Monday, June 26, 2006
Its Alive !!! The Purple Smoke Bush
http://www.directgardening.com/detail.asp?pid=5393
I have to admit I was skeptical upon receiving what appeared to be a 15 inch dead stick, with a few little fuzzy hairs at the bottom. I did transplant it once when it appeared the mixture I made of our garden soil and compost did not have enough drainage. But finally, at last, a very tiny little purple bud arrived, soon to be adorned with a number of tiny leaves. It was to be a few more weeks, though, before a few more purple buds were to arrive. I wish I had paid closer attention this year to when I received items, and when they were transplanted, with with so much to do, I didn't even think of it.
The purple smoke bush is said to be a fast grower, I suspect, however, that it will be safer left in the pot and the garage this winter. Of course, one can go out and just buy much larger plants. But aside from the money savings, there is something to be said for the daily pleasure of watching the bare roots and small plants fill out over time. Of course, there will always be losses too, but while you are busy doing other things, who knows what will germinate!
Thursday, June 15, 2006
Cats who sleep on stuff
Cruella di Ville ... it is all about sleeping where she isn't supposed to be!
Baby Nelson
Early on day 3, I went out in advance to see if the coast was clear, and found the Nelsons (named for my mother's parents Nelson and Ina, former owners of the home) had left baby in the neighbors vegetable patch, as they went out and about bringing home food for Junior. Not yet ripe, as you can see.
Not a bad place in a neighborhood full of dogs. In fact, they kept it in there quiet some time that day, probably figuring our cat would not enter the dog's yard. Little did they know that particular dog loves cats, and always wags her tail when mine are about. And I have a rather sneaky (but gentle) cat. However, we still had a close call as the birds were moving baby around, and mom spotted the little brown ball of fluff back in the yard, with the cat closing in. I went out and chased the baby through the fence, then brought in the cats. Who have not been at all happy with the shorter outdoor play time.
They are going to be even less happy when I take the weed eater to the nice long grass. Can't just mow it because there was leave cover and the grass managed to come back up on me before my health would let me get caught up with that. We shall have to come up with some pussy cat watching areas, not too close to the bird feeders.
As you can tell by the length of this post, it was quite and experience for me, the chance to learn a bit of the secret language of birds. Being able to watch as the parents worked in the yard behind us teaching the little one commands to climb up a side of a tree, and find other ways to avoid predators until wings could full carry them was a real treat.
As for Tippy, once she catches something and brings it to me, she is back outside to see what else she can catch. She is, of course, a cat. But a very careful cat who seems to know her human likes her gifts in perfect shape. And for that, everyone is grateful. I am hoping I will be able to develope a bond of sorts with the bird family, but as the owner of a cat, I fear they have not been overly eager to begin a friendship! But they always spend time in the yard, as well as the other owns. They have such a vast world, in a way.