Winton Rec

Carolyn and I were at the Winton Park today (Saturday) for the Winton Recreational celebration. The little kids played T-Ball and some were able to hit the ball thrown to them. They were cute and fun to watch.
We were glad to have a breeze and be in the shade of the big tree. We were there representing the Winton Historical Society with the Winton Centennial recipe books and the souvenir mugs. Also had the Memories of Winton book available.
Other booths were there, one was clown face painting.
Two little girls were so happy with their big red lips. They were going around showing everybody. So I asked them if I could take their picture with their pretty lips. I don't know who they are, so I hope their parents don't mind.
Anyway, they were very cute and they looked like they were having a lot of fun.

Iris Project

Thursday morning I started my project of digging up 40 clumps of Iris plants. I was glad I had name tags to put on each pile of plants. Easy to keep track of their names. Now is the process of cutting the leaves, separating the clumps of new plants and stapling name tags on them.
It's a bigger project than expected. It's so hot in the afternoons that I don't do it all day. I'm happy to have a list of people who want the extra plants. Not everyone wants Iris plants because their bloom season is not very long.

I was surprised to see how long the roots are. My neighbor says it's because Atwater has such good soil, but I think it was the Miracle Grow they got 3 times last year.
I hope to have the Iris plants all tagged and ready to give away Monday or Tuesday. The large box in the first picture is where my plants are. Some people wanted one of each, but I'm the only one who will get every one. A few clumps were not that big and so only a few new plants there. Only a few of the 40 clumps are visible in the picture. About 10 of them are duplicates, so I think there are about 30 different names.
I'm anxious to get the ground ready to replant the Iris and also plant the Fuyu Persimmon tree and take the Plumbago out of the flower pot and into the ground.
Like another neighbor told me, "no rest for the wicked."

Winton Recreational Celebration

On Saturday, July 23, the Winton Recreational will sponsor a Winton Centennial Celebration at the Winton Park from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
There will be booths, games, ballgames including T-Ball All Stars.
The little guys will play T-Ball at 9:00 a.m. Other games will be played at 11 and 12 o'clock.
The booths will be informational or will have merchandise to sell.
There will be a raffle sponsored by Winton Recreational.
Closing ceremonies will be at 1:00 p.m.
The Winton Historical Society will have a booth there with the Winton Centennial recipe books ($15.00); the souvenir mugs with a picture of the Winton Depot on them for $5.00 each and also the "Memories of Winton, 1911-1950" history book for $35.00.
The history book, written by Rosalie Heppner and Lorraine Richards, is a hardback, 530 page book with 750 pictures. Lots of Winton School class pictures and historical pictures of Winton.
My sister, Carolyn and I will man the Winton Historical Society booth.
Please try to be there. There will be other booths with merchandise for sale. Probably homemade wooden signs and other crafts, etc.
The above picture of Carolyn and I was taken on the 4th of July at the Rancho Grande MH park party.

Milestones

This morning, something felt a little different. My mind seems a little more clear and ready to make a few more decisions. Just small ones.
I looked on the calendar, and sure enough, today is exactly one year since I moved into my mobile home in Rancho Grande. It was a good move for a widow who is a senior citizen. I feel completely safe here. Sure, I do lock my doors, but more out of habit than anything else.
Today I feel less stressful, a little more relaxed about what I need to do and decisions that need to be made.
The fact that Carolyn and I had our reflexology treatments at Miguel's yesterday in Turlock helps the relaxed feeling also. My right hip and knee feel so much better than it has in a long time. It's been 8 months since I had knee replacement and my muscles were so tense in my right leg. It's more relaxed today.
I've been thinking about what I want to do in the yard next year. Or maybe even this year. I could get a start on it. I want to get a half barrel or container that size or bigger and plant a Black Mission Fig tree in it. I read you can keep them pretty small. Also another large container for a thornless Blackberry vine. The containers would be on the south side of the mobile and would get plenty of sun.
Having them in containers would make it easier to spray the weeds on the ground with Roundup or something similar.
My Iris plants look like they are going dormant and so it is about time to dig them up and plant the Fuyu Persimmon tree. I should have waited to buy the tree. It doesn't look too happy in the 5 gallon container. Maybe didn't get watered often enough. Pictured above are the pink Coreopsis that I ordered from Wayside months ago. Couldn't find any locally, so had to order the very small plants. Planning what to do in the yard is exciting. What is not so exciting, but I'm finally willing to tackle are the boxes in the spare bedroom. Time to turn loose of some of that stuff.
Amen.

July 4, 2011

This morning, Carolyn and I went to the Atwater 4th of July events. We thought we left early enough to find a good parking space.
Wrong.
We got there about 8:40 and the park vendors would be set up by 9:00 a.m. We were lucky to find a parking place a long block away from the library. The McWatters family had a large spot saved by the library with chairs. They invited us to sit and rest up before going to the park.
Walking back, the McWatters assured us that they had extra chairs and so we sat there and watched the parade. Kelly was taking pictures for the Winton Times newspaper.
Oh, yeah, I bought that metal rooster with the red comb. Couldn't resist him. He is now guarding my porch.
At 3 o'clock, the Rancho Grande MH park had a party for residents and guests. On the left is Gary, employee and John, manager.
We had fried chicken, baked beans, chili beans, several different salads and desserts. More people came than what is usually there for the monthly potlucks.
It was a nice day.
I took a few more pictures, but decided not to post them here. Not sure if the people would like that.

Fruit Already

I was surprised to find 2 peaches growing on the Sun Crest peach tree that was just planted in February of this year. Also have a nectarine on the Fantasia tree. Wonder how many there'll be next year? So far all the trees are doing good. I give them deep waterings to encourage root growth. It is supposed to be over 100 degrees again today so made sure everything is watered good this morning. Tomorrow if the air is still I may spray Round-Up on some of the Crab Grass. There is SO much of it. I've been afraid of getting Round-Up on the flower plants. Need to try it though and get a handle on these weeds.
I had a very nice visit yesterday with my daughter Jill, grandkids, Tom and Laura and Tom's girlfriend. We had a late lunch at the Jantz Cafe and I enjoyed hearing about Tom's Sober Grad Night; things they did, etc.
And talking with Laura, going every weekend to Festas in neighboring towns and being in the parade as a Side Maid. Then to top it off, the night before one of the Festas, Laura was in the Dairy Princess contest in Red Bluff. She said she was very nervous, but Jill said she didn't show it. Laura was First Alternate, which means she will automatically be the Dairy Princess a year from now. Laura was the youngest of the 5 girls trying out for it. The others graduated this year or a little older. I know Laura will be a terrific Dairy Princess, she knows so much about the dairy. She has milked the cows by herself when her Dad is out of town. She loves animals of all kinds and wants to be an Ag teacher some day.
Way to go Laura. We're all proud of you.