Home of the Practically Perfect Pink Phlox and other native plants for pollinators

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

"It takes a licking and keeps on ticking"


If you grew up in the fifties you'll recognize the old Timex watch commercial and images of John Cameron Swayze will come to mind. The commercials were mock news stories with Mr Swayze, micro-phone in hand, eagerly awaiting to interview the daring fellow as he emerged from a harrowing adventure ~think diving into whirlpools then emerging unscathed~ He would interview said feloow and then deliver his famous ~ "It takes a licking and keeps on ticking" catch line about the watch.
Caesar and his brother

By now you all know that Nashville and Middle Tennessee has taken a lickin...Torrential rains pounded us for two days. Accounts vary, but, here at Clay and Limestone we've had about 18 inches fall on the gardens.

Phlox pilosa~PPPP lying down on the job

That's small potatoes compared to what's happened to so many folks nearby. They has been loss of life, loss of property, loss of employment as businesses have been flooded and destroyed. Several of our water treatment plants are underwater and the county is on water restrictions. I haven't the expertise to go into the multi-billion dollar loss to business, our city and regular folks. If you will excuse the pun~the ripple effect is going to be monumental. We have taken a licking and we will keep on ticking.


We've had it very easy here at C&L! There is water under the vapor barrier in our crawl space~Thank you dear Mr I for checking that out~


Plants have lost blooms~Practically Perfect Pink Phlox will not be blooming for as long as she usually does~'Eco Happy Traveler' at Mr McGregor's Daughter's garden will have that honor...and several plants that need drier soil and sharp drainage look pretty pathetic!

I have nothing to complain about~My family is fine, my friends are doing well, my house sustained no real damage, the garden is going to recover and bloom anew and I am out of town in the UK to attend the Gardenblogger Malvern Meet. I'm traveling with my good friend Frances of fairegarden and I have left my household, garden and kitty in Mr I's capable hands. Have I shared with you that he is brilliant, generous, kind and handsome! He is and more!

I will be around to see all of you when I return next week! I hope your week is filled with enough love, friendship and gardening.

xxoo
Gail

24 comments:

  1. I can't imagine 18" of rain at one time. Amazing that anything survived. Your garden still looks good just a bit harrassed. It will be recovered when you return. Bon Voyage.

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  2. Your gardens look just great! So sorry about the devastating rains in your area. Glad you and yours came through it fine. Have fun and be safe on your journey...

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  3. Been thinking of you and wondering how you fared with the flooding. Glad things are good. Have a great trip.
    As for the folks who have been hit hard with the flood waters, my heart goes out to them.

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  4. Delighted to know all is well, Gail. Bon Voyage! The Gardenblogger Malvern Meet sounds delightful ... will be anxious to see your photos!

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  5. Have a wonderful time...So glad that you had little damage.
    Balisha

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  6. Gail, what a relief that you didn't suffer any damage from those storms. I'll bet by the time you get back, your garden will have recovered wonderfully.

    I am so incredibly jealous!

    I know you two ladies will have such a great time on your trip. Do not fail to bring home lots of photos and stories.

    You and Frances have a wonderful time.
    Marnie

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  7. The flooding is horrible, but your gardens look amazing. Our prayers are with your beautiful state as it recovers. Enjoy your trip and say hi to Frances. :)

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  8. I'm glad to see that although you've been soaked, you're alright. Our winter season started with a deluge last year from Typhoon Melor...I've never seen so much rain all at once here. Our house flooded about 12 years ago, and even then it was important to see that it could have been much worse. Although some of your flowers may be adversely effected, perhaps others will show their gratitude for the extra rain soon :)

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  9. Have fun Gail....and wrap up warm, it is freezing over here at the moment.

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  10. Gail, I'm much relieved that you haven't suffered as dramatically as I'd pictured from the many Nashville tweets. Do have a wonderful visit in Malvern. You and Frances will be taking all our good wishes with you.

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  11. Have a great trip! I'm sure t hings will be much closer to normal when you get back. Although real normal is going to take a long time.

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  12. Gail, considering everything, your garden looks amazingly well. As long as you and loved ones are okay-that's what matters the most.

    Have a wonderful and safe trip!

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  13. It's fortunate that you, your family, home and gardens are okay. The news has been so scary.

    Have fun on your trip!

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  14. I'm glad to hear you and your family were unscathed by the flooding! Enjoy Malvern, and I can't wait to see and hear more about it!

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  15. Thanks for the link love for 'Eco Happy Traveler.' It should start blooming tomorrow or the next day. I'm glad the flooding wasn't any worse than a bit of water in the crawlspace. It looked just awful on the news. I can't imagine how people are managing.

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  16. I can't believe some of the photographs I've seen of the flooding - just horrific. So glad that everything is more or less a.o.k. Have been looking at what in store in Malvern and I hope the two of you have enough electronic storage devices - the sneak peaks that Helen has been showing are a real tease. Looking forward to getting your scoop.

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  17. I am glad you didn't float away. Have a great trip. What fun you two will have. I cannot wait to hear your stories.

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  18. Gail,
    I'm glad to hear that your garden is fine, and I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time in Malvern. But I'll be thinking positive thoughts for all of the folks in Nashville that need to rebuild their homes and gardens!

    All the best,
    Lisa

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  19. I have been thinking about you and other bloggers in Tennessee. I am glad you and your property are OK. I look forward to hearing about Malvern! Have a wonderful trip!

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  20. Good to hear that you and your garden are doing fine. Hope you have fun in Malvern. But I must admit those Timex commercials really took me back.

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  21. Have a wonderful trip Gail. Glad everything is fine with you and your family after so much rain. It's really astounding. Speediest recovery wishes to Nashville on getting back to normal.

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  22. Gail, love your blog! The flowers are so pretty! I am in landscape design and I have recently discovered a love of flowers. I love the picture that you posted of the two purple flowers, "Cesar and his brother". What is the name of that flower? I love the rich purple of it. Have a lovely day Gail.

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  23. Rachel, It's Iris versicolor a native plant that loves a damp garden.

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"Insects are the little things that run the world." Dr. E O Wilson