I walk into the bathroom today and notice that my wife has collected the small size shampoo, conditioner, lotion and soap bars from 5 Kenyan hotels. She knows that I like em and this trip was fruitful. Lots of english labels (Taylors of London, Crabtree & Evelyn) each lined up for inventory on my side of the sink, to peruse and choose at my fancy...
Reviews to follow.
Ma femme, ma freak.
Ti amo!
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Notable Hobos
- Rex Spangler the Bedazzler
- Sistery Brothery Nabob
- Chrysler LeBaron
courtesy of Hodgman
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
small progress
finished the second of three rock beds (bottom left). The last one will be out by the apple tree but have to size out the patio first.Dogs went a diggin' and the iris are suffering!
thinking about an acid etching (where the orange mark is on the bridge) maybe a family label or crest that we can't decide on.
Monday, May 22, 2006
In for approval
More changes and hope the HOA buys it. Wrote them a two-page letter on the changes and why. now, we're just waiting to see before going on to next step.
Did you know that they have a policy that says you cannot park in your driveway??? What the hell is that?? They PREFER you to park in garage or on street. Why would they want you to park on the street? They are barely big enough for two cars to pass each other. Line the curb with parked cars and it's a gauntlet, especially if there is another vehicle heading the opposite direction and that's saying nothing about children in the street.
WHAT IS THE LOGIC IN THIS!????.
The next step is to make us close our garage doors. while we're at it, no open windows and no spending time in the yard. Let's create a sterile, lifeless neighborhood where everything is by the book.
Did anyone think these rules through, fully??
Did you know that they have a policy that says you cannot park in your driveway??? What the hell is that?? They PREFER you to park in garage or on street. Why would they want you to park on the street? They are barely big enough for two cars to pass each other. Line the curb with parked cars and it's a gauntlet, especially if there is another vehicle heading the opposite direction and that's saying nothing about children in the street.
WHAT IS THE LOGIC IN THIS!????.
The next step is to make us close our garage doors. while we're at it, no open windows and no spending time in the yard. Let's create a sterile, lifeless neighborhood where everything is by the book.
Did anyone think these rules through, fully??
cool!
Is this a cool fireplace or what??I have an idea for the basement, this design using rope lights and reflective materials to create this illusion on the cheap.
Thursday, May 18, 2006
The coolest...the most awesome today
Working on the stones again and we got hit with nice, brief Colorado spring shower. After that blew over, I decided let Ben and Geli take me for a walk. And what did they show me?? Several things.
Over at last years sandstone flower bed, the clean granite blocks I parked next to moss rock revealed something different. They weren't clean anymore. The moss had made the jump. It's creeping on several of the nearby stones and starting on some far away ones.
I thought "how do I expedite this process"
...or will that take away the magic?
One year and it made the leap. That the coolest thing I saw all day.
Back to the walk? Spring shower moved it's way out east over the plains, the Sun came out and a double rainbow emerged. That's pretty cool too. But the most awesome thing was that we encountered a mom, jogging towards us with her toddler in one of those specially designed running carriages.
As we passed they both waved 'Hi' and I said, "did you guys see the rainbow?" and nodded east.
She paused and said "Oh my gosh....RIGHT behind us!" "how did we miss that!?"
We'll what's left of it, I mentioned as it was less than 1/4 arc now. ... and we continued on.
Didn't think much of it as I was looking in wonder at this crazy thing in the sky. But, after a few minutes, I looked back and they were still gazing at the rainbow as it faded.
How cool would it be for that little girl to see that and wonder?
That's what Ben and Geli showed me.
That's magic.
That's the most awesome thing I saw all day.
Over at last years sandstone flower bed, the clean granite blocks I parked next to moss rock revealed something different. They weren't clean anymore. The moss had made the jump. It's creeping on several of the nearby stones and starting on some far away ones.
I thought "how do I expedite this process"
...or will that take away the magic?
One year and it made the leap. That the coolest thing I saw all day.
Back to the walk? Spring shower moved it's way out east over the plains, the Sun came out and a double rainbow emerged. That's pretty cool too. But the most awesome thing was that we encountered a mom, jogging towards us with her toddler in one of those specially designed running carriages.
As we passed they both waved 'Hi' and I said, "did you guys see the rainbow?" and nodded east.
She paused and said "Oh my gosh....RIGHT behind us!" "how did we miss that!?"
We'll what's left of it, I mentioned as it was less than 1/4 arc now. ... and we continued on.
Didn't think much of it as I was looking in wonder at this crazy thing in the sky. But, after a few minutes, I looked back and they were still gazing at the rainbow as it faded.
How cool would it be for that little girl to see that and wonder?
That's what Ben and Geli showed me.
That's magic.
That's the most awesome thing I saw all day.
