A Salute To My Family That Served

I would like to salute the members of my
family and all of those who have gave all to
keep us a free Nation.
May We Never Forget them and the sacrifices
they made.

 

 

Frederick Eveland
Revolutionary War 4th Connecticut
Died 1828

Sgt. Frederick Eveland on the muster rolls of the 2nd Westmoreland Independent Company under the command of Capt. Samuel Ransom and the Wyoming Independent Company commanded by Capt. Simon Spalding. Enlisted from Aug 26, 1776 to May 10, 1781.
His name also appears in the Valley Forge Muster list from Jan 1778 to May 1778.

 

Ulysses L. Johnson
was a Corporal in Company L of the 30th Regiment,
Infantry W.S. Volunteers in April 24, 1900
at Tayabas, Prov. Tayabas, Luzon P.I.
Died  1930

 

Thomas Eveland
Died 1914

Bill Shaeffer
US Army WWII  Died 1995

Samuel Eveland
US Navy WWII Died 1984

Billy Massengale
US Navy

Darrell Hill
Career Officer died 2008

Galen ‘Tyke” Shaeffer & Samuel Eveland Jr.
US Army Viet Nam
Galen Died 1969 had been home for 2 months
and never saw his son born.
Sammy died  1980 was awarded a Purple Heart
For wounds in Viet Nam

Billy Massengale Jr.
Has done 2 tours Iraq
And 2 tours Afghanistan
He currently is in tour 2 in Afghanistan

 

Memorial Day

We walked among the crosses
Where our fallen soldiers lay.
And listened to the bugle
As TAPS began to play.
The Chaplin led a prayer
We stood with heads bowed low.
And I thought of fallen comrades
I had known so long ago.
They came from every city
Across this fertile land.
That we might live in freedom.
They lie here 'neath the sand.
I felt a little guilty
My sacrifice was small.
I only lost a little time
But these men lost their all.
Now the services are over
For this Memorial Day.
To the names upon these crosses
I just want to say,
Thanks for what you've given
No one could ask for more.
May you rest with God in heaven
From now through evermore

- C. W. Johnson-

 

         

You Win Some, You Lose Some

Well it looks like the heat is on now here .It has
been a sweltering week and a busy one and I am loving
this warm weather.
Each day was spent planting containers with plants
that were germinated this winter.
I always believe every winter that I have planted
too many seeds since they are taking up every
shelf of the little greenhouse and every available
sunny window and yet I always run out and need
to buy more.
Of course I have to take in the consideration
all of the failures in germination which meant a few
less plants.

White Astilbe and Blue Hill Salvia

I have came to the sad conclusion that there are
some seeds which I should just quit wasting my money
on trying to grow.

Verbena, Gardenia, Gazania, Lantana and this year
the failure after failure in trying to germinate
some of the Impatiens seeds I had bought.
The Impatiens seeds I saved from last summers plants
germinated well but the ones I bought were complete
failures to my frustration.

Stachy Lambs Ear

After trying over and over again to germinate Hibiscus
seeds this winter and using so many seeds that were
sent to me from blogging friends I decided to just give up.
One little container of them were moved outside and
was left setting on the potting table from seeds of our
Dirt Princess had sent to me.

Campanula Blue Waterfall groundcover

Today while cleaning up my table after a day of planting
I decided to pitch them into the garbage can.
Under that lid was that green I saw?
Taking off the lid I discovered tiny seedlings growing.
I was so glad. Now if I can keep them alive to plant them
out later. LOL! Thanks April!
So hope bubbling up I ran to the spot where I
had planted some Blue River Hibiscus
seeds from Donna on the bank last Fall.
More Hibiscus seedlings! Thanks Donna !
Then I got really sad because I had pitched the
little container that I had been trying to germinate
from the Hibiscus seeds that Darla had sent.
If I had waited they would probably be growing now too.
Sorry Darla!

Eupatorium rugosumi Chocolate Snakeroot

Some moving of plants was also done this week.
I know,I know, it is no surprise to you all.
Anemone Queen Charlotte was really spreading herself
and hiding a hydrangea so I moved some to the woodland bed
and to other beds. Hydrangeas come first in my garden.
Like this Blueberry Parfait hydrangea below that is
starting to bloom for the first time.

Hydrangea Blueberry Parfait

Also tired of all of the red roses along the garage and
sick of them taking over, I dug two of them up to make
room for some new colored roses later. One I just pitched
and my neighbor was glad to take the other off of my hands.

Hydrangea Nikko Blue
My hydrangeas are making up for not blooming last
year due to the cold and icy spring.
Just look at all of the buds on my Nikko hydrangea.
It is going to be one big blue ball.

The Lolypop lilies are starting to get a few opened blooms.

The woodland bed full of assorted lilies are
getting some blooms also. The string has garlic clips
to help keep the deer at bay.
These were bought as an assortment and cheap
but most of them look like they are going to be….

the ugliest red lilies I ever saw, but I should have expected
that cheap is not always a good thing.
I am so glad I did pick out others that I really wanted
and planted on down the long woodland bed.
Many have buds now and I am praying the deer stay away
so they will have a chance to bloom.

