble Bee?"
Fiddle-de-dee, Fiddle-de-dee,
Oh, I love you, and you love me!

Fiddle-de-dee, Fiddle-de-dee,
The Fly has married the Bumble Bee,
Says the Bee, says she,
"I'll live under your wing,
You'll never know I carry a sting."
Fiddle-de-dee, Fiddle-de-dee,
Oh, I love you, and you love me!

Fiddle-de-dee, Fiddle-de-dee,
The Fly has married the Bumble Bee,
After Parson Beetle
Had joined the pair,
They went outside to get some air.
Fiddle-de-dee, Fiddle-de-dee,
Oh, I love you, and you love me!

Fiddle-de-dee, Fiddle-de-dee,
The Fly has married the Bumble Bee,
And the bees did buzz,
And the bluebells did ring,
You've ne'er heard such a merry thing!
Fiddle-de-dee, Fiddle-de-dee,
Oh, I love you, and you love me!

Fiddle-de-dee, Fiddle-de-dee,
The Fly has married the Bumble Bee,
And then to think,
That of all of the flies,
The Bumble Bee should get the prize!
Fiddle-de-dee, Fiddle-de-dee,
Oh, I love you, and you love me!

Anonymous said...

Very cute poem Ivy. I almost got her a bumble bee costume, but they didn't have her size.

Coreen said...

Time for me to check out as well. So good nite
all.

Anonymous said...

I just made a copy of your poem Ivy. I'm going to read it to Emma tomorrow. And probably everyday for the next year, the way she likes repetition. She won't understand it yet, but she just loves for me to talk to her. And perform, I have to perform for her. :)

nite everyone

Carol said...

Loved the pome too Ivy. I'll read it to the Magster. She'll love it too, that is if I scratch her head while I read it.

Anonymous said...

That sweater sounds beautiful Coreen.

Ivy Green said...

Having made so free with “fiddle-de-dee,”
What’s to become now of “fiddle-de-dum”?

Carol said...

Nite family.

Anonymous said...

Maggie understands probably more than Emma does Carol. And they both love the attention.

Carol said...

What happen to you Solar? Did it get too estrogenic in here for you? Oh wait. I don't have any of that left.

Anonymous said...

Ivy, You must have been an incredible mother. I mean I know you still are, but I was thinking how wonderful you probably are with the little tiny ones.

Anonymous said...

Solar always just drifts off at some point Carol.

Ivy Green said...

Chloe,
Check out this one for Emma...

What’s the French for fiddle-de-dee?”

Anonymous said...

Thanks Ivy. I bookmarked it. Emma has her own little folder in my bookmarks. Keep them coming!

nite again.

Carol said...

Where do you find this stuff Ivy??

Carol said...

Chloe, you're a pretty good momsie type yourself toots.

Ivy Green said...

Chloe,
The "girls" were discussing last night how unsure of ourselves we were as mothers, always being directed and re-directed by this-or-that "expert." Too bad we didn't just trust our own instincts. lol

Ivy Green said...

Carol,
I just scan the environment and it shows up!

Carol said...

I learn so much from you guys. You expand my world.

Thanks for the help in IDing my plant. I think your on the right track. I will study the info you linked.

I searched several times and couldn't come up with anything close and in seconds you guys found that stuff.

Carol said...

I wish they gave CEUs for coming here. I am still behind.

jan said...

Coreen, the little white sweater sounds so pretty. Lucky little girl. In an earlier comment you said I "must have patience" to quilt - I would say the same about you and knitting the little sweater. The interesting thing is when I do something I love to do - like making a quilt, I lose track of time. I wonder if you feel that way about knitting.

jan said...

Ivy, I can hear my mother's voice say "fiddle de dee" She would say this when she was frustrated with trying to do something and it wasn't working. Thanks for including the entire pome.

jan said...

Solar, do you only come out with the sun?

Carol, No surprises tonight on DWTS's.

Carol, How do you get your CEU's? I prefer to go to conferences - even though they are more expensive - its more fun - and deductible.

jan said...

It lookes like some of you are still here - from the map - but nobody's talking.

Carol, did you fall asleep with your compu still on?

I am going to bed. I have started the new book by Dan Brown - its pretty interesting - so off to bed with Dan.
nity nite.

jan said...

"I learn so much from you guys. You expand my world" Carol, me too.

Ivy Green said...

I am still working on "People of the Book." Good story, a "mystery," but not as inspirational as "Year of Wonders." I love that book.

Carol said...

