I had all my holly bushes pulled up and red knockout roses planted around the front of my house last year. Remember? I love roses, but I've never had the nerve to try to grow them because of the gardening talent and care they require. Although my mama and her mama were masters at growing things, I didn't inherit their talent. Either one of them could break off a twig from a bush or plant, go home and stick it in a glass of water, and have a rooted plant in no time. But me? I can kill plastic plants.
So when I heard about knockout roses and how they were resistent to all bugs and diseases, needed precious little care, and that anybody couuld grow them, even me of the dark brown thumb, I made arrangements to have them planted in place of those hateful hollies that needed constant trimming.
Well! My roses have a disease. Some kind of mold or fungus. They're blooming fine, but all their leaves are aquiring little tan patches, which turn into little holes, which turn into big holes, which quickly destroy the leaves.
Steve is supposed to be coming some time this week to treat them. Even he didn't know these roses could get diseases. He had to call a knockout rose expert to get the scoop. Apparently, according to this expert, they are losing their inbred resistance. Could be, but it seems every other knockout rose bush that I see anywhere around here is lush and gorgeous and disease free--like those in the photo above. I think plants just don't like me.
I
n addition to my brown thumb, I have a chewed up fingernail and a blister on my thimble finger. Big-stitch quilting is much harder on the fingers than regular quilting. The #5 perl cotton and the big-eyed neede are harder to pull through two layers of fabric and one of batting. It's the same thimble I've used for ages, but just looky. I have one of those soft leather ones that I started using after the blister formed. I don't like it. But maybe I'll get used to it.
I have to meet with the tax accountant at 1:00. She has had my records for over a month, so I called a while ago to see if my return was going to be ready today, this being tax day. She requested that I come in, said she might have to file an extension. Now when your tax accountant won't talk to you over the phone and wants you to "come in," that's almost as scary as your doctor asking you to come into his office to discuss your tests.
This has been an awful month so far. I want an April do-over. This was not what I had in mind.
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On 04/17/2012, Kentish Keg-Meg said ...
Hope all goes well with the roses and the tax accountant.
On 04/17/2012, Pesky Patti said ...
It sure seems like you have been singled out for some serious testing this month. Any chance you could get away for a short vacation?
On 04/17/2012, Barbara Anne said ...
Your roses have a problem??? Bummer and bother! Do you suppose the pH of your soil is to blame since the hollies were there for so many years?? Just a wild guess from someone who is in no way an expert.
Ouch! Your finger does look sore. Are you using a #7 crewel/embroidery needle for your perle cotton? A wonderful book I got from the library last month, titled "Quilt and Embellish in One Step!" (by Linda Potter; C&T Publishing,2004) suggests that type needle. I liked her ideas so much I bought this book and just bought #5 perle cotton and needles yesterday but haven't used them yet.
We've been planting strawberries, mulching, and generally exhausting ourselves this morning.
I second the idea of going on a vacation!
Hugs!
On 04/18/2012, Sandy said ...
Hi Sue! The roses are gorgeous! I love your "april Do Over" comment! You made me chuckle! Hugs & Smiles.... thought of you and wanted to come by and say Hi!!! *waves*
On 04/19/2012, Puddles & Price said ...
Miss Susie, we are so sorry to hear about your gorgeous roses! We hope that your beautiful flowers get better soon. And your poor thumb! Our thoughts are with you. Sending warm hugs!!
On 04/19/2012, Puddles & Price said ...
P.S. Miss Sophie, thankfully May Day is almost here and you will be out of the woes of April!!
On 04/19/2012, Susan Ramey Cleveland said ...
That sounds good. Been thinking of possibly going to the beach for a couple of days.
Sent from my iPad
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