Is Time Marching On Or Going By?

    

   I can't tell if time is marching on or if time is going by? 
  
   I can't believe that it is Fall, now, and the weather is at 100 degrees still.
  Well, I can, actually, but I just think I would like to be somewhere to see the seasons change "sometimes..." (you know, to validate that I am moving with the season and not letting it pass me by...)
  
   Halloween, (Okay, before anyone raises an eyebrow, Here me out!) is my favorite type of holiday.
   I love that it is in fall, I love that my family gathers outside to see the neighbors and all the cute little children in their costumes coming around scared, saying twick or tweat... I love when my family and I get in the kitchen and bake all kinds of things and make candy and a smorgasbord of food to watch movies into late night...  I know and understand that there are many people that think of it with a stigma, or maybe not so nice night or what ever the reason it is for them... But,
   I know that that night means that I get to start Fall with my family and have the memories to go along, and also remember those that were apart of my family at some point and to light a candle saying I love them. I hope that Fall represents something like that for you and your family... Oh and happy Fall..

   Carnivorous Plants



I am back on a tangent...

   In the past years I have dabbled with Carnivorous Plants.. I mean haven't we at some point in the botanical world? It seems that I can keep them for about 4 to 5 weeks. That is about the best for keeping them alive. I have put forth the things I have learned about and read from very informed sites. Is it me? Or is it the same with you? I can't keep a handle on it.. I want to learn to grow and maintain and enhance my abilities with these plants.  So I think that, intense study is in store for me. Any suggestions on titles of books or web pages that pertain to them would be great...

Bird House Gourds Saga

Update on my the BHG'S 

   Every morning I see beautiful flowers on this plant... every day they are shriveled and making me think that I will have a chance at seeing some gourds. 

   I had found some leaves that were chomped on, and a very wonderful blog friend gave thought, that it could be a cabbage lopper... Not sure if that, that it is the culprit, but it is some one...
 
   I haven't shown what the BHG's looked like lately, so here they are....

 
 I know what a mess, The aphids really did a number... I still have aphids... but will see in the beginning of November...

Look how amazing my squash plants look... BUT, guess what?  Aphids....  again.

Back to the Grind.. Soapy water...

Look at my Eggplant, I am still harvesting from her.. What a great plant this year...

CONTAINER GARDENS

  
   These tomato plants will be going into the pots that I am planning for my front yard, I am hoping to
 to get it started this weekend... I'm not sure what species they are I have a suspicion that they could be heirloom yellow pear  but I guess I have to wait.

BELL PEPPERS

  
What more can be said.. They are just as happy as ever...

Swiss Chard

Look at the Chard.. They are gorgeous but the taste is really to bitter to eat..

But looking at them is just as good as ever...



GREEN BEANS

These beans have really made themselves look good. Finally, look at how great they look.
Can you remember what they looked like before?

  
Barely doing anything, thirsty from the hottest day and continuing to troop along...


One last picture to leave you with...

 Shazaam, the best red color as of yet!!

    Come ON!!!!

  
   Not only dealing with the aphids right now, the "live and learn" thing is interfering too... So, first things first, I have  been battling the APHIDS... This battle is becoming legend now!, every day I go outside and spray soapy water on them, every day I see more and more APHIDS... I am beginning to believe that I am making them multiply or something...(panicking)

    I couldn't handle the little hand held squirt bottle anymore, Yes my hand was getting verrrry tired... and well lets face it, I have been quite "lazy" or could it be frugal(???) lately in going to store.

  So I did a little thinking and, what is the word? Improvising? I grabbed an old liquid spray fertilizer bottle pried the top off and put soap and water in it..put the top back on, and attached it to the hose.... (ingenious? maybe) Will it work is the question????

  
   Today is the first time I did this... so here is to hoping this does work!!!!

   On to the "live and learn" problem. Yes, I was insane to think that my little make shift trellis was going to work... I didn't have a clue that it would totally break down as the Bird House Gourds took off and became rampant...

  

 

   As I examined the Bird House Gourds, there is so much damage to them form the aphids, I really don't know if they will come back. I also noticed the vines root in the ground too.. Would that be from them to continue to reach and extend, to What? make more flowers for non-existent gourds?

   
   Here is a flower just beginning to open, they are certainly beautifull... but they do not smell good that is for sure.
   I counted up the days and in the beginning of November, I should have gourds... but Im not seeing any... what's the deallll...


 Insect Identity.....


    Okay, I found as I was sighing over my gourds, found an insect that I haven't a clue what it could be...

     It was about a half a pencil eraser size... green and little bumpy looking.... it was kind of glued to the leaf and seemed like it was Caterpillar like... In the back of my mind, I am hoping that it is a beneficial... but really the reality of it is I think it will eat my gourds...

        What do you think? Here is the pic...

       A little bumpy, green and well I think caterpillar...





TOMATOES.....

      

        This is a tomato from the compost heap...   It looks great huh! So, I think I want to use this one out in planter out front..
         The beginning of the garden in the front yard...




Green Bean Flowers
 

        I have Green bean flowers,  after how long? Well, finally green bean flowers, It has taken so long
to have these produce flowers.  Well, I can't wait to get something... I have had a lot of things in the garden, but I'm not getting a lot of produce.. what's up with that!?!

         


    BEES!!!
 
Can you beelieve (ha-ha-ha okay! Sorry I had to...) I still have bees... Well, any ways look!

Buzzzzzzz!!!!!!! like they should...

 buzz!!!

Happy as a BEE!!!!



   Thank you to Augusta Ranch Animal Hospital for such wonderful care and sensitivity to our feelings and needs...