Y grip tool

It is always nice to see new products that truly are different. I occasionally have people come to my shop with objects they would like to market. I never know how it's going to go when I hear, they have something they to show me, " it's just in the trunk of my car"

I have seen some amazing things in parking lots. It can also be an exercise in tact. Grampa's bird houses, Billy's painted rock, special one of a kind driftwood bits, decorated pots, and tools don't always hold the test of wide appeal. I am always looking for new things, and objects d' art, but retail is ruthless, it has to sell. It is with trepidation I head into the parking lot, I have been pleasantly surprised....but more often, I have to let someone down.

This was not the case when Paul, a massage therapist "with a tool, I invented", showed up. I loved it! It simply was new, and innovative, simple and effective. Again,... I was delighted, and agreed to take his product in a flash.

I have paddled competitively, and coach a seniors team, so Paul and I were on the same page when it came to wrists, ergonomic designs and neutral alignment. Paddlers suffer the same wrist issues, that are aggravated using a trowel. I was definitely his new biggest fan. I am happy to promote his new tool any way I can.

I showed it to a customer with very bad arthritis, and she agreed it was brilliant. She could hold it, and although she has very little use of one hand she could put pressure on the blade with her bad hand, while holding with her good. She thought with her body weight, and two hands it would be possible to use.

check it out for yourself,

www.ygrip.ca

........it is very reasonably priced too!

Bean bag

I planted Scarlet runners pole beans, into one of the bags, I had fiberglassed. I added a bamboo tee-pee, and ta da, my bean-bag. The beans sprouted yesterday, I can't wait till they start to climb the poles.

Purse Planters

I made these, and other purse planters for Mother's Day, to learn how, or to see others follow the link.

My Cherry tree.

This is the view from my deck chair in May. My Kwanzan Cherry brings us a lot of pleasure. This is a beautiful tree.

It blooms with huge double pink flowers, and the new leaves are blushed with amber tones.

I get a birds eye view of these spectacular babies. The Kwanzan is great street tree, it has a big impact at a distance, even zooming by in a car.

I spent a lot of time placing this tree. I think it is 10 years old now. I wanted to see it from the patio. I measured, and measured, I wanted it as close as possible but not touching the house. I have a shady backyard so didn't want to create more shade on the sunny side. The tree is as far North as I could place it and still see it from the deck. I also wanted to see it from my bedroom window without blocking it. I moved that tree six inches here, and two feet there, for an hour before I thought it was perfect. I remember there was mocking, and even exasperation, but it was worth it.

It is close to but not touching the deck, and not encroaching on the path, all good things to consider when planting a tree.

Million dollar view.

Victoria Alpine society

I recently stumbled upon a garden project of the Victoria Alpine Society. I had no idea they maintained this gem, and look forward to visiting others. They are looking for volunteers for their Hospital rock project. Here is a link to their site. http://www.virags.ca/ , and another for the garden at Beaconhill park.
http://www.peak.org/~parsont/rockgard/Victoria.htm