Cleaned up Crumbly Acres Garden

We had a lovely chat with Jordan in Kingston. He is working part-time at a grocery store. Things are going well. He is choosing courses for next term, major in astrophysics, and a minor in geology. He advocated for himself with course conflicts and schedules. I am so happy for him! 

Caitlin was in whipper snipper mode on the weekend! 

Aster watched a video in their solarium! 

Aug., 2022

The grandies helped me trim the Catalpa tree in 2022. That was fun! 

I was sad, in a way, to have the Catalpa removed, but it had to go down. You can see the bugs that were eating away at it. I now have to rethink this garden.

  

 Gardens evolve. I removed this evergreen, as it had begun to dominate the garden. Last week we had the nearly dead Catalpa tree removed. [Crumbly Acres Clean up on Aisle 7]

It really opens up the house.

A decent-sized millipede on the steps. A little cobweb on its head.

Also spotted, at least by ear and Merlin App, an Eastern Wood-pewee. I was surprised. I thought mating season over for them. Mind you, goldfinches have late broods. They are like a mini-flycatcher. 

 

Crumbly Acres August

As I'd written, we had massive rains the first three days of August. The garden is saturated. My lilac hydrangea is in blossom. I planted it: Sept. 2024: New plants! I'd been looking for them, and Caitlin spotted some that year. 

Yes, 58 mm (over 2") of rain on the August long weekend.

We had an issue with the gutters, again.  The piece of metal, protecting the fascia, was letting water drip behind the gutter. I bent it out and that helped.

 

Auntie Fred has been here and there. Our nights are getting cooler, and her Momma would hibernate or go to her winter den in late August. Auntie Fred hibernated here in mid-September last year, 2025. 

MiniFred doesn't like spinach!

Yesterday I teased you with an image of MiniFred. I'd used most of a head of cabbage, and threw a couple of leaves out back. Surprisingly Fred liked it.

 

MiniFred has been working out front. 

She is creating a new burrow, #6A. She'll do no harm here, other than eating my wildflowers! 

She likes sunflowers, as well as the milkweed. I see nibbles everywhere. Gardens evolve. This used to hold some hibiscus, but they died. Not enough rain, toom much sun and heat.

The gardens are doing well. I am going to have to rethink the front one where the tree was taken out. As well as the one in back where the hops vine died. 

Trip to Almonte for lunch

 Almonte is an interesting town! They have filmed lots of Hallmark Christmas movies here. After my haircut Friday, Trip to Carleton Place, we decided to splurge on lunch out. 

Barley Mow is a nice spot. Lots of water, a great patio, and interesting food. 

I really like the trail built on the old train bridge. The patio overlooks the water.

Long-distance cyclists. We often see some in summer. It sounded like they were speaking with a German accent. 

A heron flew over us and the river.

These baskets are bountiful!

I went in to powder my nose, and spotted this sign, which is fair enough.  Everyone is short-staffed. 

Some idiot was buzzing the pigeons with a drone. What an uncomfortable experience. Cruelty to animals, as well as those trying to have a nice lunch out. There are herons, pigeons, ducks, etc., that use the river.

I sent a message on the pub's website: 

"Someone was running a drone, scaring the pigeons on the bridge, and us. The pigeons were flying over head trying to attack the drone. I was really upset. We've been visiting your pub for years. I was really discouraged. This is wildlife harassment. I thought you should be aware."

Obviously, staff are very busy. I was assured it was not the pub flying it. I was pretty sure about that. They are always slammed at lunch. I couldn't see the operator.

Enerdu power dam on the river. We watched it being built. I took photos and collected them here.

From there we took back roads. Lanark Village is a sweet town. I thought this looked like a terrific property for kids. I asked Joe Brian to turn around, to get a better drive-by shooting from my passenger window! This looks like heaven for kids.

We drove along, and I wondered what this crop was, with a safety camera on it and a sturday fence. Hmmmm.

We have had 58 mm (~2") the first 3 days of August. We have matched last year's August rainfall already!

The lakes and rivers are full. 

Another new home.

Wild Grape ivy, I'll bet.

Of course there is road reconstruction everywhere. We weren't in a hurry. This was a really hot day, and we felt badly for the flaggers. Standing all that time, yawning, stretching legs.

We arrived home. MiniFred was up to their usual tricks.  I threw out a few leaves of cabbage we weren't going to eat.