Creative ideas for outdoor wall and garden decorations.

If you are like me, you like the idea of outdoor garden art, but not the prices. It seems that everything I like has to be $50 +, and it is just not in my nature to pay that when I could do something on my own that I may like better, and it would be mine, and mine alone. The only question is...what to create?

First off whatever it may be, it must also be old looking, and have a tinge of eeriness to it. I like fountains, but the chances are that I would not have it running most of the time. Same with candles, which I like a lot, but they would never be lit. So that leaves us with things that just hang or stand there, and look good.

1. Personally I like salvaged things, particularly in metal, like old gates, and building ornamentation, and sometimes you can find them cheap, or even free if someone is throwing them away. Metal chairs are also good. I don't like using wood because it doesn't last long, but again, that's just me.

2. Window frames can be a interesting addition, if you are going for that rustic look, and if they are placed somewhere such as under a porch, they do tend to last longer. I also like old garden tools, but I have not used them on the grounds as of yet. I have done mirrors, and old picture frames in the past, but they do not hold up for ever.

3. Old Lightning Rods, and Weather Vanes are always fun to look at, though these are a bit harder to find at a good price. I do like them though.

4. If you are going for that Vintage Garden look an old bike, or cart would be a good idea, and they instantly create an old feel. Planting Urns also give you that old world look as soon as they are placed outside.

5. Lets not forget the statues... I like cherubs, and already have a few of those sitting around the gardens. Cherubs love looking out at the greenery, and they look great there, but what ever you choose, be sure to make it your own.

Gardens should be a place of peace, and contemplation, and should make you feel as one with nature. This is how we as humans recharge our batteries. You wouldn't feel very good if you walked outside only to see weeds, and junk all over the place, and it's not good fens shui, but that's another story. Enjoy your gardening this year, ad remember, if you only have a balcony, that's no excuse not to make it a retreat that you can enjoy.

You Can Be Happy...if you try.

You have seen them in the stores, sitting in church, possibly at local meetings. Chances are very good, if you venture into social media pages, and comment boards, you have read their thoughts. Angry, bitter people looking to complain, blame, and otherwise spout off about the failings of anything and anyone, but themselves. Those people who flock in droves to the negative, anything perceived bad, it doesn't matter what that may be so long as it gives them a chance to put all their woes of the world on to someone else. Drama is also abundant on talk, and reality shows. It is by no accident that you see it in the news as well, be it local, or national it is there, and it is constant. The media has become a place to get half truths, and tidbits meant to inflame, and raise your blood pressure. It helps to make you feel that your are right to be offended, and that you should then spread that message of unhappiness to everyone you know, and many that you don't, to get them to feel the same way that you do. You have a duty!

For the media it's about the ratings, and ratings are money, but what does it do for you? How does it affect your attitude of life, and what if you decided, as one person, you would choose to spread a different message? What if you decided that you would no longer take part in hate, and bitterness, and instead choose to spread a message of happiness, and hope? What if you decided decided to always "take the high road", and not involve yourself in these news flashes that usually have very little baring in your daily life, except to upset it, and set a tone of "us against them". "Divide and conquer" seems to be in now. People who wish to make money in life, and social media have figured out that there is gold in the divide and conquer theory, and it creates a crowd of people who find it very hard to resist, and they in turn bring others in to that crowd, but at the end of the day, how do you think they feel. Most of us have been there, so we know the answer to that question. The next question is "Why"?

What if we, as one person, choose instead to get up tomorrow and express a new attitude to the world? Happy thoughts can be spread too! Our attitudes become our life, and influence who will be around us to enhance those thoughts. That can either be very scary, or very uplifting, depending on which you pick, because it is a conscience choice. Your words become your life.

So what now? If we do decide not to play into the "everything would be fine if it weren't for them" game. Where do we go from there? Personally I think it is in those words that we utter, online or in real life. What we choose to say, and who we choose to act is what will define our lives, and create a feeling of happiness, or bitterness. It is probably best to follow no one who tells you what your opinion should be, but figure it out for yourself, and do that in a way that benefits you, and those around you. Life is not about things that you do, or do not have, but how you feel, and how you affect others who come into contact with you. Do you brighten their day? Do you make them feel better about themselves?

It would be good to wake up every day and remind yourself of the rules of Karma: it means action, work or deed; it also refers to the principle of causality where intent and actions of an individual influence the future of that individual (you). Good intent and good deed contribute to good karma and future happiness, while bad intent and bad deed contribute to bad karma and future suffering. I always try my best to be mindful of Karma, and I want you to be as well. Of course, you don't have to take my word for this, but what would it hurt to try it out for a day, then another day??? Who knows, maybe it could lead you on a road to true happiness, and contentment. It couldn't hurt.

