We live 2 hours away from my parents, in their 90's, and have 4 grandchildren living with us so helping out with much on a daily basis or even weekly basis is difficult. One thing I do that they love, is to write to them every week. They comment many times on how they enjoy those letters. I also got them a journal type book so that their company can 'sign in' when they come to call. That reminds the folks that they have had company and when they came to call. ... View related article.
Where are you located? In Iowa, I have noticed that the burning bush looses its leaves a bit before other shrubs may loose theirs. Same is true for the wahoo, also a member of the euonymus family. They come on again in the spring and just shed a bit early. ... View related article.
Great idea! Don't just give this type of gift to a gal but to guys as well. When my son went to Iowa State a few years ago, I sent a kit with him that had scissors, a few buttons, safety pins, assorted needles, threads and a needle threader. He turned out to be the 'go to' guy on his whole floor because he was the only one with that type of kit. He didn't do any mending for anyone else but he did lend his supplies and kept his own gear in good condition as well.
Another thing that I sent that your niece might appreciate when she is ready to live on campus at school is a kit with a hot water bottle, ice pack, asprin, bandages of different sizes, triple antibiotic ointment, mole skin, and whatever you might have on your first aid shelf at home that they might use at school. Their emergencies usually occur in the middle of the night after a game of broom ball or something else real "educational" when the first aid station is closed down. ... View related article.
If you are in a more rural setting, try laying a cattle or hog panel down on either side of your plantings. Deer, goats, etc, do not like to walk on the panel. You could also use chicken wire or any other kind of netting but you would want to use something easily lifted to mow under or to cultivate under depending on what else is planted nearby. Good luck! ... View related article.