In need of sand
Still needs a tweak on the end there but the flow is better now. And with the insertion of a few random large blocks, it looks even better. Now, if I can only find the right sand to set them again. The stuff at the Big Box just isn't right. This weekend? we have to get started on the patio and the larger bed. It's crying out for help! I figure the sooner the better too as the plants will have the rest of the summer to fill in. Maybe the patio waits for kristine. I'm also considering removing a lot of the sandstone on the dry creek and putting in large river rocks and some sandstone boulders I came across. maybe that will look a little more natural.
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Flow
The pavers ALMOST flow now. a few more little tweaks and we'll have it right. Not sure the yellow sedum was a great idea in the cracks (I stepped on several almost to extinction) we'll see how they go. The deck has to get built here soon. The Patio has to get built even sooner....like this weekend. Which means that I have to come up with a plan and work out the bugs.
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
paver adjustment
Spent the afternoon pulling out the pavers and resetting for a random pattern with better flow on the inverse 'S'. Still some adjustments to make but it was easier than I expected. For some of the larger gaps I'm experimenting with a small yellow sedum. Dogs may trash it, I may mash it, but it looks kind of cool right now and saving me from cutting about 4 or 5 stones.
Monday, May 15, 2006
Phase 14 complete
Smallish rock garden to address the critics; Whooley Thyme, Lavender, Sedum, Creeping Phlox. The Home depot standards, but will supplement with some less popular varieties. Give this a month or two to fill in. (does this look better, Curt?Also, imagine the same for the bigger bed right behind and across the dry creek, except taller plants to further draw you down the path. I had to keep this one low in profile. The sprinkler would be useless against a big woody plant right in front of it. (you can see the head at the bottom right corner)
I wanted the phlox and thyme to creep over onto the pavers as they fill.
Now that I'm thinking about it, I might adjust the left rock wall back to make miniature creeper gardens as well. It looks too hard right now.
Il giardino si evolve ancora.
Sunday, May 14, 2006
Decided on stone bridge instead of wood. (maybe wood borders and nothing is "set in stone" there, but had to wrap up pretty for the day.)
Orange paint where the deck pillars will be hopefully everything lines up. (large margin for error here working in my favor. That is one nice thing about landscaping in general. it still has to be right! But it can be off perfect and work just fine.)
At the junction the paver pattern is terrible. That may have to reworked.
...and don't ask about the orange circle on the bridge.
il giardino si evolve
A few twist to the plan again. And a few ideas. My secret garden will indeed have secrets. I've worked up a dozen or so "hidden" little eye catchers that will be placed around the garden for those to find that have the descerning eye to find the first one and the interest to look for more
that's all I'm saying on this topic!
that's all I'm saying on this topic!
Saturday, May 13, 2006
5/13
Bed One done. Plant arrangement is temporary as I had to get the mail order plants in the ground ASAP. (actually considering a small peach tree at the south end of the planter to help screen the patio from the deck.)Too hot to work out there today. Even the dogs were beggin' to come inside.
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Il Giardino
I'm thinking now that it's still weak back there. Not all of the sense have been tapped fully...yet!
Taste: Herb Garden; sage, parsley, thyme, rosemary, lavender, marjoram, dandelion greens (although there won't be much grass left for them to get into), mint.
Sight- Changed my plan from basically 2D to 3D. There's grass at basic level. There is now a channel for the simulated (dry) creek (-8 inches) The rock walls will add addtional height to the gorge especially at some of the edges. Tall and short plants. Trees for top end.
Also, there is lighting (solar walk lights as well as electrical for the two trees closest to deck (ambiant lighting for guests on deck) That wall lamp is coming down.
The deck will be a nice stable elevational feature as will the trellis (design approval pending...)
OK, Audio. if I ever get the pump figured out, I plan to send two pipes out of the shallow pond. One up behind rocks at pond to trickle down. The other sent to under the deck for a small thoughtful flow down to the pond again. maybe some speaker pre-wire is in order too? (nah....maybe not!....Crickets will do the trick!)
Touch: Contrast and textures: something to note. Dirt, grasses, wood (bridge as well as deck) Greenery and color-ee ee (trees, shrubs and flowers, all colors, all leaf sizes and shapes), rocks (mossy and otherwise) man-made stones (grid of the pavers) , some metal (hangers and lanterns, light and dark (sun and shade)
Olfactory: between the herbs and flowers (and maybe dog "stuff", should have this one covered.
Time is not a sense....but clearly the focus on time would be, at least, temorarily stripped away.
That's what I want! That's my mission sir!
Taste: Herb Garden; sage, parsley, thyme, rosemary, lavender, marjoram, dandelion greens (although there won't be much grass left for them to get into), mint.
Sight- Changed my plan from basically 2D to 3D. There's grass at basic level. There is now a channel for the simulated (dry) creek (-8 inches) The rock walls will add addtional height to the gorge especially at some of the edges. Tall and short plants. Trees for top end.
Also, there is lighting (solar walk lights as well as electrical for the two trees closest to deck (ambiant lighting for guests on deck) That wall lamp is coming down.
The deck will be a nice stable elevational feature as will the trellis (design approval pending...)
