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Monday, March 23, 2020

Thankful for Spring

I didn't know you could read the comments on your blog post and not publish them. I've noticed that being done lately on a couple of blogs. Such a dummy I am. I embarrass myself. Dumb, that's the very reason the look of my blog never changes. :(

anyhow...have you ever tried dying a basket? Well, we did yesterday and look how much richer and darker and prettier this basket looks...

I bought this large African Market Basket for $3.99 in a thrift store a few months ago...
I fell in love with the basket, but the pale green and purple colors looked awful in our living room, so...

I pulled out the big No. 2 tub from under the shed and brought it up to the porch...added three big buckets of hot tap water, a cup of vinegar and a full bottle of Rit Dye; dark brown.
baskets drying overnight
It was quite fun, dipping and turning the basket and watching the colors change to this... 

You know friends, like most everyone else, we are trying to stay home and be content during these trying times. Sure makes you appreciate the coming of spring even more, doesn't it?


and it looks like once again the snowball bush will be absolutely beautiful...
how can one little limb hold so many big snowballs and especially after all of them are fully opened?
I'll be taking another picture when the snowballs are snow white.


and the chocolate vine (Akebia) too, smells delicious and is covered in tiny little blossoms...
that are so sweetly scented, it is almost breathtaking

and one more spring surprise...
one of the pear trees in the front yard did bloom, in spite of the weird winter weather and ...
is now covered in tiny pears. Simply can't believe it. The splotchy leaves are from a sprinkle of rain drops, just enough to splatter the pollen.

I'm sure hoping to plant a little garden this spring...but, since getting the steroid injection in my spine, for back pain, on March 25th, have suffered with severe sciatic nerve pain from the injection site on my left side, down through my foot.  

On my follow up visit, the doctor suggested another MRI and another injection, which probably will not happen now because of COVID-19. Not sure I want another injection! I have stopped taking arthritis medication and put myself on Advil, 2 pills every 8 hours. Got to do something and it is helping. 

Thank you for listening, again! I'll leave you with big ole sweet Smokey...
stretched out on the new coffee table, the very place Poppy said kitty cats should not be. Smokey is the most lovable cat. Hugging him almost takes my pain away. 

Love,
Henny













66 comments:

  1. Your dyed basket does look lovely. Spring is beginning to gift you with sweet loveliness, isn't it. Sciatic is painful; the Advil medication does sound as if it helping. Take care.

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  2. I love the dyed basket colors much more. And that cat is very beautiful. I am just recovering from 8 months of re-injuring my back, which made sciatic pain-it was hard for me to walk-couldn't go up stairs the right way-hard to live with. Now I know what NOT to do to avoid that again. I'm thankful now I can walk and even go up and down stairs without pain. Just gotta be careful. I do wish and pray for your pain to be healed. Love to you and all the critters...

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    1. Thank you Debra. I am so sorry about your back; 8 months to recover! It almost makes you afraid to do any kind of work, doesn't it? Sciatic pain has got to be some of the worst pain ever! When it hits you, you can't move; can't do anything. Glad you are feeling better. Thank you! I've just got to be more careful too.

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  3. Wow! The basket is lovely! What a great idea. And I love seeing all the signs of spring around your place. I too, pray your pain won't be too bad.

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  4. The basket is so much nicer now! Good job! I'm so sorry to hear you are in pain. Try not to irritate it too much by overdoing yourself. The snowball bush is going to be beautiful - you are months ahead of us in terms of growth. It is snowing right now. -Jenn

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    1. Snowing again? Oh my goodness! Well, I hope spring comes your way soon. "Overdoing"! That is exactly what I've got to stop doing. Sometimes I wonder if there is a brain in my head!

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  5. I would have never thought of dying the basket with RIT. Very Clever. It turned out really nice. Enjoyed the walk thru your garden...we are not blooming here yet, although the bulbs are coming up. Look into Relief Factor for the sciatica, it worked for mine. All organic it works on the inflammation.

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    1. Thank you Faith! I will look for Relief Factor now! I appreciate your telling me.

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  6. Beautiful - the basket and the entire post! Thank you for starting my day so nicely!

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  7. Ah! Bless! I think the loveliest flower in this
    post..Is Smokey..! HeHe! :).