Sorbet Peony

The Sorbet peony is a disappointment this year because
it only has one bloom. I wonder if it needs more sun.
Should I move it?

Sweet William
This is the only Sweet William plant that I have
and the poor thing is going to have to be moved .
The Monarda is growing taller this year so it is hidden
behind it and it is too pretty to take a back seat.

Campanula Chettle Charm

This bellflower has spread and is now in its leaping year.
I love it this flowers blooms.
Its white blooms turn blue on the edges as the bloom matures.

The white bellflowers are taking over a section of the
backside of the Middle bed. Yes, I moved some to the
woodland bed also. LOL! It likes the part shade and will
brighten up the bed. The Bluebird delphiniums planted
her with them are budding and will be blooming soon.

The little Bonnet girl is surrounded by blooms now
with more to come.

Achillea Moonshine

The new yarrow that was planted last Fall at the sunny
end of the woodland bed is getting a few blooms.
It starts out bright yellow and fades to a softer shade.
More yellow plants are planted here in my attempt to
broaden my color palette in the garden.
Milk Weed was also planted there this week from seeds
Darla had given me. Thanks Darla!

This corner bed is filling in lovely now
and there is a Scentimental rose behind the Rainbow
Knockout rose. Yes, more moving! Maybe it will be moved
to take the place of one of the red roses I dug up.

Allium Molly A. Moly Luteum
Thanks Tammy and Kathleen for the ID.

Finally these bulbs of yellow flowers are blooming.
They were free with a plant order and their name have
completely slipped my feeble mind. Does anyone know
what they are?

Today is also Fertilizer Friday and time to ‘Flaunt
Your Blooms’ so join us with our sponsor Tootsie
over at Tootsie Time.

Happy Gardening Everyone !!

Until Next Time,
Lona

‘Out of the Blue’ Reblooming Iris

 

 

‘ Out of the Blue’

More lavender than the color blue and I was once again
duped by  catalog pictures but it is pretty anyway
even if it is totally not what I expected or hoped for.

 

 

It is a reblooming iris that blooms in Spring and again in
the Fall.
It is softly scented and grows 30 to 33 inches tall.
Grown in zones 4 to 9.

Happy Gardening Everyone !

Until Next Time,
Lona

Awards

This seemed to be the week for awards
and I am honored to be thought of and humbled.

Jeannie over at Jeannie’s Fairy Rose Louisiana Garden
has bestowed the ‘I Love Your Blog’ award.
Coming from her beautiful blog of roses it is an honor.
Thank you Jeannie!

Passing it on to just few blogs is going to be a
challenge for me because there are just so many of them
that would leave this blog and garden in the dust.
Some bloggers choose not to accept awards or meme’s so no
one is under any obligation to accept any award or pass it on.
I could just say go to my blog list and they are all my favorites.
Having said that I will list some I enjoy with their charm,
wit and beautiful gardens.
_________________

Robin at Life in Robin’s Nest has become a dear Ohio
blogging friend and we have shared wins and defeats
together in this thing called gardening and have been able
to laugh through it all. She has garden beds to dream of.

Balisha at Never Enough Time not only is a fantastic
gardener but this lady is a survivor, poet, and the most
giving person. The talents and giving hearts of her and
husband Joe humble me.

Grace at Gardening With Grace always gives me a lift
just to visit her beautiful garden and wonderful stories.
She has this passion for pink as you will learn, and we
have a common enjoyment of garden decor and humor.
Besides anyone who can remember all those Latin flower
names needs kudos from someone like me who barely
can speaks English. LOL!

Lynn at Flower Gardening has flower beds that I am so
envious of and always leaves me star struck with their
beauty every time I visit her blog. If that wasn’t bad enough
this lady is a teacher, witty, and the most artistic person.
Okay I admit I am totally jealous. LOL!

Catherine at A Garden in Progress has a way with flowers
that I only wish I had. She has become a blogging friend
that I am thankful for. Thoughtful, talented, nurse, Mommy
and she knows those Latin names too. LOL! What is up with
you and Grace girl. Gee whiz.

April at Trials Tribulations of a Southern Gardener. She
is another talented lady. We share some of the same
experiences in gardening, life and even in hunting.
Who could not like the gardener who came up with Bilbo
the Traveling Garden Gnome. Girl I had so much fun with
that little gnome and gave an outlet for my silly side. LOL!

I am combining the two awards in one posting so please
bear with me.

Also this week I was awarded the ‘Life Is Good’
award from Bren over at BGgarden. Girl I am honored
that it is coming from you, a fellow Buckeye and one lovely
lady. She roams her gardens and greenhouse with camera in
hand to give us her knowledge and artistic flair in gardening.
Thanks Bren!!

Rules:

As part of this award I answer the six questions that Bren
has posed and then create six of my own questions and
nominate six people for the award.

