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Post by RetroMonde on Apr 7, 2022 17:10:04 GMT
We love hummingbirds & always have 2-3 hummingbird feeders active year round. I saw my first Rufus hummingbird a couple of weeks ago. I'd never seen one- it was gorgeous! I haven't noticed much bee activity around the feeders but ants have a sweet tooth and march up the shepherds hook hanger to get at it and then drown in the nectar... yuck. I use the flat style feeders that have a reservoir in the center to fill with water, creating a moat the ants can't get past. This works for awhile and then I forget to fill the center with water. Then another ant decides to march the troops back up the hook again and the process repeats itself. I don't mind- I enjoy feeding & bird watching in our large yard and encourage critters (except rats) to visit.
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Post by jesmelric on Apr 7, 2022 17:12:47 GMT
Well we are having a lovely day today! Sunny and low humidity and breezy. I know it won't last, but how very nice it is
DH is off tomorrow for his birthday, we have our annual physicals scheduled. Oh the joys of getting older lol. After we are going to stop by Home Depot and I want to get a few plants. I have just heard about something called Preen weed prevention for gardens I want to try some out and see if it works. I just can't talk myself into weeding the beds when it gets really hot any more. Hopefully it's not too expensive but then again everything is these days. DH wanted chicken wings for his bday meal, first pack I've bought in months and it cost 2X as much as they used to.
I think that's a great idea of requiring payment information in advance for best offers. Most of my non-payers are best offers, maybe this will eliminate that issue.
Denise congrats on your accomplishment! I love it when I can figure out/fix something myself. It's not often for me lol as DH is the innovative one but it's a very good feeling when I have been able to accomplish it. My kitchen cabinets are from 1964 and the little thing that keeps the door closed on one side (sink cabinet) broke and DH had to innovate something because good luck finding something like that today.
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Post by labbypaws on Apr 7, 2022 19:49:33 GMT
We are in the midst of 40 days and 40 nights of rain here. So tired of it. I need to shampoo my carpets and frontline the dogs. We could make mudpies with the fresh topsoil in your yard. Ugh.
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Post by denise15601 on Apr 7, 2022 20:23:19 GMT
Well we are having a lovely day today! Sunny and low humidity and breezy. I know it won't last, but how very nice it is
DH is off tomorrow for his birthday, we have our annual physicals scheduled. Oh the joys of getting older lol. After we are going to stop by Home Depot and I want to get a few plants. I have just heard about something called Preen weed prevention for gardens I want to try some out and see if it works. I just can't talk myself into weeding the beds when it gets really hot any more. Hopefully it's not too expensive but then again everything is these days. DH wanted chicken wings for his bday meal, first pack I've bought in months and it cost 2X as much as they used to.
I think that's a great idea of requiring payment information in advance for best offers. Most of my non-payers are best offers, maybe this will eliminate that issue.
Denise congrats on your accomplishment! I love it when I can figure out/fix something myself. It's not often for me lol as DH is the innovative one but it's a very good feeling when I have been able to accomplish it. My kitchen cabinets are from 1964 and the little thing that keeps the door closed on one side (sink cabinet) broke and DH had to innovate something because good luck finding something like that today.
Thanks Jes! This was something that I couldn't use duck tape to fix. I get so exasperated now since I can't do much anymore with my former frequent rib breakage.
My onc has ordered me not to exercise, even. So at least the toilet didn't require physical strength, although I had to ask my daughter's guy friend to loosen the shut off knob for the toilet (that was too tight).
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val2525
Chaos Manager
Posts: 30,760
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Post by val2525 on Apr 7, 2022 21:16:05 GMT
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Post by Desire on Apr 7, 2022 21:49:13 GMT
jesmelric - the Preen will work for several years. We get tremendous weeds here and I am always out on Round-up patrol. When we re-did our side mulch beds several years ago we put the Preen on the soil first before the new mulch. It will keep new weeds from coming up, won't kill active weeds. But as time goes by it slowly stops working and weeds will come up. However, that side of the house grows much fewer weeds than the other areas where it was never applied. If you are afraid of the Round-up, you can use a mask when you spray it. It sprays in a fine direct stream and there are no fumes, just use it on a day that is not windy. I've heard people say it kills surrounding plants and shrubs but it doesn't. We've used it at all the homes we've lived in and I can't go without it. I get the container that has the automatic nozzle, not the trigger spray and that makes it a lot easier to use. I honestly don't know what I would do if I didn't have it to use - at my age pulling weeds around this entire house, around the pool, and in all the island shrub beds here is not feasible for me.