    And..l'm sitting here eating lunch whilst typing
    this..just a plate of cold meats..salami, ham,
    polish sausage, olives, and a few crisps! Yum! :).

    The baskets look really nice, and came out very
    well, surprising what a little dye and vinegar
    will do..!
    They look just the right size for the cats to
    fit in..Cats love baskets..! :).

    We're having a lovely warm spell..put washing
    out on the line first thing..all dry and ready
    to iron..
    Though hundreds of silly people went off to beach
    yesterday, the parks were full as were the car
    parks..Silly! Silly! People..!
    I think 'lockdown' will be next..! :(.

    Oh! Forgot to say..l'm having a glass of vino,
    left over from yesterday..very nice to..! ;).
    Well..I'm going over to Google..Why? To Google
    'Snowball Bush'..Never heard of one, never seen
    one..up until now..! So must read up on it..It's
    really lovely..

    As always..it all looks lovely Henny..I was talking
    to my daughter yesterday, as l send your posts and
    Julies posts..to her to read..and, she is the same
    opinion as me..your home..pond/lake..and surrounding
    area is 'fantastic' and our in opinion the bestest
    place we both would love to live..Though the gun
    cabinet did worry us a bit..my daughter said..
    "Dad, you'd be out and about shooting everyone you
    don't like"....HeHe! She knows me so well...!
    Take care everyone..follow the rules we've been
    given..let's not be silly..Oh! And! As the song says
    by Aretha Franklin..'Say a Little Prayer'. God Bless!
    🍁🍂🍃🍁🍂🍃🍁🍁🍂🍃🍁🍂🍃🍁🍁🍂🍃🍁🍂🍃🍁

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    1. Thank you Willie for such a nice comment. Smokey is a lovely flower! I'm surprised he hasn't tried sleeping in the basket yet. Hope he does. Your lunch sounds good and who knows, a little glass of vino just might help my back pain. Vino is wine, right? :) Thank you for sharing my posts with your daughter. That is funny about the guns. You take care too, and your sweet daughter.

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    2. Yes! Vino is wine...
      So..Vino novello, Italian for 'young wine', is a light,
      fruity, red wine produced throughout Italy. Novello is
      similar to its French cousin Beaujolais Nouveau in taste,
      body and color, but is produced using several grape varieties
      with a more liberal fermentation process...

      AND..the most expensive wines in the world....
      Ampoule from Penfolds – $168,000..
      Chateau Margaux 1787 – $225,000..
      Chateau Lafite 1869 – $230,000..
      Shipwrecked 1907 Heidsieck – $275,000..
      (One thing a do know a lot about is Vino).

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  8. Good morning, Henny! I love the baskets and you did a great job. I had no idea that you could dye baskets with Rit. Please be wary of the steroid injections, but you need a way to get rid of your pain, so hang in there. Love you, Henny, be safe! Terry

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  9. Thank you Terry. I do worry about those injections. I would like to get the problem fixed instead of masking the pain. There is a wonderful back surgeon at UNC Hospital. I had planned to call and make an appointment, just to get his opinion but with this corona virus, he probably wouldn't see me now anyway. Love you too, and you be safe!

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  10. That dyed basket does look so much better! I am still waiting for Spring because we got 2 inches of snow overnight here in Michigan!

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    1. Thank you Jeanette. Well, I do hope your snow melts quickly and spring comes soon. We had rain this morning and 50 degrees. It's up and down here.

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  11. From what I understand, the injections are to reduce inflammation, which in turn reduces pain, and should have helped you (instead of leaving you with sciatica pain!) I had tremendous relief after having an epidural cortisone injection in my neck several years ago. I wouldn't hesitate to have another if that pain should strike again (from several herniated discs in my neck.) I would be more fearful of arthritis meds. If you can gain some relief with the Advil, that seems the safest thing to do. And then pray and think of the agony of our Lord on the cross. I'll pray for you right now! I love your blog and the things you love - thank you for sharing it in such a sweet friendly way! God be with you and yours always.♥♥♥

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    1. Thank you Ruth. I've had two injections in the last four years that really helped me. My pain is from three herniated discs in my lower back. Don't understand why this injection was so painful. The doctor tried three times to get the needle in the right place to inject the medication. Since then I have had this terrible sciatic pain. Thank you for your kind words.

