Posted on 07/22/2005 5:31:38 AM PDT by Miss Marple
Thanks for the great links, Molly. I will be unable to be on FR much for the next few days while I try to clean up or salvage what is left of my gardens (and damage to the siding on the house) after yesterday's brutal (golf-ball sized) hailstorm last night. After ten minutes of pelting, everything looks pretty much like it was in a blender.
It's silly of me to be so upset over my little gardens when there were farmers who lost their crops and livelihoods, but it was my little corner of contentment, it was dear to me, and now it's gone. The perennials will probably mostly come back next year, but I'm having a hard time finding any energy to deal with it.
lysie, you will have a FReepmail soon.
Rats!! Sorry to hear about your garden.
Thanks; your words are much appreciated. I guess I have to get off the safe computer now and go pick up enough stuff to get out of the garage so I can go to work.
((((alwaysconservative)))), oh dear! You're probably in shock. Do what you have to do, but don't be away too long, or we'll come looking for you ;-))
(((HUG)))
I wanted to get that out right away. So sorry to hear about your hail damage. From many years of experience could I suggest you tread lightly with the clean up for a couple of days?
If you have something to prop up the knocked over stuff I would do that first, then go with sissors and cut off the damaged parts of the annuals. Within a couple of days things should start to perk back up.
Strange as it may seem, the battering may cause the plants to react as if they've been pruned, which will cause new growth to come on.
Good Luck with it. I totally understand the frustrations, I've been there many times.
FReepmail.
Interesting suggestion from this morning's pile of emails:
A campaign encouraging people to enter an emergency contact number in their mobile phone's memory under the heading "ICE" (for "In Case of Emergency"), has rapidly spread throughout the world as a particular consequence of last week's terrorist attacks in London. Originally established as a nation-wide campaign in the UK, ICE allows paramedics or police to be able to contact a designated relative / next-of-kin in an emergency situation.
The idea is the brainchild of East Anglian Ambulance Service paramedic Bob Brotchie and was launched in May this year. Bob, 41, who has been a paramedic for 13 years, said: "I was reflecting on some of the calls I've attended at the roadside where I had to look through the mobile phone contacts struggling for information on a shocked or injured person. Almost everyone carries a mobile phone now, and with ICE we'd know immediately who to contact and what number to ring. The person may even know of their medical history."
By adopting the ICE advice, your mobile will help the rescue services quickly contact a friend or relative - which could be vital in a life or death situation. It only takes a few seconds to do, and it could easily help save your life.
Why not put ICE in your phone now?
Simply select a new contact in your phone book, enter the word 'ICE' and the number of the person you wish to be contacted. For more than one contact name ICE1, ICE2, ICE3 etc.
It's so simple that everyone can do it. Please do, and please pass this suggestion on.......it may save a life.
Good reminder.
Thanks to Behind Liberal Lines
ITHACA NY--The Ithaca Police have a new patrol car: a yellow Volkswagon bug.
I am not making this up.
New yellow Ithaca police Beetle: ‘Not striking fear'
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1448218/posts
AFPhys has nothing further to say. Enjoy.
I'll be gone all weekend.
I'm so sorry to hear about your gardens, alwaysconservative. As a result of so much rain, I've lost my little herb garden that I fuss over and know how much that has upset me so I can well imagine how you feel at losing your entire garden.
I'm glad that you got that out quickly.
God gave plants a great will to survive, and if battered plants are simply propped up and out of the muck, they often recover, and may even come back stronger.
Some of the things I've seen recover have had incredible damage.
alwaysconservative's fleabane?
Thanks lysie, for posting alwaysconservative's photos. I'd never considered putting astilbe in a container. They are very healthy looking plants which means somebody is probably watering them twice a day. I can't imagine who! ;>)
Mine are in the ground, which take less fussing, but have long since put out their blooms and have finished their contribution to the gardens,, except for that lovely leathery foliage.
Carolinamom ~~~ prayers that the meds you got yesterday are making you less miserable than you would have been otherwise. I've never had shingles (yet) but understand it's one of the most painful things one can experience.
What a grand idea! I've printed out index cards for hubby and I to carry in our wallets with emergency contact info but will add the ICE info to our cell phones, too.
Good Morning Everyone.
I'm so sorry to hear about your little piece of our continent being hit by that story. I know how you feel, I saw a neighbors dog kill one of my ducks and I went bonkers. Who cares about a silly duck, I did, it was mine.
I know that's how you feel about your garden.
Thank you all for your words of comfort, understanding, and advice, for the photos, ((lysie)), and all the wonderful hugs from so many of you. ((major hugs back!))
I came home at lunch early to look things over, and promise take the advice about the annuals to heart, as I've seen them come back before, too. It is really strange to see what came through unscathed: I have super tall hollyhocks that are still standing (never been staked), and the leeks are still standing tall, too. The watercress looks okay, but the pot it was in is completely shattered (!). The zucchini, butternut squash, peppers, cukes, and tomatoes (four varieties) are all gone, but the celery, sorrel, and kohlrabis all seem to be holding up okay. Go figure. I can plant some things over for a fall crop, if I feel like risking it again, after a couple of days.
There is an old saying that only a person without friends has to buy zucchini. I might have to find out who my friends are this year!
Thank you again; you are so very much appreciated!!!!
What a wonderful idea and thank you for posting the information to implement it. It's one of those "why didn't I think of that" ideas that makes so much sense.
Thanks for the cell phone advice - have sent it on. Need to upgrade personal skills in order to activate ours.
Am enjoying Roger Hitchcock - in for Rush - this morning. He is being particularly hard on our PC outlooks. Even taking on some police officers and, oddly enough, I am on his side.
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