I should have been asleep a while ago but I went back to re-read the comments. I always miss some of the comments. My eyes just don't move fast enough.

I remember when I was a kid, my mom brought me to the eye Dr. to see what was wrong with me because I was making up the end of the sentences I was reading. My brain was ahead of my eyes and when I couldn't read the sentence as fast as I was thinking, I just made up the end. My ending might have been more interesting. Can't remember.

Carol said...

Just heard an owl scream. Sounded like it was right outside my window. It startled me. I can't walk outside at night without hearing the owls calling to one another. There are several different calls I hear. One is what sounds like a woman's blood curdling scream followed by a who who, who, whooooo. Not sure which owl actually makes that sound.

Well time to go nite nite.

Carol said...

This morning I was looking for a link that gave a good example of that owl scream. My time is limited but I did find one, not so great, example. It would be hard to record since you never know when they are going to scream.

Several owls do scream. One is the barred owl. That's my owl. It's a scary scream. Great for Halloween. Read an article that said the owl noises increase starting this time of year. No wonder it is so noisy out there.

Barred owl scream


Screeches, screams might be sounds of owls

Carol said...

Living out at the camp has been like living in nature's laboratory. Yep, it's a little cold at times but a small price to pay for the learning. And I am going to buy that extra heater/AC, that is when I get to it. I did get a good start on it when I asked my neighbor, yesterday, if he would put it in for me. He said, "anytime luv". That's what he calls me. Great neighbor.

jan said...

It is interesting how owls are around more about time for Halloween and getting into the fall. When we were living on the edge of the city limits in NW Ark we heard and saw owls. The only screams I hear now are the fire and police sirens. Oh yes, we are only 3 blocks from the univ hosp so we hear the helicopter often. We have moved our bedroom downstairs to the finished basement - since then I don't hear all those noises at night - and the temp is more constant so sleep much better.

jan said...

It is wed morn again, when we put out recylables - and its raining again - 3rd Wed in a month that it has rained. God, don't you want us to recycle? I don't want to complain because I love the rain and we need it.

Ivy Green said...

Carol,
Thank you for the barred owl calls. I used to hear a pair of them that lived in the woods adjacent to my home. That was a number of years ago, and I haven't heard them since until now. I only recognized the classic call. Those more elaborate calls are new to my ears. Thanks again for "expanding my universe." lol

Ivy Green said...

Jan,
Does the recycle pick-up truck still come around on rainy days?

Anonymous said...

"Living out at the camp has been like living in nature's laboratory."

I love the way you put that Carol. I never thought of it that way, but that's how I felt when I moved here. I realize that our nature labs are quite different, because you have your river, and the river changes just about everything. You compared me to your inmates, when I said that I was 'going out into the world' last week, but that's how I feel when I drive off the property. It's a whole different world out there, when I cross that line.

Working at that prison has changed your take on things too, I'm sure. What a difference from teaching all those years. You compared me to one of the prisoners again the other day too. Remember, you think I'm paranoid like your inmate is? I'm kinda proud to have something in common with 'some' of those guys (not the really bad ones though).

Our owls haven't been around the last few years either. I don't know why they left but I haven't heard them for a long time.

Anonymous said...

Carol, I should have put a smiley face on that 'paranoid' sentence. I knew you were kidding (at least I hoped you were :)).

jan said...

Chloe, I am not sure - I have usually left for work when they pick up. The neighbors across the street left theirs out last night in paper bags and cardboard boxes and all of it is really soaked - I will watch to see if they pick it up.

jan said...

"My brain was ahead of my eyes and when I couldn't read the sentence as fast as I was thinking, I just made up the end. My ending might have been more interesting."

Carol, this may be why you are a good story teller - you are used to making up your own endings.

jan said...

Chloe, Is that mall in Houston? When I went to school in Houston many moons ago, I learned to ice skate at the Galleria. That was something I always wanted to learn to do. It was great fun and exercise. I don't ice skate any more b/c I am afraid of breaking a bone - the ice is hard and unforgiving. I did fall and gash my chin while learning. Drove myself to emer. for stitches. Had to wait several hours for a plastic surgeon. Was told general surgeons will not touch your fact.

Carol said...

No Chloe, never compared you to my inmates but you were starting to pick up the lingo. In case you ever hit the joint you will be prepared. It is kind of amusing to see when these people come in, who you would never expect in jail, and they start talking like all the others who call it their second home.

