Tuesday, January 27, 2015

It’s been cold down here :-)

Good morning Friends ~ Sunday morning was cold, it got down to 47 and felt like it was 41.  To you who live in the frigid north, I know this would feel warm, but not to us down here in tropical weather. Here’s the scullery window. I just checked the weather right now and it is 50 and feels like it is 44, so it is still cold.  It may get colder yet as the day starts to waken and grow lighter. The highs have been in the mid-high 60’s.  Yesterday it was very windy all day long, then it calmed down toward evening, this morning it is calm out.

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Also on Sunday morning, I discovered a puddle of water on the floor.  I thought ‘oh no, where’s this coming from?’  I pulled the roll-out shelves from under the sink and mopped up the water, then looked for the leak.  Found it was the cold water pipe, and didn’t know if the pipe had sprung a leak with a split or what. I could feel water on the pipe.  I went out to the work shop and got this super sticky metal tape and started wrapping the pipe. Well, I could still feel water on the tape, and still had a 3” or so section at the top of pipe near the faucet connection, and realized by feeling around that at the connection is where the leak is. So, I covered that section with tape too, and it did slow the leak some.

The lower faucet is the one with the leak

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I got the idea to wrap a towel around the pipe and put the end in a bowl and lo and behold, it worked. Look at the water collected.  The blue tank to the right is part of our water filtration system.

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I called my dear brother-in-law Todd, and he’ll be here tonight after work. Bless his heart. I’ll have dinner ready in case he wants to eat here before heading home, as he lives an hour a way.  He’s going to try to leave work early.  I hope this will be an easy fix. I am so thankful for his help.

Monday morning I had a good ol’ fashioned sob fest, I just broke down and let it out. I’ve not done that in awhile but a couple of different things have been stressful lately and the leak, on top of missing my DH, just tripped the tears. Afterwards I felt better.  It is amazing what crying does. It’s like a pressure valve, if you know what I mean.

I just did a quick Google search for health benefits of crying and came up with this: Nine Surprising Benefits of Crying

So, today is a new day and I am thankful for it. God is my strength and gives me peace and joy in spite of what’s going on.

Flowers are booming and that’s always a good thing. They spread joy as well as their scents.

This is a nice geranium from my friends Nanci & John

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My first bloom of the year of Tahitian Gardenia.

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This is a Brunfelsia manaca info can be found here. The scent is wonderful, as is the scent of the Tahitian Gardenia, both are heavenly. In this photo there is also a highly scented begonia too.

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The next two photos are of hibiscus on the same plant.

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This is plumbago.

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This is my first bloom bud on a cutting of a red flowering passion vine. I got the cutting a couple of years ago.   Actually I got 6 cuttings but only two rooted.

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This is the wonderful, easy to grow reed orchids.  They are in bloom all over the property right now.

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This a section of a pot-metal urn that we are using as part of a ‘stop’ for the driveway gate. This almost makes the tears start again. But instead of crying, I am smiling, that also is good for my health. Check this out ~ Top 10 Reasons to Smile

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Here is the little boy who overlooks things in the main garden. He’s been there so long that orchids roots are wrapping around him.  The yellow flowers are buddleia.  They smell like honey.

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I love the patina on this old cement statue.

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Last but not least, my latest needlework creation, still a work in progress, WIP.

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This morning I have a request for prayer for an online friend of mine who is to have her first round of treatment for ovarian cancer today. She just found out she has this last week. If any of you would like to let her know you are praying for her or sending her positive thoughts here is the link to her blog. Simply Balisha

Thank you from me and I know she will be thankful too.

Life is so precious!

Thank you all for your love, support and encouragement.

FlowerLady

 

30 comments:

Rebecca said...

I'm glad you had a "good" cry. (I've had a few of the over the past year myself!)

You're right. The 40's would feel good up here....The photos of your flowers were so pleasant to view--as was the view of the caravan in the background of one ;)

Hope the leak is soon history!

Anonymous said...

