Still a Mystery...

I enjoy having houseplants, but even after dozens of years of indoor gardening, I feel that I really don't understand their needs. Of course, they all have different care requirements!

I bought a small Peace Lily quite a few years ago. It bloomed multiple times - but then stopped. 

I divided the plant into three - and added fresh soil. But only two have bloomed since then - and not very often. I know they need moisture and indirect sunlight...

But why does the one I keep under a small table have the glossiest leaves??! (Should I keep them all under tables?!)

I have absolutely no idea. I thought they needed - bright, indirect light! Maybe I'm wrong!

Seasonal Changes

Our front yard is covered in pine needles.

Our last summer flowers are nearing their end. Only two remain (above)!

A few weeks ago, there were dozens!

In our temperate climate, we learn flexibility. Nothing outdoors stays the same for long.

A tinge of sadness... Gardening season is over... Winter can be so long!

 

But for now, we do have fall colours to cheer us up!

And I have one indoor plant that is blooming!

I need to find new (colourful) things to do indoors ... to cheer me up over the next six months!

Adventure!

I came across an interesting book recently - called "HumanKind." It's a study of "kindness" - a "hopeful history."

The early chapters question whether - left to our own devices - humans would be kind, or cruel - like the boys in the novel "Lord of the Flies."

Hunting for a real life account of shipwrecked teens to compare with the shipwrecked youths in Lord of the Flies, the author of Humankind came upon an old news story (from the 1960's) about of a group of Tongan teens, ages 13 to 15, who "borrowed" a sailboat - then were shipwrecked in a storm. The boat was washed ashore on an uninhabited island, where the boys lived for 15 months before being rescued.

Reading their story in Humankind - then watching (on YouTube) the 1960's documentary made after they were found - made my day! They did so well in compassion and empathy...

What an adventure!

Don't Get a Ticket!!

The toys look cute -parked on one side of the street...

Oh, oh!

The sign says "No Parking"!

Little by Little...

Our basement is slowly returning to what it was before...

Our large storage room is done. The floor has now been painted, but... paint takes time to dry (and to "cure")!

After this long weekend (Canadian Thanksgiving) - shelving units will be returned to the storage room and we will begin to think about moving things back in!!

But then, the rest of the basement will need to be completed!

It all takes time.... But we're on our way!

Thanksgiving

Today is Canadian Thanksgiving Day!

Terry and I had a traditional turkey dinner last week - at the Miller's Oven in Manotick.

As we walked to our car, we saw signs of preparation for winter -  like this chimney reconstruction on an old historic house.

Our house is also being restored after last July's basement flood.

We're hoping that it will be done by the end of the month... We're thankful for pleasant workers doing a good job!

So much to be thankful for!

Taro Plant Update

I got this TARO plant a few weeks ago, and I'm still trying to figure out the basics... 

How much water? How much sunlight?

One leaf was looking a little wrinkly... Does it need more water?!

Probably! - according to this online plant care article. I'm generally reluctant to keep soil moist at all times. I've killed more plants by OVER-watering them than by UNDER-watering them.

Bog garden beds?! This one may be an exception.