Jan, I would have thought that they would use a plastic surgeon for facial sutures but when I worked ER, I did it all the time. I was very surprised that they let me. I was very careful. I got out the magnifing googles, the finest needle and thread that I could find and took my time putting all the pieces back together. No one ever came back to complain.

The Docs dumped most of the suturing on me because I took my time. They must have hated doing it. I even put a nose back together once. This guy's face hit the stiring wheel and his nose was split all the way through the nares.

A pulmonologist came thru later and asked who did the suturing and all the nurses pointed at me, thinking I was going to get it. It was at a time when NPs were just starting in the ER here and the ER Docs were mad because they thought we were going to cut into their massive paychecks. They were making it miserable for everyone and the nurses were pissed at us also because of all the poop from the Docs.

I just stood there waiting for whatever to come down and he said "you did a great job". Whew! I certainly hated being on the cutting edge of new horizons in nursing. Have a lot of scars from it. And other nurses, they are sometimes our worst enemies when you are blazing new trails. That really disappointed me. I wrote a lot about that in the book I wrote. It's kind of a woman thing. Women not supporting other women. Really aggravated me. Bitches.

Carol said...

And Chloe, storms a brewing. Expecting anywhere up to 8 inches somewhere between me and you. I'm heading outside to start moving some things, like riding mower and stuff I don't need out here, back to my house.

Better put my neighbor guys on retainer just in case. River is already swollen and if we get anywhere close to that kind of rain and a strong south wind, look out.

Check back later.

Carol said...

One more thing, Chloe, what kind of store was that in the pic you took and how much did they want for John McCain? Probably on clearance huh? We were all curious.

Anonymous said...

Carol, I didn't realize how much rain was in the forcast. It now says we're getting rain on and off, mostly on, through Friday. We don't flood here, so I don't have to worry about that part, but it sure makes it a mess to get around to get things done.

Glad to hear you've got help there.... always to prepare for the worst

The name of that store is Hot Topic, and it's in all the malls here (at least it used to be). I'm not sure that stuff in the window is all for sale, but I'll go in and check when I'm back there Friday. They always have a weird window display, because they sell weird stuff. It's been a few years since I last went inside there, and that was because I was with my daughter. They sell oddball stuff, goth and things like that. Hot Topic

Anonymous said...

Jan, I wasn't at the Galleria. The Woodlands Mall is a lot newer, but the Galleria is bigger and has more. They only set up an ice skating rink at this one around the holidays through the first, and it's in an outside structure they put up temporarily.

I rarely go into Houston. I have several malls closer to me than that, and the crowds down there are unbearable. I usually stay within a 20 mile radius of where we live for my usual meanderings. I love the Woodlands for shopping, theaters and restaurants, but don't even always go that far.

Coreen said...

Hi all, just to let you know, it rained all day
here (cold rain) & in NY, but the tarp is off the field in the Bronx, so there will be baseball in the Stadium tonight.

Enjoy your evening, remains to be seen how my night will go.

jan said...

Chloe, It stopped raining here and I put out my stuff for recycle - and now it is gone. Sorry you all are getting so much rain. Take good care.

My husb has a son who lives in Houston. We have not visited there as we see him in Little Rock at least once/twice a year. He was a commercial diver for oil rigs - would go down and stay for a several days at a time. Several years ago they brought him up too fast and he suffered some damage. He has recovered almost fully now - but he got a good settlement because he can never dive again.

jan said...

Carol, you must be good with that needle.

jan said...

Chloe, I don't blame you for not going into Houston. I hated the traffic and I hate crowds now. I seldom go to a mall because of crowds. Most of my grandkids are older now and I give them $$ for Christmas -not a lot as I have too many of them.

jan said...

Carol, are you safe at your place on the river?

jan said...

Carol, do you want the John McCain poster to scare off the snakes? Actually, I think John McCain is a good guy. I didn't want him for prez though.

Carol said...

Just had a 14 year old die of what they think was the H1N1. He was a friend of one on my co-worker's son.

He got sick with flu like symptoms Saturday, saw his Doc earlier this week and started the standard flu treatment. Sister found him not breathing late last night. Dead soon after. Cause of death not yet determined.

That's a scary flu for young people.

Carol said...

Jan, I like McCain also. There are things about him I would trust over many others. I think he seemed more concerned with conflicts of interest for politicians. I don't think he wanted to bail out all those losers who took all our money, but he caved to pressure during the campaign. The biggest problem was, he is a Republican.

Ivy Green said...

Carol,
Terrible, shocking news...tragic loss, so very sorry.

jan said...

