Author: Timelesslady

Married with children and grandchildren. Reader, writer, painter - maybe a bit of an artist. Gardener... Led by the Spirit.

Quick Tip – Yard Walkabout/Storm Repair

On By TimelessladyIn Quick Tip11 Comments

Monday’s Yard Walkabout had me cringing as I checked all my garden beds. We had a spring rainstorm last night that rivaled a mid-summer downpour. I found my top-heavy hyacinths lying on their sides.

To the rescue, twigs from last year’s Rudbeckia daisies.

I rarely cut these tall stems down in Autumn. They retain seeds on the spent flower heads for a good part of the winter, a food source for birds, and in the spring and summer their tall stems, turned wood-like in the winter weather, are perfect stakes for zinnias and other tall border plants. I usually break off the smaller twigs and discard, this year they will come in handy; I’ll poke the end in the ground and let the branches hold the hyacinth up until time to cut the faded flower away.

My propped-up hyacinths are part of Cee’s Flower of the Day.

Phlutters – Small Miracles Part II

On By TimelessladyIn Phlutters6 Comments

Part II of my small miracles day doesn’t have the beauty of the newly hatched Swallowtail butterfly, but it will help facilitate more miracles. I grow dill and other host plants for Swallowtail butterflies each year. This season I was determined to also grow plants for Monarchs.

I have managed to sprout some milkweed seeds by the winter-sowing method. Because I know the milkweed has a tap-root I chose to sow the seeds in peat pots and enclosed them in a recycled food container during the winter months. They have sprouted. I will get them in the ground as soon as possible so that the tap-root will not be disturbed and the plants will have a better chance at survival.

Asclepias syriaca: Common milkweed is the host plant for Monarch butterflies.

“Monarchs cannot survive without milkweed; their caterpillars only eat milkweed plants (Asclepias spp.), and monarch butterflies need milkweed to lay their eggs. With shifting land management practices, we have lost much milkweed from the landscape.” ~ Monarch Joint Venture

I know the assessment of Monarch Joint Venture is true. I can name three parcels of land within a mile or two of my home where I once saw milkweed. All three have been built upon, weed whacked, or decimated by the relentless need to clear land for business purposes. I’m sure this same problem is rampant across the country.

Due to the loss of habitat for monarchs, this year I collected a bit of seed from a milkweed patch to grow in my gardens. I’ll be planting the sprouts soon so that the long root can develop unhindered. I also have several milkweed seeds in my freezer. I’ll plant a few in my garden beds and also find some areas near me where they might have a chance to grow. If you want to participate in helping Monarch butterflies survive and thrive you can find some good tips here: Monarch Butterfly Garden.

Phlutters – A Day of Small Miracles Part I

On By TimelessladyIn Phlutters19 Comments

In a November post, Comminatory Weather and the Big Save, I described how I saved two Swallowtail butterfly caterpillars from a hard freeze in my garden. One didn’t make it, but the other formed a chrysalis which has rested on the soil of a dried out pot of dill for several months.


I left it alone for the most part, only dripping a bit of water on it now and then when I watered my plants. Today when I entered the room and checked on my garden seedlings, something fluttered and flew off the pot; I knew right away the caterpillar had changed into a butterfly.

I extended a finger, nudged his legs, and he walked on. If he had emerged in the midst of cold weather I would have tried to craft several fake flowers connected to jars of sugar water for him to survive on, but since it has warmed up and there are many flowers and trees blooming, I knew outdoors was his best chance.

I took him to the garden and gently let him move onto the edge of a daffodil. He looked happy until I moved and then he flew about twenty feet out into the yard. He flew fine, but it seemed one of his bottom wings was not quite extended all the way. He rested on the grass for quite awhile, flying now and then several feet one way then another. Suddenly, he extended his wings, flew, and was quickly out of sight. I was thrilled. Every day is blessed when it contains a small miracle or two. Part 2 of my small miracle day will be posted tomorrow.