Remember what we all thought of life in "simpler times", and how we wish it could be that way again? Reality is whatever you make it.

Creating a Moon Garden, it's tranquil, it's peaceful, and very pagan.

The moon looks upon many night flowers; the night flowers see but one moon. - Jean Ingelow
The grounds are quiet. The night is dark, but it doesn't mean that you cannot find your way. Many night blooming plants are white, and give a luminous appearance in the moonlight to keep you company, and their fragrance's can be amazing.

Moon Garden: Just the mention of it creates a feeling of peace. The garden, at night, is a very tranquil, even magical place, and there is no reason that you cannot enjoy it. All you need is "a little help from your friends", and in this case it comes from those who, like yourself, love the light of the moon. White flowers and light-colored foliage reflect the moonlight. If you have thought about having a moon garden, it is not as difficult as you might think. You need only to give a little thought of where you want to go at night, and what you would like to see, and presto, a beautiful and fragrant backdrop for your moonlight rituals of the summer.

Consider planting the following in and about your Moon Garden:
- Dahlia 'Small World'

- White Straw-flower

- White Trumpets Nicotiana

- White Poppy 'White Linen'

- Formosa Lily White Trumpet

- Variegated Euphorbia

- White Datura

- White Lace Plant Plant Khella

- Baby's Breath

- White Bride's Feathers Aruncus

- Royal Wedding Hosta

- Ribbon Grass

- Lamium 'White Nancy'

- White Hydrangea

- Heuchera Venus

Having a place to sit, and contemplate is also important. A bench, chair, or even a strategically placed log is a must for enjoying your Moon Garden. You may even be surprised at how much you begin to enjoy getting back outside, and being one with the night, and with nature, and I am sure that there is probably a health benefit in there somewhere as well.

If you only have a balcony, you need not miss out on the fun. Container gardening, and a few statues, and solar lights will certainly allow you to join in on the fun.

Don't forget to let me know how you have achieved your perfect, restful space. As well as, how much better it makes you feel. Just remember to choose your scared spaces for privacy and beauty in the moonlight. Two of the most important things in a moon garden are ,a unobstructed view of the moon, and a place to be comfortable enough to sit.

In your new and glowing moon garden, remember to fill it with interesting pieces including stone statues, and other forms of art to look at while wondering through the night. Best of all...imagine that it could be right in your backyard!

Just imagine this cool, dark place filled with wonder, and fragrant blooms reflected in the moon's light.

Gothic, Victorian, or Just Plain Creepy, and Eerie Garden. Your Choice.

For many of you, spring is in the air, and it's time yet again to venture out and make your statement to the world. Your gardening statement, that is, and you have to decide what is going to define you this year. My personal choice lies somewhere between Gothic, and Wild Victorian. It just depends on my mood that day, and where I am working on the grounds. Meaning just how much sunlight is going to be reaching the area.

You may think that just because part of your yard is in shade that you have to give up on your dream of planting, but that is not the case. There are many interesting looking plants that would love that spot, and they just happen to be perfect for that mysterious look that you may be wanting. Look at the following plants, and tell me if this is just the look that you have been wanting to achieve: Black Taffeta Coral Bells: It features dark, highly-ruffled look, and glossy leaves that maintain a warmer tone throughout the winter. The tops of the leaves are a burnished black while the bottoms are plum-colored, bringing some chocolaty warmth to the black color.

Dusty Miller: The silvery-white color is a great foil for any type of garden blossom and the fine-textured foliage creates a beautiful contrast against other plants' green foliage. Dusty is very easy to grow, withstanding heat and drought.

Hosta 'Komodo Dragon': The heavily-rippled, dark green, pointed leaves stretch outward to form an impressive, upright, 7' wide Hosta fluctuans-like clump. Don't plant Hosta 'Komodo Dragon' unless you have plenty of room. The giant clumps are topped in midsummer with 4' tall scapes laden with light lavender flowers...a hummingbird magnet.

Twilight Foamy Bells: The charcoal color on the leaves is unprecedented on this low, broad hybrid. Exceptionally vigorous, it makes for a groundcover beyond compare, while the distinctive color also makes it attention-getting in mixed containers!

Ghost Lady Fern: A cross between Lady Fern and Japanese Silver-Painted Fern, 'Ghost' improves on these two favorites by combining finely divided foliage, excellent upright habit, and silvery-gray fronds so luminous they appear to glow.

