thegardendude 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🇺🇦

Husband, #dog dad to two goofball #Frenchies; #bi, #DemSocialist. Passionate about #gardening and wildlife/habitat restoration. Guitar and travel are my secondary interests and hobbies.

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npub1xhfyr6zf8tjj5hlkcth07fnhjmldhl7ve2cx2q0u0cmsu88q39qqrzy86l

NIP-05 Address

[email protected]

Profile Code

nprofile1qqsrt5jpapyn4ef2tlmv9mhlyemedlkmllxv4vr9q878udcwrnsgjsqpz4mhxue69uhhyetvv9ujumt0wd68ytnsw43q9dr2q2

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relay.mostr.pub

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npub1xhfyr6zf8tjj5hlkcth07fnhjmldhl7ve2cx2q0u0cmsu88q39qqrzy86l

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Last Notes

2024-07-20 17:29:08

Arborists in Virginia unionize to become the first union residential tree company in the country https://www.goiam.org/news/territories/southern/arborists-in-virginia-vote-to-join-iam-become-first-ever-residential-tree-care-workers-to-unionize-in-u-s/

2024-07-20 00:20:15

Found a neat place in downtown Richmond today called Plant House. Besides (obviously) selling houseplant and houseplant accessories (said in Hank Hill voice)...they have tables where they host workshops for building your own terrariums, they supply all the materials! Not cheap, but seems like a great way for beginners to #houseplants and #terrariums to get their hands dirty and start building their knowledge!

2024-07-15 23:21:28

Friendly reminder to check yourselves for ticks if you’ve been out in nature at all. Removed three in the last week.

2024-07-14 20:30:24

Seeing a precipitous decline in the use of alt-text unfortunately. Please remember to make an attempt at describing images you upload so this space can be as accessible as possible for as many people as possible. A lot of people depend on screen readers. #Fediverse #accessibility

2024-07-05 18:12:17

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@npub1se6…cmph social media breaks are always good. Whatever you decide to do, be well!

2024-06-23 19:02:43

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@npub1se6…cmph LOL! Yeah I don't think I've ever seen lawns improved by letting the clippings lie in place. Just looks messy to me.

2024-06-23 16:58:29

I really need to mow the yard but it's 10:50 eastern time and already nearly 90ºF (32ºC). Better for the grass anyway to not cut it short during really hot, dry weather so I think I'll wait until it cools off a bit mid-week (and hopefully will get some rain by then)

2024-06-21 00:40:33

I think my run of trying fruit trees is coming to a close. I just checked on our dwarf peach tree and every developing fruit on it is rotting. Two of our three dwarf apple trees already kicked the bucket from some kind of root rot or something.
I think certain fruit trees are only for those who have the time to commit to the constant spraying and fertilizing and pruning they need to reach their full harvest potential.

2024-06-18 23:28:08

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@npub1zg9…nh26 Let me know how it works for you! As someone with chronic allergies and sinus problems, I'm always on the lookout for effective treatments for it

2024-06-18 01:55:08

I really need to dust off the garden blog and start posting about plants again! Decided to treat myself and brought home a Hydrangea 'Miss Saori' which is a dark-leaf cultivar with pink double-florets. It'll go in a large container next to our side door. The purple coloration seems to hold up fairly well even in the heat and some sun. #plants #hydrangeas #flowers
https://regenerate.s3proxy.de/media_attachments/files/112/634/644/486/625/284/original/5806c6ec638322be.jpg

2024-06-10 20:39:07

I feel like clover doesn’t get enough attention as a really important source of nectar for bees 🐝 and butterflies 🦋
It’s not flashy but I always see tons of pollinators on it

2024-06-08 04:20:08

Started using this app called TooGoodToGo that connects you with restaurants/cafes/coffee shops in your area that have food left over by closing time for $5 you can reserve and pick up a "mystery bag" or box with a few things that would've otherwise been thrown out. So now I have a box of pastries from Brecotea 👌

2024-06-06 15:52:19

The problem with fig trees is that they'll really test your patience once the branches are loaded with fruits. In zone 7 at least, it takes forever for them to ripen for picking. I'm staring at all these big plump figs, chomping at the bit to make some fig jam and preserves, and I have to wait another month before I can start picking 😭

2024-06-04 00:21:48

Read an article recently on how carbon credits/offsets work, and came away 100% believing the whole thing is a scam. "The market" will never solve climate change because "the market" has a vested interest in unsustainable levels of consumption and production of goods as cheaply and quickly as possible, which more often than not results in all manner of environmental degradation. Because profit remains the central goal.