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    2. I hope you've made that doctor aware of what's happened. To think he was working with your spine! Seems he might need more training, or quit giving spinal injections. How devastating for you. To be suffering at any time is terrible, but now when you want to be outside to enjoy spring and play with your flowers...it hurts my heart to even think of it. May you be feeling better real soon!!!

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  12. Nice result on the basket! Hope you feel better soon. Thank you for sharing your Spring with us! You have some beautiful flowers! :)

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  13. Thank you for brightening my day with your beautiful refurbished basket..wow..what a great find that was. I so enjoy life around your farm home. Thank you for sharing...stay safe and blessed.

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    1. Thank you ChiChi Mum. I appreciate that very much. You stay safe too.

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  14. what a great idea... the result looks wonderful!!

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    1. Thank you very much Bettina. Now I want dye more baskets. :)

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  15. Oh, your beautiful garden is coming to life! And I had never thought of dying the baskets. I just might have to copy cat you :-) I mean that as flattery - brilliant idea!

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    1. Thank you Lady Locust. Hope you will try dying a basket. It was fun.

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  16. Smokey is a beautiful cat. He looks much like our Frannie and Amelia did. We sure miss them both as they were very affectionate and loving cats.
    Your dyed basket is beautiful. I never would have thought of dying it but it made such a huge difference. It fits in with your new decor perfectly. Thank you for the outside photos. Our snow is gone but nothing in bud yet.
    I'm glad you're getting relief from you sciatica. That is so painful.
    Blessings,
    Betsy

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    1. Thank you Betsy. Our tabby cat Dumperoo is a lap cat and very sweet but there is just something special about Smokey. He likes to be hugged. I do remember that you were having back pain too. Hope yours much better.

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  17. Henny, not gardening will be a tough decision for you, but better that then to continue with such miserable pain.
    I truly enjoy the green you have already. My green is a few brave mini-daffodils and my neighbors' purple crocus!
    Got out for an appt. this morn and stopped into Krogers, too at 7 am. Still 100 people or more shopping, but the
    shelves had more and every one was friendly and not hoarding like last week. Smokey is so handsome today.

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  18. You are so clever. I would never have thought of dyeing a basket. Yours is transformed! Sorry for your pain and I hope you don’t have give up your garden. We are pretty much giving up on vegetables and finding it hard. It will be the first time since I left college that I have not grown a lot of our food. Happy spring, Henny!

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  19. What a great deal you got on that big basket. I liked it before but now it's even better now that you so cleverly dyed it. Don't ever run yourself down. You are amazing.
    Your Snowball bush is also amazing.
    Your tiny pears are cute; I hope they thrive and you get loads of pears.
    I sure hope your pain goes away soon so you can get out and do all the things you love to do when the weather warms up. Keep well!!

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  20. I am sorry you are having such pain - it is so crippling when pain stops you doing things - and I hope you will soon be able to find some relief.
    What a joy to be heading into spring (autumn here). Your snowball tree will be a real picture soon. Give Smokey a pat for me, he looks so cuddly :)
    And I love what you did for the basket. It will look so much better in your room now. Stay safe and keep well, Mxx

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  21. I'm so sorry you are still having a lot of pain. Did you know the purr of a cat can be healing? Maybe that handsome Smokey will sit in your lap and purr until you feel better!

    I never even thought about dyeing a basket. You did a great job. You have the biggest snowball bush I have ever seen - it is simply amazing! I hope you feel better soon Henny. You and Poppy take care!

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  22. I read comments before I publish them. There's one guy now who hates boomers. I refuse to have to publish his hate filled comments. Most bloggers get his comments. He's kind of dumb shouting at me because I'm not a boomer.

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  23. Fun stuff in your post today. It will be awhile before out snowball bush blooms.
    Not so fun is the back and sciatica pain. I am concerned about my ability to garden this spring too, what with my back and hip acting up all of the time. Gardening is how I keep my spirits up.

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  24. Wonderful baskets! My snowball bush is gone; it usually drooped pretty badly whenever the blooms became heavy after a rain. I've had the sciatica pain and know exactly how painful it can be. Hope your pain eases up soon.

