Dateline: August 1, 2002; Lenhartsville, PA People have been telling me that it is way past time for me to do a marigold update. Well, they have begun to bloom, but there still hasn't been very much rain. Since all of the lawns in my neck of the woods are crunchy, I don't feel right about using water just to refresh my flowers. Personally, I much rather save my water for the important things in life, so there will be enough for Bolton the next time he swings by to take a shower. So yeah, they did bloom, but they look really sad! (Which is why I didn't bother to take a picture...)
Dateline: July 15, 2002; Lenhartsville, PA Anybody out there know how to do a rain dance??? Berks County is still dry, and the marigolds are starting to protest the lack of water. Go figure, not only do I have marigolds that refuse to bloom, they are also unionized and go on strike when they get really thirsty. Well, I'm thinking their demands weren't that great -- all they are really asking for is a little bit of the wet stuff. I drug the hose out tonight and gave them a drink. I also threw a few drops the impatiens way. They are good flowers -- in full bloom, and not wilting. Perhaps I should give up on these silly marigolds and start posting impatiens updates.
Dateline: July 6, 2002; Lenhartsville, PA They said it could never happen,
but look at it now - there is a bud! After many weeks of waiting and watching
these plants reach new heights, it looks like they will soon begin to bloom. OK,
OK, so this really isn't anything to write home about, but it is better than just
a giant Christmas tree like plant sitting in front of my house. Yes people, I did
actually plant marigolds! :)
I have given them a little bit more water today, and spent some time talking to the bud encouraging it to reach it's full potential. Hopefully there will be a bright orange flower on top of that plant in the very near future! Stay tuned for updates...
Dateline: July 4, 2002; Lenhartsville, PA Happy birthday America! I remember
growing up by my grandpa's farm waiting for the 4th of July to roll around. Why? Well,
because that was when I ran up into the corn fields to see if the corn was doing all right
for the year. For those of you who aren't agriculturally oriented, allow me to explain
what on earth I am talking about. It is a well-known fact that the corn should be knee
high by the 4th of July. Of course this was very easy when I was a little kid with short
legs, but became more of a challenge as the years went by. As I remember it though, the
corn usually was up to the challenge.
This year, I don't have any cornfields around me. Does this mean I missed out on my annual tradition? No, of course not! Thankfully my marigolds stepped up to the challenge this year, and they are in fact knee high! No flowers yet, but just look at that dark healthy color of the plants. Wish I could say the same for that pathetically white leg in the picture. Sorry about that folks, should have warned you to put on your sunglasses before coming to this page.
Dateline: June 23, 2002; Lenhartsville, PA I knew well in advance that the fusion group was coming up to my place for a grill out. All I wanted was to have my lawn and flowerbeds looking their very best for when this group came by. Was that too much to ask??? Flowers had been planted all around my house. The marigolds are in the front by the porch, just like last year. They were planted well in advance, all they had to do was grow and bloom! Yes, I did give them plenty of water. Yes, they do get sufficient sunlight. Yes, the soil is nutrient rich enough to support growth. Yes, the marigolds did get a good start, and were well rooted.
Today as the many people arrived to my house, the marigolds stood tall and proud. The problem - they stood tall, proud, and naked. Not a single flower to be seen. How embarrassing is that??? All day long people were just mocking and making fun of my poor little "Christmas trees" that I had in front of my porch. The suggestion was made to string the lights around them and putting a star on the top. I was falsely accused of pumping these plants full of illegal growth enhancement substances. Surely people will be talking about this ridiculous site for many years to come! Some day, ah yes mark my words, these things will bloom!!!