tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56773250834844999372024-03-13T19:11:35.759-07:00AdWords FlowersGrowing flowers from a Google Adwords mailerjookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14398819420606927070noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5677325083484499937.post-21576721801763804282011-05-24T18:07:00.000-07:002011-05-24T18:07:07.651-07:00The MeantimeIt's been a while since I posted anything, and a couple people have asked.<br />
Sorry about that. Here's the situation:<br />
I recently moved 300 miles away, so I honestly don't know what's up with the patch of flowers at this point.<br />
The last time I was back home, I looked, and the spot was full of plants coming up. I can't say whether they were the flowers, or just weeds, because there weren't actually any flowers yet, but whatever the plants were, they were growing fine.<br />
I would have taken a picture anyway, but I didn't have my camera.<br />
Next time I'm back in town, I'll check it out and try to get some pictures. At present, I don't have any plans to be back there before July, but either way I will make an effort to keep an update.jookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14398819420606927070noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5677325083484499937.post-21322229893728002042011-02-03T16:00:00.000-08:002011-02-03T16:00:37.259-08:00The SproutsWent to check the garden today after being away for several days. At first glance, it seemed unremarkable, but then I took a closer look. Hey - what's that?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_t1NiHCcFL14/TUtAYBvH8uI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/BD128E69Eus/s1600/DSCN1177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_t1NiHCcFL14/TUtAYBvH8uI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/BD128E69Eus/s320/DSCN1177.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div>A sprout? Nice! So this magic paper does work!</div><div>After spotting that, I took an even closer, careful look, and found a couple more.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_t1NiHCcFL14/TUtAb1Ic9oI/AAAAAAAAAOU/cLHRli5o2FA/s1600/DSCN1178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_t1NiHCcFL14/TUtAb1Ic9oI/AAAAAAAAAOU/cLHRli5o2FA/s320/DSCN1178.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_t1NiHCcFL14/TUtAe1mmEjI/AAAAAAAAAOY/_U_Z_E-OnkY/s1600/DSCN1179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_t1NiHCcFL14/TUtAe1mmEjI/AAAAAAAAAOY/_U_Z_E-OnkY/s320/DSCN1179.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
<br />
</div><div>Wonderful! It's making some progress after all.</div><div>This looks like it could be promising after all. Keep checking to see how things go as the weather continues to warm up. With a bit of luck, this could be a nice patch of flowers by April.</div><div><br />
</div><div>I also found a couple encroaching bits of grass, which I pulled up, and a little of what might be clover, which I left in case it's actually flowers too.</div>jookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14398819420606927070noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5677325083484499937.post-2566913844146054212011-01-25T10:28:00.000-08:002011-01-28T10:44:43.105-08:00The UncoveringI was away the past few days, but I trust that the sprinklers did their job. The ground was damp when I checked today.<br />
Also, the paper had come exposed in a couple spots.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_t1NiHCcFL14/TT8VwHO8oRI/AAAAAAAAAN0/XIblSyQZ6SY/s1600/DSCN1175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_t1NiHCcFL14/TT8VwHO8oRI/AAAAAAAAAN0/XIblSyQZ6SY/s320/DSCN1175.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I covered it back up, and sprinkled some more water, and cleared away a couple little bits of encroaching grass.<br />
I wonder if I should sprinkle some plant food? I will take a look in the shed, and see whether there is any. It probably won't hurt the process.<br />
<br />
<br />
