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@funcountess Are they hardy to -10? I have a collection indoors, but don't ask me their names. My cactus guide is out in the garage, and I won't get out there until tomorrow. My feet and back are hurting too much to take any non-essential steps.
This week I laid a path from the deck to the cellar, using 12" pavers. Today I trundled dirt with my wheelbarrow from the pile out at the northwest corner of our place to the new path. I needed to put quite a bit of dirt next to the path to make it level with the lawn. Several years ago I made the path, two pavers wide. Over time the shrub and a bunch of blue fescue clumps had grown and nearly covered the path. So I moved the pavers a bit and pruned the shrub (the name of which is buried somewhere in the back of my brain) and made the path three pavers wide. A lot of work down on my knees.
After moving dirt and some rocks to put next to the path, I weeded my Barnabas garden. Barnabas was my service dog for 7 years, and one night he had a stroke or some other brain event and couldn't walk. Having him put down the next morning was a really distressing job. At the vet's office they have a quiet room, and I sat next to him and cried for an hour. One of our neighbors came over with his bobcat and dug a big grave for Barnabas. I planted an orange wild rose, along with several other things, to mark his new home.
I put the Barnabas garden next to the fence, which may not have been the best place. Our neighbors have their field in pasture grass, with 2 or 3 cuttings a year, and their grass makes its way to our side of the fence, so it's an ongoing chore keeping the fence line clean. That accounts for 90% of the weeds in his garden.
Time for supper now.
Jim
Replies to "@funcountess Are they hardy to -10? I have a collection indoors, but don't ask me their..."
@jimhd, Jim what a loving tribute to your Barnabas love. The joy of a pet and the grief at their loss is so hard. When I've told others that I've held my pets as they were being mercifully sent for their final sleep, they say they can't imagine doing that. I am so glad you could because being together for that goodbye has been so meaningful for me and I hope it brought some comfort along with the tears that flow for you as well. If others could witness how quick and painless for the pet euthanasia is, I think more would be comforted in their loss.
Argh, I also know well the exasperation of the neighbor's Bermuda grass creep under the fence onto my garden that makes for a constant chore for me. If only my veggies would flourish as profusely! Smiles
Jim, thank you for relating the story of Barnabas, and his garden. Your love for him was palpable and so touching. Our animals add so much to our lives, and losing them is so painful.
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Jim, I don’t know exactly where you live. You mentioned the Columbia gorge, so I am guessing Oregon. I don’t know if the orchid cactus live in real, real cold weather. I get frost in the winter, and the orchid cactus do o.k. Right now it is full of giant yellow flowers.the flowers bloom all spring, and summer. It is a easy plant to grow.
Your land sounds big, do you have many acres?
My property is very big, I also have a big hill in the back, and smaller hill on the side.
There is a path up the hill that I sometimes walk up, and can look out at the hills/mountains.
On a clear night you can see all the stars, and a lot of Owls flying around. One time last summer a big white owl came within inches of my head. He must of thought I was pray or something. Now I wear a hat, don’t want an owl that close to me.
I know how you feel about losing a pet dog. They are family. It does leave a void in your life, and heart.
Do you have a SUNSET book? It has all the plants that will live in an area. Mine is for California, but I’m sure they print for other parts of the U.S.
You did a lot of work with pavers. Did you have help?
Take care,
Funcountess