Carol, I am so very sorry. So much to live for at this age.

jan said...

I am wiped out tonight. Have been grading and calculating grades. Also, had a little stomach upset - I think I caught something from a student on Mon. Some came to school sick. This has been the worst Fall semester I can remember. Usually, students get sick in spring semester.

Ivy Green said...

Jan,
Take care of yourself.

Anonymous said...

Jan, Glad to hear your husbands son is doing well, after such a bad diving accident. I assume he lives in Little Rock now, since you see him there occasionally. I was wondering what it's like in Arkansas, because from what I've seen (pictures) it's really beautiful. Does he get tornados through where he lives? I know parts of Texas do, but we've lived here almost 17 yrs. and never seen one (knock on wood).

That's a good thing that your recycling got picked up. ps It must be rough getting exposed to so many illness because of students coming to class ill. Soon you won't have that problem. What month does your retirement come through.

Carol, I'm sorry to hear about that young boy dying so unexpectedly. You mentioned that the H1N1 flu is really hard on the young ones, and that makes me want to try harder to hunt down someone who has the vaccine available. I'm going to make some calls tomorrow.

Anonymous said...

"Most of my grandkids are older now and I give them $$ for Christmas"

Jan, Money is always the best present. I do the same whenever possible. Of course, it'll be a long time before that'll work for Emma.

Ivy Green said...

Chloe,
Lucky you haven't seen tornadoes or their effects. Hope it stays that way. I've seen them, been in one (a tiny one), and seen homes in Houston that were reduced to splinters. I don't fool around when our weatherman says, "Go to your place of safety."

Carol said...

I've been registering for a little conference for continuing ed. That wore me out.

Jan, I prefer to get my CEUs online but they can't all be online. For my certification I have to have 150 in 5 years, I think. They may have increased it. Even for vacation, I only take a day here and a day there. I also don't like having to leave Maggie. I will leave her with Mary overnight for this one, only two days.

That modern family was killer again tonight. If you haven't seen it yet, you are missing some good laughs. You can also catch it online if you miss it on TV.

Carol said...

Ivy, I have a tornado phobia. They mentioned today that tornados are possible with the storm tomorrow/Friday. It is particularly scary here at the camp. Where would I go for a place of safety, in the river???? To find a low place, I'd have to go underwater.

Anonymous said...

Yes Ivy, I know it happens down in Houston and a lot way north of us. The closest I know about to us is about 15 miles away, it's taken off a roof in a place or two. I think it helps that there are a lot of trees up our way. I'm not sure, but I think they might deter them.

Now Ike did plenty of damage, even as far north as we are. I'd say we've really been lucky though.

How about you? Are you in an area that gets tornado's.

Anonymous said...

Carol, Have any of your neighbors that have lived there a long time ever seen a tornado come through there?

Anonymous said...

This may be our last really warm night for the rest of the year Carol. I'm not sure of that, but I figure since it's almost November, we may not see another one this warm until next March.

I'm glad you're mentioning 'Modern Family' again, because I keep forgetting to check it out. Can I just do a search online for it?

Carol said...

I either had a tornado or some pretty bad straight line winds hit my yard, at the house, a good while back. Knocked down a heavy fence and took the top out of a tree. I don't think I was home at the time.

When Rita hit they said there were tens of dozens of tornado involved with it. All hurricanes have tornados. That was easy to see. The tops of two trees were on top of the camp along with part of the roof in the front yard. Lots of trees down at my house. I think a lot of the damage of hurricanes is due to tornados.

Anonymous said...

Yeah, I just checked. 72 here tonight, but in the high 40s Friday night.

See you guys tomorrow. nite.

Anonymous said...

I forgot about that. You mentioned the damage to your camp before. I see why you worry, with the amount of hurricanes we've been getting.

Carol said...

I keep telling myself that this camp has survived for a good many years so it probably has a good many left. Mag and me will be hunkered down.

I used to go home every time the weather got threatening but I don't anymore.

Carol said...

Jan, maybe your body is trying to tell you it is time to retire and have fun. You have worked long enough.

Anonymous said...

Well, if you ever had to get out of there, you could grab Maggie and go. It's nice that you have that house nearby. But there seems to always be plenty of warning before anything major happens.

Carol said...

I wish I could have found a better example of that barred owl scream. The one I left this morning does not do it justice.

Carol said...

The ones I hear around here sound just like a woman in serious distress. I real horror movie scream.

Ivy Green said...

