June is looking promising

 It is a new week. It is June. We've enjoyed 🎾 tennis being played in Paris, although half the battle with the rainouts is to figure out when, where, or if they are being broadcast. 

I am happy to start a new month. The Mother's Day basket from Caitlin is so beautiful. This is a glorious season, when we have enough rain and sun. 

Those of you in our latitude will appreciate how much the spring means to have the brilliant colours. All we need now is a balance of sun and rain for the summer. 

As discussed with a couple of bloggers, you put on bug spray (or netting), do your work, and shower. It is necessary. JB uses a anti-bug hat.

I have to remove the moss and encroaching twitch grass and weeds. It's tricky with the phoebes coming and going. I don't want to disturb them too much. There are various methods, other than hand pulling them. If I can't get the roots I'll use vinegar water from dill pickles, etc., or sprinkle salt. 

Our growing season is relatively short. The Hops Vine is growing very fast. Here is May 17. Growing like mad underneath, and not up to the railing. I took this photo to show Fred on the lower deck, but it shows my rain gauge, and the railing.

May 31st I figured I ought to put up the green twine supports. The vine is up over the top of the railing, kind of swinging in the breeze as it searches for something to wind around.

Out front, the clematis is blossoming. I reached up over my deer fence to grab this. Now, at 5'4", it is tricky!

After working on the lawn tractor I finally managed to have a full tank and a full battery. I worked on Oliver's Lot. I just create a path for walking. The wildflowers can grow on either side. The Field Hawkweed is wonderful. Mind you, this is a spot where the soil is less than shallow! 

Buggy, smoky days!

 Sunday did not bode well. I stuck my nose out, and checked the smoke forecast. First for 8 a.m., and then 1 p.m. The fires are a couple hundred km away, but the smoke and fine particulate matter drift. 

smokey haze from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

I did some indoor chores, as did JB. It was the best idea. I did have to go out, though. 

The catalpa tree is in full bloom!

Standing underneath it is a treat!

Common mullein and the clematis.

I ventured down to fetch trailcam cards. I was fine as long as I kept moving. Unfortunately, I had to stop to exchange the cards! 

You can see the deerflies buzzing. The joys of summer!

veery from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

Or so my BIRDnet app tells me! I never did see it. I moved quick and sprightly back to the house. I removed TWO ticks yesterday. Little teeny nymphs. I know there is a circle of life, but... 

It's Canada Day!

We spent Canada Day with this girls one year. That was my favourite. Canada is 155 years young. There are many Indigenous People who aren't celebrating. The government did such harm. I hope reconciliation continues. Out of respect for Indigenous People and the Sixties Scoop, many of us reflect on the past, the present, and the future. 

This is my favourite flag. This beautiful flag was designed by the late Curtis Wilson, who lived in Campbell River, B.C. He died of a heart attack. Curtis "Mulidzas" Wilson (1980-2019) 

I don't like fireworks, and maybe tonight's rain will dissuade them. We've some US cottagers and they tend to extend the celebrations. 

In the meantime, I shall enjoy the garden. The season is so short!

The Bugloss is visited often by the hummingbird. I haven't, as yet, managed a photo!

The clematis is lovely! I held the camera above my head for this.

The back deck has been safe and fun. The bugs have lessened, and I've enjoyed reading back there. We seem to have two little frogs on a consistent basis. She spent all day there.

Life imitates art! This one hopped off and climbed on the swing bench as I worked.

The potato beetles have been at the Angel's Trumpet, Brugmansia.

Happy Canada Day to one and all. We've been cleaning and tidying. Jesse and family leave Vancouver today to visit in Ottawa. We anticipate their visiting us on Monday. I've beds to make, tidying to do, and I'm looking forward to welcoming them! 

Things are poppying!

The season carries on. The horse chestnut blooms have given way to baby horse chestnuts!

Monday morning the two bags of garbage had been attacked in the garage! This has happened before, you'd think we'd learn! Butch raccoon is a frequent visitor, and we'd not closed the door at dusk. Blonde Butch always visits around 4 p.m.

We had a parcel delivery. The young man commented on how nice the garden smells, and how great it looks. He said, "Take from a guy who visits a couple hundred houses!" Isn't that sweet? 

We don't entertain, nor do we know many people in the community. This is nice feedback. Enjoy them while you can!

So far so good – my fence is working. I may be able to see my Asiatic Lilies bloom this year.

I've two Yucca plants throwing up a stalk. I'm looking forward to those blooms.

My last photo of the phoebe family. I noticed one in the yard later.

Silly me. We laughed and laughed. I thought last Sunday was Father's Day. The cats bought Joseph Brian a book about cats. Snuggle Bears presented it.

I've noticed the hummingbird landing on the guy wire. I wondered what a video would look like. I had my chance!  ♪♫♩ Bird on a wire!

hummingbird from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

I repainted my scultpure. I use rust spray paint. After that I moved it, having to take the flowers off, in order to have it face the deck. We're spending a lot of time up on the deck. Fewer bugs.

When I removed the bricks keeping it stable I found a few ants! I was thinking of someone's comment years ago. How typical of me to have some lovely 'AW' photos, and then yucky ones!

ants from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.