Cruise Lines
Cruise lines, like everything else in your life, can vary greatly. Not only will the product quality and luxury that you will get with each one of the cruise lines change, however also may the money it’ll cost you for the actual cruise tickets. Thankfully, figuring out which cruise lines cost more versus the remainder currently is so simple as browsing on the internet and selecting a site specialized in such. With only a few strokes on the computer keyboard, you can instantly become offered all the best valued cruise tickets from all the primary providers so that you can quite easily save your time and cash.

Silk Flowers
Silk flowers are often the flawless option for anyone who really wants to enhance their houses or perhaps their workplace, though doesn?t prefer the hassle of sprinkling and cutting. Together with silk flowers it is possible to go as exciting as you like and certainly produce a statement or reside more on the traditional side and just want to do something small. The added beauty lasts forever and you should never need to stress about your own silk flowers collapsing or simply dying since they will keep on being as attractive since the initial day you have them. Now it is realistic to make the interior look and feel you prefer and not having to do much more than relishing exactly what you’ve done.

Gardens at that time were cultivated for pleasure, for practical reasons, and we shouldn’t ignore spirituality. Usually enclosed by stone walls, fertile grounds were tended to produce vegetables, fruit and nut bearing trees, grapes, flowers, and from time to time even fish ponds. Some of this was allotted for other things, sacred plants seeded and cultivated for use in the temples. Temple caretakers also grew certain plants on the surrounding land. Others, too, came to be known for the development of early farmsteads. The list also includes the Persians, the Babylonians, and the Assyrians, and they are noted for incorporating buildings of significant scope into this landscaping. As you might think, another culture like this would be the Romans — although the Greeks concentrated on the potential for sustenance of their plantations alone. While we’ll admit they would not have used a rake or a fork, these nations had invented a variety of simple contrivances and garden accessories which were prototypical of today’s spades and hoes. Hoes were initially constructed from stone, but were made out of copper, iron, and bronze later on. Progress was abruptly halted under the pressure of the Middle Ages. Horticulture suffered, but luckily, the churches practiced the old knowledge. Little by little we returned to constructing flower gardens for pleasure. This movement advanced right through the 16th and 17th century, by which point gardens had become far more conventional and precise than previously. You only need to contemplate the work invested in a hedge maze or knot garden to see this.

Such rules aren’t still the be-all and end-all, so there’s honestly no reason to fret — enjoy yourself, and don’t be embarrassed when it comes to searching for tips on how to get rid of some bothersome lawn rakes deformity or studying some well written lawn rake reviews. Instead of abiding by gardening conventions which were codified over hundreds of years, “Capability” Brown and others created a remarkable blend of formal and informal style by bringing together artificial garden accessories such as statues with natural landscapes. Admittedly, the situation has altered over the generations, but gardens are still tended for much the same reasons. You’d be hard pushed to discover a more relaxing setting than a garden.

Primitive gardeners worked by a blending of pleasure, spirituality, and practical reasons. The vital grapes and similar edible vegetation would mingle with pools of fish. Some of this was allotted for other things, sacred plants planted and tended for use in the temples. Priests, too, looked after various roots on the surrounding land.

They weren’t the only tribe to create ancient gardens. These include the Babylonians, the Assyrians, to say nothing of the Persians, all of whom also incorporated building projects of some dimensions into gardens. As you might think, one other civilization like this would be the Romans — the Greeks, on the other hand, focused on the food potential of their farmland and nothing else.

Although they had no access to garden forks or lawn rakes, these cultures did employ a variety of primitive implements and utensils not dissimilar to modern spades and hoes. They were initially hewn out of stone, but their replacements would manufacture them in copper, bronze, and iron.

The mayhem following the fall of Rome caused many cultures to put down the simplistic spade and other garden tools — save for the churches, who grew some herbs for pharmaceutical requirements.

Slowly we returned to the occupation of cultivating flower gardens for pleasure. This habit advanced up to the sixteenth and seventeenth century, by which time gardens were becoming increasingly conventional and systematic. Many superb specimens still stand — hedge mazes, which were inspired by elaborate textures and patterns. So if you’re investigating ways to remediate that irritating garden spades deformity or reading some interesting lawn rake reviews, don’t forget that by the 1700s great talents like William Kent, Humphry Repton, not to mention Lancelot “Capability” Brown picked up a lawn rake and the rest of the garden utensils to engineer amazing designs. Instead of abiding by gardening guidelines that had been studiously observed for hundreds of years, Humphry Repton and those like him created a unique blend of invention and tradition by combining artificial decorative pieces along the lines of statues with a realistic looking design. In the modern day, gardens may look somewhat different but we still grow plants as our forebears did. You won’t find a more peaceful realm than a garden.

His first question was “How do you want the garden to look?” I had never thought about this. “I want the garden to look like a children’s book illustration,” I answered. “I want an old-fashioned garden filled with flowers.”

“What colors do you like?” the designer asked. “Well, the house is pale gray,” I said, “I would like flowers that go with with that color.” We walked around the small yard as we talked. Our conversation and site visit were all the designer needed. He drew up a plan, I approved it, and several weeks later two trucks pulled up in front of the house.

