Golly, how Autumn has suddenly set in with a North wind blowing today at about forty miles an hour. Yes it is sunny and clear. My gardeners arrived with a view to cutting my hedges but it is too breezy and hedge cuttings would blow everywhere. So instead they are top-dressing for Autumn so at least my plants will all have warm feet.
I have ordered my Tesco order for tomorrow evening between six and seven - as good a time as any I suppose. Usually if I only want one or two things I add them to my son's order but this week I needed more, so I have had an order of my own.
More activities today for the Royal family. King Charles has been in Wales and had to travel there by helicopter because he has to stand vigil with his siblings this evening and would not have time to get back by road, How exhausted they all must be.
The queue to pass the Queen's coffin at her lying in State now stretches back so far with a wait of twenty four hours. That is such a very long wait and the weather is unseasonably cold - I fear many of the queuers (is there such a word or have I just coined it?) will return home with chest colds.
I do so wish I could post photographs of my garden for you to see - now my gardeners have top dressed (if you don't do this do consider this it makes such a difference).
I shall now work out a way of keeping warm without switching the heating on. I tried to order a hot water bottle on my Tesco order but no luck - I shall have to pop over to Amazon I fear.
Until tomorrow blog friends....
.JPG)
28 comments:
I wonder if top dressing is what I would call mulching? Spreading a layer of shredded partly rotted leaves and bark over the soil in beds? Need to look that up!
Stay warm! Ceci
I added an extra cardigan - a baggy one - to my attire for warmth last night as well as wrapping a woollen blanket around my legs Ironically I had been sitting in the sun in my garden, reading, earlier with just a T-shirt and skirt. A pity we can't bottle that warm sunshine and bring it indoors!
I'm also wondering what you call a top dress.
Not something I would consider here at the moment as it would be just sealing in the very dry soil that still exists from the drought.
Beginning to look as though Megan has the Royal Household running scared about what she might say about them and so they are breaking current protocols by allowing Harry to where his uniform at a vigil and also inviting the Sussexes to attend a meeting with all the visiting dignities at the weekend. Megan must be laughing her tights off.
My heat was turned on this past Monday afternoon as it was so chilly in the house. I don't use my furnace according to the date on the calendar. I use it when I'm cold and I don't care if it's August or December.... or that I'm a pensioner! By this past Monday afternoon my toes & my nose were cold so on the furnace went. I have the air-conditioner on today so I will play the game of back-and-forth, I suspect, for the rest of the month. That's ok... at least I'm comfortable. :-) ~Andrea xoxo
I, too, layer cozy clothes and wool knee socks when the North wind blows and on rare occasion add a cozy hat, even indoors if need be.
I'd love to see you home interior and your gardens if you were able to post such pictures.
Hugs!
Yes to those of you who ask re top dressing. Mulching is the same. I agree DerekI would not do it if the soil was too dry but we have had no problems with lack of rain and our soil is damp- rarely a day without a drop of rain and some days torrents in the last few weeks.
Have you considered rice bags? Just a bag made of cotton cloth (or flannel) filled with white rice. You put it into the microwave for a few minutes - which is why it must be cotton fabric - and it will stay warm for quite a while.
When they are inside should be masking.
Covid is not over
Here in Canada, a country known for its cold, we are enjoying a lovely warm September. I would advise against the hot water bottle, they are known to cause burns in older people. The electric lap rugs described by Gardener sound wonderful.
I love my hot water bottle Weave!
With the softest of covers, it has seen me through griefs, kept me company on telly nights, eased aches and pains, and encouraged early nights. An electric blanket is just not the same somehow. Go the hottie - comforting and warming generations in its humble steadfast way ! -Pam.
I do appreciate concerns re safety factor of hw bottles. A teacher used to take one on yard duty until I suggested the rice bag - so 'horses for courses' as they say. - Pam.
Electric blankets cost very little to run and make such a difference on a cold night. I loved mine.
Every extra stitch of clothing I own is sealed in cardboard boxes, to be moved on Monday. I wear a sweatshirt over my jammies at night.
A heating pad is much easier to use than a hot water bottle.
My late uncle was a very keen gardener and he top dressed all his garden beds as well. He used composted cow manure. This made for a very fertile garden and it produced well. I do love the coolness of Fall. It is still lovely in Massachusetts with mild sunny days and cooler nights. I have not needed to turn on the furnace.
I've read your blog almost daily for years but sorry I rarely comment.
In some ways it does feel like Elizabeth was also the Queen of America, with the non stop news coverage here. It's been very moving, despite myself trying not to be impressed by such a display of wealth and privilege. It is very touching and sad and (as you say) exhausting to watch her family go through this long ordeal.
Yes! Top dressing, mulch, whatever you call it is such a satisfying sight on the garden beds in the fall.
Your blogging friend Sue, from the Northwest. Take care you are quite an inspiration to many of us.
I do hope you can afford to be comfortable this autumn and winter, Pat. A person of your age and health should not have to sit in their house freezing and wondering whether it is ok to turn the heating on or not.
It has turned rather cold here now, too; we are away for six nights on our usual September holiday and the colder weather is nice for hiking; a little rain does not matter, as long as it is not pouring all day.
Could your son help with posting photos of your garden?
Noticeably cooler down here too, but I am still revelling in not feeling hot and clammy! We had a perfect autumn day yesterday and promise of another today.
Your garden must be looking wonderful in all it's late summer glory just now. I still miss mine but am grateful not to be responsible for it any longer.
I shall think of you as I am sure we shall both be deciding which sweater/cardigan to wear each day!
When my pacemaker was implanted 30 years ago I was told I couldn’t use an electric blanket so I’ve been friends with hot water bottles ever since. But more usually it is wooly socks and an extra blanket:)
I agree with Librarian, turn your heat on and spend your money at your age. You can't take it with you. Be warm first.
Cold here as well, though outside the sun shines warmly. These electric warm blankets are good as well, as long as you don't trip over the wire...
Thanks everyone I had forgotten rice bags. Yesterday I got my carer to add an extra blanket on my bed - I was far too warm in the night!
I certainly do intend to put my heating on when it gets really cold.
Thanks everyone for your comments - keep them coming I so love reading them.
Rachel and the Librarian make perfect sense, it's called SKI - spending the kid's inheritance.Too many people of your age suffer all kinds of voluntary hardship because they don't want to leave their children with no money when they pass on.
Yes, Weave. Blow your savings on heat. Your son will forgive you.
Can’t imagine heat on living here in Florida lol. I had it on two nights last winter to see if it worked/. Watching You Tube the Queen. Cannot imagine standing there by the coffin like the royal family and others. British Strong indeed paying tribute to a legend. For someone like me who is not even having a funeral, this has been a long period of mourning and other happenings. My hat is off to them. Hope you are doing well. I so enjoy your blog. Which book has your club chosen?
I just saw the King and William greeting people in line…tired as they are…that is an amazing tribute to those waiting.
Brenda - our book this month is "The Night Tiger" by Yangsze Choo. I like to read our books twice - at almost ninety I find my recall is not what it was.
Thank you all for your advice on keeping warm.
I will pass on that book…I read hundreds each year but I do not like the magical component or the child looking for that object…sorry…
Post a Comment