What's Wrong With This Picture?

The pond is burbling as it should,the aquatic plants are blooming nicely and the water lilies pop up every afternoon for a dazzling display.

Perfection, right? Well it would be if the twelve fish would report for roll call; They are either hiding out or just plain gone.

No, I don't think they provided protein for the neighborhood raccoons, no I don't. That's because I don't want to and besides, twelve would make a Guinness record for an all-in-one catch.

For the first few days they darted here and there, sampling the algae and generally testing out their new quarters. Then they disappeared.

Some new fish die; that's what they do. but all twelve?

A few days ago I spotted a flash of gold as one darted to the surface, then quickly disappeared under the plants.

Not a sign of one since.

I'll be patient a bit longer and assume they are noshing on all the goodies that ponds provide. Perhaps in a week or so, they'll stagger out weighing three times more than when they arrived here.

I'd really like some action soon, and to be on the safe side, raccoons are not welcome.

Did We Just Have summer?

Okay, I know it's the first week in June but really people, I think the blooming season is almost done.

Look at the Honeysuckle--it's gorgeous.

Here in south central Ontario we are accustomed to long, chilly once-in-a-while-hot spring times, until one day it's summer and the tulips look silly.
Then, in a languorous fashion, the plants decide to get into the spirit and our growng season begins.

But not this year.

This year by the twenty-fourth of May, my peonies were in full swing, the roses were coming out the the honeysuckle was gorgeous. In May for goodness sake.

It's not that I'm complaining--heaven knows I spend long, cold months dreaming for this time.



I wonder if stuff like this blooms twice in a season down south? If this longer, warmer season continues, the plants aound here might give it a shot.

The "C" Pile

In my office life, I used the three-pile system to deal with those never-ending stacks of paper: deal immediately with pile "A", put pile "B" in the pending section and toss out pile "C".

This area represents files "B" and "C".

I put the easy- to- break- down- debris into the composter and branches, weeds, things that won't break down quickly, go into this corner of the garden.

It takes some heavy animal wire and metal stakes and we're in business.

The yard immediately looks tidy and since there is a lot going on in my small space, this is a good thing.

The fern on the right was planted when that corner was empty. Then, I squeezed in a composter beside the fern and as the bin filled it shifted and only a tiny patch of green peeked out from under.

Eventually the composter moved to the other side of the yard and the flattened fern rallied and doesn't seem to mind the fence smack in the middle of its existence.

I promise to leave you alone, Fern, and thanks for your patience.