Let's Celebrate Cathy!

It's getting close to the 4th of July, and that can only mean one thing-it's time for Cathy's birthday! Cathy was born on on July 2 which also happened to be the birthday of Baba, her grandmother. Hopefully, she and Kahlo will be able to drive in from Richmond to celebrate the festivities with us during the long weekend.
Cathy has lived in Richmond for the past four years and shares a row house with her college friend Amy. She works for the United States Geological Survey and is on the road much of the week traveling to various sites over the state to monitor water quality. She has goals of attending graduate school very soon to further her career. When she is not working, she enjoys running. Last November she completed the Richmond Half Marathon with plans this year of entering the Richmond Marathon. She has started training for this event with runs of 8 to 10 miles. She has a dog-Mr. Kahlo-who is a wonderful companion for her. She has trained him well. He is a welcome visitor to Applejack Lane anytime.

Cathy enjoys adventure. When she gets the opportunity she loves to visit new places. She has traveled west to Utah and Colorado, Minnesota, Washington, and south to Florida plus many more states. One of her favorite trips was to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. When she travels, Kahlo gets to have a vacation here. She likes to visit NOVA to have the opportunity to visit museums and attend cultural events with her friends. Cathy recently started a supper club with some of her friends in Richmond who enjoy eating new and different cuisines or entertaining at one an other's homes about once a month. She is thinking about inviting her friends here to enjoy Autumn in the Valley during October. She says that in order to live life to the fullest, one must experience all that one can.


So here's to Cathy on her birthday on July 2. We hope to see her very soon, and she is ready to attack a new birthday cake!

Happy Birthday!!!

Happy Birthday, Tom!

This week, we want to give a special birthday salute to our nephew-in-law (if there is such a term) to Tom. He is married to our niece Beth and lives in Crozet. Tom is a real special guy to our family. He enjoys golfing, gardening, and being Stuart's dad as you can see in these pictures.

He likes to hear Stuart read and helps Stuart ride his tricycle in the neighborhood. They work and play together in the yard of their new home where Tom has spent countless hours landscaping. Sometimes, Tom takes Stuart golfing at Old Trail. It's nice for Stuart to have a dad like Tom. Although he is a graduate of JMU, he is a big supporter of UVA sports especially football and basketball.

We are very lucky to have Tom as a part of our clan. So, in addition to wishing him a happy birthday on June 25, we also want to wish him a very happy Father's Day!



See you later, fellows!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
HAPPY FATHERS DAY!

A Birdbath Metamorphosis

A few weeks ago, I made a special trip to Harrisonburg to Harper's Lawn Ornaments hoping to find a special treasure. I found just that-a birdbath shaped like an apple leaf to put in the flower beds at Applejack Lane.

But I need to back track a little in my story.

Meet Dwayne. Dwayne is a designer (he doesn't like to be called one, but he is) at Driver Brothers, a landscape center in Staunton. He was one of my sixth grade students a few years back and I recently caught up with him at the landscape center. He does some fabulous things with plants. I fell head over heals in love with a little succulent arrangement he planted in a broken birdbath.


This arrangement is absolutely stunning. I bet there are more comments about this one piece in the center than any other. And it is Dwayne's work! So I asked him just how he did it so I could make my version.

Start with a birdbath.


Add some pebbles for drainage.


Add a layer of soil.



Add some plants. I used Hens and Chicks in the center. Then, I planted Czar's Gold Sedum at the top and finished with a Tri-color Sedum at the point.



All the starter nasturtiums had been sold at the garden center so I bought a packet of seeds to add for some summer color. These are Nasturtium Alaska. I only had to add a few, and the rest I planted in my perennial bed.



Add a little water and a pinch of patience. Voila! I have very my very own succulent birdbath at Applejack Lane! It's not as grand as Dwayne's, but I am in awe of his work and the inspiration he gave me to try to create one for myself.



Be sure to visit Between Naps on the Porch hosted by Susan to visit other participants in Metamorphosis Monday.

Golf, Golf, and More Golf

This weekend was a marathon golf weekend at the Waynesboro Country Club with the Member-Member Tournament. The best part about the weekend for me was that I did not have to cook Friday, Saturday, or Sunday because the spouses were included in some very nice social events at the club all three evenings. We even met some very nice young people who have a new restaurant in Charlottesville that we must patronize very soon.

Buddy and Kenny won the overall gross in the tournament. That means they get a lot of money to spend at the club's pro shop.

Buzz won something-I'm not sure what. He can send me a note to clarify his winning. But, I heard rumors that there is a part for him in Buddy's new plumbing commercial. It will be an advertisement on how not to install a commode. Kenny is all excited that he might get a bit part in the upcoming ad.


Guy and Bryan won the second flight second gross. According to Guy, Bryan did not help at all. He was too busy scrutinizing the cart girls. He was AWOL during the social events. On another note, Billy Ray at BR549 won the closest to the pin at No. 14 on Sunday. Billy Ray was also AWOL for the social events which was a shame. Billy Ray is usually very social.

Here are the happy golfers-Buddy, Buzz, Kenny, and Guy-before leaving for the evening. Uh, oh. Buzz stole Buddy's trophy. You've got to watch that Buzz.



Guy gives the thumbs up that everything is right again. For these fellows, another round of golf begins on Wednesday. Do any of them ever work?

Where, O Where?

Where, oh where can my Velcro be?

Oh where, oh where can he be?

With his hair cut short, and his tail cut long,

Oh where, oh where can he be?

Velcro Kitty is among the missing. He hasn't been seen for about a week. If you see Velcro, tell him he needs to come home. Mr. Murph misses him. So do I.