It seems that both Cash and Sean are fascists. Where did you get this silly idea that a wedding day has anything to do with the two people getting married?

Given that my wedding was conducted entirely in Mandarin, for all I know it had nothing to do with us and was instead dedicated to her uncle's import-export business. But there was a hairy crab on my plate, so what do I care? (I didn't eat it, but I got a couple of nifty photos.)

Cash - I'd help if I could

Only for billytea is the phrase "hairy crabs" and "wedding day" awww-inspiring instead of Refer-A-Gyno worthy.

Thanks, beth. I think DH heard my thoughts. He got back up out of bed after a 20 minute nap and decided to go work out and promised he'd fold ALL the clothes when he gets back.

My Jedi mind tricks are working!

Now if I can only levitate those dishes.

Go you with your evil mind control, Cash!

But there was a hairy crab on my plate

Was it supposed to be there? Or did it just....wander up and sit down?

Was it supposed to be there? Or did it just....wander up and sit down?

Ok, that would've been even better. Though it would necessitate me finding out what the Mandarin is for 'Hairy Crab Whisperer'.

Go ,Cash!

Hairy crab? Like a spider crab?

billytea, was it steamed? Or just mildly annoyed?

tookie!

Mopping's up next.

I know some of us had plants damaged by recent cold weather, so I thought I'd share this email I received from the Mo. Botanical Garden:

"In the aftermath of the recent record-breaking cold spell, gardeners must be patient with their damaged plants, especially our trees and shrubs. The freeze puts a damper on what had turned out to be an early, but beautiful spring.

At this time it appears the worst injury is limited to open flowers, new buds, and new foliage. Spent flowers will be shed and most of the damaged leaves will continue to deteriorate in the days ahead, eventually drying up and falling off. Expect the appearance of your garden to decline aesthetically for a period of weeks before fresh, new growth returns. It may take until mid-summer before your garden looks “normal” again.

Perennials with damaged leaves and stems can be cut back to the ground and will respond with rapid new growth. However, resist the temptation to prune frosted trees and shrubs. Healthy well-established plants will produce new growth. How quickly this occurs will depend on individual species, location in the landscape, and the severity of the damage sustained.

Resist the temptation to fertilize heavily. With the loss of flower buds, all of the trees energy will be channeled into vigorous vegetative regrowth. Fertilizer could actually produce excesses of growth that will have to pruned at a later date, creating higher maintenance in the long term.

Water cautiously. Avoid soggy conditions which can do more harm than good, but do irrigate during long dry spells. Reducing water stress may be the single best thing you can do to help your plants recover this summer.

Overall, consider this untimely freeze only a temporary setback. Given time and patience, our gardens will recover. Since every dark cloud always has a silver lining, on the plus side we probably won’t have to worry about raking up any Sweetgum balls this autumn."

Chip Tynan
Missouri Botanical Garden “Answer Man”
William T. Kemper Center for Home Gardening