We checked inside everything in that corner, mostly old flower pots and painting supplies. My husband moved everything to double check. We couldn't find the source of the reek. Most likely a dead mouse in the wall somewhere (eeewwwww!) It doesn't small as bad as when the 'possum bit the dust under the back porch, but it's bad enough. Thankfully, it's only in the one corner of the basement--very localized. But, still, EEEWWWWW!
I worked hard this weekend, avoiding the basement, and finished the crewel project that was a class my friend Rita took many years ago. I didn't think much of it until I washed and pressed it. Now I think it's a pretty nice piece. I have no idea what I'll do with it--I just really enjoy stitching crewel. Thanks to Terry, the flower on the top right has the half-feather stitch around it. (not very visible, it's in the palest color)
On Saturday (pre-dead mouse) we ventured out and about a bit. We really like green houses, botanic gardens, conservatories, so when we inadvertently learned there was one only a few miles from our house, we were kind of shocked. They certainly have kept it to themselves! We learned about it because they have a century plant that is about to bloom. It is growing at the rate of about 7" per day and has topped the roof of the greenhouse (they broke out a panel to accommodate it.
Here's Steve looking at it from the outside--you can just see the tip where it pokes out of the roof. Sad to say, they're not open on weekends (most likely the main reason we were unaware of them). The greenhouse is in Washington Park in East Chicago, Indiana at 142d and Parish. From what I can tell, however, any and all events there (like the spring flower show) are for residents with proper IDs only. Well, heck!
Here's another view of the century plant from the side, through the greenhouse glass. It looks exactly like a stalk of asparagus on steroids! You can see the scales on the side, just like an asparagus. Except it's maybe 8" across. We've read about the century plant that burst through the roof at the Oak Park conservatory (and revitalized the conservatory and saved it from oblivion) but we've never seen one.
It was interesting to see it. The tip also looks just like asparagus and, from what we've read, so does the flower. Once it flowers, the plant dies. We hope Sunday's snow didn't damage it.
We didn't get much--a dusting on the grass. Enough that some enterprising children made a nicely sized snowman. I saw it on my way in to work this morning. Most of the snow is gone now. I heard some areas got 7" so we were lucky.
