(no subject)
Jun. 10th, 2007 05:06 pmI'm sitting here feeling rather cross. It's a nice warm day and I'm having to spend most of it indoors because I have hay-fever. I spent all day wondering why I couldn't see anything properly and why my eyes were watering and I've just realised what the problem is. I can't take any medication for it, because I take so much other stuff that pharmacists always tell me I should just put up with the hay-fever, rather than mix medications.
I'm also cross because so much in my back yard has died. It's strange that until a couple of months ago it was all thriving, but now, not only have I lost my two lovely miniature roses which were so prolific last year, but I've also lost a clematis and various other baby shrubs. I can only imagine that they've suffered from insufficient water, unless they've died from overexposure to greenfly. I discovered that Adrian's jasmine which was heavily overhanging our side of the wall, and which didn't die away last winter, is awash with greenfly. We do like the jasmine and it smells lovely when in bloom, although it makes me sneeze, but I've hacked it right back, or rather I got John to do so because I couldn't reach it very easily. There was also another buddleia all tangled up in it, so I shall have to get Charles to stand on the steps and cut that back too. It will probably be as well to do that in any case, as the birds tend to sit there where Bramble and Phoebe can sneak up on them along the top of the wall. Bramble has already killed a blue tit, horrible savage animal!
Strangely, a couple of pots I've weeded and prepared for planting with flowers were quite damp; I can't understand how some of them are damp and others very dry. Maybe the jasmine has overshadowed the pots to the extent that they've not been getting enough water?
Whatever the answer, I have to stop it happening again, because it's on the opposite wall to the back door where I like to have things planted that look and smell nice. I must remember to get those purple petunias, which seem to be the only ones which have that heavenly smell.
I think I shall go to the garden centre tomorrow and see what they have left. John won't have the van tomorrow as it has to go in for a repair, so he won't be able to get rid of the rubbish in the yard till Tuesday. The rubbish is seriously impeding my progress now.
I've decided that I will definitely have to get a new thyme. The old one is looking really woody and ratty now. I suppose it's my own fault; I can never bear to cut anything back as severely as I should.
Bramble and I had lots of fun playing in the yard with a piece of gardening twine. He's just sooo funny and sooo athletic and always ready to be diverted.
Oh dear. I have to go down and start the dinner soon. I wish I hadn't promised to do roast lamb, as this hay-fever is making me feel rather unlike eating it, let alone cooking it. Charles cooked us a magnificent goulash last night and afterwards we watched Superman Returns which we enjoyed as a nice frothy piece of hokum. As usual the special effects were wonderful.
I think I'd better try washing the pollen out of my eyes with cold water before I start doing anything else.
I really must remember to telephone the cardiologist's secretary tomorrow. John and Charles want us to make arrangements for a holiday, and I don't want to do anything until I know what's going to be done. There's not much point in having a holiday if you can't walk anywhere or do anything. Sulk!
I also must telephone the vet. Both cats are due for booster shots and annual MOTs; if I get them in before the end of the month, I shall get 10% off. Yesterday Charles and I went to the pet-shop and got another carrier so that I can take them both at once. I've left it open on the kitchen floor so that Bramble keeps going in and sitting in it. Phoebe won't, of course.
Oh well, time to put the lamb in the oven!
I'm also cross because so much in my back yard has died. It's strange that until a couple of months ago it was all thriving, but now, not only have I lost my two lovely miniature roses which were so prolific last year, but I've also lost a clematis and various other baby shrubs. I can only imagine that they've suffered from insufficient water, unless they've died from overexposure to greenfly. I discovered that Adrian's jasmine which was heavily overhanging our side of the wall, and which didn't die away last winter, is awash with greenfly. We do like the jasmine and it smells lovely when in bloom, although it makes me sneeze, but I've hacked it right back, or rather I got John to do so because I couldn't reach it very easily. There was also another buddleia all tangled up in it, so I shall have to get Charles to stand on the steps and cut that back too. It will probably be as well to do that in any case, as the birds tend to sit there where Bramble and Phoebe can sneak up on them along the top of the wall. Bramble has already killed a blue tit, horrible savage animal!
Strangely, a couple of pots I've weeded and prepared for planting with flowers were quite damp; I can't understand how some of them are damp and others very dry. Maybe the jasmine has overshadowed the pots to the extent that they've not been getting enough water?
Whatever the answer, I have to stop it happening again, because it's on the opposite wall to the back door where I like to have things planted that look and smell nice. I must remember to get those purple petunias, which seem to be the only ones which have that heavenly smell.
I think I shall go to the garden centre tomorrow and see what they have left. John won't have the van tomorrow as it has to go in for a repair, so he won't be able to get rid of the rubbish in the yard till Tuesday. The rubbish is seriously impeding my progress now.
I've decided that I will definitely have to get a new thyme. The old one is looking really woody and ratty now. I suppose it's my own fault; I can never bear to cut anything back as severely as I should.
Bramble and I had lots of fun playing in the yard with a piece of gardening twine. He's just sooo funny and sooo athletic and always ready to be diverted.
Oh dear. I have to go down and start the dinner soon. I wish I hadn't promised to do roast lamb, as this hay-fever is making me feel rather unlike eating it, let alone cooking it. Charles cooked us a magnificent goulash last night and afterwards we watched Superman Returns which we enjoyed as a nice frothy piece of hokum. As usual the special effects were wonderful.
I think I'd better try washing the pollen out of my eyes with cold water before I start doing anything else.
I really must remember to telephone the cardiologist's secretary tomorrow. John and Charles want us to make arrangements for a holiday, and I don't want to do anything until I know what's going to be done. There's not much point in having a holiday if you can't walk anywhere or do anything. Sulk!
I also must telephone the vet. Both cats are due for booster shots and annual MOTs; if I get them in before the end of the month, I shall get 10% off. Yesterday Charles and I went to the pet-shop and got another carrier so that I can take them both at once. I've left it open on the kitchen floor so that Bramble keeps going in and sitting in it. Phoebe won't, of course.
Oh well, time to put the lamb in the oven!