Chloe,
Yes, Alabama gets killer tornadoes. I almost refused to move south of the Mason-Dixon line ever again. Hubs promised to build me a storm shelter, and he did. I ruled out any house on the market that did not have a complete basement. I also have a weather radio that is always on. I'm almost cured of my tornado phobia.

Every time there's a storm warning, everyone runs to "the Pig" for bread, milk and toilet paper. The question is, "WHY?"

Ivy Green said...

Carol,
I thought those owl screams you posted were chilling enough. lol

Carol said...

I can see toilet paper Ivy, I might find that useful, but why bread and milk?

That scream was just a wimpy one Ivy. A couple of times I almost called 911 when I heard it but the who, who, at the end stopped me.

Carol said...

Rut rho, Coreen might need a drink.

Ivy Green said...

Yer right...should I tell her I'm for the Phillies, or maybe keep that a secret for now?

Carol said...

I think the cats out of the bag now Ivy.

Ivy Green said...

How about a plant called Red Angel's Trumpet? I can't get the picture to link.

Carol said...

I found it Ivy but the flowers don't curl up like a trumpet. It's a pretty one though. So far that Belise salvia is the closest but not quite the same.

Ivy Green said...

Your neighbor sure has us stumped...lol

Carol said...

My flower has layers and the salvia looks like a single tube. It didn't seem to have the little chicken feet coming out the bottom either.

Carol said...

It must have him stumped too since he thought it was called Wedding Bells.

Ivy Green said...

We might have to print the pictures and take it to our local nursery for ID'ing, if they can even.

Carol said...

I wonder if LSU Ag Extension could ID it?

Ivy Green said...

Carol,
Piece of cake, no doubt. We might have to turn to the experts.

Carol said...

I bet there are places online that can. I bet the Birds and Blooms Mag could ID it. My subscription recently ran out.

Ivy Green said...

We may have to extend this thread until the mystery is solved.

Ivy Green said...

I'm gonna say 'Nite now. I'm all out of pomes.

jan said...

Chloe, you are having a warm evening. You can have some pretty bad flooding in some areas of Houston. I was in Houston sometime in 1975-76 for just a day and the rain was so bad it flooded the medical center. I was there to see a faculty person. I found someone in the dorm to bunk with for the night. There were helicopters and sirens going off all night. Could not even get a line to call home -no cell phones then of course.

Chloe, My husband's son still lives in Houston. He just goes to AR often as he has friends and family living there.

Ivy, tornados are the worst because they can sneak up on you. I have never actually seen one after living in OK and Ark. You were smart to get your hubs to build you a storm shelter.

Carol, I am so ready to retire. I am on contract until June 30 - I hope I can hang in there till then.

I hope you guys find out what the little red flowers are. Me, I am just content to go up there to the posted pics and enlarge them and just look at them.

jan said...

Carol, I watched Modern Fam tonight - really funny. I loved the scene in the pediatrician's office.

jan said...

Well off to bed with Dan Brown - the author.

jan said...

Solar, where did you go?

Carol said...

That person you bunked with in the dorm was me Jan. I was living there during that storm. I watched, from my 8th floor room, the cars across the street at the library go underwater. I'm not sure why you weren't living there yet. You never did have to stay there as much as I did.

All the tunnels in the Medical Center went under water. The water was pouring down the elevator shaft in my dorm, into our little cafeteria. There was no AC in the dorm for weeks. I tried to stay but had to move to my aunts for a while. It was a mess.

I was taking an A/V course at the time and one of the big insurance companies hired me to take pics of the damage in the tunnels of the Medical Center. Teacher recommended me. Made $100.

Carol said...

I guess I could say that I am a professional photographer because of that but then you would expect so much more from my pics. The teach just liked me and knew I could use the money since I wasn't working. I was on LOA from MSU. I was living on that little stipend they gave us to go to school. My home was that little crapy dorm room.

When you first came to Houston full time, you roomed with me but since I had pretty much taken over the entire room, you got your own room. It was the only home I had, you still had your home here in town with your family. Is it all coming back to you yet?

Carol said...

I was pretty jealous of you when we were going to school. Your Maternal/Child program didn't have all the tough requirements that my Med/Surg did. You were reading books and ice skating and going home on the weekends and I was busting butt day and night.

I thought, here's a married woman having a ball and my single ass is busting it. No time to enjoy anything. It's that destiny again.

Carol said...

And also, I thought that Bob made a pretty darn good wife. I always felt that if I ever found a husband, I wanted one just like him. Never found one.