2024-05-05 23:20:21

Anyone know if there's a fungicide I can use on my young apple tree? It's showing signs of verticillium wilt (it's been very wet here all winter and spring). Or is my best bet to take it out and replace it? #Gardening #GrowYourOwn

2024-05-05 04:16:35

"Composting our emotions." - How climate action cultivates mental wellbeing https://reasonstobecheerful.world/young-people-climate-distress-therapy/

2024-05-02 15:17:48

Good morning #PlantsOfMastodon #BloomScrolling Fediverse! Here’s Azalea Fireball for your viewing pleasure!
https://regenerate.s3proxy.de/media_attachments/files/112/371/679/132/265/674/original/f7d1ac96c72bf658.jpeg

2024-04-28 21:24:00

Gorgeous trailing nasturtium I came across yesterday at the Maymont Herbs Galore plant sale! @npub1pur…z24k #plants #flowers
https://regenerate.s3proxy.de/media_attachments/files/112/350/469/080/279/558/original/9b9dd0058dd205c0.jpeg

2024-04-26 00:18:08

Thousands of newly potted hydrangeas from this past week. This is what’s been keeping me busy at the farm. It’ll be about 1-2 years before these ship to the nursery. #plants
https://regenerate.s3proxy.de/media_attachments/files/112/334/160/471/694/599/original/792643f388ad320c.mp4

2024-04-21 00:16:58

Guess I'm going to just cancel Disney Plus because it keeps resetting and logging me out, then telling me the password is incorrect when I damn well know what the password is. Then making me enter a code, then making me do a puzzle, and jump through flaming hoops, then asking me what my great aunt's first boyfriend's name was, and my best friends' social security number, and...
After a point, it's just not worth it anymore.
All hail books and libraries, may they live long and prosper.

2024-04-20 04:14:58

Millions of birds migrating safely over darkened Texas cities thanks to successful "lights out" campaign https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/millions-of-birds-now-migrating-safely-through-darkened-texas-cities-after-successful-lights-out-campaign/

2024-04-19 01:48:24

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@npub14ha…pqf0 Not great, but there's already an effort underway to stop it from happening, which I'm obviously going to lend my efforts to

2024-04-18 23:42:16

Saddened and a touch angry to learn that one of my local community colleges, the one I got my degree in horticulture from, is going to be shuttering the campus that hosted the hort. program, and then selling the land (presumably to a developer that wants to put in 400k luxury condos). This will rob people in our area of the most affordable way to major in horticulture and hamper the hiring efforts of local nurseries in their ability to find workers with pre-existing plant knowledge. 😡

2024-04-13 22:54:05

Doublefile viburnum in all its spring splendor! #flowers #BloomScrolling
https://regenerate.s3proxy.de/media_attachments/files/112/265/883/715/743/943/original/be59b852a2c2539e.jpeg

2024-04-13 19:35:19

Sowed some arrowwood viburnum seeds last fall, then we had an absurd amount of rain this winter and spring so I assumed they rotted. But was just out in the yard and three of them germinated and have their first pair of true leaves! 🙌

2024-04-12 00:02:53

"Food Inc. 2" revisits America's food system post-pandemic https://apnews.com/article/movie-review-food-inc-88ea36ca17a3864039caf86cf9f4af74

2024-04-11 00:33:09

Apple tree blooming! In just hope the fruit doesn’t rot on the tree like they did last year 😒
https://regenerate.s3proxy.de/media_attachments/files/112/249/295/172/639/567/original/b326c40e5a8d2440.jpeg

2024-04-09 01:43:06

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@npub1jww…ktn3 Wow! You weren't joking, lol!
We grew Celeste at our old house...supremely wonderful flavor! I assume you're growing some of these from cuttings?

2024-04-04 21:07:00

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@npub1se6…cmph it is getting worse. It’s the big warm spells in February that get the pollen going earlier than it used to

2024-03-31 23:05:30

Ok this is kind of worrisome. I block and report one, then my mentions get filled with three more Nazi scum coming after me. All Mastodon instances should be set to approved sign-ups only at this point. Crazy not to.

2024-03-31 23:02:01

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@npub1cle…8ynw sad little man you are. Why do you enjoy hating people?

2024-03-31 22:35:51

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@npub12uq…rpe2 Yep, just blocked the entire instance. They'll find out shortly this isn't MuskLand, lol.

2024-03-31 22:33:35

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@npub1x70…cxkp No worries, your hate-filled server will be de-federated completely in no time. Leaving you with your sad little echo chamber.

2024-03-31 22:31:43

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@npub1se6…cmph Haha, yeah this isn't Twitter/X. That shit isn't going to fly.

