Things to come...
I realize now I was quite mopey about the weather report last week. Somehow, I survived 😂. Going forward, we look free of any frosts. Lows in the 50's, I've got a 2nd batch of tomato seeds going. First seeds weren't viable (old). Lots of clean-up still, with another round of weed pulling. I'm so thrilled about the warmer weather & sunshine, I'm NOT complaining. Listening to music and practically dancing while I do chores out there.
Not with these guys though. I had the most fantastic visit this weekend from friends Gerhard! and Kyle! I was too busy yapping to take photos, here's one Gerhard sent. They are the best, sharing great advice - they are both botanical encyclopedias. Not to mention the mad inspiration I get from both of their gardens. 
Their enthusiasm and the warm weather had me on a total joy high! And I immediately followed their suggestion to add Aloe pictifolia to the little cave in front of the meteor. I love the speckle & lined edge coloring of this aloe. Yes, there is a big ol' hole to the right. I removed Casuarina Cousin It - I realized as we get closer to summer it would get too much sun in that spot. 
So a short update from me, a soon to be short term employed person. I haven't worked for 24 years, I was busy raising the kids and did loads of volunteering at the schools. I suppose that was a part-time job. Back in the day I was a Media Buyer in the advertising world. Buying air time for tv ads, radio, outdoor -you name it.
And Gerhard suggested the Agave albopilosa would thrive in ground here in a somewhat sheltered spot. Along with Kyle's "How cool would this Dudleya be in the rock" statement. I need to chip away a bit at the meteor to make sure the Dudleya gets good drainage there. No problem.
Here is a photo of my friend Holly (left) and I (right) meeting Eddie Van Halen (middle) at the Governor Hotel. Early 90's I'm guessing. We were SO excited! Other than meeting some of the Portland TrailBlazers during a commercial shoot (for Dairy Queen commemorative glasses), I didn't rub elbows with the glitterati. At the time my job included painting hamburger buns for the camera and ensuring the DQ ceramic ice cream cone wasn't manhandled. Did you think that was real soft serve in the ads? I thought it was real, but obviously it would melt. 
I'm a little nervous and excited for the new adventure. Any tips for heading back to the salt mines? I've realized to properly see & ring a cash register, I better wear my bifocals.
Congrats on the job. I think it'll be easier on you since you're not desperate for the paycheck. You'll probably find you really enjoy getting out and dealing with the public.
ReplyDelete100% or may 80%? :)
DeleteYou've made great use of the improved weather conditions, and lucky you to have input from 2 plant experts. Congratulations on the part-time job doing stuff you already love to do (with the possible exception of the cashiering piece). I've never been tempted to go back to work but then neither of my 2 careers (banking and later HR) were all that much fun . I did a volunteer gig as a docent at the local botanic garden for a time but that experience soured due to a furlough during the height of the the pandemic followed by the post-pandemic restructuring of roles there.
ReplyDeleteThat's too bad, I'm sure you were a big positive influence as a docent. I can't imagine anyone being a better fit at that than you.
DeleteYou'll love it! Nursery work is the best job ever -you're outside, playing with plants and helping people who want to talk about them. Unlike other retail, the customers are usually in good moods and no hurry.
ReplyDeleteI love the positive message, thank you!
DeleteYou have time to work and still take care of that huge garden? All the best.
ReplyDeleteWe will see, it's part-time. Seasonal, so it's a good testing period of 3 months.
DeleteHa, you are so fun. I love all the photos today, the current and the past. :-)
ReplyDeleteYou sound just like me. I need downtime after a day of smiling too. When we go to visit our family or friends, we laugh and talk all day, I am so exhausted after. Hee Hee!
Anyway, I think you will have a lot of fun. And I have thought of doing the same, getting a part time job at one of our local nurseries. I will keep you posted... or see if you survive, than I will know I can do it. Hee Hee!
