Two Noras: August 3, 1914 and August 3, 2021

Nora Bauer: Monday, August 3, 1914

Was at the office by myself today. Anna is taking her vacation. 

Nora Spitznogle: Tuesday, August 3, 2021

No State Fair today, worked downtown at Second Helpings. Opened more sympathy cards. 

I keep forgetting that Grandma Nora's older sister, Anna, worked with Barnes Construction also. I wonder where she was vacationing? 

Another work day for me, meetings and such - nothing exciting. 

Yesterday's tomato victory sparked an interest in what I can salvage from my spring planting. The peanuts and cotton seem to be hanging in there. Peanuts and cotton in Indianapolis you ask? 

I'm a big fan of the horticulture program at the Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired. They open their greenhouse to the public four times a year and I try to be there each time. All of my already-started plants come from there. Not only do they offer the typical plants that you see everywhere - tomatoes, peppers, squash, herbs - but they have some exotic-to-me plants for sale. This is my second year for growing both cotton and peanuts. 

I honestly had no idea what a cotton plant looked like or the growing process. It's a very pretty plant and the maturity process is fascinating. Click here for a basic explanation. I love that they produce white flowers and once it is pollinated, the flowers turn purple and produce the boll. 

I need to take a better photograph. There are two plants in this pot, one is purple and the other green - I can't remember what the difference is. I've circled two of the bolls, the plants have four all together. 

Last year I only harvested one boll - Tilly Cat thought the cotton fluff was the best toy she'd ever been given. I'm not sure what I'll do with this year's bountiful crop. 

I'm still opening sympathy cards - they are so lovely and have thoughtful notes and memories.