Here are a few things that you could be doing in your native plant garden if you live in S. CA Cut back salvias by 1/3 - 1 half & in late summer, trim your cool-season grasses. Mulch your plants but more...1209

Here are a few things that you could be doing in your native plant garden if you live in S. CA Cut back salvias by 1/3 - 1 half & in late summer, trim your cool-season grasses. Mulch your plants but keep it away from stems, crowns & trunks. Weed. Get out the dandelion, filaree and other invaders before they set and distribute seed. And get after emerging winter pests before they take over your garden. Water. Only water when the top few inches of the soil are dry.

I bet no one knows that today is Flitch Day, a very important day of celebration if you happen to be married. It's said that once a year a slab of bacon was given to a married couple (By "who" I don't more...1200

I bet no one knows that today is Flitch Day, a very important day of celebration if you happen to be married. It's said that once a year a slab of bacon was given to a married couple (By "who" I don't know)if they were successful in living together for the previous 12 months without any fighting or disagreements, which would include knowing when to keep your mouth shut.

If you live in S. CA and want to use native plants in your garden, it's not too late to put some of them in but they will need extra water to get them through the summer. Here's a short list of more...1199

If you live in S. CA and want to use native plants in your garden, it's not too late to put some of them in but they will need extra water to get them through the summer. Here's a short list of possibilities:Chilopsis linearis, Artemisia tridentata, Calliandra californica. And for riparian species: Artemisia douglasiana,Platanus racemosa, Rosa californica & Sisyrinchium californicum. Shady areas: Salvia spathacea and ferns. Mulch but keep it away from the rootball and water as needed.

If you would like to prevent watering running off of your property, consider replacing concrete driveways and walkways with an impermeable surface. Here are some ideas: Stone or Concrete Pavers more...1182

If you would like to prevent watering running off of your property, consider replacing concrete driveways and walkways with an impermeable surface. Here are some ideas: Stone or Concrete Pavers Steppingstones or Pea Gravel Decomposed Granite Anyone of these will help keep water on your property, allowing it to soak into the soil naturally and support the growth of your plants. You can plant herbs or very low growing ground covers between the pavers for an extra lovely look & fragrance.

It's summer & time to travel but if you need to rent a car, check in with EV Rentals for a Hybrid car via Budget Rental cars. They have teamed up together to offer this environmental option to the typical gas more...1178

It's summer & time to travel but if you need to rent a car, check in with EV Rentals for a Hybrid car via Budget Rental cars. They have teamed up together to offer this environmental option to the typical gas guzzling vehicle for people that care about being "green" and are sensitive to environmental issues. They are avaiable in CA, AZ, and Nevada & as of this post you may be able to rent them in other states as well. Check ahead with the rental agency before you book your car.

Today is, "Take Your Pet to Work" Day! I have my four crazy cats with me since I work out of my home and they can become a bit of a distraction. Especially when one of them is sitting right in front of my more...1174

Today is, "Take Your Pet to Work" Day! I have my four crazy cats with me since I work out of my home and they can become a bit of a distraction. Especially when one of them is sitting right in front of my computer monitor, making it difficult to see it. But some of you may commute to an office and maybe they allow pets to be part of the scene, which could make for some interesting moments. The possibility for dog fights or cats running amuck throughout an office may get you fired.

If a senior aged 62 or older has been "thinking" about doing a Reverse loan but their fear has stalled them like a "deer in a car's headlights", they may want to know that effective this October, HUD will be more...1169

If a senior aged 62 or older has been "thinking" about doing a Reverse loan but their fear has stalled them like a "deer in a car's headlights", they may want to know that effective this October, HUD will be reducing the Lending Limit from $625,250 down to $417,000 which would mean they would receive less money. They really should take advantage of the HUD counseling about the FHA loan and then make a decision if they want to do it or not before it's too late and they lose out.