Carol said...

Just had another funny memory while in the shower. It involved a camping trip that I think you and your kids, one of my instructors, her Cardiologist boyfriend, and I went on to the Guadaloupe river.

The Cardiologist boyfriend brought a little herb with him and we were sitting around the campfire after having a little sample, laughing when one of your kids came back to our campsite. We were new to that particular herb and it wacked us pretty good. I'm sure I didn't dream that.

Carol said...

You might have repressed that memory. I had forgotten it also. I think your kids, only brought the older ones, were in the tent asleep.

Carol said...

I was pretty nervous about indulging in the herb but we did have a Cardiologist with us.

Coreen said...

Morning, Not happy, but no sulking here, no jumping off a 'cliff' just start again tonite.

Coreen said...

Ivy,

I have no problem with others rooting for their
team, just don't try something like this Phillies fan--she got her tickets to a game, and more!

Phillies fan

Anonymous said...

Ivy, Have you ever had to go into that storm shelter your husband built you, during a storm? I bet that's a secure feeling knowing it's there. I was thinking that it could also be used as a 'safe' room.

Creating a safe room in your home
"Panic Room," the 2002 Jodie Foster movie thriller, gave the general public a taste of what people with money have been doing to help protect themselves against intruders. That movie's safe room epitomizes what can be done. High-end projects like the one in the movie are loaded with security features from entry devices keyed by a person's fingerprints or a retinal scan to bulletproof walls, as well as communications equipment and air-filtering and recirculation systems. "

Anonymous said...

" I thought, here's a married woman having a ball and my single ass is busting it. No time to enjoy anything. It's that destiny again."

I 'know' that you 'know' we create our own destiny. Of course your mom helped out, when she gave you your first nurses kit at one. :)

Carol, I figure that the picture I linked of the Belise salvia didn't have the little chicken feet on the bottom is because they were barely blooming. I think they're a sign of maturity. Did you notice there were a lot of unopened blooms on that plant in the picture, and the ones that did bloom looked like they just recently opened. If you do a search under Belise salvia (which I did afterwords) I did see a few that looked a lot closer to the picture of your plant. Also, the color was right on. I still think that's what it is.

Anonymous said...

Plus there's what Coreen found, that hummers like them a lot. Of course, they're the right color to attract them too, though.

Anonymous said...

Check this pic out: 2 feet of snow piled up and more on the way:

Storm dumps snow on Rockies, plains

...and to think it was 78 when I woke up here this morning... that's crazy. Carol, no wonder we're going to have severe weather. When that cold front comes in and hits this extremely hot air (for this time of the year) all hell is going to break loose.

jan said...

Carol, I knew you were pissed with me about something. You went to Houston to live a semester before I did. I had forgotten that it was your dorm room I stayed in that night. You are so right, I think your program was much more difficult than mine was. Actually, I credit Marguerite H. for helping me prepare for the MS program with the child theory she taught in our UG program. In our MS programs, I did not have to learn nearly the amount of assessment stuff you had to do. We only had 7 students in my program and it was a breeze for me after our UG program. I think teaching for a couple of years helped me too. Some of the students in my program were struggling and I didn't find it difficult at all. I guess some things have escaped my memory. I do remember we had some problems when I moved into the dorm room with you. I did learn to ice skate while I was there - it was something I had wanted to learn to do. I have had lots of time in recent years to think about that year in Houston. I had never had much of an adolescence and I think that year I became an adolescent.

Solar said...

Jan,

Right here. I was going to post yesterday in the evening, but somethings came up and doing it now.

I usually turn on the comp. in the mid morning or so..The swamp, and Tm are automatic on when I do..sometimes I haven't saved them from the night before and I have to do it myself..but it all depends on what it going one..sometimes nothing to say, and will just listen or catch up later on...

Chloe,

I don't understand why the building depts of the Cities that have, or are in the way of Hurricane, or any other threat of extreme whether would not make it mandatory, to have a safe place for families to go to for safety and increase their chances to live...even if the state had to pay for them...

This is a terrific idea to get the economy moving also...self sweat labor that the city can pay the home owners???

jan said...

Carol, that first camping trip with your cardiology teacher I did not have my son on that trip. The 2nd camping trip was the one before I moved to Montana and we had my son and 3 of his friends. Did your cardiologist friend come visit us on that camping trip? My memory is failing me.