A mother and her children interrupted their walk to watch the landscaping “show.” Planting the shrubs and flowers took an entire day. The flower beds were outlined, the plants were positioned, and then set into the ground. By sunset, the yard was totally transformed. There is always something blooming in the garden.

We have hydrangea, hosta, some type of geranium (I don’t remember the name) and succulents. The Dianthus along the front steps are the first plants to come up in the spring. Wispy gray-green stems appear first and they blossom into a riot of pink. I love the Nearly Wild roses (that is their name) by the bottom step. These hardy roses are charming and really look nearly wild.

Darker pink chrysanthemums bloom in the fall and the flame bushes by the front door provide a final touch of color before winter comes. The garden was planted 12 years ago and we have not changed anything. Oh, there was a scruffy pine tree in the back yard when we arrived and it developed some sort of blight. We replaced this tree with a flowering apple called Spring Snow.

Should you hire a landscape designer? Yes! First, the designer had the vision to turn my hazy description of a garden into reality. Second, he knew which plants were deer resistant (herds gallop through the back yard) and which plants could survive a Minnesota winter. Third, most nurseries guarantee their plants for two years and we have taken advantage of this guarantee.

When people ask where I live and I give them directions they say, “Oh, you’re the house with all the flowers.” And more flowers have been added. The designer left space for bedding plants and each year I plant something different: purple petunias, yellow and purple pansies, striped violas, or red geraniums. Cars slow down – even stop – to look at the flowers.

I may be Mrs. Blackthumb, but I love my garden. In the long run, hiring a landscape designer saved me money. He planned the garden to fit the house, chose plants for my geographic zone, and gave me a garden that changed with the seasons. A landscape designer can do the same for you.

Copyright 2006 by Harriet Hodgson

http://www.harriethodgson.com

Harriet Hodgson has been a nonfiction writer for 27 years and is a member of the Association of Health Care Journalists. Her 24th book, “Smiling Through Your Tears: Anticipating Grief,” written with Lois Krahn, MD is available from http://www.amazon.com A five-star review of the book is posted on Amazon. You’ll find another review on the American Hospice Foundtion website under the “School Corner” heading.

The crocus plant has over 80 species, about 30 of which are raised commercially. The most commonly planted crocus is the Dutch Crocus, also known as the crocus vernus, which also has the largest bloom. Other common species of crocus are crocus chrysanthus, which is one of the first to bloom in late winter or early spring, crocus sieberi, which is also fairly short and blooms very early, and the crocus tommasinianus, another early bloomer that comes in various shades of purple.

Crocuses can be planted both indoors and outdoors, in either flower beds, borders or containers. Crocuses do well with full exposure to sun and can grow in poor to average soils, if the soil is well drained.

When planting crocuses outdoors, the best time to plant bulbs is in the fall when the weather is cool. It is also advisable to plant them where there will be little to no disturbance throughout the winter, and plant them away from small animals that might take them as food, such as squirrels, mice and rabbits. A protected, sunny flowerbed is preferable. Be sure to plant your crocus bulbs under half an inch of soil in shallow holes. Grass cuttings, leaves and straw make an excellent mulch and should be used while growing the plants. The bulbs should also be watered throughout the winter when you are in a snowless area. If there is snow in your area, then water the crocuses until the first snowfall arrives. Shoots should become noticeable when the snow cover melts or in the early spring. Bloom times are in the early spring to early fall.

When planting indoors, be sure to plant the bulbs immediately in small pots containing a layer of small stones or gravel on the bottom, followed by sterile potting soil within an inch and a half of the top. Make sure you plant the bulbs with pointed end up, an inch apart then cover with the soil. The next step is to water the bulb thoroughly and allow the pot to drain. Place the pots in a cold dark place, about 45 to 48 degrees Fahrenheit, for six weeks and check once a week for roots growing and appearing through the drain holes. Once the roots establish themselves, it is time to move the bulbs to a sunny place at room temperature. In three weeks the crocus blooms should appear.

Whether you grow them indoors or outdoors, the crocus will make a lovely addition to your home and/or garden.

Visit www.flowergardenbulbs.com where you can buy crocus bulbs and other flower bulbs.

Years ago, I was sitting in an I-5 traffic jam with my sister, August. Innocently I remarket, “I hate trying to tune in that radio station while I’m driving.” Without provocation August reached down and yanked the unsuspecting radio button straight out of its place. Metallic skeletal parts were revealed. Grey whales migrating off the coast heard my gasp. Then, get this; she shoved the hapless button back in – all the way! Even if the traffic had been moving, I was in no condition to drive.

This blatant assault on my automotive electronics was uncalled for. Worse was learning at age 28, I was the only person in America uninformed as to how radios were set. My thoughts, if you can call them that, seem silly now. I believed pushing the buttons placed the dial in the vicinity of various stations. Only lucky drivers and folks who listened to Christian music had buttons that coincidently landed on the exact preferred position. This knowledge graced me just before digital. Lord, how I hate tuning in digital.