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  25. Hi Henny, I'm so sorry you are going through sciatic pain...I'm in that club myself, though thankfully it hasn't flared up in many months. I'm glad you have some relief through Advils and kitty hugs! I LOVE the basket! What a great job you did dying it darker, it really looks great!

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  26. Spring is looking beautiful over there!
    So is that basket. You are brilliant. It turned out so great!

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  27. Hi Henny,
    I am sorry about the pain. I take Advil for pain too.
    I also have tried a home remedy that is helping. Golden Raisins soaked in Gin (the gin has to be made with juniper berries)
    Well, I learned this from Paul Harvey.. the radio host that did The Rest of the Story.. well anyhow.. my husband and I eat close to 12 raisins each night, have been doing this for going on 4 years. We say it helps.
    Anyhow.. look it up on line. It might be somewhat of a help.
    Take Care my friend,
    Carla

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  28. Hi Henny- Your Dyed Basket come up well- a good idea to change the color. Hope you recover from the problem back. Whilst your going into Spring we're heading for Winter - it has been very cool through the day and nights are cold. I've got my MARS 1860 Project to keep me busy which is good. Cheers. KEV.

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  29. Oh,the dye really makes a difference and, a better one at that. The snowball bush is magnificent-- there is a lesson to take from that little tough tree carrying the heavy loads with grace and beauty. Especially on a morning like today when I'm not feeling up to task! And yet, as Willie reminds us, just Say A Little Prayer! Hope you feel better from your back pain so as to get out into your wonderful garden! The pears-- what a pretty treat! Many blessings!

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    1. Thank you Pilar. Aw, I like what you said about the tough little tree carrying the heavy load. Hope you're feeling better.

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  30. I'm sorry that your back pain led to sciatic pain. I wonder if the doctor nicked that sciatic nerve with his needle. I know how much you love to work in your yard and garden, but be super careful about lifting, bending and tugging. It seems that it doesn't take nearly as much to make my body rebel as I get older. There's a price to pay for working or playing too hard. Stay safe and maybe sit on your porch and look at your wonderful yard in all its spring glory. We have blooming daffodils and my saucer magnolia is about to bloom. But we haven't had any sunshine for a very long time so it's hard to enjoy the outdoors. I'd love to smell a chocolate vine. Every year you talk about it and it sounds wonderful. Stay safe in these scary times. Our county has been ordered to stay home unless grocery shopping, going to the doctor or drug store and such. All restaurants, beauty shops, and even our big mall are closed. Take good care of yourself first before you try to take care of anything else.

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    1. Hey Peg. I've wondered the same thing. It was very painful, and twice my leg almost jumped off the table...the nerve...made my leg jump. Once I get over this I've simply got to be easier on my back. That's the problem with a steroid injection...makes me feel like my back is well and I can do anything. Glad you have some spring flowers beginning to bloom. It is dreary and damp here most days. Last night we got two inches of rain. Today has been cloudy, windy, and damp feeling. Thank you for the nice comment.

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  31. Wow there's so much growing in your garden already,Henny!! Snow here....sigh. I'm looking forward to warmer weather, I can't seem to keep my hands warm with all this hand washing going on....it doesn't help that it takes forever for the water to turn hot in my house and I refuse to waste my precious well water!! Be safe, stay well - xo

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  32. Hi Henny...It looks so beautiful already where you live. I can feel the spring sunshine from your pictures. It snowed here all day yesterday after I thought just the day before how spring-like it was getting. I spent the day cleaning up the woodlot and glad I did now. Tomorrow the sun will be back and the snow can take a hike.Aw Smokey...how sweet you are. And you know what a pushover Poppy is. :-) Cora had her stitches out today so after a car drive and a visit with the vet she is now sleeping in the bathroom vanity drawer. poor love. That's her favorite hiding place. I do hope you are feeling better today. I know arthritis pain and for someone who loves to garden like you it can be a real problem. But I did hear motion is lotion when it comes to arthritis so take your time but take lots of breaks, too. Sending a hug to all. xo

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  33. It has been fun to see what others are up to while we are all spending so much time at home. I must admit, though, that I have never dyed a basket. I think your basket is really pretty and what a great idea to change it's color to match your home.
    I agree, spring has come at a good time this year. It helps to get outside and check out what's coming into bloom. Your snowball bush is gorgeous!
    I am sorry to hear about the pain that you are dealing with. As someone who deals with sciatica I know how debilitating it can be. I hope you find some relief soon.

