Messages

1

Photo Album / Re: share halloween decorations

« on: October 22, 2008, 01:58:36 PM »

This is our first year of not decorating for halloween.  We won't be home, we have a varsity football game to attend for one cheerleader, and the other is volunteering for the city that night.  Since we had one item stolen last year, we opted to not tempt the hoodlums on halloween itself.






We are usually all dressed up as well.  We also have fog machines and creepy noises.  We have in the past had fire/flames projected on the windows, but have stopped due to the amount of wildfires over the last couple of years.

Happy Halloween to all.

2

Pond Chat / Re: Free Turtles to Locals (SoCal)

« on: September 29, 2008, 05:04:16 PM »

Hi Mikey,

I think the turtle was just looking for somewhere to hide.  They seem content in the plant that I arranged for them.  We shall see what happens.  I just picked up some good greens for them.  I will let you know how it goes.

thanks,

kamala

3

Pond Chat / Re: Oh where, Oh where can the Turtle be?

« on: September 29, 2008, 11:51:31 AM »

Hi Loritx.

I am certainly not a turtle expert in any sense, however, I have learned a few things from my neice and my turtles.  At 4 inches or so, your turtle is surely pretty young.  At that stage, they do prefer a more meaty diet.  I would recommend watching where he/she prefers to hang out for sunning, and set a few mealworms (petco, petsmart, etc... they need to be refrigerated) there.  Turtles love these things.  I used to hand feed  mine, but they were getting too close to my fingers, I now use a fork.  You can probably even try earth worms from your yard.  They do sell pellets for turtles, but they are expensive, and your fish will gobble them up.  Water turtles must be in water to swallow, something to do with not having saliva, or something.  Even if the meal worms fall into the water and drown, either your fish or the turtle will eat them.  After a feeding, my turtles go crazy searching the pond for any that may have dropped to the bottom.  Good luck.  I hope this helps.

kamala

4

Pond Chat / Re: Free Turtles to Locals (SoCal)

« on: September 29, 2008, 11:41:47 AM »

Just to update all.  The new turtles are doing fine.  They are very skittish and I rearranged some plants to allow them to hide better.  My turtles have apparently welcomed them right in.  They all swim around and no displays of aggression so far.  I checked with my neice over the weekend to be sure I was on the right track for food.  I will subsidize their pellets with fresh greens, etc.  Hopefully this will keep their tummies full and they won't bother wasting their time on my plants.  Once the turtles settle in and allow it, I will post pictures. 
Hopefully Mikey's pond will recover.  Although, I must say, his property is beautiful.  So many wonderful plants..

5

Pond Chat / Re: how did he get there?

« on: September 25, 2008, 01:45:42 PM »

Hi Marla,

The mating season for the chorus frog here starts in November.  I thought that was strange too, but thats what the calif. wildlife site says.  Hopefully I will get to confirm this. 
here is one of the little ones.

6

Pond Construction & Filtration / Re: Instant Lily Pond! The Capped Look!

« on: September 24, 2008, 09:21:27 AM »

WOW!  It looks fabulous.  I, too, like the slate, it gives it a polished look.  Great Job.  Relax and enjoy.

7

Pond Chat / Re: how did he get there?

« on: September 23, 2008, 06:08:04 PM »

I love looking for my frogs.  I have just the one bullfrog, and I bought 20 native chorus frog tadpoles this summer.  I see a couple from time to time, but full grown they are less than 2 inches.  A little harder to spot!  We are just waiting for this winter to see if they start ribbiting. 
I hope yours shows up soon.  I've gone as long as a week without spotting my bullfrog, I was quite worried.

8

Pond Chat / Re: Free Turtles to Locals (SoCal)

« on: September 23, 2008, 08:48:57 AM »

Hey Mikey,

Whenever you catch them, just let me know.  I will give them a nice safe home.  I have a small fence around my ponds, and only one (mrs turtle) climbs out.  The rest of my yard is as escape proof as possible.  Even when mrs turtle goes walkabout, she either climbs back or I find her in the water garden on the side yard.  If you need help catching them, let me know.  I don't have experience, but I love humorous situations. 

