The Bull Rider’s Mom
 
Many people ask me how I deal with watch my 19-year-old son ride a bull. Here are stages that this momma goes through when my son rides. Anticipation, fear, hope, and relief are words that come to mind when talk about my son's passion.

The day of a rodeo or practice begins with anticipation, much like it did when he was younger. I waited for his hits during his little league baseball games. In middle school, I prayed he remembered the plays during his football games and the notes during orchestra concerts. In high school, we prayed he made the auction when he showed animals at the district FFA livestock show.

When I see him climb into the chute and on the back of an angry bull weighing over a thousand pounds fear kicks in. I make the sign of the cross and silently pray for his safety. My heart rate speeds up, and I hold my breath. Images of what could happen flash though my mind. Somehow, I move my phone setting to video and position it so I can focus on my son. He will expect a good video when he is finished. In a matter of seconds, he wraps his hand in the rope. During this time, I click record on my phone right before I hear his name announced. Fear builds when I see him nod his head, relaying to the person holding the gate that he is ready for his ride.
 
When the gate swings open and the ride begins, all fear disappears, and hope takes over. Like the rest of the spectators, I hope he stays on the bull's back until the siren sings out, announcing that my son has remained on the beast for eight seconds.
 
Fear returns when he flies off the bull’s back. Is he going to land on his feet and sprint to safety? Will he land on his back and need help from the bullfighters to escape the bull's horns and stomping feet? Will his hand release, or will he remain hung up and end his ride while he and the bull run in circles until he can release his hand?
 
Relief happens when both he and the bull have left the arena safely. My muscles relax and I send up one more prayer, giving thanks he is safe.

While I walk to the car I hope he never rides again, but I know he will. His father and I will be there when we can every time we can to cheer him on and let him know how proud we are of him.

Do you have objects sitting around your garage or shed you've been meaning to throw away?  I’m talking about chairs, wagons, cans, shoes, and boots.  Why not repurpose those items?  The seat on one of my iron patio chairs broke.  I didn't have the heart to watch the trash men haul it away.  So, I searched my shed and found some chicken wire leftover from another project.  I used wire cutters and a few zip ties to secure the wire in place of the seat.  The chicken wire made the perfect space to put moss and soil.  I then searched the plant nurseries for the perfect plants.  I wanted to use annuals, so I can enjoy a new look as the seasons change.  I fell in love with Blue Bocopa, as soon as I saw it. I bought two of them for 3.99 each.  The Snow Globe Becopas were a steal, at 1.00 each, on the clearance rack!  Remember, if you see plants on clearance, and you know about their care, you can go home a happy gardener.  If you don't know about the plant leave it there until you do your research.  It's not a good deal if you spend money on an annual, then find out that it's cheap because the blooming season is over.
 
 
Total project cost:  around 20.00
This month's receipts got thrown away, but my memory is pretty good when it comes to this project.  Using items I already had at home helped keep the cost down.

We are going to have so much fun!  We are the perfect accent to any garden, especially if you use us in a container that has good drainage.  We are Gulliver Blue Bacopa and Snow Globe Becopa.  We're excited you are adopting both of us.  We promise to blend into a beautiful bouquet of purplish-blue, and white flowers.  We're short, but our abundance of flowers and our cascading stems make up for our lack of height.  We like full sun, but we don’t like dry soil, so when it’s hot we will need to be watered regularly.  Bacopas are wonderful companion plants for any container.  If you like pink and red flowers you're in luck.  We have close relatives in those colors, too.
Hummingbirds love us.  We provide them with nourishment from spring to fall.  Add us to your butterfly/hummingbird gardens and we’ll do our best to attract them.

I hope we make your day more beautiful,
Bacopas

​I want to attract more butterflies to my garden, so I placed a butterfly bath next to my Tropical Butterfly Weed. It receives plenty of sun, and plants shelter it from direct wind.

It wasn't hard to make, and I had everything I needed at home.  I found terracotta saucer and a small pot, in my shed.  I could have used a shallow dish or a pie pan.  I added small rocks to give the butterflies a place to land before I filled it with water.  Sand and kitchen sponges are also recommended.
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I want to keep the beautiful flying creators happy, so I'll remember to add water often.
Because I used a plant that already lives in my yard, and I recycled the other items, this project was free.

You did it!  You adopted a Tropical Butterfly Weed (Asclepia curassavica).  You might have heard people referred to me as Mexican Butterfly Weed.  My yellow and red star-shaped flowers sit like a crown on stems that reach about two feet tall.  My long leaves are spaced about an inch apart.  You will declare me the most beautiful weed in your garden. 
I’m sure your desire to attract butterflies to your yard was what made you pick me.  I will not disappoint you.  They can't resist me.  They are attracted to other milkweeds too, so feel free to adopt others in my family. 