Bob is a great guy and he was very kind to take over some of the mothering responsibilities during that time. Unfortunately after we moved to NM he became a ghost in the house and was hardly ever around. He was head of human services for his company and he went out drinking almost every night with the people he worked with. By the time Steve graduated from HS there was nothing left in our marriage. We started counseling after that but probably was too late. He had been a very responsible person even as an adolescent so I guess that was his adolescence. It all worked out though. After our divorce he met a really nice woman that he has a lot in common with and he is happy. I too found someone I feel more connected with.

jan said...

Solar, sometimes I just read others comments and have nothing to add. Glad you wrote - I missed you.

jan said...

"Piece of cake, no doubt"
Ivy, have to tell you that when I read this last night, I was craving cake - went hunting in refrig and freezer - all I had was some leftover banana bread - really wanted cake,but banana bread was ok. I notice if I watch TV too much at night I start craving sweets - I swear they do subliminal messages on TV.

jan said...

Better get to work. I am worn out from all these memories of many years past. Brings back lots of emotions I have probably suppressed.

Carol, wish we could have talked about all this in person years ago - but you know sometimes we don't have any perspective on it until years later. I hope you don't have any hard feelings toward me. One of the things I liked about our friendship was that we could talk about some of our differences and verbally "fight" and then still be friends. I have not ever had any other friends I could do that with - even my sister.

jan said...

Bye for now.

Carol said...

Hi guys, I'm home getting ready to prepare for the worst. The river was way up this morning when I left for work and we haven't really had the first drop of rain yet. It's this horrible wind. With the south wind and the water coming down from the north, we are going to have a problem even if it doesn't rain. Wish me luck cuz I ain't leaving. Mag and I both have life jackets.

I told them at work I was available on the phone and the Sheriff's Dept. has a boat to come get me if they need me. I got to secure the home front. I am hoping for no more than maybe a couple of extra feet.

I talked with one of my neighbor boys and he told me to get some hip boots in case I needed them to travel from boat to truck. I couldn't walk in hip boots alone, much less hip boots and a strong river current. Their carrying my ass. I'll pay good money.

Jan, there never was any hard feelings and we always talked them out at the time. I wasn't complaining just remembering. Good memories. You were always afraid of hurting my feelings but you never did. I was a tough one. I just was a little jealous. You always shared what you were reading with me. I got book reviews and read to. I even got to go watch you skate.

Yes, you were definitely there when the Cardiologist and Cindy, my instructor came to visit and stayed over. And you had just as much of the touch of the herb as I did. And at least one of your sons and probably his friends were there. That is what made it so funny. Here is mamma and Aunt Carol being bad girls and trying to hide it from the kids. Hey it was a Cardiologist that started it all.

I do remember repeating the same sentence over and over again and finding it very funny. I wonder if the kids knew what was up??

jan said...

Carol, I do hope you and Mags are safe.HOw about Fiddler? I do notice your house is off ground level. what do you call the poles your house is on?


Ahhh memories. Again, funny what we remember and what we delete from our memory banks. See, I don't remember so much. I do live in my head and probably have created memories when the real ones don't fit my image of myself.

I stayed home this morning - still a little problem with the gut.

Carol said...

Jan, I'll have no problems at the house unless a tree falls on it. It is on the highest part of the road. When these camps were all under water in the early 80s and again in 87, my yard was high and dry even though I was on my own island. That was kind of cool since there was no traffic. My neighbor took me by boat to go pick up a friend who wanted to join me on our island. We had to ride miles to find high ground. My friend brought fresh supplies. I was trapped for a week.

Fiddler is safe. If I can't get out she may have to fend for herself for a day or two or beg from the neighbors.

My hummers are out there topping off their tanks and battling the wind.

I'm waiting for my neighbors to get back home so they can help move stuff up. I'm not going to do what I did preparing for Ike. That may have been what smashed those two other vertebrae. I've had all the kyphoplasties I can have without compromising my ability to make blood cells.

Carol said...

Geees, this was not a good time to give up those chocolate covered grahams. Drats. I may need my fuel too.

Coreen said...

Carol,

Just got back to my office, checked in & as
with Jan am concerned about you & Maggie.

I know you are very mindful & careful of your
surroundings, we will all be with you in spirit in the hope that the river doesn't crest beyond what you can manage.

Wish I could offer you more concrete assistance.

Anonymous said...

Is there anything I can say Carol, that would convince you to go to your high and dry house for the weekend?

You could pick up some snacks (chocolate grahams, etc.), catch up on all your laundry, watch movies on cable all night long, and also make sure Fiddler is kept safe (and somewhat dry - cats 'really' hate water).