This year has seen many changes in the Reverse mortgage industry due to the economy & the loss of equity for many homeowners. Some large lenders have exited but the need for Reverse loans remains very high more...1168

This year has seen many changes in the Reverse mortgage industry due to the economy & the loss of equity for many homeowners. Some large lenders have exited but the need for Reverse loans remains very high as the Boomer generation moves into their senior years with less retirement funds to sustain their lifestyles. HUD will be reducing the current lending limit from $625,500 to $417,000 in October & this means less money to a senior applying for the loan, so it's best to do it now & not wait.

If you live in S. CA & enjoy native plants in your landscape, here are a few things to do in your garden before the heat of summer sets in. Sow warm-season grasses & slopes mixes & keep moist. Be sure to more...1163

If you live in S. CA & enjoy native plants in your landscape, here are a few things to do in your garden before the heat of summer sets in. Sow warm-season grasses & slopes mixes & keep moist. Be sure to weed by hoeing or hand pulling & check the moisture in the soil & only water when the top few inches are dry. Be sure to do some mulching as well & check with your local native plant nursery to see what you can still plant into your garden before summer "offically" arrives.

Yesterday was "Fly a Kite" Day & I missed it. Did you ever fly one and where was your favorite place to launch it? Here's a little info about their history. "Kites have made their appearance over three more...1158

Yesterday was "Fly a Kite" Day & I missed it. Did you ever fly one and where was your favorite place to launch it? Here's a little info about their history. "Kites have made their appearance over three thousand years ago, in China. All the right materials were found there, for it's making: Bambou for the frame, and silk for the sail and bridle. It had a mythical and religious dimension. Later it was experimented as a science instrument for various researches".

For those of you who remember when toys didn't have batteries or memory chips, today is "Yo Yo" Day. I was never very good at spinning them and it seems to me that my Yo Yo was forever dangling at the end of more...1146

For those of you who remember when toys didn't have batteries or memory chips, today is "Yo Yo" Day. I was never very good at spinning them and it seems to me that my Yo Yo was forever dangling at the end of its string. I couldn't do any of the fancy swirling around maneuvers and usually managed to hit myself in my shins, let alone make the darn thing go up and down but I bet there are some experts out there who could.

Today is "D Day" when the Allies landed on the beaches of Normandy in 1944. The plan was named "Operation Overload" and it was to attack Hitler's "Fortress Europe". Before the land invasion took place, more...1133

Today is "D Day" when the Allies landed on the beaches of Normandy in 1944. The plan was named "Operation Overload" and it was to attack Hitler's "Fortress Europe". Before the land invasion took place, approx. 12,000 of the Allied planes, attacked the Luftwaffe, dropped bombs on railways & industries and dropped supplies as well for the coming invasion. Today is a day to fly the American flag in honor of these courageous men, who gave of their lives for freedom.

Did you know that there are several water districts in CA that will actually "pay" you to remove your lawn? If you have been thinking about taking it out and going more "native", you may want to contact your more...1127

Did you know that there are several water districts in CA that will actually "pay" you to remove your lawn? If you have been thinking about taking it out and going more "native", you may want to contact your local water district and see if you would be entitled to some money. Approx. 50% of the water used at each household, goes for landscaping, with lawns being the biggest consumer of all. You will cut back on your water use, save money and have a beautiful garden at the same time.

I just found out that June 1st. is...are you ready? National Donut Day! I personally have always preferred fritters, especially apple fritters but this serves as an advanced message to lay in your favorite more...1125

I just found out that June 1st. is...are you ready? National Donut Day! I personally have always preferred fritters, especially apple fritters but this serves as an advanced message to lay in your favorite deep, fried,loaded- with -calories, donuts to celebrate the day in style. So what's your favorite one, huh?

Today is offically "Neighbor Day"! Now depending on how you interpret this, is could mean several things. You may have an continuing ongoing feud with a neighbor on your block by upping the ante', or it may more...1121

Today is offically "Neighbor Day"! Now depending on how you interpret this, is could mean several things. You may have an continuing ongoing feud with a neighbor on your block by upping the ante', or it may mean returning all the items you previously borrowed in the last year from another neighbor and never returned. Or it could be helping a neigbor who needs some help with a project or simply saying "thanks" for being your neighbor and not playing their music too loud.