10/1/26  We should teach our children how to pray, make something, fix something, grow something, and be content with what they have.

    Dense fog, 5 degrees. Sun this afternoon, high 76, a SSW breeze.  Tonight's low 61.  Rain tomorrow afternoon becomes partly cloudy overnight. A west breeze, high 72, low 47.  Sunshine Saturday, a NW breeze, high 66, low 38.  Mostly sunny Sunday, a SE breeze, high 65, low 49.  Rain Monday, a stiff SW breeze, high 59, low 40.  Partly cloudy Tuesday, strong WNW wind, high 56, low 35.  The frost warning is now a frost advisory.  Sunshine Wednesday, a brisk WSW breeze, high 63, low 42. Partly cloudy next Thursday, a brisk SSW breeze, high 69, low 45.  Partly cloudy next Friday through Wednesday the 14th with stiff NW breezes, highs in the lower sixties to upper fifties. lows about 40 except for 46 Sunday the 11th.

     Enjoy the warmth this afternoon.  Up here on the hill we may not get a frost next week unless the low temperatures drop back to yesterday's forecast.  Beyond five days the forecasts haven't been very reliable!

     Most of us have hostas, they are beautiful, hardy to 40 below and versatile plants. Hummingbirds love to feed on their blossoms.   Their roots need to be well hydrated to winter well.  But slugs like to fill the leaves with holes.  I don't have much problem with slugs because after a hard frost I cut off the dead foliage and clean it and the ground around the plant making sure there is nothing slugs or their eggs can overwinter in.  .Then I mulch around the plant with straw or pine needles.  Not on the plant.  Even though I only leave a couple inches of stem, mice might make a winter home in them if they are covered.    Come spring I like to plant impatiens in the mulch around the hosta.  If hostas need to be divided it is better to divide them in the spring.

    May your day be blessed, Sally