Photo Challenge – Still Looking Up

On By TimelessladyIn photo challenges11 Comments

Day trips, and even jaunts around local towns, find me looking up for vanes. This week I found a beautiful weather vane in the seaside town of Ocean City, NJ. After searching for weather vanes for ten months, I’m fairly certain there are more to be found in beach areas than in any other area.

I think this ‘fishy’ weather vane depicts a tuna. It is the largest in size I have found thus far.

Thanks to these bloggers for taking part in last week’s challenge:
Geriatri’x’ Fotogallery – Luther Swan
The 59 Club – The Man in the Moon

The Photo Challenge: Each Wednesday, I post a photograph of a Weather Vane with a short description of where it can be found and any history connected to it. The main focus of the challenge is the photo of the Weather Vane and the location. The challenge can be Wordless if that is what you choose. If you would like others to see your post leave a link to your blog in the comment box. You can also tag the post #weathervaneweds. If you place a link to my post in your post you will create a pingback that will appear in the comment section. The challenge is open all week for comments and posts. Thanks so much for taking part in my challenge.

Many thanks to Cee, of Cee’s Photography, for including this challenge in her listing of WordPress Challenges. If you love challenges take a look at this page and while you are there check out some of Cee’s terrific posts. Thanks Cee!

Phlowers – Daffodil Zoom

On By TimelessladyIn Phlowers3 Comments

“Flowers… are a proud assertion

that a ray of beauty out values

all the utilities in the world.”

 – Ralph Waldo Emerson

The brilliant flowers in this post are part of Cee’s Flower of the Day.

Place – Spring Walk/Ocean City, New Jersey

On By TimelessladyIn Place25 Comments
Ocean City Boardwalk North

Spring’s warm weather brings hundreds of Shoobies to Ocean City to walk the boards. Shoobie is a slang term for daytrippers who visit the Jersey shore for a day or weekend. I’m not ashamed to admit the moniker ‘Shoobie’ can often be applied to me.

It’s sometimes difficult to decide which way to turn on the boardwalk, but our starting point is usually Ninth Street. Why? Ninth street is where our favorite pizza place, Manco and Manco, is located.

Ocean City Boardwalk South

If you don’t want to walk you can pull up a seat on a surrey.

It might seem odd to find a library on the beach, but I think it’s a great idea. I’ve seen these small book exchange boxes in local towns, but this is the first beach library I’ve seen.

We stopped at the neighboring town of Strathmere on the way home. Walking the beach we took notice of an area on the edge of the dunes. Cordoned off with wire, signs warned against entering the area due to endangered birds nesting in the area. I love shore birds and was glad to see their nesting area was protected. I hope they will nest and rear their young before even more Shoobies arrive in the summer.

This post is part of Jo’s Monday Walk.

Quote – Shine!

On By TimelessladyIn Quote11 Comments

” “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:15-16 (The Message)


My interpretation: Shine like morning sunshine on forsythia!
This post is part of Sunday Trees and Cee’s Flower of the Day.

Perspective – Nurturing Sights

On By TimelessladyIn Perspective10 Comments

I love walking through my garden several times a day. The Spring bulbs I planted in Autumn are beginning to bloom. This beautiful scilla, captured a bit of the blue sky in it’s blossoms. I decided it was pretty enough to be part of Cee’s Flower of the Day.

I had a surprise when I downloaded the photograph and spied a small insect of some type on the underside of the the Scilla leaf. Do you see it to the left of the uppermost bloom? It appears to be a sweat bee, ready to begin searching for pollen and nectar.

Why would this thrill me? I felt like it was sent from God to give my spirit a lift. You see, when I paint a floral watercolor, I always include a small inchworm somewhere in my painting. The sweat bee felt like God calling my attention to his artwork, and reminding me to stop all the never-ending upkeep of house and garden, and nurture myself a bit and paint.

This post is part of Nurturing Thursday.