Your posts are always wonderfully packed with so much . . . . Sorry to hear about your leak, but truly a blessing to have a BIL who is willing to help. And I agree about the crying ~ definitely purges the soul.

Beautiful flowers as always. And I just love all your statues. They add so much charm to your garden.

After all these years (going on 5 I think), I’m still amazed at the beauty and intricacy of your needlework. Just beautiful!

Well, I have your seeds soaking and should be able to drop them in the mail by Friday. I believe (and hope) that it’s supposed to warm up a little for us this weekend.

Have a wonderful week, FlowerLady. Love and Hugs.

organicgardendreams said...

Dear Lorraine, I am so sorry to read that you have to deal with yet another leak in your house. If I would be living alone, this really would drive me crazy and make me feel very helpless as well. But at least you have help from your brother in law! So great that he is coming over. I am glad that you found relief in crying. A good cry can do wonders for the whole human system, can't it?
As always I loved to see your blooms. This time the Tahitian Gardenia was catching my special attention. I have never heard of them. The bloom looks so beautiful and I bet the fragrance is awesome.
Wishing you a good rest of the week!
Christina

Rue said...

I've always felt better after a cry. It somehow clears my head.

Your flowers are beautiful!

rue

lil red hen said...

I always enjoy a visit to your gardens; brightens a day for me. And yes, we must continue to pray for Balisha.

A Whole Lotta Magic said...

Crying is like purging; it needs to be done now and then.

xo

Mama Mess said...

Love you FlowerLady, and your kitchen window is gorgeous!

Antique ART Garden said...

Your husband, would have been so proud/happy of his brother for helping you.Big hug, love ya, Gina

Gardener on Sherlock Street said...

I do hope the water pipe troubles leave you soon. Take care. Those flowers are beautiful. Nothing blooming here but we did get very warm these past few days. So, I could go out and look at the sleeping garden.

Ruth Hiebert said...

I totally understand those crying spells. I still get the occasional one.Sometimes it is best to let them happen and then move on from there.I always enjoy my visit to your blog.The flowers are sure to brighten my day.

KathyB. said...

It seems there is always something needing to be done, but sometimes it really is overwhelming when little things needing repair pile up , especially when we're already feeling fragile.

Your flowers are so beautiful , God has blessed you and the hard work you & your husband invested in your gardens with such beauty, right there in your own haven. Haven is the word that comes to mind when I read your blog posts.

Your temps are the same as ours are right now. Warm for us, unseasonably so. I am not complaining though.

I hope the leak is an easy fix .

BTW, your newest work is very beautiful .

BernieH said...

Ooo, that is chilly! Over here it's been a scorcher of a day and the humidity was excruciating. I think I'd prefer to be in the cold.

I read through the list of benefits of crying and I love the one that says 'being unafraid to cry makes you strong'. I so believe that is true. It's the people who hold it all in that really worry me. I don't think they're coping well at all.

Sorry to hear about another leak. I hope it all gets sorted quickly. Loved your needlework piece. It's truly lovely.

Jean Campbell said...

Knowing that there are readers who in much colder temperatures will not make you a bit warmer.

Stay out of the cold wind.

Darcie said...

I agree with the thought that crying can be so healing. I find lately that I try to hold it all in! I may let tears start to come, then I push them back. Strange for me. I was telling someone just a couple weeks ago, that I need to find a corner, and have a good cry. Hope it was healing for you my friend, and now you are able to show the world your beautiful smile!

L. D. said...

You have a great set of photos here. I am always amazed at the flowers that you have year round.

M.K. said...

Oh, God bless you, dear Rainey. We all do need a good, hard cry at times, and you were due! It is a cleansing relief. Come to think of it, it's been a long time since I had a really good cry, whether after a sad movie, or over stress, or during a disagreement. It's been many months. Perhaps I'm due! The gardenia is so lovely -- my favorite.

tina said...

Good morning! Gosh if it isn't one thing it's another. So sorry for the leak. Hopefully your BIL has fixed it by now. That bowl sure seemed to fill up fast. A good cry is sometimes just what we all need. Things will get better. Love your needlework. You are so talented!