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  34. I agree with Granny Marigold, that was an excellent price on that basket. I guess GM and I are familiar with what something like that would be priced here! The dyeing is great, mutes those greens, and it will go anywhere and with anything now. I'm so sorry to hear about your back. I don't think a constant diet of Advil is good for you either. My suggestion is for you to check out Golden Paste. There is an excellent group on Facebook called the Turmeric User Group, with something like 273, 000 members. There are loads of positive stories of it helping with inflammation. The group was started by a vet, but golden paste is used by animals and people with lots of excellent results. It is made with turmeric, oil and pepper. Love your Spring pictures, and can't believe you already have pears formed on your tree. Our tree hasn't even bloomed yet.

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    1. PS Are the thrift stores still open there? They closed here last week, on Monday, most of them. I got a last visit in on what turned out to be the last day it was open.

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    2. Hey Karen. I haven't checked this week or last week to see if our two thrift stores are open, but I will.

      I will check out Golden Paste. I worry about taking Advil. I called the doctor's office and they called in a prescription for 600 mg ibuprofen for me to take for a limited time. Hopefully, this will settle my nerve pain. I've had two steroid injections over the last four years for my back pain (3 herniated disc) but this injection was the most painful. It took the doctor three tries to get the needle in the right place to inject the medication. No more injections in my spine until I have another MRI, and I also want to see another doctor. Thank you Karen.

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  35. I am sorry you are having the pain. I wonder if for the sciatic pain if a chiropractor would help. Since it started after the shot I don't know, but they sure have helped Roger in times past.

    The basket did turn out really nice, and love that Smoky!

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  36. Sorry to hear you are in pain!! Hope your fine again soon
    Love how the dyed baskets turned out. What a difference. No I've never tried that.
    I'm a home body anyway and have so much to do around the house that it does't bother me having to stay home.
    Nice to live in the woods and being able to go outside too!!

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  37. Hubby has arthritis of the spine also. He takes Aleve and Advil for pain.

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  38. It truly is amazing what a bottle of dye can do...the baskets look awesome! So sorry to hear about the back pain. When your back hurts, everything hurts. Prayers for healing! And it sure looks like spring has finally come to NC! Here too and so glad to see the sunshine today. Take good care and stay safe and healthy!

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  39. Wow, that basket looks totally different. I would never have had the nerve to try dying one like that and if I had thought to try it would have dilly-dallied for several days over what color to use for the dye and probably decided just to not do it at all. Must be great to have the nerve to just go ahead and do it!

    The chocolate vine is amazing. Does it actually smell like chocolate? If so, it would drive me into my stash of chocolate chips every time I passed it.

    I hate to hear that you back is hurting you so. A couple of years ago I did something (what?) to mine and was really in a great deal of pain. It's surprising to how much your back (spine) moves with just the simplest movement.

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  40. I love those sno ball bushes. Your yard is so pretty and love that basket. I like that runner you have sitting under your baskets too.
    Did you mean publishing your comment reply? I reply when I get them in my email. I prefer it that way. I sometimes but rarely come back to my blog to leave a reply if I receive a "no reply to comment" in email. I assume the person does not want one. I like the reply in email as Like I said I rarely come back to comment section in the blog. I like the reply in email for myself.

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  41. Aren't we thankful for spring? It's amazing to me that, while the world of humanity is in a frantic tailspin, the world of nature is gorgeous, blooming, hopeful of a new year. The contrast is strange to watch. So many things blooming here too. I also am in pain -- toothache :( I thought I had it figured out, but alas, no. And the dentist offices are closed! I'll have to find some relief somehow in the morning.

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  42. Great idea with the basket. Sadly, I'm never that adventurous.

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  43. How pretty and different your plants are! I have never seen or heard of a snowball or chocolate plant in our area....and as hot it gets, they probably would not grow here. What a pretty difference you made with the basket! Stay safe and well!

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  45. Hello Smokey, you are gorgeous. My first cat when I was about 3 years old was called Smokey. I have two baskets which look like yours, mine are from Africa too and yours was a bargain price. I keep gardening books in one of them. Be well and stay safe.

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