Quick Tip – Easter Tree

On By TimelessladyIn Quick Tip14 Comments

My Scrub Pine Christmas tree is now doing its triple tour of duty as a holiday tree. First it was decorated for Christmas, then Valentine’s Day, and now I have covered it with Malted Robin Eggs for Easter.

Once again I made good use of leftover Christmas ornament hooks. (Next year I intend to buy several packages to have on hand for projects.)

I created a small indentation with a miniature Phillips Head screwdriver, then pushed one straightened end of the hook, dabbed with a spot of glue, into the malt. Voilá! The hooks work perfectly to hang the small eggs on the tree. A few of the eggs did crack while I attempted to insert the hook, but I confess, the evidence of their demise was quickly eaten.

Photo Challenge – Block Island Weather Vane

On By TimelessladyIn photo challenges10 Comments

Today’s weather vane is an oldie, but definitely a good memory for me. This is early morning on Block Island, Rhode Island, our car in line, my husband waiting to pull it onto the ferry for the ride back to Point Judith. I love the foggy atmosphere. So often, in early morning, when we left the island, the fog would be thick and mysterious. On top of the small house selling tickets is what appears to be some type of weather vane. It surprises me to look at my hundreds of photos of our vacations on Block Island and not find any vanes. Once again, I’m reminded that often you don’t see what you aren’t looking for at the moment.

Thanks to these bloggers for taking part in the challenge:
Geriatri’x’fotogallery – Weather Vanes Above Our City
The 59 Club – Putter Court

The Photo Challenge: Each Wednesday, I post a photograph of a Weather Vane with a short description of where it can be found and any history connected to it. The main focus of the challenge is the photo of the Weather Vane and the location. The challenge can be Wordless if that is what you choose. If you would like others to see your post leave a link to your blog in the comment box. You can also tag the post #weathervaneweds. If you place a link to my post in your post you will create a pingback that will appear in the comment section. The challenge is open all week for comments and posts. Thanks so much for taking part in my challenge.

Many thanks to Cee, of Cee’s Photography, for including this challenge in her listing of WordPress Challenges. If you love challenges take a look at this page and while you are there check out some of Cee’s terrific posts. Thanks Cee!

Pheathers – Bird Cams – Eggs and more Eggs!

On By TimelessladyIn Pheathers5 Comments

Many of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology bird cams are live and show nests with eggs. This is an exciting time to visit the live bird cams if you enjoy bird-watching. I read today the hawk nest has three eggs!

You can find more live bird cams here: Cornell Lab Live Bird Cams

Phlowers – Flower of the Day – Miniature Daffodils

On By TimelessladyIn Quirkiness7 Comments

“Though many a flower in the wood is waking,
The daffodil is our doorside queen;
She pushes upward the sword already,
To spot with sunshine the early green.”
~ William Cullen Bryant


My mini-daffodils are part of Cee’s Flower of the Day

Quote – Walking by the Water

On By TimelessladyIn Quote10 Comments
The beach at Strathmere

One day as he was walking along the beach beside the Lake of Galilee…Matthew 4:18

I’ve been studying the words of Jesus. This week I read of his walking on the beach of Galiliee and focused on seeing the scene in my mind’s eye. Here are the words that I wrote in response to the verses:

I wonder if the water washed over his feet, wet the bottom of his robe. What was the sand like, or was it gravel? Were there good water/sea smells in the air? Was the sky brilliant blue above his head? Did fish jump out of the water, a flicker of silver, and make him smile?

During these holy days before Easter it’s fills my heart with joy to focus on my Lord and Savior. As I read these words in the Bible I am walking beside him, imagining what he felt as a human, worshiping him for what he did as the Son of God. Draw close to Jesus during these weeks preceding Easter and thank him for all he has done for us.

And when you draw close to God, God will draw close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and let your hearts be filled with God alone to make them pure and true to him. James 4:8 (The Living Bible)

Phlowers – Matrix Yellow Purple Wing Pansy

On By TimelessladyIn Phlowers17 Comments

It’s hard to make a decision. Today I stood in a greenhouse gazing at hundreds of pansies in every color imaginable. Matrix Yellow Purple Wing won out for this year. I love the contrast of deep purple and yellow, and as always, feel drawn to the flowers that resemble the face of a cat.

