The back yard garden and a Labbit tale

I really enjoy the lilacs. It is lovely and green in spring.

Our grandies back in the day!

But, here is the tail. Fred dug a burrow in the garden.  You can see where it is at #5, under the rhododendron.

Cinnamon inspected Fred's hole at one point!

Here is Fred in her burrow #5. We had a good relationship. She is sleeping and won't emerge until March or so.

It looks different in winter. The lilac tree sits dormant. The deer wander around.

April, 2025

Labbit is in burrow #5:

You can see some rabbit droppings!

These are Labbit's tracks. She's moved from burrow #4 to #5. It's tough leaping through the snow!

In the past, she's been eating the tender new shoots of the lilac tree. Fertilizing as she went. It's been quite a winter. I do enjoy seeing tracks in the snow. This wee furry critter is managing to get through the storms. It's something we all have to try to do. As best we can.

"We are in an era when the strong do what they will, the weak suffer what they must."

                     – Greek historian Thucydides, as quoted by PM Carney

The seasons...

We've pouring rain, today. So far, about 16 mm (0.63"), which is nothing to sneeze at! The goldfish pond is full, again. As is the bird bath. 

I've noticed birds coming around, expecting the bird feeders to be out, I guess. We can't do that until the bears are settled for winter. Otherwise... (I learned my lesson a few years ago!)

 We have a contract to redo our chimney. 

I worked at cleaning up the dead flowers in the garden. It's been mild, and nice enough for a sundress! September weather is fickle.

I'll leave you with our photos over the season.

Hot enough for you?

Our last big rain was July 13th. It was lovely! We had 15 mm (0.6"). 

 

I watched it on the radar. It's the only way to prepare, by being vigilant. The lightning strikes help us prepare if losing power is imminent! 

Jordan was camping with friends. They had the storm at 3 a.m., but Jo is an experienced camper. He was camping at 6 months old. He did get a bit of a sunburn. Papa took a photo just after Jo made a choice of his university residence room, Mama was at the office. Since he is going through transition, he gets an early choice. 

Aster is carrying on with her Civics and Careers summer online course. It's great doing it in the air conditioning. This will give her more flexibility at school.  Online courses aren't for everyone. Our government made it a requisite to take one or two. 

I am juggling the heat with gardening and bugs. Those deerflies...

Finally, a rose!

Our green frog is growing quite large. Eat those bugs, bud! This excessive heat keeps it green. 

Speaking of bugs!

This little beetle was really getting into its work!

I'm not doing well with my pumpkin! Oh well! I watered on the 15th. The heat just evaporates whatever moisture that is there.

This is fun. Paul I bought at an online auction. I moved him to the lower deck. If you can imagine, Fred's burrow is just on this corner. Fred was quite concerned with usurpers on her deck. She leaned up on the side, and sniffed the goose. 

I did laundry yesterday, hanging it up took longer than the length of time it took to dry! 

Things are still blooming!

 The doe has been busy. She chomped on one Hosta, leaving me another! For now. 

My new plants. Cross your fingers for me! 

The horse chestnuts are nearly ready.

Soon we'll say farewell to our critters.

I told one of our grandies I hadn't been swimming all summer. She was shocked! 

 I suppose it is better late than never. I found some seed packages from a couple of years ago. 

And fun news. Jo decided to get himself a nose ring. He was babysitting, but asked for a Facetime video afterwards. I dressed for the reveal! His is real. Mine is a split ring I found in a drawer. They laughed with me!

That was a long haul, up at 6 a.m. Sunday to prepare the coffee, and Hydro working on our poles from 7 a.m. until noon! More on that later.