Pigs Might Fly
The 'Planning to Take Over The World' honeysuckle has been tamed. We set to with secateurs, shears and gloves (for H) and just under two hours later the yard was about twice as big, we could get to the shed, we found lots of pots, even a flying pig*, though no lost civilisations, it's only been two years since the last major curbing after all. Oh, and we now have six (count 'em) black bin-liners full of yards and yards and yards of honeysuckle.
H said he was amazed at how long some of the shoots were. We didn't actually measure any, but they did take a while to pull out and coil before bagging. Now we can get to the stuff underneath there needs to be a major clear up of the ground -down to concrete level, emptying of pots and multiple trips to the Tip.
We were also amazed that, after a mere less than two hours, we couldn't move without exclaiming for the next five hours. Clearly Pilates and honeysuckle curbing use different muscles, or the same muscles differently. Avionics definitely does!
And then the planning - what will we have instead? And the supply-getting - JI #3 by the sack as I have at least three large pots. Not to mention plants to put in them. We're, well, I'm, considering maybe an Elder - you know, one of the dark red ones. Though that'll have to go well away from the washing line - don't want sheets, etc coming into contact with ripe elderberries June-September. Also maybe some apple trees.
Yes, trees, plural. We may not have much in the way of ground area, but we have as much 'up' space as anyone! Possibly a crab apple tree, a small one, for the blossoms and polination, and a couple or three different varieties of cordon apples as they hardly take up any space. They could go against the back wall - up again, probably underplanted with bulbs and things - maybe lettuces and other 'greens', provided I have enough copper tape to keep off the molluscs.
Come to think of it, some Nematodes would be good too. The edges of my lime green heuchera are looking characteristically nibbled. Apparently they're prone to attack by vine weevils.
And the flying pig? I thought it fair comment on much of the current political situation - here in the UK, in the US, in Hong Kong and in China - where they are commemorating 70 years since the founding of the People's Republic of China.
Some of it has been good - general levels of health, food, literacy, welfare, economic growth and millions raised from abject poverty. It isn't all abysmal lack human rights, environmental degredation, unfair justice system, mass detentions of non-Han Chinese ethnic groups, suppression of any sign of dissent, and lack of democracy. After all, they probably couldn't have achieved the economic and social reforms they have in a democracy. Not if Western Democracies are anything to go by.
Right, off to patchwork. 4 blocks done, 5 more to do, currently investigating how to print onto fabric. Preferably so it won't get washed out in the laundering - should the final quilt actually get dirty. Ideas, anyone? Missy?
Meanwhile I shall cut out other pieces. Oh for a sharp blade for my rotary cutter! Cos scissors are great, and sharp, but rotary cutters are quicker and, provided the ruler doesn't slip, more accurate. Ah well.
And Scala Radio are playing Rossini's William Tell Overture. "Hiho Silver, and Away!"**
Y'all have a good day now!
* Seriously, Dear Reader. I have a 'statue' of a flying pig***, about 12-16" long. Unfortunately the face had been staved in, maybe by the rampant honeysuckle, but it has possibilities. Surreal possibilities, but possibilities none the less. Hmmm, maybe rainbow coloured feathers on the wings, and a plant where the face was?
** My age is showing. I only just remember the Lone Ranger on TV. Back in the very old days of black and white, 425 lines and it was ok to have Native Americans in subordinate roles. Although Tonto was actually a hero, which was a step up for most Native Americans in TV and films of the time!
*** Wasn't Captain Pugwash's ship called the Flying Pig? Or maybe it was the Black Pig. This is getting silly, footnotes on the footnotes. Still, Terry Pratchett . . . Was a Real Writer!
H said he was amazed at how long some of the shoots were. We didn't actually measure any, but they did take a while to pull out and coil before bagging. Now we can get to the stuff underneath there needs to be a major clear up of the ground -down to concrete level, emptying of pots and multiple trips to the Tip.
We were also amazed that, after a mere less than two hours, we couldn't move without exclaiming for the next five hours. Clearly Pilates and honeysuckle curbing use different muscles, or the same muscles differently. Avionics definitely does!
And then the planning - what will we have instead? And the supply-getting - JI #3 by the sack as I have at least three large pots. Not to mention plants to put in them. We're, well, I'm, considering maybe an Elder - you know, one of the dark red ones. Though that'll have to go well away from the washing line - don't want sheets, etc coming into contact with ripe elderberries June-September. Also maybe some apple trees.
Yes, trees, plural. We may not have much in the way of ground area, but we have as much 'up' space as anyone! Possibly a crab apple tree, a small one, for the blossoms and polination, and a couple or three different varieties of cordon apples as they hardly take up any space. They could go against the back wall - up again, probably underplanted with bulbs and things - maybe lettuces and other 'greens', provided I have enough copper tape to keep off the molluscs.
Come to think of it, some Nematodes would be good too. The edges of my lime green heuchera are looking characteristically nibbled. Apparently they're prone to attack by vine weevils.
And the flying pig? I thought it fair comment on much of the current political situation - here in the UK, in the US, in Hong Kong and in China - where they are commemorating 70 years since the founding of the People's Republic of China.
Some of it has been good - general levels of health, food, literacy, welfare, economic growth and millions raised from abject poverty. It isn't all abysmal lack human rights, environmental degredation, unfair justice system, mass detentions of non-Han Chinese ethnic groups, suppression of any sign of dissent, and lack of democracy. After all, they probably couldn't have achieved the economic and social reforms they have in a democracy. Not if Western Democracies are anything to go by.
Right, off to patchwork. 4 blocks done, 5 more to do, currently investigating how to print onto fabric. Preferably so it won't get washed out in the laundering - should the final quilt actually get dirty. Ideas, anyone? Missy?
Meanwhile I shall cut out other pieces. Oh for a sharp blade for my rotary cutter! Cos scissors are great, and sharp, but rotary cutters are quicker and, provided the ruler doesn't slip, more accurate. Ah well.
And Scala Radio are playing Rossini's William Tell Overture. "Hiho Silver, and Away!"**
Y'all have a good day now!
* Seriously, Dear Reader. I have a 'statue' of a flying pig***, about 12-16" long. Unfortunately the face had been staved in, maybe by the rampant honeysuckle, but it has possibilities. Surreal possibilities, but possibilities none the less. Hmmm, maybe rainbow coloured feathers on the wings, and a plant where the face was?
** My age is showing. I only just remember the Lone Ranger on TV. Back in the very old days of black and white, 425 lines and it was ok to have Native Americans in subordinate roles. Although Tonto was actually a hero, which was a step up for most Native Americans in TV and films of the time!
*** Wasn't Captain Pugwash's ship called the Flying Pig? Or maybe it was the Black Pig. This is getting silly, footnotes on the footnotes. Still, Terry Pratchett . . . Was a Real Writer!