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Post by Desire on Apr 7, 2022 22:01:52 GMT
Just got gas today and asked the attendant why the price was so much lower than a few weeks ago. He said we have a gas tax holiday here in our state, 25 cents off every gallon. Three states have issued it so far and he said more states might follow. Our discount is on from April 1st through June 30th. Maybe by the end of June when the tax is put back on, the normal prices will be down so that it doesn't matter. I hope all your states do something similar.
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kritter
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Post by kritter on Apr 7, 2022 22:19:13 GMT
I don't pull weeds either. I spray them and they are gone. I have never killed any of my plants and I spray right around them. But, don't do it on a windy day and temp should be at least above 85 for best results.
I usually use Round-up but I think I have some Spectracide too. Nobody has time to be pulling weeds if they don't have to do it. I started with weeds early this year and they have all been gone for a couple of weeks.
Mulch is on sale at Lowes starting today at 5 bags for $10 so I will be stocking up. Need to remulch plus new mulch on the beds in the front and some in the back.
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Post by Desire on Apr 7, 2022 23:11:36 GMT
Kritter - Thanks for posting about the sale of mulch at Lowes. We will need to drive about a 1/2 hour drive, but for 2.00 per bag it is worth it as we need quite a bit.
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Post by denise15601 on Apr 7, 2022 23:26:54 GMT
For weeds, I do the white vinegar, Dawn and Epsom salt thing. Works well!
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kritter
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When we lose sight of how we treat animals, we tend to lose sight of our humanity
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Post by kritter on Apr 7, 2022 23:32:09 GMT
Kritter - Thanks for posting about the sale of mulch at Lowes. We will need to drive about a 1/2 hour drive, but for 2.00 per bag it is worth it as we need quite a bit. Desire Check the weekly ad for that store. Some areas may have different ads running and it might not be on sale in your area yet.
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Post by pyrexandpearls on Apr 7, 2022 23:45:54 GMT
Just got gas today and asked the attendant why the price was so much lower than a few weeks ago. He said we have a gas tax holiday here in our state, 25 cents off every gallon. Three states have issued it so far and he said more states might follow. Our discount is on from April 1st through June 30th. Maybe by the end of June when the tax is put back on, the normal prices will be down so that it doesn't matter. I hope all your states do something similar. I bought gas at our Costco on Tuesday for $3.59 a gallon!! "Cheapest" I've found in a while.
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Post by Desire on Apr 8, 2022 0:22:29 GMT
Kritter - Thanks for posting about the sale of mulch at Lowes. We will need to drive about a 1/2 hour drive, but for 2.00 per bag it is worth it as we need quite a bit. Desire Check the weekly ad for that store. Some areas may have different ads running and it might not be on sale in your area yet. Kritter it's on sale online. I just ordered 15 bags to be picked up at the Danbury store. I think that's all that will fit into the back of our SUV. Thanks again for the lead!
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val2525
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Post by val2525 on Apr 8, 2022 1:39:36 GMT
Just got gas today and asked the attendant why the price was so much lower than a few weeks ago. He said we have a gas tax holiday here in our state, 25 cents off every gallon. Three states have issued it so far and he said more states might follow. Our discount is on from April 1st through June 30th. Maybe by the end of June when the tax is put back on, the normal prices will be down so that it doesn't matter. I hope all your states do something similar. Oil prices are going down, but it will take a few weeks for gas prices to follow (if they do, gas companies are liking the higher profits).
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val2525
Chaos Manager
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Post by val2525 on Apr 8, 2022 1:40:50 GMT
Kritter - Thanks for posting about the sale of mulch at Lowes. We will need to drive about a 1/2 hour drive, but for 2.00 per bag it is worth it as we need quite a bit. A 30 minute drive is a long drive for you? LOL. That's just "down the street" here.
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Post by staytuned on Apr 8, 2022 13:42:41 GMT
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val2525
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Post by val2525 on Apr 8, 2022 15:54:04 GMT
Sunny and 80 here today. The pollen is so bad though that the cats aren't getting any time out on the patio today. They did get an extra can of wet food this morning though and they're now sleeping it off. I don't think going out on the patio has even crossed their minds yet I need to fold Toby's pet carrier up and put it back in the laundry room, but he's started sleeping in it, and he and Simon like to play it in. *sigh*
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Post by Tabby on Apr 8, 2022 16:28:18 GMT
We had an especially gorgeous sunset last night. Just a quick iPhone snap... 👍
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Post by staytuned on Apr 8, 2022 16:45:46 GMT
That pic is worth making into a print and framing. Gorgeous!