All society has an obligation to pick up where floundering education systems go astray. Teach children the little things. Change vacuum belts as a family. Award prizes to offspring who can find the level of power steering fluid and above all else, instill in them the skill to read a ballot.

In keeping with a heartfelt desire to better Planet Earth, I’d like to pass along ten things nobody ever told me about lawn mowing, the country way. When I moved to the hinterland I was naive to the tribulations of rural landscaping. My massive country lawn looked innocent enough. Then the escrow closed. The following was learned via trial and error – mostly error.

One: Always carry wire cutters when mowing – While the majority of rusty old wire shot through your leg can be extracted with a few good tugs, a surprisingly large proportion entwine around ankle bones in a manner no physician or physicist can explain. With a handy set of wire cutters excess can be trimmed. Overage tends to snag on the gas pedal when diving to the Emergency Room.

Two: Recycle -Be sure to have the hospital staff return wires once they rinse your Achilles Tendon away. You can reuse it (the wire or the tendon) for fencing projects. No doubt this convenience was the reasoning behind 130 years of country landowners discarding litter in what otherwise would appear to be a careless manner.

Three: Remember the Choke – When the mower keeps coughing and sputtering to a stop, or any other time you want to choke the dam thing, push this lever. It does nothing. To get the sadistic contraption running you’ll need gasoline.

Four: Beware Safety Features – Modern mowers posses a handle lever that shuts mowers down every time the operator looks to the left. This quadruples the number of pull starts needed. The American Academia of Carpal Tunnel Physicians sponsors safety levers. Mowers also come with what is called a Plastic Do-Hickie. A Do-Hickie’s only function is to display a sticker reminding people not to shove their hands or feet inside a running lawn mower. Gardeners only do this to remove grass clogs. Ironically Do-Hickies cause 99.96% of grass clogs.

Five: Stay Hydrated – In the country, heat stoke is as much a right of spring passage as bat guano in the kitchen pantry. The ecstasy of eighty-degree temps after nine months of winter collides head on with an obsessive desire to get every last flippin’ grass blade perfectly level. Before golf course precision is ever achieved, ‘Type A’ mowers will be face down on the carpet. With ice packs strategically perched on major arterial lines, you’ll wonder, “Could the shag rug be trimmed just a tad more evenly?”

Six: Budget – Country folks can purchase their fashionable shit-beat trucks for less than a thousand dollars. This elevates you to the social status of a Ferrari driver in the city. However your lawn mower will cost you three times as much. Tractor mowers are a must out here. The lawns are too massive. Mowing with a push mower during spring would keep property owners circling 24/7. Only idiots and starving authors use push mowers.

Seven: Remember General Maintenance – A Clanking serenade resulting from the first start up of the morning is not unusual. What happened is this: Overnight grass built up underneath your mower. Then, flakes have dried to the point where you could use tin snips to cut it into a disk and burn yourself a springtime fresh CD (Green Day?). To remove the offending mass grab an ice pick and go after the dehydrated flakes like Sharon Stone during mating season.

Eight: Electric Mowers: Don’t – Even if you could lug 300 yards of cord, it’s a spectacularly bad idea. When several dogs and a milk goat play ‘chase’ under the extension, all hell, and the cord, will break loose. Hopefully this will occur prior to overloading the freaky little round country fuses and setting your ancient electrical box ablaze. In a town like mine where there’s an all-volunteer Fire Department, the carnage could be unspeakable.

“Hey, Howard, I see that city gal’s home is ablaze over there. Got any marshmallows?”

“Sure Pap. Ya know I told her she should not buy that Rowski house just a few years after she did.”

The only saving grace is with all the unsoldered plumbing in this oasis of handyman dropouts, the houses themselves won’t burn below the second floor.

Nine: Use the Section Technique – The theory here is you divide your lawn into a section for each member of the household. Everyone contributes. Nobody gets overwhelmed by the workload. For example: assign your teenager to mow section 1 on Tuesdays – then you mow it. You assign your husband to mow section 2 on Wednesdays – then you mow it. Request your every-present brother-in-law mow section 3 on Thursday – and again, you do the work. Everyone takes a turn. Hell, if you have any other males around; people, bulls, aspen trees, give them a section. What do you have to loose?

Ten: Do Not Get Discouraged! – Never let grass win! During spring, folks can get discouraged. They wake up to note their freshly mowed lawn grew back while they slept. Fact is, by mowing barefoot you will feel the new grass poke up as you pass. It’s just the country way.

* Disclaimer: Computer hard drives vary. In the event you insert a lawn clipping diskette into your CD burner and your hard drive fails to function please do not file suit against the manufacturer or the author. We cannot be held accountable for the quality of your grass. Countersuits will request you promptly cease swimming in the gene pool.

Country Lawn Maintenance – 10 Tips to Know Before You Mow is a book excerpt from the satire Bitch Unleashed: The Harsh Realities of Goin’ Country by Nola L. Kelsey. A free e-book copy of Bitch Unleashed is available on Nola Kelsey’s web site at www.NolaKelsey.com.