A bougainvillea invaded our house
Decades ago when we bought an old wooden farmhouse, on the farm we transformed into a small winery, there was a stunning bougainvillea, which turned out to be growing into the attic and its vines were wrapped around the electrical wires to the house, inside the attic.
An electrician told us this monster vine had to be removed because it was a fire hazard as it clutched the electrical wiring. My husband had to cut it down with a chain saw, the trunk was about a foot across and very hard wood. The spikes or thorns were fierce and sharp and my husband was a brave man to do battle with it.
The plant liked what it decided was an invigorating pruning and quickly grew back and we kept it pruned to a modest size, no longer growing into our house.
Senior Angel Program
I don't recall which of my dear blogger friends recently suggested Chemo Angels and Senior Angels on her blog, to do as a volunteer. I want to thank you, please tell me who you are. I signed up to be a Senior Angel, haven't gotten matched with my senior yet, but I am excited to begin. It sounds like a good program that we can do from our home which is super convenient. The responsibility is to write notes of encouragement a couple times a week and to send small gifts if you want, I think it said the gifts should be only 2 or 3 dollars, just a friendly token.
That program you signed up for sounds very nice. How nice of you to reach out like that.
ReplyDeleteWe have several bougainvilleas on the front of our house. They are beautiful but require a lot of work.
We had a monster bougainvillea in front of our bdr window. I battled it for two years, and that guy kept growing. Our gardener trimmed it back to nothing and then dug it up. That thing was about 25 years old and with a twisted trunk.
ReplyDeleteThat Bougainvillea is amazing! It grew so huge and is absolutely full of blooms. I wonder if they survive in zone 7 ( which is the one here where I live).
ReplyDeleteWhat a great program. I know some seniors that would love to receive little special things and written notes in the mail. I do not know if we have that program here but I think I am going to do it on my own to the seniors I know that might like this. Thanks for Sharing.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Kris
That is a bougainvillea horror story! We had to take out 5 massive ones planted between our very small patio and a stone wall. They kept invading the space and yes those thorns are wicked. We poured lots of brush killer on the stumps and then later dug the stumps out.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I've ever seen a bougainvillea! It's fabulous! And good for you, signing up to volunteer. That's really so valuable and worthwhile.
ReplyDeleteThat programs sounds wonderful. Bougainvilleas do not grow here but they are beautiful---but invasive, I see.
ReplyDeleteHope you have a great week. xo Diana
That bougainvilleas is gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteThat senior angels program sounds like a wonderful program. I might have to look into that.
Bougainvilleas are gorgeous but they can certainly take over, which is what sounds like happened with yours. I love the idea of being a senior angel. I would like so badly to volunteer somewhere, but I just can't commit to anything because of my back.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Betsy
I know just what you mean about the bougainvilleas. They grow wild everywhere in Hawaii. That Senior Angels program sounds like such a sweet, wonderful program.
ReplyDeleteBougainvilleas are one of my favorite plants as long as they are in someone else's yard. Wow, Those thorns are lethal.
ReplyDeleteSenior Angels sounds like a great program, I will see if they have one here.
Oh, I hate those plants that are so invasive...yet they bloom so lovely! Who would suspect that they are invading your home and yield such nasty thorns. What a stinker! I don't think I have run across those here Chicago.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad that you signed up to volunteer for a good cause! I have found that volunteering has really helped my spirit and positive attitude. Have fun with it!
Thanks for stopping by. Lovely flowers and garden photos in previous posts. Have an awe inspired rest of the week.
ReplyDeleteI have seen and admired Bougainvillea’s in both Florida and California. They are magnificent and I did try to grow them here in PA to no avail. I guess I was lucky.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a wonderful organization that you joined. Loneliness is so prevalent among seniors and this sounds like a very good program that will do much to make people’s lives brighter.
Spelling it is nearly impossible, but I can't even pronounce it!
ReplyDeleteYour volunteer opportunity sounds wonderful!
Your Bougainvilleas are beautiful, Terra, and such a vivid color. It's always nice to sign up as a volunteer for organizations. I was thinking of signing up as a volunteer for the homeless. : )
ReplyDeleteI hope you are loving these Autumn days in California.
~Sheri
I volunteer at a Hospice house every week but I would like to check on the Senior Angels too. I like making cards and sending them so this would be something else I could do. It sure makes a difference too. Brightens someone's day! Hugs!
ReplyDeleteThe flowers are so beautiful! wow cannot believe it will invade like that, glad you have it under control lol
ReplyDeleteDear Terra, the story of that bougainvillea that discovered your attic is a wonder! Never heard of such an aggressive plant. Thanks for sharing. I do not know anything about Senior Angels, but if you discover more, I would really appreciate learning about them. Hope your week has been a good one. Peace.
ReplyDeleteA bit of colour at what can be a brown time of year. Lovely.
ReplyDeleteWhat gorgeous plants Bougainvilleas are, but yes, I can imagine you don’t want them inside! I like the idea of being a senior angel. How lovely!
ReplyDeleteThe bougainvillea is gorgeous. Amazing that you had one so large! I'm going to check out the senior angel program now.
ReplyDeleteYour bougainvillea is stunning, I've always loved the name; it sounds so tropical! Now I know why I've never seen one here in the Midwest! I had no idea they were such an aggressive climber. I had wisteria growing on my front porch columns which I planted years ago. My hope was that it would climb to the balcony above off the master bedroom and on to the arbor above. And it sure did! It also wrapped around power lines and when we saw it, we immediately cut the vine so the tangled part around the wire could die off. It was impossible to dig it out ourselves so we hired professionals. Lesson learned.
ReplyDeleteI admire you for contacting Senior Angels. You have a caring heart and it will touch so many to get a little surprise from someone who cares. When we give, we get it back threefold. 🙏
Oh what a lovely plant! Amazing how big that one grew and caused a hazard to your electrical. I admire you for signing up for Senior Angels. What a kind and worthy cause. God bless.
ReplyDeleteI have received my Senior Angel person, have you?
ReplyDeleteLittle Penpen, was it you who told me about Senior Angels? Yes, I got assigned my angel person about two weeks ago and am sending her cards every other day. She started chemo earlier this year. It seems like a great program to help people.
ReplyDelete