OK, Audio. if I ever get the pump figured out, I plan to send two pipes out of the shallow pond. One up behind rocks at pond to trickle down. The other sent to under the deck for a small thoughtful flow down to the pond again. maybe some speaker pre-wire is in order too? (nah....maybe not!....Crickets will do the trick!)
Touch: Contrast and textures: something to note. Dirt, grasses, wood (bridge as well as deck) Greenery and color-ee ee (trees, shrubs and flowers, all colors, all leaf sizes and shapes), rocks (mossy and otherwise) man-made stones (grid of the pavers) , some metal (hangers and lanterns, light and dark (sun and shade)
Olfactory: between the herbs and flowers (and maybe dog "stuff", should have this one covered.
Time is not a sense....but clearly the focus on time would be, at least, temorarily stripped away.
That's what I want! That's my mission sir!
Monday, May 08, 2006
Joire de Vivre
Ben and Geli have had an interesting past year, fighting, jealousy, (shedding!...that's GOTTA get in ben's mouth, but he doesn't seem to care too much... although I have seen him cough up many a hairball and I suspect that ISN'T his hair)
So, there they are spending the entire day in the back yard. Really....all day. I put them out at5:50 this morning. they got a brief respite at lunchtime (very brief). Other than some short play time in the front yard...they spent all day out there.
I'm watching TV and hear a few yips. It's Ben trying to get Geli to play. Reluctantly she engages and then for the next 25 minutes they are romping, kicking, hipflicking, mawing. And even after Geli tires, Ben can still coax one more run out of her. I mean, what fun! This is pure fun. They have no self-consciousness about who might be watching them (me and maybe the neighbor across the alley?). They have no qualms about acting like puppies (Geli's 8 now). They are just having fun.
This is play. This is good stuff!
And, when they finished, they had such a level of happiness on their faces, it's almost indescribable.
Then, they wandered around, sniffin' and seeking and just having a blast out there, apart but together; displaying that elusive Joire de Vivre that we (I) have such a hard time finding.
And...I suspect they do this alot. They have cracked the code. Mes chiens ont trouve le Joire de Vivre.
I WANT THAT FEELING!!
(Where's kris, damn it! I need some play time with MY best bud! (and no you perverts, that's NOT what I mean!))
Everyday we need to have that feeling. At Least, find a little. That's my prescription.
Tonite, mine is Dvorak's string symphony # 12 ( 2nd movement), enjoying a damn good Pork Tomaxelle, fagioli romana, a glass of earthy Cotes du Rhone and watching Ben and Geli play.
That's my Joire de Vivre.
...and now I can sleep well.
So, there they are spending the entire day in the back yard. Really....all day. I put them out at5:50 this morning. they got a brief respite at lunchtime (very brief). Other than some short play time in the front yard...they spent all day out there.
I'm watching TV and hear a few yips. It's Ben trying to get Geli to play. Reluctantly she engages and then for the next 25 minutes they are romping, kicking, hipflicking, mawing. And even after Geli tires, Ben can still coax one more run out of her. I mean, what fun! This is pure fun. They have no self-consciousness about who might be watching them (me and maybe the neighbor across the alley?). They have no qualms about acting like puppies (Geli's 8 now). They are just having fun.
This is play. This is good stuff!
And, when they finished, they had such a level of happiness on their faces, it's almost indescribable.
Then, they wandered around, sniffin' and seeking and just having a blast out there, apart but together; displaying that elusive Joire de Vivre that we (I) have such a hard time finding.
And...I suspect they do this alot. They have cracked the code. Mes chiens ont trouve le Joire de Vivre.
I WANT THAT FEELING!!
(Where's kris, damn it! I need some play time with MY best bud! (and no you perverts, that's NOT what I mean!))
Everyday we need to have that feeling. At Least, find a little. That's my prescription.
Tonite, mine is Dvorak's string symphony # 12 ( 2nd movement), enjoying a damn good Pork Tomaxelle, fagioli romana, a glass of earthy Cotes du Rhone and watching Ben and Geli play.
That's my Joire de Vivre.
...and now I can sleep well.
Kisumu Day 15
So, kris and her entourage have arrived in Kisumu and seem to be enjoying themselves. Kris said that despite the work, she almost feels guilty at having such a good time in such a wondrous place. I keep telling her this too! quit worrying about what's going on here....you ain't missing much (well, maybe a little) but given the choice?....Kenya would win hands down in a battle over spending two weeks here or there! Am I right? Enjoy ma femme! Enjoy!
Life is too short to not enjoy those precious gems that life tosses at you.
Life is too short to not enjoy those precious gems that life tosses at you.
Sunday, May 07, 2006
Saturday, May 06, 2006
Dove la Dottora???
No idea, but can hardly wait until tomorrow on our schedule talk time. Had a nice french meal tonite and she should have been here to appreciate it, critique and enjoy it.
Miss you, babe!
Miss you, babe!
Thursday, May 04, 2006
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