2024-03-31 22:30:50

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@npub1x70…cxkp Yep, reported it first thing.

2024-03-31 22:16:33

Hey all, please block and report @[email protected] who is promoting white supremacy and Christian nationalism in their harassing and trolling replies to people. They seem to be particularly targeting trans accounts.

2024-03-31 21:34:49

Happy #TransgenderDayOfVisibility! Be yourself, unapologetically. 🏳️‍⚧️

2024-03-31 19:37:21

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Also I found this interesting “plant music” record 🤔
https://regenerate.s3proxy.de/media_attachments/files/112/191/508/921/753/134/original/4f55b6e5c5d39494.jpeg
https://regenerate.s3proxy.de/media_attachments/files/112/191/508/935/849/453/original/67e37a721c5a6d77.jpeg

2024-03-31 19:33:16

Grateful my mom didn’t pressure me to go to church with her today. So I went out shopping for more vinyl records and picked up some Fleetwood Mac for me and Taylor Swift and Paramore for my wife!

2024-03-31 04:15:46

#Wordle 1,015 4/6
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2024-03-31 00:34:45

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@npub1tqs…rwhm The feedback I've gotten so far has been overwhelmingly in favor of the Ego mower. Sounds like I've got my answer! 😆

2024-03-30 22:53:58

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@npub1ute…sn4h I've seen that one recommended on a review site, good to know!

2024-03-30 22:49:42

Anyone have a battery powered lawnmower they can recommend?

2024-03-30 18:51:01

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@npub1hwg…v3jp 😡

2024-03-30 17:38:01

Interesting to me how toddlers are just innately social yet once we reach the teen years we’re like “get me away from people!” and content to hide in our rooms 🤔😆

2024-03-29 00:54:53

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2024-03-28 18:06:18

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@npub12uq…rpe2 Thanks! I’ll give that a try

2024-03-28 04:15:36

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@npub1pcu…axps Weird. Not sure why the newest post doesn't show up when I go to my Pixelfed profile from Mastodon. I only see it when I go into the Pixelfed app.

2024-03-28 03:19:03

Trying to boost my most recent #Pixelfed post here, but I'm not seeing my most recent upload (from this evening). I guess it takes a few hours to federate? If I go into the Pixelfed app itself, I see my newest upload there, but not from Mastodon.

2024-03-27 19:45:25

Another cold, wet and miserable day. 😰 Hot shower, soft PJs and some hot cider pronto when I get home.

2024-03-27 00:55:14

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@npub16w5…dxft Beautiful! I love Jane magnolias!

2024-03-26 11:13:12

Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore collapses after being struck by cargo ship https://edition.cnn.com/us/live-news/baltimore-bridge-collapse-03-26-24-intl-hnk/h_37c8054b979d2edbc55a1ff515518d33

2024-03-25 23:07:47

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@npub1vr3…83vc Congratulations and welcome!

2024-03-25 22:33:06

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@npub1smz…n28c A typical result of the UN being dominated by men, honestly.

2024-03-25 18:28:33

I have some questions about the name of this Cercidiphyllum cultivar. Way too close to something R rated 😳
https://regenerate.s3proxy.de/media_attachments/files/112/157/497/437/408/183/original/1f68d06cef8aff04.jpeg

2024-03-24 19:38:19

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@npub1j3w…gk22 100% agree. I'm much more careful and intentional now about what news sources I look at and how much I take in and it's made my mental health so much better, realizing that I don't have to keep up with every single thing going on.

2024-03-24 19:03:23

My mom, with whom I have a good relationship despite significant differences on issues of faith and politics, invited me to her church (the one I went to when I was younger, pre-deconstruction) for Easter, and I really don't want to go. Even though this particular church has made progress in disposing of some toxic theology and doctrine, I feel uneasy being around people who nevertheless still think that women shouldn't have bodily autonomy, and who disregard the Biblical mandate to welcome foreigners and immigrants in favor of "border security", and who subscribe to the idea that anyone who's poor doesn't deserve government assistance because of the presumption that they are lazy.
I suppose I could attend a progressive church like many Episcopal congregations, who thankfully affirm the LGBTQ+ community, but my relationship with God is very much shaky and in flux, and I'd still feel weird. I'm content to just be as good a person as I can be. Showing love seems like a pretty all-encompassing way to make positive change in the world.

2024-03-24 03:56:59

#Wordle 1,008 3/6
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2024-03-24 02:22:00

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@npub1czz…v0as Visited Duke Gardens a few summers ago and it remains one of my favorite gardens in the Mid-Atlantic!