9

Pond Chat / how did he get there?

« on: September 22, 2008, 08:04:25 PM »

I go out every night with my flash light and do a head count.  DH likes to tease me about it, but the other night, he was the one to run for the camera.  I couldn't find Jebidiah anywhere and while walking from my water garden back to the turtle/fish pond, a glow on the table on turtle island caught my eye.  We didn't get very close, I was afraid to scare him and cause him to jump in a panic. 


   seems crazy to me.  this is the table he was on.

I assume he jumped up the waterfall, to the chair, to the table.
He obviously got down safely, I spotted him in one of the ponds two nights later.

10

Pond Chat / Re: Free Turtles to Locals (SoCal)

« on: September 22, 2008, 07:39:34 PM »

   Can you guesstimate their size?  If my friend doesn't want them and you can't find a home, just let me know.  I can take in a couple of more.  I'll just get DH to dig a bigger pond if necessary.

11

Pond Chat / Re: Free Turtles to Locals (SoCal)

« on: September 22, 2008, 01:26:14 PM »

Hi Mikey.

I think I know someone who might be interested.  Have you given them away yet?

kamala

12

Chit Chat / Re: Any special Pond or garden spots in FRESNO?

« on: August 26, 2008, 03:05:44 PM »

I can't believe I am about to do admit this...  Fresno was good to us.  My dh and I moved there from orange county in 1990.  We were able to rent a house, work part time and attend college, all because of the economy (or lack of one) there.  We managed to be one of 10 couples chosen by a radio station for their "valentines day mass wedding ceremony".  Our eldest daughter was born in clovis, because kaiser didn't have a hospital in fresno (whew).  The crime rates grew and schools were not looking so hot, so we left for washington state (only stayed there 2 years).  I LOVE ORANGE COUNTY!!  That said,  I often think about how much further my dollar goes up there.  I have a brother in clovis (redneck territory, next to fresno).  His house with a pool cost less than 1/2 of mine.  That hurts...  But, I really love orange county, and my kids thank me everytime we visit my brother..."I would die if I had to live there" its mantra by both my teen girls.  I sometimes do miss the smaller community, but not the fly over helicopters with the sun spot lights. 

kamala

13

Pond Chat / Re: Some cool torches

« on: August 06, 2008, 04:29:29 PM »

Wow, those are cool.   I don't think my costco has those.  I will check when I go tomorrow, already went twice today!  Hope I'm not the only costco addict here.

14

Pond Chat / Re: Your site owner is NOT happy.

« on: August 06, 2008, 04:25:48 PM »

Jerry and Sean,

I very seldom post, but I read and ogle almost every day.  This is the only forum I visit and comment on.  The other forums are full of rotten apples and debbie downers.  Americanponders has the most diverse and wonderful people with the most amazing ponds and sense of humor.  Please keep on doing such a wonderful and thankless job for all of us.  This site is awesome because of all the positive and uplifting people who share their problems, their triumphs and humor.  At the end of the day, everyone needs an "ahh" and "haha"  thankyou for providing them.

kamala

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Pond Construction & Filtration / Re: Attaching Stone cap on pond wall

« on: August 03, 2008, 08:42:36 PM »

As much as I love great stuff, I would be worried about it loosening with the wobble and weight of being sat on.  Check the epoxy/liquid nails aisle at home depot or lowes.  I think I saw an epoxy that would stick just about anything to anything.  As long as its not "in" the pond, I wouldn't think there would be any health risk to the fish.  Although, great stuff is easier to repair than epoxy.  good luck.

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Pond Chat / Re: Longwood watch

« on: July 29, 2008, 06:10:50 PM »

that is one of the weirdest things I have ever seen.  Very cool.  Can't wait to see the bloom.

17

Chit Chat / Re: Fell off the ladder because of earthquake....

« on: July 29, 2008, 12:53:38 PM »

It was quite a ride.  I was standing at a neighbors front door with a 30 foot trailer on one side and a house on the other, I thought for sure I was gonna get sandwiched between.  I didn't feel much of the roll, just the giant jolt.  Got home to aquarium water all over the floor and dresser, pond water sloshed out, the dog won't leave my side, and turtles arn't interested in sunbathing.  The fish are still looking for food.  My daughter was volunteering for preschool, and the kids were just told the earth was dancing.  My younger daughter wasn't sure what is was and couldn't careless, just frustrated that cell phones are mostly use.  Always a wake up call here in southern california.