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Post by staytuned on Apr 8, 2022 16:55:21 GMT
Currently 43 here (and feels like it) and a mix of cloudy/sunshine/rain/sprinkles/dry/rinse/repeat. Glad I waited to get gas because it went down to $4 gal. here, but cheaper next city over so filled up for $3.86 gal. Better than $4.10-4.20 last week. Temps are supposed to actually go into 70s next week and less chance of rain so I'll be expanding my territory to check out places I haven't been to in awhile. Still wearing double mask and no plans to stop while flu, Covid variant and allergens are active.
Having no problem with the "April showers" part so far this month, just waiting for temps to finally catch up to spring. Have to chuckle thinking what kritter's yard would look like if she lived up here (I know you wouldn't, kritter, but still a mirthful throught).
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Post by RetroMonde on Apr 8, 2022 17:26:51 GMT
Our yard is over half an acre and was a mess when we moved in 30 years ago. We've slowly conquered zones ourselves but are still plagued with epic blackberry vines and random invasive weeds. Our latest weed 'pest' is a pretty little thing called Shiny Geranium, which spreads like wildfire. First year I noticed it I just pulled it out. Next year it returned and had spread so I used roundup. The weeds laughed at me and came back again this spring, threatening my front flower bed. So I brought out the big gun. DH has a 5 gallon propane tank and a flame thrower hose/nozzle thing. WOW burning the he!! outta those weeds was so satisfying, lol. I think I won this round but will have to wait until next year to find out for sure. We try to use non-toxic solutions to weeds but I'm out of patience with the blackberries so I'm gonna suit & mask up and use brush killer on those suckers.
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Post by labbypaws on Apr 8, 2022 17:50:01 GMT
Accuweather just put out a major snow storm warning for next week. I was like WTF until I read where it was. North Central US.
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val2525
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Post by val2525 on Apr 8, 2022 18:12:55 GMT
So I brought out the big gun. DH has a 5 gallon propane tank and a flame thrower hose/nozzle thing. WOW burning the he!! outta those weeds was so satisfying, lol. I think I won this round but will have to wait until next year to find out for sure. Like this?
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Post by denise15601 on Apr 8, 2022 21:25:21 GMT
We in SW PA will have snow flurries for the next 2 days, then supposed to get warmer next week.
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kritter
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Post by kritter on Apr 8, 2022 23:06:03 GMT
I have a confession to make. I never do this and pride myself on being pretty spry in my old age but today I did it. I played the "old" card. Usually at Lowes when they have their mulch sales they have it out front and you pay and then the guys out there load it up. Today they still had grass squares in that place so no mulch. Went in the garden part and when an employee asked if they could help, I said "YES". Told her I needed 10 bags of the brown mulch and she offered to get it for me. She brought it up, stayed with the cart while I was paying for it, and then loaded it into my car. I usually do all that but when she offered, I wasn't about to say "I got this". Too bad she didn't come home with me and unload the bags and haul them out to the front yard. That was my "I got this" moment. Will be going back for more on Monday so I hope she is working.
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Post by RetroMonde on Apr 9, 2022 1:03:21 GMT
So I brought out the big gun. DH has a 5 gallon propane tank and a flame thrower hose/nozzle thing. WOW burning the he!! outta those weeds was so satisfying, lol. I think I won this round but will have to wait until next year to find out for sure. Like this? That's how I felt- sorta like a female Arnie or Stallone vs the weeds, lol! If ya like spraying weeds with Roundup, you'll LOVE hitting 'em with fire!
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Post by denise15601 on Apr 9, 2022 2:22:06 GMT
That's kind of like burning tent worm tents.
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Post by sunsetpainter on Apr 9, 2022 2:50:10 GMT
Like this? That's how I felt- sorta like a female Arnie or Stallone vs the weeds, lol! If ya like spraying weeds with Roundup, you'll LOVE hitting 'em with fire! Considered mentioning the flame thrower idea to DH, but thought better of it. He tends to get carried away with things like that! lol Like spraying the tent worm webs with brake cleaner and lighting it on fire. Told him to cut the branch out of the tree first next time!!!
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Post by denise15601 on Apr 9, 2022 18:11:33 GMT
So we just had a half-hour of snow....grrr. Didn't lay though. Just disgusting.
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kritter
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When we lose sight of how we treat animals, we tend to lose sight of our humanity
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Post by kritter on Apr 9, 2022 18:23:00 GMT
So we just had a half-hour of snow....grrr. Didn't lay though. Just disgusting. I can't imagine snow in March much less April. Snowing in April would really hurt state of mind. I have been out in the back planting my angel trumpet cuttings that I have been nursing along since January. I thought I would have some to sell at the next bake sale to benefit the foster program but I keep finding new places that would be perfect to plant one.
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