A Good Garden Neighbor

This is my idea of the perfect neighbor.
Probably three owners back someone planted the Lilac and Snowball trees and the latter spills happily over our mutual fence.
This is my favorite thing about gardening, especially since I tend to move a lot- you leave behind beautiful plants for others to enjoy.

Summer

Our transition from spring-to-summer happens like this; one day you're huddled in your warmest sweater and next day you're sweating into the skimpiest the law allows.

This was the temperature yesterday morning long before noon.




These aristocrats were planted last fall; I have idea what kind of tulip they are but they are superb.


This is an eclectic display after a heavy rainfall last week; they are about to gather forces, shake off the dampness and stand straight.



Did I mention I live for the summer months?

Don't Rain On My Garden Parade

7:15 AM. The weather report calls for showers off and on through the day. I jetison my tea mug and race outside to see what can be done in the garden before the damp invasion.

7:22AM. My daughter is coming over at ten to finish enlarging a garden bed. Hah! I think; I'll just continue where she left off yesterday and won't she be surprised.

7:24 AM. I can't believe the shovel didn't bend in two, or that my wrist doesn't require medical intervention. That earth is a mixture of cement and Crazy Glue. Nothing budged. I guess I won't call off the Duchess. Also made a mental note to stay on her good side.

I did get a couple of bags of Cow Poo (yes, that is its name) in place and then it was time to tour the back forty. This can be done in three minutes so I will forego the time checks.

First stop: a good morning to Julius who is trying to blend in with the other critters and he does quite well.Personally I think he's got a crush on one of the phoney folk.
The Hosta was a baby I brought from the old place almost two years ago. It's a happy camper.
One forget-me-not stowed away with other plants brought along on the move and now the entire garden is ablaze with blue. Fortunately I love it since it would take too much energy to send it packing.







Now it's mid afternoon and still not a drop of rain but the garden work is done.

Garden fun

At last, after forty days and forty nights (okay maybe a week) the rains and high winds disappeared and summer has returned, taking baby steps.

While I was tapping my foot and staring out the window last week, I figured out a no- cost solution to protect my precious though ungrateful orchid plants during their summer outdoor vacation.

The problem is there's no shade around my place. Not anywhere. So I hauled out a retired wire cart from the basement and the plants camp out there on the deck with a recycled plastic chair cover protecting them from the elements at night.

I uncover them in the morning, leaving the plastic shade roof overhead, and they should thrive. And bloom as well, if they have any compassion.



The nursery plants I bought last week during the rain and wind were looking pretty sad,abandoned on the deck but most of them are now planted.

The deck looks as though a mini cyclone blew through but it was just me, filling pots and delivering them to the perfect spot.

Then I ran out of energy so step two, the tidying up step happens tomorrow.



I accidentally snapped off the stalk of the beautiful parrot tulip but it's having a secomd life inside.

And How Was Your Day?

My big brother Bob was inducted into an Armed Forces Hall of Fame in Ottawa last weekend.

He has mixed feelings about being singled out but since he doesn't read my blog it's probably safe to recount the tale.

He was an RCAF pilot stationed in England during world War Two and he flew a Lancaster, the biggest of the bomber aircraft.

It was expected that there would be a forty-percent loss of life in the squadron.

Bob's main worry was to conceal from his crew that he was the youngest one of them by quite a few years.

On his 34th mission he was flying over Germany when his plane was attacked and seriously damaged with some explosives still on board.

Fire broke out in the cabin and he ordered his crew to leave; they parachuted out, one by one.

Bob stayed with the plane until it had safely passed over a town and then he jumped, and by this time his uniform was starting to burn.

That was the moment he remembered his chute was due for inspection but it did its job.

He spent a rainy night sleeping in a field and next morning he cautiously approached an old farmer heading to a nearby barn. Once the farmer grasped that Bob was from the downed ship he took him home and fed him, then proudly marched him around to show him off to the neighbors and finally he was turned over to the authorities where his burns were treated.

He was relieved to learn he was in neutral Sweden and was reunited with is crew. A month later he was returned to England and later was awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross.

Bob was 21 years old at the time.

What can you possibly do to top that?

Well, two years later he married a Canadian WAAC in England after just six dates and they just celebrated their sixtieth anniversary.

No Beckhams As Yet.

I drove my ten-year old Grandkid Elise to play her first soccer game last night.

Naturally we had the rain of all rains; in fact serious people would have set to work building an ark.

This picture shows nothing of the action but this was the only moment the rain let up.

There's a rule--the game is played unless there is lightning. Nothing else counts although they might pause for a cyclone passing through.

The kids were a polite group at first. The ball fell within kicking distance of four of them and they paused as if to say, "Okay, you first." It's only a matter of time before they attack any shins in their way.

A sneaky channel opened in my rain coat and a small river ran endlessly down my back and I did fervently hope they didn't run past two innings or whatever they call it with a long snack pause in between.

But you know what? It was fun. She had a grand time, her cheeks were flushed and she shows every sign of being a good player.

Tonight I take another grandchild to her game. The weather report promises more of last night's menu.

A busy Morning At the Pond

I went out to greet the fish and they were sulking,out of sight. Actually they were burbling,"Eugh".It seems two moles tried the waters and drowned. They were dispatched after a hasty burial and the fish reappeard to say thanks.

Furlop the rabbit maintained his poise during the flurry.

He's Baaaack!

Julius is back and this is the first sighting.

It's a cloudy day and he's blending in with the grey water but he's there.



He's willing to pose but didn't wake for his makeup.


Welcome back Julius--now spring is officially here.