Saturday morning musings. . . .

It's the weekend and there's lots to fill my time.

We go for our first COVID-19 shots early tomorrow morning - drive-thru

in a hospital parking lot.  

We'll meet up with Razzy for a short walk - she's older now and doesn't

 enjoy going too far.

I'm taking a knitting break for awhile and have started on a new creative

venture with needle and thread - will share more later.

Grand-dog - sweet Razzy 

We're going 'walkies' tomorrow

Four beautiful blooms at last

My weekend flowers

Delicious veggies, Brussels sprouts, shallots, sweet potatoes - roasted

 yesterday for weekend recipes

Fresh eggs from Linda at the Saturday Farmers' Market 

(Anthropologie tea towel Christmas gift)

. . . . . . . and last but not least, the potting shed has a nightly visitor!

We discovered we've been feeding a little chubby mouse - a camera

 set up has filmed it coming around 10 pm to gobble our birdseed!

Later today we plan to pull out everything stored in there to look for

 an entry hole - as much as we love nature's creatures we don't want

 to encourage what could become a family into our shed! 

Enjoy your weekend - stay healthy, be safe.

October Garden odds and ends -

Other than the evening shots above - gazebo with wine (bringing out the robust reds now after 'fighting' the pandemic summer months with some delightful well-chilled rosés), and squash being prepped for a roasting with sage - these garden peeks were taken today. . . . . . . another beautiful October morning.

As Bob watered the newly sown grass seed and swept up more fallen acorns, millions are falling this year, I popped outside to get a few shots in the sunshine and cool air. Later it will reach 80F so still hot here.

Yesterday a large deer passed silently through the garden, squirrels were back in numbers, a hawk sat high in an oak calling loudly, a harmless (hopefully) brown garter snake slithered across the driveway. . . . . . .and the bluebirds are back bringing instant happiness! A red cardinal perched at the top of the fig tree, now dropping its leaves non-stop, a mockingbird bathed with much splashing, and a brown thrasher flipped a mushy fallen fig back and forth on the lawn.  

The potting shed requires some repairs which will be carried out next week. A raccoon (we think) has gnawed large holes along the lower edge in back, and there are a couple of small leaks in the roof.  When those repairs are completed it will be time for a good overall clean out and tidy.

We are still awaiting help with the drainage problem along the back fence which hopefully will be done soon. Until then I can't plant the new shrubs I want in that back flower bed. Tree trimming and shrub pruning is done for now - next spring we'll start all over again!

Next post I'll give you an update on the house next door - a rather crazy story and we're still awaiting info as to what will become of it! Our street is so busy - two other houses sold this past month - both being improved and not knocked down thankfully. More new young neighbors which we like to see.

Enjoy this day. . . . . . and all the lovely October days to come. We continue to stay busy, mostly here at home where we feel safest these days. How about you?

Puttering and pottering about -

My little place of peace and happiness was constructed in the back garden.  

Nothing fancy, now almost twenty years old but still standing strong and sturdy. 

It has electricity to run a heater or fan, but not water. A gathering place for everything 

garden-related. . . . . . .plus anything waiting to be rehoused, sold on, given away, 

taken to the thrift shop, thrown away etc. I probably should re-paint the exterior

 but can't bring myself to cut down the climbing akebia and ivy!  

The floor I painted and stenciled long ago with blackberry vines is fading. . . . . but 

is still visible enough to allow me to recall all those hours on my knees - I could 

never do that now!

This window was so dirty - now I can even see my neighbor's camellias still budding.

On a sunny, cooler day this week I spent about four hours out here.

There was not a lot to throw out, it was mostly taking items into the kitchen to

 wash, vacuuming every surface, and reorganizing storage space.

 Many of the china pots, birds, lanterns, bowls of shells etc. will be moved 

outside to the baker's rack and table on the back deck, or into the gazebo, 

now that the pollen season is just about over.

The gazebo is my other 'home' where I can enjoy the garden views,

the birds at the feeders, an afternoon cup of tea, an early evening aperitif,

supper as the sun falls silently in the west behind my chair, and now the 

weather is warming - even writing my posts and reading yours.

Bluebird nest box and akebia vine on the potting shed wall.

We haven't been shopping in over a week but need to make a

quick run tomorrow morning for salad greens, veggies, milk etc.

We will pick up a dozen fresh eggs pre-ordered from our local 

Farmers' Market which reopens tomorrow for the season.

Strict social distancing and loads of rules in place.

Then we'll head back to the nearby roadside strawberry stall

for more of those delicious berries - strawberry shortcakes 

have been a real treat on several evenings.

Good wishes for your weekend.

Doesn't every day feel like a weekend day now?

Some changes will soon be coming in places with lesser

known cases of COVID-19 - unfortunately not here though.

I'm expecting things to continue as they are for a while longer -

'rather safe than sorry' might be the way to go.

Stay well, be strong dear friends.

What the.................?

  

Amazing what a heavy shower can bring!  Yesterday's evening visitor arrived

 when the much-welcomed rain stopped - and following Bob's refilling of the

 bird feeders which had remained empty during our three week absence.

Looking out the window - while awaiting the pasta boiling in the kitchen - I was

 thinking how pretty the rays of the setting sun were illuminating the potting shed.

Then I saw it - a big, hefty healthy looking raccoon, bright-eyed and bushy tailed,

 nibbling away at seed which Bob had scattered on the ground for the squirrels!