2024-03-23 02:43:14

Really need to get back up to the National Arboretum in D.C. sometime in the next two weeks while I can still catch the Magnolias and cherries in bloom! They used to have an outline of what's blooming when, on their website but I don't see that now since they revamped it.

2024-03-23 02:37:24

#Wordle 1,007 3/6
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2024-03-22 14:09:50

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@npub1gy0…20j5 I had people here get really upset with me for politely requesting folks use CWs for certain topics that could be triggering. Thankfully I do still see some people using them but it’s not as prevalent than after the first big migration to Mastodon. Which is unfortunate. I’ve had to create way more filters and mute or unfollow more people than I used to.

2024-03-22 01:47:18

Just got home from the quarterly general meeting of the Richmond chapter of DSA (Democratic Socialists of America); my resolution to re-start the environmental working group was officially approved, and I was able to recruit two members into the working group! Hopefully will pick up a few more folks in the coming week, and then get to work for environmental justice in the greater Richmond area!

2024-03-21 22:46:25

More #spring blooms! Don Egolf redbud
https://regenerate.s3proxy.de/media_attachments/files/112/135/865/089/675/532/original/ce0b315db2a85c84.jpeg

2024-03-20 23:55:38

This one took me a while
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2024-03-19 23:09:09

I'm always amazed at how quickly seeds germinate, even without a heat mat. I started arugula, bok choy, cherry tomatoes, basil, oregano, and several perennial flowers last Tuesday and they're all just about up now. Seems that keeping a lid over the trays works just as well as a heat mat for creating a warm growing environment.

2024-03-19 02:29:06

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2024-03-17 21:51:54

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@npub147q…g04q Lamium maculatum, or Deadnettle

2024-03-17 21:10:49

Now I'm fretting because my dwarf peach tree is in full bloom, and we have temperatures coming Tuesday morning that will be at or below freezing. I need to cover it somehow. I have some stakes I can put in around it (the tree is only about 4' so far) then I guess a combination of plastic sheeting and a heavy blanket? The plastic sheets alone didn't work last time, the cold still got to the blooms and robbed me of peaches.

2024-03-17 20:48:07

Getting the #houseplants caught up on watering. I need to pot up these baby spider plants at the end of the stems!
https://regenerate.s3proxy.de/media_attachments/files/112/112/749/218/197/261/original/5da38ff6d71bb7e4.jpeg
https://regenerate.s3proxy.de/media_attachments/files/112/112/749/306/833/698/original/0290869b2d0e3127.jpeg

2024-03-17 17:48:12

🥳🎉
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2024-03-17 16:40:36

Picked up this book at Strand Books the other day (Climate Change as Class War, by Matthew Huber) and the intro alone is fountain of great perspective on what needs to change to make meaningful progress on the climate crisis, like this quote: “By linking climate solutions to practical improvements in workers' everyday lives, climate politics need not remain so reliant upon masses "learning the truth" of the greenhouse effect or experiencing the effects of climate breakdown. Climate politics will simply mean improvements in one's material life—the ecology that counts for most people. “ #ClimateChange
https://regenerate.s3proxy.de/media_attachments/files/112/111/765/133/521/335/original/810ce3f2ad14366a.jpeg

2024-03-17 13:58:51

#SilentSunday
https://regenerate.s3proxy.de/media_attachments/files/112/111/141/874/327/216/original/c91dc90810ea5a26.jpeg

2024-03-16 21:12:30

The St. Patrick's Day parade sort of limited our movements this afternoon...tried to check out the Lego store but it was closed off. But enjoyed some good pizza, a delightful LGBTQIA-owned bookstore, a sprawling, vibrant farmer's market, and will soon be off for a Thai dinner! All in all another excellent day in the Big Apple!

2024-03-16 13:38:15

No particular plan this morning, which is fine. I'm not quite ready to head back out onto the streets and duck an dodge people and mopeds, lol. Might hit up a farmer's market and then grab a slice or two of New York pizza for lunch

2024-03-15 18:54:48

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@npub1dwe…x8af So true! I kept looking for the spot where Kevin from Home Alone encountered the bird lady!

2024-03-15 18:43:27

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@npub1dwe…x8af I can't get over how massive it is. This is our second visit to New York City and we're still only halfway through Central Park!

2024-03-15 18:28:20

Welp. Never made it to New York Botanical Gardens. Not today, anyway. I didn't thoroughly look at a map of the NY subway system and so we couldn't find a train we were supposed to transfer to. So we walked around more of Central Park, which was fine because things are just starting to bloom here. If I don't make it to the gardens tomorrow, then I'll make up for it by visiting Norfolk Botanical Gardens sometime in the next few weeks.

