Another great week with some awesome moisture! It’s so strange to see the white stuff covering the ground—it’s been so long! Not complaining about my muddy road, or the leak in my old roof, or the cold temperatures, because we NEED the moisture real bad. I hope it keeps up every week all winter long!

The day before it snowed, I was still cleaning up flowerbeds in front of the store. And will probably be doing more this weekend. The afternoons are so-o-o beautiful and warm enough to get some work done. I am amazed that seedlings are already germinating, with the hopes of being larger flowers in the spring. I have been cultivating my Red Penstemon for a number of years. There are so few true red flowers, and this one is a beauty. The hummingbirds love them, virtually no care, and very little water!  They start blooming the end of July and can continue into September.

One of the other red flowers I am going to push next year is the red Salvia, which is an annual. I have had it going to seed everywhere—but it was pretty late in the summer as the seedlings came up. In the spring I am going to consciously plant the seeds early and see if I can get brilliant patches of red in the garden. One of the places I had it growing was between the sidewalk and curb in front of the Bistro Rialto—a volunteer—now that is one tough plant.

A really tough houseplant is the JADE. I have a Jade that is probably over 40 years old. It was given to me a couple of years ago from the Capt. John Brandt family. I was honored. I had it at the store and then it started to look a little poorly so I took it home. The first year I placed it outside during the summer, and it did great! This summer I didn’t get that done.

The Jade was invaded by mealy bugs, and every day I kept saying “I’ll take care of that tomorrow.” The whole summer went by and every time I looked at the huge plant I felt bad. But not bad enough to take care of it. Finally, about the beginning of September I decided to drag it outside. I knocked off EVERY, single leaf. I actually vacuumed it. By the time I brought it back inside, it looked pretty pathetic—like a Charlie Brown Xmas tree. 

But now, six weeks later, I have a bajillion new leaves coming on (actually only a hundred or so). I did some topdressing with worm castings, and also sprinkled a plant systemic to discourage any more mealies. I am happy…and promise to do better in the future Dorothy Brandt!

Last Saturday Peyton and Landon Sanchez, and my grandchildren, Peyton and Braxson met over at Alamosa Fire Station #1. We had raised some money earlier this summer but hadn’t found the time to get it donated. We had four little bags of money—one from each kid! We didn’t know how much had been raised but just handed it over. Today…I texted Chief Don Chapman to find out if he had a count.  WOW—we turned in $645 and change! This came from Peyton’s card sales and Landon’s bake sale and my kids robbed their piggy banks and raised money at their lemonade stand here at the store. AND, my customers are the best in the world with their donations of change. It all added up! Thank you to the local Alamosa Fire Fighters—City and State—for putting it on the line all summer long.

As if that isn’t enough, Peyton Sanchez is now on to his next project. With some of the money from the sale of his “Inspirational Notes” he went to the store and loaded up on deodorant, and soaps, and toothpaste, and shampoo, and even socks, to make baggies for those less fortunate than us. If you would like to teach your child or grandchild about the gift of giving, please give them chores to do this week and let them earn some money, take them to the store and let them pick out travel size items and come by the Green Spot next Saturday from noon to two. Please make them earn the money. Let’s start teaching our youngsters this gift. And how good it will make them feel. Peyton will donate the bags on his travels between medical appointments. What a hero!

My granddaughter, Peyton, has been inspired by Peyton. A few weeks ago, she came to the store after school and said “Grandma, who can I earn money for today”? She decided on the Lucero family (the best neighbors in the world). Come by and look at her sign. Every customer I gave a dollar to, so she would get some donations. When we had a little ‘wad’ we would go and give them to Anthony—and trade them for M&M’s. We do miss Lucky (the tire shop dog), because we had no one to share our M&M’s with. Betty Gray is doing much better, but still a ways before she can come home. Please keep them in your prayers—Betty and Peyton.

And thank you Peyton Sanchez for being such an inspiration—every day and always!