Sent a quick photo to my neighbor, his response was, "must be the one who's

 been digging in my garden whilst you were away."

It quickly made its way under the shed when it realized he/she was spotted, but came

 out again later and Bob scared it away. Hoping it's not living under there, 

raccoons in our area can carry rabies!

Our fig tree yesterday after the shower............and as you can see there's still not

 much going on here when it comes to falling leaves or even leaf color changing - all

 due to lack of rain or cool weather.

Roll on autumn, I'm ready for sweaters and coats!

Snippets of life as we await Spring. . . . . . .

Hope your day is full of happy moments.

. . . . . . still hanging out in the potting shed.

I've just realized that the potting shed is now 17 years old!

For those who've followed me a while, you will recall I've told many stories

of its life in the garden. . . . . . and the hours of enjoyment it has brought

me over all those years.

After repairing the door with our good neighbor's help, I did a 'Spring cleaning' 

 and also made a little purchase for my comfort when bird watching/photographing. 

On a recent trip to Charlotte with the usual look around IKEA, I found this folding

 wood chair which is now my 'perch'. I can see the feeders and bird baths 

without the visiting birds, squirrels and rabbits seeing me!

View from potting shed.

American Robin : Turdus migratorius

This female came for an afternoon bathe on a very hot day 

last week. I've noticed robins seem to enjoy a dip more than any 

other backyard songbird.

Gray Catbird : Dumetella carolinensis

A secretive bird that the Chippewa Indians named Bird That Cries With Grief

due to its raspy call. The call sounds like a house cat's mewing, hence its 

common name. It will only nest in thick shrubs and is more often

 heard than seen. . . . . . except it does seem to enjoy coming to my feeders

and the birdbath!

I plan to spend some my holiday weekend out here as more rain is forecast

 and this is a shelter where I can enjoy the backyard visitors.

My painted/stenciled floor has held up quite well all these years -  I recall

the hours I spent on my knees completing that project.

Oh for the days of a strong back and pain-free kneeling again!!!!!

 Mourning Doves : Zinaida macroura

A gentle pair enjoying their perch on the potting shed roof.

Enjoy your Memorial Day, USA and Bank Holiday, UK weekend.

Fog rolled in. . . . . . . .

We don't get fog here often. 

This morning it's quite thick, a white blanket veiling the

 garden and trees beyond. 

 Silence is heavy only interrupted by occasional birdsong.

It should lift by afternoon, get warm and possibly rain lightly.

Snow is not in the forecast here for the remainder of February,

I do believe springtime is on the way.

From the garden - a foggy morning via iPhone

To remind me. . . . . . .

. . . . . . of how precious life is and how quickly
 it can be taken away.

I worked in the garden yesterday morning for a few hours. 

It was incredibly hot for mid-February and broke the record for the date
 reaching 81F. I enjoyed a mini breakfast out on the front porch, the air felt so good. 
Came in damp and tired, feeling pleased with myself for accomplishing some small
 chores which needed attention.

Today will be much cooler with rain later, the garden will only be viewed
 from the windows.

I pruned the Japanese maple, also took a few more lower twigs off the Celeste fig tree.

I fertilized all the Spring bulbs scattered throughout both front and back garden beds,

 natural areas, and in large pots. I left the potting shed door open for a burst of

 fresh air and, when I returned to put away my gloves and tools, in with the air

 had flown one of the always inquisitive Carolina wrens.

 I chatted with her as she hopped around inside, not scared, just checking things 

out before flying off. How can one chat with a tiny bird? Quite easily!

I cut just 17 daffodils and jonquils for the dining room, some in full bloom, 

others still in bud.They are my way of remembering those 17 precious people
 taken from their families and friends in the Florida school shooting this week.

Scribble Picnic - Fox

Wildlife in the garden brings mixed feelings. Of course seeing beautiful animals

 and knowing they actually like coming to your residence is often exciting, BUT
 can also be annoying when they devour plants and perhaps put domestic pets
 in danger. . . . . . . .and downright scary when you suddenly have that feeling
 something is watching you from the bushes when you're on your knees weeding!

For several years we've had grey foxes come through the garden, more recently

 just passing through on the way from the wooded area across from the cottage

 to wherever they go in the neighborhood. However, for three years in a row they came

  to give birth and raise families! There were always five kits in each litter, born twice

 under my neighbor's shed which backs up to my potting shed, and once even

 under our gazebo which was such a surprise being a very shallow space.
How the mother got under and produced five babies who crawled out several times
a day (these are just two of them) to eat and play, will always remain a mystery to us.

Fox kits on my deck - May 2011
Photo edited via PicMonkey - colored with watercolor pencils.

Fox kits reach full size by six months so move on from a garden within a couple
 of months once the parents have taught them how to find their own food.

During that time in the garden the parents would visit, nurse, feed, and even
 have a noon playtime around my potting shed which was awesome to watch.

Although we've enjoyed watching the little foxes we are always cautious when

they're in the garden. Foxes can carry rabies here in North Carolina and people 

have been bitten in their back yards. . . . . . . needless to say we always keep our 

distance.

This is an excellent article if you're interested learning more about the fox.

Be sure to visit Michael's weekly Scribble Picnic HERE today - I'm looking forward

 to seeing what our creative participants come up with for his FOX theme today.