It is exhausting, I almost need a day all to myself afterwards! Glad I'm not the only one :)
DeleteEddie Van Halen, wow! That's big time. Good of you to point out which one is which for the youngsters in the audience. Congrats on the gig... I look forward to tales from the front lines.
ReplyDeleteHa ha ha, I'm sure my audience is gray haired like me. Thank you Loree!
DeleteGreat photo of you and the guitar god! I have a theory about the temperament that leads to obsessively garden, which has both physical and mental demands. The energy output and attention to detail required is what my nervous system needs -- I suspect yours does too. Daily running, intense gardening, I figured you had energy to spare, so a PT job makes sense. I actually entertained working on a microfarm in the PNW, up before dark, in the cold and wet -- fortunately came to my senses before applying!
ReplyDeleteYou are speaking my language Denise. The week of downtime is exactly what drove me to apply. If there had just been a room to paint, I probably wouldn't have! My only fear is that I resent not being in my own garden, we will see.
DeleteI'll be looking forward to a post from Gerhard covering the visit to your garden. Getting free expert advice is very cool.
ReplyDeleteWorking in a nursery seems to me the best thing ever, you'd fit right in. I expect cash registered change a bit in the past couple of decades... Spending all your paycheck there may be the only downside :-D
"Listening to music and practically dancing while I do chores out there"... I just call it gardening!
Chavli
Then you're doing it right! Go Chavli! *I'm thinking the register is probably less complicated than they were before, but ??!!
DeleteWorking on photos of Tracy's garden right now. I took a lot, of course.
DeleteYour photos are fantastic!
DeleteChe spettacolo il giardino! Complimenti! Le aloe che hai menzionato sono davvero belle! Sono molto felice di sentire del nuovo lavoro, in un vivaio poi è un sogno. Ti faccio i migliori auguri!
ReplyDeleteUn caro saluto.
Grazie mille Gabriel. Ancora pochi giorni senza impegni in programma. Spero che il tempo da te si stia riscaldando :). Tutto il meglio!
DeleteIt's natural to stress over returning to the workforce, but you did the right thing-. You know the employer and you picked a field that you are passionate about. You'll be fine! It will all come back to you. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteThank you Alana for the positive encouragement, I appreciate it!
DeleteHope it goes smoothly transitioning to work again! Your garden looks lovely. I stopped growing tomatoes from seed. Now I buy them the local high schools FFA group. Let them do the work! They have a plant sale around Mother's Day every year.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could do that, I tried plants last year and they were just o.k. Probably because I purchased from the big box stores. Maybe I should try my new employer, haha.
DeleteI love the way the green, ferny/evergreen bush softens the edge of the pool. Lucky you getting a job in the local garden centre. haha ... more money to spend on plants. For me it would be like working in a patisserie...
ReplyDeleteHa ha, a croissant every morning! Mmmmm.
DeleteWow, a PT job. I worked for a time in two retail nurseries. It was fun, but you really do have to put your best social foot forward and some customers were a real drag. Still, you will probably end up with some hilarious stories and favorite customer quotes - those will be a goldmine for blogging about later!
ReplyDeleteAnd watch my swearing, I'm concerned about that!
DeleteSeeing your garden and what a wonderland you have built is inspiring. It has cheered me on this gray, dreary, drizzling day. I'm eager to get outside and dig in the dirt - it brings my heart to life. After seeing the results of your hard work, I'm putting down my coffee cup and reaching for the umbrella. There is a daffodil in the far corner of the yard begging to be picked and put on my kitchen table. Thanks for the encouragement.
ReplyDeleteJeannie@GetMeToTheCountry
You made my day Jeannie, the daffodil sounds so cheerful :)
DeleteEnjoyed your sunny colorful garden this morning! Not sure what to say about the job ... good luck with the "public" (sometimes fun but definitely not my strength).
DeleteHa! Thanks Hollis :)
DeleteYour garden looks amazing, and good luck on the new job! Working at a nursery is about as good as you can get for us gardeners. I would get into a lot of trouble buying more plants LOL!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Lee!
Delete