Wednesday the 17th of September - I can't believe it.  We're still 90 percent green but some of the trees are showing just a tinge of color.  This week is slated to be sunny and clear but we're toying with 60 and 70 degree highs.  I'll have to take advantage of the few really nice days that come our way because what is left isn't very much! Pull out the flannel shirts!

 

Actually I'm planning to bring in my orchids, if not tonight then certainly tomorrow.  Preferably tonight since tomorrow will be only in the sixties.  I must admit I lost several orchids to the hot sun early on which was a bit disappointing.  I thought I had them protected enough but obviously not. It didn't take long for them to shrivel up. So what is left should be hardy but I'd really like to keep them out for another two weeks.  Some of them need the cooler temps to trigger blooming before they come in. I've decided not to buy new orchids until I have the indoor conditions under more control. They really shouldn't be in a very warm kitchen like they are but I really don't have many other choices. The library probably would work but it really is one of those rooms I consider "sacred" and is rarely used. I can't imagine spilling water on an oriental rug!!!

 

My little garden house is almost finished. I call it a garden house but it really is one room; 16 feet by 10 feet. It started out as a possible summer reading room, then a quasi green-house and now I've settled on a summer sleeping room or I should say a spare bedroom. I just have a few things to do; finish some molding, (we ran short by a board,) paint the concrete floor a light blue gray, put up the fan and then haul out a carpet that I brought back from the southwest and hang a few pictures. I had hoped to get this all done by the memorial day weekend but so it goes. 

 

While I didn't get everything done, I did get my patio behind the garage done and really just have my iris bed to contend with. I probably will dig everything up, refurbish the soil and then replant all the irises. If I have any misgivings, it probably is not getting the shutters repainted and back up on the house. Some projects are easy, some are fun, but this one seems so overwhelming - especially on a big house. I still have a shot at it but just don't know if I really want to tackle it. I do have a young man who is interested in doing the job so perhaps if I get energized......maybe it will get done.

 

Our garden was a success. Unfortunately, we couldn't eat everything and so many of the cantaloupe just rotted. We have a few watermelons left, plenty of winter squash, new lettuce is emerging and perhaps a few meals of peppers and swiss chard. Potatoes and carrots will stay safe a few more weeks but the rest has passed. The roses after a very slow start turned out to be quite nice. I think they mail them in a dormant state and they remained dormant for about 3 weeks so really didn't start growing until July. The roses that did finally come were quite lovely and hopefully next year we'll get a full growing season.

 

So my friends.....do enjoy September.  It is my birth month - I'm a Virgo and I'm looking forward to the next two weeks.  Peace from Bittersweet.