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| He always wears a mask, washes his hands constantly; his name almost spells Corona. |
The doorbell rang with the phone. "Open up, we have your mulch. And yes, we need some coffee right away."
Ranger Bob and his co-worker were at the door, so Sassy ran out to issue her orders. She kept barking loudly, so I brought her Milkbone out first.
"You are not obeying your commanding officer, Bob. What kind of executive officer are you? Show some respect." Bob smiled and said, "I'm sorry. Sassy, you old chow hound. Here is your bone."
Pour-over coffee was ready soon - one with sugar, one with sugar and whipped cream, one with whipped cream. We were at the front porch and got into flower identification.
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| Once established, first year, the Joe Pye jumps up to grow rapidly. |
Both liked the Joe Pye leaping up from the ground - hardy, tall, and soon to be bearing vanilla scented flowers the butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds adore. Bob - "You have 10 more coming? Could I have one?" They liked how JP was all over the front yard. I planted 18 the first time.
PFC said, "Your front yard is fascinating. Your neighbors are boring, nothing but grass." Mrs. Ichabod decreed a front yard garden - no boring grass.
"What's that?" The aliums were just starting to bloom. I have several clusters of them, some near the porch.
"Look at that. We were asking about the Cat Mint yesterday. Now it is all in bloom."
I pointed out the modest little Clethra - aka Sweet Spice - aka Cinnabon Tree. It is not blooming yet, but it will start exuding a sweet cinnamon scent into late fall.
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| Clethra - calorie free sweet-spice aroma. |
Rose discussions followed. Best rose - Veterans Honor - just starting to bloom. However, none are left at the suppliers. Bob likes the idea of growing one, so I will look at the local suppliers.
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| Veterans Honor looks far better than this. |
He told PFC he would tear out all the weeds in the front yard, put in plastic (loud noses from me) and gravel (ack! ack! no!)
Bob, "Got any military books coming?" Yes, they dropped the price of one and said free shipping. And another one is coming. Tanks and arty. We talked about The Art of War and its relevance today. PFC wants to read it. He learned to give up video games and start reading, so he could make something out of his life.
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| These Flower Flies are harmless - but murderous to pests. |
