Oh deer!

. . . . . . . . you really shouldn't be eating breakfast here!

As you know, I was invited to harvest my neighbor's veggies whilst he took

 a vacation and I was cat-sitting his sweet Ms. Nala the past couple of weeks. 

 He's home now and still so generous sharing cukes, peppers and tomatoes with me.
 I'm giving back to him by way of a nice chilled bowl of cucumber gazpacho, 
after chopping and whizzing those fresh-picked veggies in the food processor.

She arrived yesterday morning just before 8 AM. The sun was already 

brilliant, the air heavy and steamy from the humidity of another 

typical southern summer day.

Heading to pick up the newspaper on the driveway I made a quick return

 to the house to grab the camera. Yes, the crazy lady in her robe was out in

 the garden again and taking more photos.

She was calm, watched me between nibbles, and when I said "no, you must

 go to another restaurant" she looked at me and slowly walked away to the next
 house down the street. . . . . . where there are no veggies, but they 

do have lovely hostas if deer enjoy munching on them!

I love this photo with the sun shining through the ears and
illuminating the whiskers. I know she (at least I believe it's a female) has
 apparently made a home in the small wooded area across the street, but
 I wonder where her family are - haven't seen a second deer yet. 

Nature never ceases to amaze. 
There's always some animal, bird, insect or reptile (I don't like the latter, 
especially the dangerous copperhead snakes!) visiting the garden, despite
 the fact we are not in the country and just a block off a main thoroughfare
 north of the city.

Have you had any unexpected visitors - from the animal world -
in your garden this summer?

Spring Planting . . . . . .

A January trot through the garden department at Walmart - headed to the 

birdseed section - had little to excite a gardener expecting pots of pretty flowers. 

Much too early, much too cold.

This splash of greenery was heart warming.

I've not grown potatoes and onions since helping mother in our English garden

 after WWII when everyone seemed to tend a 'Victory Garden'. 

I do recall digging up new potatoes and how tasty they were.

I have a raised bed sitting idle, perhaps I should have Bob dig it over, refresh 

the soil and plant something to add to the bubbling soup pot.

Do you grow potatoes and/or onions?