Japanese Painted Fern: A colorful addition to the shade garden, this deciduous fern has glowing pewter-and-green fronds and red or purple stems. Give this plant moist, well-drained soil.

Tassel Fern: This very low-maintenance, dependable shade lover brightens the landscape in all seasons. Like most ferns, this species is resistant to disease and nearly immune to pest problems.

Not bad so sar, but let's see what else we can have if we have spot that gets a little more sun during the day...

Black Magic Elephant Ear: The enormous elongated heart-shaped leaves of Elephant's Ears make them useful accents in beddings (where space permits), large containers and water gardens. Seldom-seen flowers resemble trumpet-like Callas. Also known as Taro, its tuberous roots are eaten as food in many tropical areas.

Japanese Blood Grass: It emerges in spring as a green grass but quickly adds blood-tinted tips as the season goes on. By mid-June, the grass is half red, half green and, by fall, it is almost completely red.

Purple Fountain Grass: This Fountain Grass has elegant plumes with a pink/reddish hue, getting its name “Rubrum” from the word meaning red. It will put on a lovely, decorative show in the garden and is a wonderful accent grass.

Purple Basil: This plant has dark purple leaves, and can reach a full 2 feet at maturity. Although most basil varieties are green, even they usually have purple flowers. It does not come back the next year, but it re-seeds itself very easily.

It's getting even more interesting isn't it? You might also look in to picking the plants that are just right for giving you a Glowing Moon Garden. Moon gardens shine at night, without the aid of light. Those plants tend to be in the lighter shades of green, and white, etc. Here are a few of those who would fit right in with our theme. Garden hydrangea: The shrub is easy to grow, needing little fussing beyond watering, occasional feeding, and light pruning once a year. If you would prefer Blue, just put coffee grounds around the bush.

Heuchera, ‘Electric Lime’ Heuchera: The perfect accent for a mostly green garden; its big maple-like leaves add a pop of bright lime that’s guaranteed to wake up darker green shrubbery.

Royal Wedding Hosta: The white edging is mirrored by the snow white flowers that arise on 20-inch flower scapes. While most Hostas grow tiny, ornamentally insignificant flowers, 'Royal Wedding' boasts 3 to 4 inch blooms that are reminiscent of Magnolia blooms and which are, fittingly, very fragrant.

White Caladium: This vibrant white caladium works well in any shady area of your garden. The leaves are paper-thin translucent white with a thin netting of green and pronounced green main veins.

Ipomoea alba, sometimes called the moonflower (but not to be confused with the other species also called moonflower) or moon vine, is a species of night-blooming morning glory, native to tropical and subtropical regions of the New World.

‘Casa Blanca’ Oriental lilies provide wonderful fragrance and large, showy blooms for the mid-summer garden.

I bet you feel like getting outside now! I know that I do. One last thought...don't forget the garden accessories!!! Here are a few that I hope to add this year.

Enjoy the time in your garden, and don't forget to share your pictures!

Top 10 Weird, Scary, Odd, or just plain Strange Lawn Ornaments

You have seen them driving down the street in your home town, or maybe on family trips. They leave you in awe. They leave you in wonder. They leave you in envy, or they just leave you asking "What were they thinking"... It's the ever present Lawn Ornament. We hate them, we love them, and we can't live without them. Would you like to see them now???

Of course, our personal lawn ornaments, the ones we have in our own yards, are perfectly acceptable...it's the neighbors that get a little strange, and border on tacky, if not actually tacky. You know the ones, the flamingos, the lawn gnomes, or that lady bending over in her garden showing her backside...yea, that one. Who wants to look at that. It just proves that the grass may be greener over there, but just look at how they have decorated it. Anyway in honor of this strange, and unusual tradition of adorning ones personal, but visually public space, I thought I would do the honors of posting a few of my favorite, and real (meaning that you can find these for purchase) yard decorations.

Just a few thoughts, the eyeball. Well, I just don't know what to think, or say for that matter. I do like the guy coming out of the sewer, and what looks to be a zombie in the pond. I could possibly find a space for just one Easter Island guy, but not a herd of them, but not a shark, or dinosaur... Meerkats are not my thing, but I guess they are cute. Speaking of cute, big foot is not. Nor is that other weird tree thing coming out of the ground, but they would be o.k. for Halloween, where anything goes. In closing, I guess if you really didn't like people visiting, the yard full of skunks would be great, or maybe just the guy in the yard with them. I think either one would keep the populous away. Cheers!

The Truth Behind The Dozier School for Boys

RMS Titanic, Yesterday, and Today