I'm essential to the life cycle of the Monarch Butterfly.  I'm their host plant. They drink my nectar and lay their eggs on my green leaves.  Five to ten days later the hungry caterpillars, or larva, break free from the eggs.  They spend the next 10 to 14 days filling their bellies. They devour every part of me.  They eat the stalks to the ground, so you might want to plant more of my family, in your garden.  Don't worry.  Providing butterflies their nutrients is my job, and I will grow back.  Milkweed is not only important to Monarch Butterflies.  It is also the host plant for the Queens and Gray Hairstreak Butterflies.  Did you know I'm important for bees too?  Bees pollinate plants that feed people, so by planting milkweed, you will provide a positive impact on our environment.

If we are going to live in North America, there is something important you should know about me.  Unlike other milkweeds, who are native to this country, I will continue to flourish into the fall.  I can be detrimental to the Monarch migration.  The butterflies will have the nourishment they need, and won't migrate south to Mexico.  When a freeze occurs, the butterflies and caterpillars will die.  For the sake of the Butterflies and their natural need to migrate please, remember to cut me back in the fall.  Don't worry, I will grow back, in the spring.  If you would rather take me into a warmer environment, over the winter, that will be fine too.

In the fall my green seed pods turn brown and slightly crack open.  If my pods are allowed to burst open the seeds will drift with the wind, and produce a new plant where they land.  You can harvest the brown pods and either plant the seeds directly into the ground, or share them with friends.

Lastly, I want you to know I'm not a difficult plant to grow.  Once I'm established the sun and heat won't bother me.  Water me well the first season, but after that, I will be fine with the water nature provides.  I might attract aphids, but spray from a water hose will rid me of those pesky little creatures.

Thank you for choosing me for your garden, and enjoy the butterflies.
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Hugs and butterfly kisses,
Asclepia curassavica

I made the cutest ladybugs out of golf balls.  It's a little pain to paint  anything round, but these little gems are easy to make.  My objective was to make them while using as little money as possible.  I found a pack of three golf balls on clearance for 3.00, but I didn't use the new ones.  I traded my son for used balls.  I used indoor/outdoor acrylic paint.  I already had some of the needed supplies, such as the brushes and the clear acrylic sealer.  I purchased topsoil and brown mulch.  I could have used better grade topsoil and mulch, but then I wouldn't have stayed within my budget. The plants already existed in my garden. The total amount spent to transform this flower bed was 16.80. If I include the price of the plant I bought, on clearance in October, the cost would have been 23.29.
This project could easily be created using small rocks.   Remember, use what you have to create your new treasures.   

​My name is Black and Blue Salvia.  Thank you for choosing me.  You picked me out of all the other beautiful perennials in the nursery.  Was it my large green leaves, my cobalt blue flowers that emerge from black whorls on spikes, or was it my ability to grow up to 40 inches tall and 24 inches wide?  Maybe my promise to attract hummingbirds and butterflies to your garden made me your favorite.
 Plant me in sunny locations and water me once a week, in hardiness zones seven through ten.  I grow fast, and I can tolerate heat.  Whether you choose to plant me in a bed, or a container, I promise to provide electrifying blue flowers all summer.  Deadheading will encourage repeat blooming.  
You don't have a lot to worry about because taking care of me is easy.  I might have a problem with powdery mildew, but some treatments can be used to get rid of it.   I promise to provide you with a few babies.  New plants will pop up from my roots.  You can let them stay, transplant them in a new location, or share them with your friends.  While this sounds scary, there is no need to worry.  I'm not considered invasive.
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Always, Forever... plus a day,
Black and Blue Salvia

I bought the plant at a nursery, I used half a bag of top soil that I bought at a big box store, and the fairy items came from a dollar store.  In all I spent 24.71.  The Mazus was divided, and planted though out the small area.  I'm excited to watch the green leaves and purple flowers to fill in the space.  Family and friends will enjoy the new welcoming scene when they visit my home.

​You have chosen me!  The excitement is uncontainable.  I’m ready to come out of the pot my roots have been confined to since I arrived at the nursery.  While they took excellent care of me I know there is no better place to be than a forever garden. 
When I discovered you, the fairies, chose me, above all other plants I couldn't believe it.  I'm sure there were other ground-covers you could have chosen, but you needed a fast-spreading ground-cover that isn't considered invasive.  My green leaves and purple flowers will create a little oasis, in a previously dull space.  I won't grow too tall.  I only reach about two inches.  That is enough to provide you with the privacy you need.  You live within the zones five through eight, so I won't have a problem in the winter or summer months.  I like the sun, but if you need me to thrive in a little bit of shad I will adapt to that as well.  I like my roots to stay wet, so while you don't have to water me every day I enjoy a good shower from the watering can, or sprinkler.  Insects have never bothered me, but some of my friends have told me to watch out for snails.  From time to time humans might walk on me, but that's OK.  It doesn't bother me too much.
I can't wait for you to get me home, take me out of my pot, and spread my roots.  Feel free to divide me and plant me in a couple of different spots in the garden.  I hope I make you happy for years to come.
Love,
Mazus reptans.