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Pond Chat / Re: New born at midnight

« on: July 18, 2008, 08:04:09 AM »

I am speechless and overly impressed.  How did you ever catch that?

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Pond Chat / Re: Show your stock tank ponds

« on: July 18, 2008, 08:02:09 AM »

The stock tanks are really pretty.  How many gallons do they hold and do you have to line the metal ones?

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Pond Chat / Re: New Ponder - Here's A Pic Of My Very 1st One!!

« on: July 18, 2008, 07:54:50 AM »

beautiful work Karla.   

21

Pond Chat / Re: 6 Lilies, 2 Frogs...

« on: July 14, 2008, 08:01:26 PM »

Cool Pictures Joyce.  I love the "wheres waldo" pictures.

22

Pond Chat / Re: Where have Echo Park's lotuses gone?

« on: July 01, 2008, 08:06:21 PM »

Hey Mikey,

Have you ever gone to the Lotus Festival, and if so, what is it?

The article was very depressing, maybe someone can blow up Joyce's picture and hang it over the lake? 

kamala

23

Aquatic and Terrestrial Plant Exchange / Re: plant newbie ?

« on: June 28, 2008, 04:50:45 PM »

thank you lawanna.  I looked all over the internet and couldn't find anything.  I love this forum!

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Aquatic and Terrestrial Plant Exchange / plant newbie ?

« on: June 28, 2008, 03:26:18 PM »

I have a creeping jenny that has so many legs its gonna get up and walk!  How do you divide this plant?  The branches have tons of roots, can I snip and plant?  How do I thin out the pot?  And...  I have a mosaic, that is going crazy.  Same question regarding thinning.  Hopefully its okay to post this here.  Any and all help would be appreciated.  thank you.

kamala

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Pond Chat / Re: Major yard and pond damage

« on: June 28, 2008, 12:59:30 PM »

I am so sorry for your troubles.  I wish your a gardens a speedy recovery.

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Pond Chat / Re: Most Prolific lillies for those than can have only a few... vote???

« on: June 27, 2008, 10:23:29 AM »

oops forgot the picture.


kamala

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Pond Chat / Re: Most Prolific lillies for those than can have only a few... vote???

« on: June 27, 2008, 10:15:31 AM »

I don't know what it is, but its the one that keeps blooming in my pond.
<a href="http://s297.photobucket.com/albums/mm214/bnbhampton/?action=view&current=100_3533.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm214/bnbhampton/100_3533.jpg" border="0" alt="1st pond">[/url]

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Pond Chat / Re: Triplets!

« on: June 27, 2008, 09:59:44 AM »

The blooms are beauties, but the frog bathtub takes the cake. 

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Pond Chat / Re: Planting pond plants in pea gravel??

« on: June 26, 2008, 06:00:08 PM »

I don't have the greenest thumb, but my lilies seem to be doing fine in the ground up ceramic covered with rocks.  One has bloomed and two more are about to.  I just stick the fert. tabs about 2inches down in the ceramic.  Good Luck!

30

Chit Chat / Re: Turlock tragedy

« on: June 25, 2008, 04:03:11 PM »

I hope its true that bystanders actually did stop and try to help.  Two years ago I was fed up by the me, me, me attitude at christmas time.  Not just my teenagers, but grown adults.  Stealing parking spaces, cutting off to get somewhere first, etc...  So I challenged my teens to find people shopping in need of help.  Not just holding doors, but picking stuff up when someone drops it, offering to help people load their groceries and such.  Sadly, many people were scared to accept our help.  But many were so extremely thankful for the help, it made us all feel needed and appreciated.  It got to the point that my kids would have me stop the car so that they could offer help to people (mostly elderly).  My husband tried many times, but even with me with him, women practically ran to their cars.  Very sad.  And yes, my kids still help when they see someone struggling.  It makes me feel good.  We need more of this!!