Training for the Flower Show

Photo, right: Union general George McClellan (who doesn't deserve this placement on the City Hall apron as much as General Meade does) with Flower Show banner

I was up at (*groan*) 5:00, naturally. But I didn't do the dry run of grooming etc. -- it was enough to know that I could have been out the door at 5:30 if I had wanted to.

It's snowing again -- oh, goody. I need to check my post office box, so I think I may ride the bus there and walk home.

On the plant report, some of the fancier coleus are starting to show signs of distress. Even under grow-lights, 'the flume' developed stem rot -- as did the 'kiwi fern' in a hanging planter in the sitting room. I noticed them after they had wilted but before they completely collapsed, so I took cuttings and rehydrated them. There appear to be fungus gnats in the basement again, too, grr. Pyrethins and NEEM oil are probably called for. That BT stuff didn't seem to make a dent in them.

Oh, and here's a Flower Show backstory that warms my heart: plant rescue!

http://www.nj.com/gloucester/index.ssf?/base/news-5/1266212410226410.xml&coll=8

Especially for karenkay

Someone whose journal is called "World Peace Through Yodeling" should consider the possibilities inherent in the ukulele. This virtuoso, Jake Shimbukuro, says things like: "The ukulele is underdog of all instruments." "If everyone played ukulele, the world would be a better place." "What the world needs now is more ukulele." "Ukulele is the instrument of peace."

http://www.boingboing.net/2010/02/10/highlights-from-ted.html and scroll down for the quotes. A yodeler accompanied by the ukulele could possibly also solve world hunger!

EDITED TO ADD

zOMG! Bohemian Rhapsody.
*dies*

Ukulele for kightp

More ukulele, with Bette Midler, who has never especially appealed to me, but I'm sure kightp will like this one for Teh Purples:

Ukulele sampler

This is Bob Brozman, resonator guitar and world music master -- in Philly, in 1986.

OOOPS, wrong video. Well, this one is cool, too.

Here's the right one. Look how he sits there with his knees held tightly closed. All the rhythm has to come out of his fingers.