The Mum that Ate Alabama, Revisited

For several years, my front flower bed was graced by a mutant mum that ended up being about three feet around. It was growing all over the other flowers and looked like it was eating them. I dug it up last fall because it was just too big and floppy to be there in the front. We have a drainage ditch in the back yard, and a dead space behind it that has been the dumping ground of various bushes and large garden waste, until we were ready to do something with it. I chalked it up to the plant graveyard in the sky and went about rebuilding the garden this year.

The Gnomeslayer and I went for a walk around our lot collecting leaves to make a fall leaf book, when I happened to glance over and see this:

It was TMTAA, thriving (albeit much smaller) along the back fenceline. It looks like we finally found something that will grow there. :) It can grow to its heart's content back there, because there is no competition. Though if it starts to eat the house it might have to go again. It actually makes me very happy, because as a gardener it hurts to dig up a plant that is obviously thriving, when there are so many things that don't make it.

Coat of Many Colors

Have I ever mentioned that I *love* my Joseph's Coat rose? It has such beautiful vibrant colors and the roses sseem to glow from within. We took a walk in the back yard to enjoy daylight when I get home, while we can. The roses all look so lovely this time of year, but Joseph's Coat gets the benefit of the setting sun to enhance its blooms. There are still a few odd plants blooming now, but I know that it won't be too long before frost comes and they are all gone. At least I will have my pictures to tide me over until next spring. :)

Amish Saturday

I'll start with a totally off topic picture of the cotton field by my house. I have been fascinated by them since we moved here and am frequently seen on the side of the road taking pictures of them. This is a pretty unspectacular picture as far as they go, because the cotton is low on the plants this year, and the brown top keeps the field from being snowy white. Ahh well, can't have them all perfect I guess. :)

So, on topic. I had heard a while ago about a new trend in parenting, 'Amish Grounding', where you take away TV, cell phones, computers etc. Last weekend was raining all weekend and we spent most of our time zoned out in front of computers and the TV, so I thought it would be nice to have a day with no TV, no computer games, no DVDs, no e-mails, Facebook or texting. So yesterday was the day that I decided on. So here is what we did yesterday:

1. Cleaned and decluttered the kitchen bar, our mail dumping spot, as well as most other clutter.
2. Went to the bookstore, let the Gnomeslayer play with the train set and got some coffee. Got her two fall themed books, and Anne of Green Gables for me.
3. Grabbed deli sandwiches for lunch and went home to eat.
4. Went for a walk.
5. Started reading a book - Anne of Green Gables (I don't know how I missed this one when I was growing up).
6. Read six books to GS - On the Day You Were Born, Pumpkin Soup, Max & Ruby Falling Leaves, Hop on Pop, Green Eggs and Ham, The Cat in the Hat.
7. Went in the back yard and prepped the bed for our fall planting.
8. Went for a walk.
9. Took pictures in the garden.
10. Lay on the grass with GS and looked at the sky.
11. Made an outstanding pot of chili verde for dinner. GS "helped" and threatened my newfound inner serenity.
12. Gave GS a bath.
13. Practiced playing a new song on the guitar.
14. Finished my book - have I mentioned that I read pretty fast?
15. Sat outside watching the sunset, and the stars come out, while GS ran in circles around the firepit making monkey noises...for about the whole time we were outside. Where'd that serenity go? :)

It was a really nice day, full of awareness of what I was doing and spending lots of time with my little girl. After spending a regular day today, I missed yesterday a lot. So I think I'm going to have to re-evaluate how I spend my time using technology. Time goes by fast enough without losing awareness of whole hours of your day. But it's time to go, Hop on Pop is calling again.