Saturday, March 28, 2009

Very Exciting Day at the Library

Today was a very interesting day at the library. Though I don't often post about it, I have a greenhouse. It is set up at a dear friend's place about five minutes from here. We keep it there because she has more space and an excellent rainwater harvesting system. I don't have any plants in it this year so my greenhouse partner is enjoying some peace and quiet without daily visits from me and the Monkeys. She called me just after we opened the library this morning asking for a little advice. Seems like the kerosene heater acted up and there is soot everywhere. The walls, ceiling, tables, and plants are all covered in "black snow." The only thing I could think of was to mix up a mild solution of liquid dish soap and wash everything down. We had quite a laugh at this new hiccup in greenhouse management.

Later in the afternoon, Paul, from the Texas Triffid Ranch brought me pitcher plants for our bog garden at the Outdoor Education Center. Right there at the library counter, we enjoyed a short, inpromptu lecture on pitcher plants and trigger plants complete with live plants to examine. Very exciting. Hope the Best Boss Ever is tolerant of plants taking over the library for just a little.

After we closed the library down, Paul and I took a trip to the OEC. We stopped by my house to pick up the camera on the way. Paul graciously explained pitcher plants and trigger plants to Middle Monkey. He also advised my son not to put his finger in the pitcher plant traps because of a possible nasty reaction to a chemical they secrete. (I have repeated "Do not put your finger in the pitcher plants' traps" about 400 times since the plants came home. Somebody help me, seriously).

At the OEC we examined the bog garden and took a tour of the rest of the plots. He was very complimentary and gave me great advise on how to grow the pitcher plants. Now this guy knows his stuff. I hope I can pull all the information he passed on back out of my brain when the time comes to use it. If not, I am afraid I will become his special needs client.

After leaving the OEC, we then had a nice lunch and a lively conversation at the Cotton Gin Restaurant. I wanted to buy all the plants he brought, but I had a $100 budget for plants this time around. I am asking for more next time.
 Paul at the bog garden at our KCMG Outdoor Education Center. Very near to where the pitcher plants will call home.
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I've got to run now and get a few things together for our Earth Hour event. What did you do or not do during Earth Hour?

Ps: The cat thinks the pitcher plants are candy and has been licking them. Durn, now I have to wait and see if she has some sort of reaction.

16 comments:

  1. You DID have a very exciting day at the library! WOW!

    So I gotta know... how many times has the Monkey tried to put his finger in the pitcher plant?

    Cindy

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  2. You had quite a day. It wore me out just thinking about it. I didn't turn off all of the lights for Earth Day. However, we went around the house and turned off any which weren't being used. It was a start.~~Dee

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  3. Debbie .. Cindy already asked the QUESTION I was thinking .. I'm sitting here laughing !! .. but what about your dear little cat ? any reaction ? holy smoke I'd be flustered ; )
    I would love to have a bog garden .. I guess I have to live through other gardener's gardens ? LOL

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  4. Debbi, I didn't realize you worked in a library. Cool! Also, It's great your library has a little demo garden--and pitcher plants are great. My local library branch has a green roof and native planting in the ground! :) They even hosted plant swaps for a time; I'm not sure why that ended, but now I host my own.

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  5. P.S. Hope your cat is OK. Let us know what happens!

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  6. I'm afraid it's always this way... If you tell a kid not to stick his/her finger into something, it is a clear indication that at some point, when your back is turned, he/she will likely stick it in there anyway. Why? Because you told them something terrible would happen.
    Brenda

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  7. This is embarrassing....I slept through Earth Hour.

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  8. Hi Dee, I was pretty exhausted myself. Just wait til you see how earth hour went.

    Joy, She's fine.

    Monica, the Libray and the Education Center gardens are actually in two diffent locations, but I have plans for the library grounds. The city just doesn't know it yet. Yes, the cat is fine and a onery as ever.

    Brenda, Exactly.

    Kim and Victoria, If is wasn't for the fear of my kids burning the house down, I would have taken a nap too.

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  9. I don't know if the world or just the blogosphere is small- I didn't expect to see Paul from Triffid Ranch on your blog!
    I'm a fan of BOTH of your blogs!

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  10. Why thanks Amanda. I enjoy your's as well. This is my second face to face with another garden blogger. I met Nola of Alamo North last fall. Going to try to get a N.Tx garden bloggers get together maybe at the blue bonnet festival in Enis.

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  11. Debbi, any time you want to organize a North Texas blogger's meeting, I'm in. As it was, just getting to talk to you made my entire month.

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  12. Hi Paul, I really enjoyed our visit. The cat is having a love affair with your plants. I am shooting for a get together at the blue bonnet festival. If that doesn't work, then I will find another way.

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  13. You are the most entertaining thing at the library and that includes the adventure section of books.

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  14. Anna, Thanks, but I don't really contribute to a nice quiet library atmosphere.

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  15. How exciting! I'm hoping to get my bog garden started this year, I'm looking forward to learning from yours.

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