Don't count on another update unless there's something interesting to see. Don't think I'm abandoning the project, though. I'll keep checking on the little plot, watering as necessary, and look for signs of growth. I just won't bother posting lame things like this every day.jookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14398819420606927070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5677325083484499937.post-54258634348603797652011-01-23T10:53:00.000-08:002011-01-23T10:53:57.716-08:00The WaitNothing to see today. I was going to take new pictures, but they would have looked exactly the same as this one from yesterday:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_t1NiHCcFL14/TTtPR5soOII/AAAAAAAAANw/r7QlRWvw0oE/s1600/DSCN1173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_t1NiHCcFL14/TTtPR5soOII/AAAAAAAAANw/r7QlRWvw0oE/s200/DSCN1173.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
So instead I'll just repost it.jookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14398819420606927070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5677325083484499937.post-59385991814639409392011-01-22T13:43:00.000-08:002011-01-22T14:30:31.441-08:00The AnticipationI looked all around for a watering can, really. It doesn't seem like we have one, so substitutions had to be made.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_t1NiHCcFL14/TTtO5GIi81I/AAAAAAAAANs/79cNa6RbQK0/s1600/DSCN1172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_t1NiHCcFL14/TTtO5GIi81I/AAAAAAAAANs/79cNa6RbQK0/s400/DSCN1172.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I won't have to worry overly much about the watering, as irrigation in the yard is automated, and there's a soaker hose nearby. I'll be checking to make sure the soil stays moist, though, and keeping up with the drinks as necessary.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_t1NiHCcFL14/TTtPR5soOII/AAAAAAAAANw/r7QlRWvw0oE/s1600/DSCN1173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_t1NiHCcFL14/TTtPR5soOII/AAAAAAAAANw/r7QlRWvw0oE/s320/DSCN1173.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
At this point, all I can do is wait a bit. I'll be checking on the spot tomorrow, make sure the area doesn't dry out, and post pictures when there's anything to see.jookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14398819420606927070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5677325083484499937.post-10578473983126608622011-01-22T13:39:00.000-08:002011-01-22T13:45:42.019-08:00The StickOf course, it was necessary to make a stake, both to remember where I had planted the thing, and as a reminder of where it came from.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_t1NiHCcFL14/TTtOZbTLPEI/AAAAAAAAANk/tzJuX62wxIM/s1600/DSCN1169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_t1NiHCcFL14/TTtOZbTLPEI/AAAAAAAAANk/tzJuX62wxIM/s320/DSCN1169.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
On the reverse is a nod to why I'm doing this in the first place.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_t1NiHCcFL14/TTtOdDziHiI/AAAAAAAAANo/bd5q1TJ_iSU/s1600/DSCN1170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_t1NiHCcFL14/TTtOdDziHiI/AAAAAAAAANo/bd5q1TJ_iSU/s400/DSCN1170.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>jookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14398819420606927070noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5677325083484499937.post-40562744203403418442011-01-22T13:37:00.000-08:002011-01-22T13:37:33.227-08:00The IntruderAt this point, Milton came outside to see what I was up to.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_t1NiHCcFL14/TTtN4Zd7xDI/AAAAAAAAANg/tNl0LJp-ohU/s1600/DSCN1167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_t1NiHCcFL14/TTtN4Zd7xDI/AAAAAAAAANg/tNl0LJp-ohU/s400/DSCN1167.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I left him to check it out while I went to make a label.jookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14398819420606927070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5677325083484499937.post-49950841890147675672011-01-22T13:34:00.000-08:002011-01-22T14:03:51.016-08:00The PlantingThe first thing was to find a suitable location.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_t1NiHCcFL14/TTtMEJiXJsI/AAAAAAAAANE/mK5Va1dLg4Y/s1600/DSCN1156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_t1NiHCcFL14/TTtMEJiXJsI/AAAAAAAAANE/mK5Va1dLg4Y/s320/DSCN1156.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Yup. That'll do.<br />
<br />
<br />
