My 'Garden Boy' --------

Yesterday was not a day of rest by any means. . . . . . we, and hired help, 

worked together in the garden. In fact we worked outside the entire weekend, 

and included a trip to buy landscape items including wall building stones, 

netting to keep the dastardly squirrels off my newly sown seeds, potting

 soil. . . . . . and of course I managed to sneak in some plants - two pots

 of beautiful Shasta daisies for the now more elegant back bed along

 the fence.

No pool so no 'Pool Boy' required around here!!!

But here you can meet my 'Garden Boy', good 'ole Bob.

He gave up the business suits and polished shoes (other than when the

 occasional wedding or funeral comes along) with retirement, many years

 ago, and now pulls on those old faded jeans and worn out running shoes

 and becomes a version of a Master Gardener!

Thank you Bob for digging holes, trimming branches, mowing grass, 

blowing leaves and on occasion, like yesterday, clambering flat out under

 the Japanese maple to pull out those pesky weeds such as pokeberry

 and Boston ivy.

I have to add though that pokeberry is not all bad as despite the berries

being poisonous to humans, but loved by birds, the plant appears to

 have a good side. . . . . .

Today, pokeberry is being researched as a possible treatment for cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, a chemical found in pokeberry juice has been used to successfully treat cancerous tumors in laboratory mice. The chemical is also being tested to determine if it can protect cells from HIV and AIDS.

Georgia Wildlife Resources

Here Bob is actually in our neighbor's yard as it's easier access under the tree

as we have a wall on our side.  

Side yard of our house where, as you can see, these azaleas and

 the acer have encroached over the split rail fence into our neighbor's 

yard. . . . . . .thankfully he doesn't mind one bit.

Our handyman 'solutions' guy and his assistant are a great pair and

after doing such a super job on the deck restoration, we had them

back to build the low wall along the back bed. They dug out the old

fallen over scalloped edging and placed it in back, then built a simple

low wall. Once the daffodil greenery dies back and can be cut off, we

 will add more soil and compost and replant with a couple more

climbing roses, perennials and hang new bird houses.

Hope your week is off to a good start.

Our temps have dropped quite a bit after the recent

 'heatwave', and I'm not minding at all.