1. My favorite flower and why is a hard one for me
because I have so many favorites. I think the one with
the most memories for me though are hollyhocks and
hibiscus (See I cannot do one Bren). They both bring memories
of my grandmother and making dolls from the blooms when I
was little on her front porch.

2. I got involved in gardening as a child. Around here we
all had to garden to survive or go hungry. So I have grown
gardens and canned and frozen all my life but the growing
of veggies has waned and flower gardening has taken its
place. Much more so since I am at home now all of the time
and it has become one of my hobbies.

3. What makes my day really special? Love of family
of course. And every day is special now because I feel
more content with my life and where I am going.
Maybe that is a coming of age thing or a peace with God.
The older I get the more I do not take everyday for granted
but am thankful for it.

4. What I do for the birds who visit my garden is to make
sure they have food, nectar and water all year long.
I have put up houses and leave strands of items for nest
making. Also I grow plants and flowers that they can eat
from and use.

5. The thing I really love to do besides gardening of course
is (here again I cannot name one) spending time with my
daughter hiking, shopping or anything. My other passion
is genealogy, I guess it is the filling in of the missing puzzles
and the hunt.LOL!

6. Give one art/writing tip to readers. Ugh, this one is hard.
I guess it is be yourself and do not get caught up in the having
what the Jones’s have syndrome when writing or reading.
(Sorry to any Jones’s out there it is a saying and not personal. LOL!)
Life never, ever turns out the way you dreamed it would or
the way you wanted it to. And….
We all were or are beginners and have been there and we
may never have that English Manor or Historical garden
or best selling novel.
Just Be Real! That is why I show the silly and warty sides
of myself and my gardening. Here you all thought I was a total
gluts' and killer of plants. Hey, now all the time, I promise.
I am not all so serious that I get my panties in a bunch over people
or life. Some people understand me and some do not.
So have fun with your writing and enjoy it.

Now my turn!!!!

My nominations are: First, Patsy of The Smith’s Bennie & Patsy;
Second, Raingardener of Gardening By Trail and Error ; Third,
Darla of More Family and Friends ; Fourth, Jeannie of
Jennie’s Fairy Rose Louisiana Garden ; Fifth, Eileen of
Gatsbys Gardens and Sixth, Rebecca of In The Garden .

Now my questions for you six are… (insert evil hissing)
Just kidding!!.
Answer the following questions and show pictures if you wish.

1. What makes Life Good for you?
2. What is your favorite pass time or hobby other than gardening?
3. What was your worst gardening experience or disaster?
4. What is your favorite flower (show picture) and why?
5. Where is the one place you would love to visit and why?
6. What flower or nature picture is your favorite and show it?

Thanks Jeannie and Bren again for the awards.
But this was all too much for my brain at one setting. LOL!

Happy Gardening Everyone & Good Luck!!

Until Next Time,
Lona

Friday Flaunts

 

We are still getting some rain but it looks like the
warmer temperatures are coming in and going to
stay around now. Time to get some of the seeded
annuals potted up and some veggies planted.

Today is Fertilizer Friday sponsored by our
seed sowing, flower growing, Queen of creativity
Tootsie at  ‘Tootsie Time’.

So join us in Flaunting Your Flowers!

 

I have a few to flaunt today that I was able to get pictures
of in between the rain showers this week.

The Blue Hill Salvia is starting to get some blooms"
now.

 

The Campanula Blue Waterfall is getting some of its
tiny blooms. It is starting to spread out onto the walkway
stones now.

 

It has blue-purple star shaped blooms.

 

The Columbine Blue Alpina is starting to shed its blooms.
It did well for its first year of blooming. Maybe it will self
seed for me so I will have more or seeds can be saved to
start some more plants.

 

The Crimson Bouquet Floribunda rose is
starting to bloom. This is the first season I
can remember that the roses are blooming
before my peonies.

 

Red Blaze Climbing roses.

 

Lasting Love Rose

 

Lavender Simplicity Rose.

 

The climbing red roses on the garage side are in
sad shape this spring. With all of the rain it is getting
mildew on its leaves and I have only been able to spray
it with a fungicide once in between the rains which just
got rained off. Maybe this weekend it will dry up long
enough for me to spray them.
I have so many red roses here in this garden bed that
I had to plant some new ones this spring. Pink Knockouts,
white Iceberg and Yellow Sunny Knockouts have been
planted along with a coral orange Easy Does It Floribunda.

Rainbow Knockout Rose

 

The Foxgloves are starting to open their blooms.
I forget the name of this one  that has self sowed
over the years.

 

Dianthus Antique Rose started from seed is looking
wonderful. I love the two toned pink blooms with the
blue-silver foliage.

Peach Leaf White Campanula Bellflower

 

Rose Queen Slavia is not looking her best this
spring but has a few blooms. I think she needs
some compost around her roots to energize her.

That is it for this Fertilizer Friday.

Happy Gardening Everyone!!

Until Next Time,
Lona