So I dug a hole,<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_t1NiHCcFL14/TTtMaRlFPXI/AAAAAAAAANI/0J1-_a1UtCg/s1600/DSCN1159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_t1NiHCcFL14/TTtMaRlFPXI/AAAAAAAAANI/0J1-_a1UtCg/s200/DSCN1159.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Put the letter in,<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_t1NiHCcFL14/TTtMsaDpkqI/AAAAAAAAANM/JqVQG1hvwqc/s1600/DSCN1160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_t1NiHCcFL14/TTtMsaDpkqI/AAAAAAAAANM/JqVQG1hvwqc/s200/DSCN1160.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
And covered it up.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_t1NiHCcFL14/TTtMvpI0ADI/AAAAAAAAANQ/L_rVQBty_y8/s1600/DSCN1161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_t1NiHCcFL14/TTtMvpI0ADI/AAAAAAAAANQ/L_rVQBty_y8/s200/DSCN1161.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_t1NiHCcFL14/TTtMzE7ddtI/AAAAAAAAANU/HaKwJMK6q9I/s1600/DSCN1162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_t1NiHCcFL14/TTtMzE7ddtI/AAAAAAAAANU/HaKwJMK6q9I/s200/DSCN1162.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_t1NiHCcFL14/TTtM6Gt-vVI/AAAAAAAAANY/35hA_-Zm9Bk/s1600/DSCN1163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_t1NiHCcFL14/TTtM6Gt-vVI/AAAAAAAAANY/35hA_-Zm9Bk/s320/DSCN1163.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_t1NiHCcFL14/TTtM9mfBTQI/AAAAAAAAANc/JfhSFeV3a78/s1600/DSCN1164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_t1NiHCcFL14/TTtM9mfBTQI/AAAAAAAAANc/JfhSFeV3a78/s320/DSCN1164.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>jookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14398819420606927070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5677325083484499937.post-24729534056672458262011-01-22T12:58:00.000-08:002011-01-22T13:27:56.263-08:00The BeginningA couple days ago, I got a nice card from Google, telling me how awesome my inactive blog with a couple of adsense links is, and offering me $100 to promote it. I threw it away without reading well enough, apparently, because <a href="http://redd.it/f74ut">another clever redditor noticed</a> that the paper on which the letter was printed is full of wildflower seeds.<br />
So, based on a <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/reddit.com/comments/f74ut/ps/c1ds31b">suggestion</a>, I decided to get the card back and plant it myself, since the weather here (in Southern California) is so much nicer than wherever <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/reddit.com/comments/f74ut/ps/c1dsimp">punchingtrees is from</a>.<br />
<div><br />
</div><div>Here's the card:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_t1NiHCcFL14/TTtKUj2chyI/AAAAAAAAAM4/uB2nOi-As7s/s1600/DSCN1153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_t1NiHCcFL14/TTtKUj2chyI/AAAAAAAAAM4/uB2nOi-As7s/s320/DSCN1153.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The letter inside:<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_t1NiHCcFL14/TTtKZSjb1vI/AAAAAAAAAM8/lbrBxJGpvJQ/s1600/DSCN1154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_t1NiHCcFL14/TTtKZSjb1vI/AAAAAAAAAM8/lbrBxJGpvJQ/s320/DSCN1154.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div>And the call to action:<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_t1NiHCcFL14/TTtKcj0mHII/AAAAAAAAANA/j7OY76oSOn4/s1600/DSCN1155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_t1NiHCcFL14/TTtKcj0mHII/AAAAAAAAANA/j7OY76oSOn4/s320/DSCN1155.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
</div>jookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14398819420606927070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5677325083484499937.post-4410255904021147602011-01-22T12:28:00.000-08:002011-01-28T10:50:22.465-08:00Hi RedditI got a letter from Google offering me $100 of adwords credit. Based on <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/reddit.com/comments/f74ut/ps/c1ds31b">this</a> reddit submission, I'm going to bury it, and document the progress.<br />
Lucky for us, January is spring time in Southern California!<br />
<br />
Updates to follow.<br />
<br />
note: <s>If anyone wants that $100 of advertising credit, I'll give you my coupon code. I'm not going to use it. </s> Gave it to <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/Favors/comments/faiqv/offer_coupon_code_for_100_in_free_google_adwords/c1eip01">jordanblock</a>jookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14398819420606927070noreply@blogger.com0