Val said...

I love all the colored glass in your scullery window. (Have you seen this post: http://www.mydesertcottage.com/2014/12/what-i-did-with-all-that-lace.html ) The lace curtains there look like something you would love. :)

Hugs, ♥

Val

Skeeter said...

Nothing wrong with a good cry and laughter is great medicine as well. Oh no on the water pipes! We had a few below freezing nights and I worried about our pipes but thus far, all is good! I hope it stays that way. I envy your Plumbago plant! That is one I always miss the most when the cold temps hit us here. I so wished we were a bit further south then I would not have to replace it each year... Crocus popping up here so spring is on the way for us. But the memory of last years Feb ice storm is not too far from the mind.... Praying for your friend and you as well...

Corner Gardener Sue said...

Hi Lorraine,
It was good to hear from you on my blog. I have not been keeping up with blog writing or reading for awhile, but want to get back into it.

It was timely for me to visit you on this post. My dad passed away in July, and I am still crying whenever I come across a photo of him. At first, it kind of bothered me to see one, and I had kind of a jolt when I would. Now, I am at the point where I'm realizing that it's good to have that cry.

It was good to see your blooms and lovely needlework. The weather sure has been wacky! We've had above average highs in the 50s and 60s the last week, but next week it is supposed to get cold again.

I hope your pipe has gotten repaired, or will soon.

Maryann said...

I think crying is kind of a relief valve. I have found myself crying at the smallest things but when I look at the big picture often times it's a lot of "little things" that pile up that bring that really brings the tears on, the last small incident may just be the "last straw" Praying that the Lord will give you his peace and comfort during the times that you feel discouraged or lonely.. Will be praying for you. (hope your leak was taken care of)

Dayle ~ A Collection of Days said...

God gave us tears for a reason. They really can cleanse and soothe us when life seems awry.

Lemon Verbena Lady said...

Always happy to share the cold weather with you dear FL! Hope you got your plumbing problems fixed. Love your flowers! A big hug and kiss from LVL and The Herbal Husband

Karen @ Beatrice Euphemie said...

Aw, crying is such sweet release, isn't it? So sorry about your leak - I have one under my sink, too, but it is very slow so the bowl just gets emptied regularly (that reminds me to check it again). Your BIL is a dear for helping you out <3. Your flowers are wonderful and he statuary is very sweet. I love your kitchen window - so pretty with the colored glass! I am also sorry about your friend - I will say a prayer for her. Oh, life is hard at times. Hoping you have a better weekend. xo Karen

Tatyana@MySecretGarden said...

It's always a pleasure to see your garden blooms, Lorraine! Love your sculptures too, they are so lovely and nostalgic.
I wish the best to your friend and I'll pray for her.

jerilanders said...

Good morning! You know what? I am really grateful for your brother in law Todd too! So glad you have a helping hand to do that man stuff that can be so perplexing. Yes, the outpouring of tears can really release a lot of stored up anguish, God gave us those tears in all his wisdom. Your delicate needlework is as lovely as ever.Do you not find it very relaxing to sit with needle and thread?

gld said...

I hope the pipe was an easy fix for that very helpful BIL. Be aware; these things seem to come in threes for us!

The blooms are lovely.

sweetbay said...

So glad your BIL was able to come out and fix the leak! Your garden is a tropical paradise in winter. I love the plumbago and reed orchids. Those soft orange hibiscus look heavenly.

sweetbay said...

PS I wanted to add that your embroidery piece is beautiful!

Jean Campbell said...

I didn't know if you would come back to my blog and see what I said about the Burro Tails, so I will repeat it here.

If you got Sedum morganianum, you are safe, Rainey, the kind that has long strings of little fat bean-like bluish leaves. Every little bean that breaks off will grow a new plant -- fun.

The poisonous kind is Euphorbia myrsinites and has flatter leaves in a spiraling pattern. Wear gloves and take care.

If you google for both of them, they are easy to tell apart once you see the photos.