2024-03-15 17:44:48

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@npub1pf2…cs6s never made it 😣 Got all turned around on the subway and couldn’t figure out how to get there. Might try again tomorrow after closer study of the subway lines

2024-03-15 16:28:39

Views of and from Central Park #nyc
https://regenerate.s3proxy.de/media_attachments/files/112/100/404/266/245/242/original/897c8f316a0903e8.jpeg
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2024-03-15 13:56:43

Off to New York Botanical Gardens this morning!

2024-03-14 20:08:34

I love this mural I came across while walking through the High Line this morning! ❤️☮️
https://regenerate.s3proxy.de/media_attachments/files/112/095/580/273/263/912/original/6bf07247f09d66ff.jpeg

2024-03-14 19:33:54

Back at the Air BNB after walking the High Line and then poking around Chinatown (slightly over 10 miles of walking so far today 😮‍💨)
More pics coming, just need to sort through and delete the excess plant pics I took this morning! 🙄😂

2024-03-14 19:15:04

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@npub1pf2…cs6s They maintain it; some volunteers were deadheading, weeding, and cutting back the ornamental grasses while we were there

2024-03-14 14:48:05

The Highline! A must see if you visit NYC in spring or summer
https://regenerate.s3proxy.de/media_attachments/files/112/094/352/733/741/435/original/f669a4b56638b4f9.jpeg
https://regenerate.s3proxy.de/media_attachments/files/112/094/352/732/391/565/original/259fe64f6c60fc16.jpeg

2024-03-13 17:26:55

The food on this Amtrak train is surprisingly good. Just had a chicken bahn-mi sandwich for lunch 😋

2024-03-13 14:50:11

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@npub17jh…es50 "I'm sure I could use this with something else" and other lies I tell myself 😂

2024-03-13 14:42:52

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@npub1xs8…zrh5 Oh dear 🤢 Here in the U.S. our stinky tree is the Bradford pear, which smells of rotting fish. Incredibly invasive too, so they're all over the place.

2024-03-13 13:37:14

Magnolia ‘Inspiration’ a hybrid of M. laevifolia and M. doltsopa (photo courtesy of Plant Delights Nursery). Apparently grows several feet in a single flush 👀 #plants #flowers
https://regenerate.s3proxy.de/media_attachments/files/112/088/394/850/087/157/original/48bf8c9f44527a7c.jpeg

2024-03-12 23:08:06

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@npub1se6…cmph They are, and some are only available online, which would not have worked for us in this particular situation, lol.

2024-03-12 22:59:42

Crisis averted! The vet clarified they do still provide food, it's just an extra charge now. Whew!
Still, it was nearly a major problem. In large part because what's sold at PetCo and PetSmart mostly have a lot of bad ingredients, reflecting this country's low standards for what's allowed in food for both humans and animals. I don't know the exact percentage, but a substantial number of food products sold in the U.S. are banned in Europe, for good reason.

2024-03-12 22:25:02

Wow. So my wife and I just found out at the very last minute, right as we're about to drop the dogs off for boarding at the vet tomorrow morning before we leave for NYC for a week, that the vet no longer provides food, so anyone dropping pets off has to bring their own. There's really no time to make their usual food from scratch in a big enough batch for 5 days. Which leaves us having to figure out what's the least bad dog food one can pick up at PetCo or PetSmart.
🤨

2024-03-12 00:06:28

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@npub1xns…3499 such a sweet face! 😍

2024-03-10 23:25:22

Just for fun I’m also starting echinacea, bergamot and agastache from seed this year and hopefully will have extras to give to friends

2024-03-10 19:49:51

Not sure if cilantro is an herb to start outside in early March in zone 7 but we've already had some toasty weather this month and in February, and I know cilantro can bolt easily, so I'm inclined to go ahead and get them going. I have no idea how much cool weather we'll have between now and May/June.

2024-03-10 14:57:04

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@npub1sh8…x5cy adding this immediately to my list of books to check out. Anything that informs about how things truly are, not whitewashed, always has my attention

2024-03-10 03:17:05

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@npub1kma…wuce appreciate the advice! Thankfully not cracked, just a bit on the dry side and some slight chaffing at times. I'm religious about wearing gloves, which helps, but my hands still get wet frequently

2024-03-10 03:07:19

#Wordle 994 4/6
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2024-03-10 02:09:39

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@npub1e4y…e5j0 Several people have recommended that one so far, I'm going to check it out!

2024-03-09 21:50:05

Any fellow gardeners recommend a good brand of shea butter hand moisturizer you like? My hands are getting rather leathery