Once you get everything moved and things at your camp look safe, you won't have to worry about it, unless things get much worse than you expect. And if they do get 'that' bad, you'll be glad you left. It's not just yourself you have to worry about, but Maggie too.

If you're up to the adventure, then ignore everything I just said and have fun.

Carol said...

Chloe, I just got back from WM. I did secure some chocolate covered grahams, still defective, chips, candy and other necessities. I think I'm ready now.

The boys brought my little defective freezer up into the camp and moved the golf cart onto a trailer, along with other stuff, ready to move to higher ground. Won't know until the middle of the night or tomorrow. I told the guys not to get too drunk because they are on call 24/7.

I'm charging boat batteries. I don't want to move them out and the boys said they would take care of them if necessary.

Maggie is sticking to my like glue. She knows something is up.

Carol said...

Chloe, I wouldn't be comfortable at my house, not knowing what's going on out here. I may be thinking twice about that later.

Everything will be OK. I've got "Mary", not my sister, out here with me.

Carol said...

Chloe, the rain seems to be training over you right now. You can keep it there if you want to.

Solar said...

Carol,

I agree with Chloe. We will follow you and keep you company there. If you decide to stay there, make sure that you stay in touch with some one that can get to you real fast...

Solar said...

Carol,

I posted that before I read all of the new posts, Ok, as long as someone is aware of where you are at all times. Don't take any unnecessary chances.!

Anonymous said...

Carol, I just read that you secured your comfort foods and I laughed so hard.... I'm still laughing. Thank goodness you replenished your supplies. All those things you got fall in the category of 'necessities' imo.

Just make sure that 'Mary' (not your sister) knows she's on call 24/7 too, just like the the guys that won't get drunk are.

Carol, It is REALLY POURING here, and I was stupid enough to go out in it. When I got up to the WM that I went to, I was still SOAKING wet from head to toe. Wouldn't you know it wasn't raining there (although it had rained some earlier there) but everyone else in the store was completely dry. Boy did I feel like a fool. I wanted to put a sign over my neck explaining, but decided to try to be invisible instead. They had the air conditioning going full blast too, so being wet, I was also freezing.

I know you're level headed and smart, so I also know you and Maggie will be just fine.... as long as 'Mary' (not your sister) stays close by too.

Keep us informed.

Anonymous said...

The rains starting to die down temporarily Carol. I just don't know which way it's moving.

Anonymous said...

Hi Solar,
How's the weather your way? Once this rain is over, that's when our cold front will come through, so I imagine you will be getting even colder there.

I've got Carol's area on my Yahoo weather report that I check daily, and I'm going to put yours on it too, so I'll know when you get snowed in. Ha! You're close to Chicago, right?

Anonymous said...

The Ha! was because I always laugh at the way Tony teases you about the cold winter weather. Not so cold where he is though. Florida's just about as good as Hawaii.

Anonymous said...

Oh lordy, we're up to 190 comments, only 10 to go. How about it Solar? If you see this, I'm begging again.

Or anyone else.

Solar said...

Chloe,

I have one ready, that I was going to post on Fridaynight so Carol could sleep in...but if you want, it is a little long...and no pics?

speaking of Pic..all wet and everyone else dry at the mall---funny pixxxx please...yeah I just talked left a post for Tony.

Carol said...

Put it up Solar, hurry! Chloe, did I see they spotted a tornado in Montgomery country, Tx. Didn't you mention you lived near there? Everything OK?

Carol said...

Solar, we don't need pics. We will just imagine you in your jammies. Wow!

jan said...

It was snowing here at noon. It looked like a blizzard except the temp was too high for it to stick. It has stopped now.

Anonymous said...

Yes Solar, please. We don't need a photo.

Solar, I was at Walmart. I rarely go to the mall. The only reason I'm going back again i to get Emma's Halloween pic.

Anonymous said...

Jan, I can't believe you are so close, and getting snow when it's 80 here.

Are you feeling better?

jan said...

I have some pictures of some southwestern plants that grow very well here in this soil and with little water.
Carol and Chloe I will send them to you if you can post them with a little explanation.

jan said...

Chloe, feeling a bit better. At least no more abdom cramping.

Carol said...

The Turk's Cap grows in 8B, 9, 10, 11. May need covering in 8B. It's a tropical. You could grow them over there Chloe if you don't already do. Do you have much Wisteria growing over there? I love Wisteria, the purple ones. Smells good too.