Being Moxie

Moxie. Its a word I have been hearing a lot of lately and couldn't for the life of me figure out what it means. I also couldn't figure out why I'm drawn to the word, it appears to jump out at me at the craziest moments. I see it every where I look. So, this morning I decided to do some research and put my dogpile to use. I looked up the word moxie and this is the definition I found. moxie (mŏk'sē) --> n. Slang. The ability to face difficulty with spirit and courage. I see now why I am drawn to that word. I like to think of myself as being able to face what life throws at me with spirit and courage, I just always called it "sucking it up and moving forward". I like the term "moxie" soooo much better. So now that that has been solved, I'm on to the garden for the dreaded task of weeding the beds. I moved all the hibiscus out of the greenhouse last weekend and gave them a good dose of nitrogen. A few weeks also, I gave my roses their yearly vaccination of black spot virus control medicine and fertilizer. Today, I hope to hit both the hibiscus and roses with more Miracle Grow and then dig in battle the weeds. I will be putting to good use my new garden tool. I bought it last October at the Master Gardeners State Convention. Its called the cobra, I think. I used it this past weedend when I weeded the mailbox bed, and it was a dream, slicing through the dirt and grabbing hold of weeds, I really just had to tug a bit to pull running weeds, it made the job much easier. Tomorrow I will be attending a cake class all day. I can't wait. We will be learning how to make dobache, red velvet, and other types of specialty cakes. I'm looking forward to that. Then on Sunday, I will work in the yard again. Because come Monday, its back to work for me. Well, until later....

March Happenings

Flowers, like friends, give pleasure just by being. What a wonderful quote!!

Flowers also give you friends. I met a room full of people yesterday afternoon through our mutual love of flowers and gardening. I was honored to be asked to give a talk on Hibiscus to a garden club in North Louisiana. I was also very, very nervous. Russ and I got to our destination with about an hour to spare. We walked into the room to set up and was hit with "Is this the same type of hibiscuc we grow up here? "Their" type is the more northern alcimated hibiscus which I call a Dinner Plate Hibiscus, "My" type or the type I was presenting on are Tropical Hibiscus. After I explained this to some, their next comment was "Well we don't grow that kind up here, its too cold". Well, why didn't someone just shoot me right then and there. I was so disappointed. How could I enthusiastically speak about my passion to a closed minded audience.

Once I got started talking and sharing the 60+ pictures of exotic hibiscus to them, they were hooked. I think once I left, they were more than willing to give "MY" hibiscus' a try.

Here are a few pictures from my presentation.

This is Bon Temps (Good Times)

Starry Wind

Summer Wind