There is no other plant that better captures in flower form my feelings of spring.

Phlowers – A Humble Weed

On By TimelessladyIn Phlowers4 Comments

It might be a weed, but I think it’s also pretty enough to be included in Cee’s Flower of the Day. Garden Cress is a wild edible. It grows luxuriantly in nooks and crannies all over my yard. This small plant has interesting leaves. I press quite a few each year to use in pressed flower crafting. You can take a look at how to press this on The Flower Ark – Pressing Garden Cress.

What you might not have noticed in the first photograph is how very small the flower is. The flowers in the first photograph would barely cover the diameter of a dime.

Photo Challenge – Weather Vanes March 27th

On By TimelessladyIn photo challenges11 Comments

It’s a proven fact, unless you’re looking for an item, you often walk by unaware of its presence. I never noticed this weather vane during past visits to Longwood Gardens. I was glad to find it. I want to let the Wednesday Weather Vane challenge run for a full year and that means through June. I’m running out of sources for vanes.

The terrace the gazebo is built on provides a spectacular view of the fountains and the conservatory.

Inside the Exhibition Hall Himalayan Blue Poppies bordered the outer wall. Poppies are spectacular in color and form, but unfortunately, when we visited most of the blooms were turned away from the walkway and faced the sunshine beaming through the windows.

This beauty cooperated and I was able to get a wonderful photograph. It is my contribution to Cee’s Flower of the Day. I’m contemplating making an attempt at painting a blue poppy again, but I know from experience, that their heavenly shade of blue is hard to capture.

Thanks to these bloggers for taking part in last week’s challenge.
Geriatri’x’ Foto Gallerie – Weather Horses
The 59 Club – Flipper

The Photo Challenge: Each Wednesday, I post a photograph of a Weather Vane with a short description of where it can be found and any history connected to it. The main focus of the challenge is the photo of the Weather Vane and the location. The challenge can be Wordless if that is what you choose. If you would like others to see your post leave a link to your blog in the comment box. You can also tag the post #weathervaneweds. If you place a link to my post in your post you will create a pingback that will appear in the comment section. The challenge is open all week for comments and posts. Thanks so much for taking part in my challenge.

Many thanks to Cee, of Cee’s Photography, for including this challenge in her listing of WordPress Challenges. If you love challenges take a look at this page and while you are there check out some of Cee’s terrific posts. Thanks Cee!

Quick Tip – Stinky Scare Sticks/Repelling Pests in the Garden Organically

On By TimelessladyIn Quick Tip6 Comments

A chill is still in the air, but I know that as the temperature rises the pesky critters will wake up too. Right about the time I plant out small sprouts and plant seeds they will be roaming about with voracious appetites. This year I am prepared in advance with a new idea: Stinky Scare Sticks.

I gathered some good repellents: eucalyptus essential oil, cayenne or chili pepper, crushed red pepper flakes, and garlic powder. Organic coconut oil mixed with the eucalyptus oil was my glue. A toothpick dipped into the oil, and then into the spice mix, made the perfect stinky stick. Placed in garden pots and beds, the haze of pungent smells will hopefully hinder the munchies of the chipmunks and other pests.

I made quite a few and stored them at the ready on a garage shelf.

Another idea I’ve used in the past has been rocks and shells with a drop of eucalyptus, peppermint, cinnamon or other essential oil loathsome to small critters placed somewhere on their surface.  This also works as an unobtrusive repellent.

This post wouldn’t  be complete without a bit of a giggle. I also wrapped some of my kitty-cat’s  fur (rodents recognize the smell of a predator in the fur) around a toothpick, added some googly eyes, and placed it in the same pot for added scare appeal. I wonder if the chipmunks will run or just laugh at my silly creation.