vines

 

 

 

Think. Think HARD before planting vines. It seemed like such a good idea at the time..one little Purple Trumpet vine and one fine leafed Pink Jasmine planted at the base of an old orchard ladder, what harm in that? Yes, it did become a lovely cascade of flowers.. for a very short time each spring. And oh how the rats loved living in it. And oh, how I worried about a 30' olive tree cum vine tangle crashing down upon the house during some winter or spring storm. Not to mention that listening to the rats play in it at night only amused the dog and the cat, not moi. So, a couple of weeks ago I asked my local tree trimming crew to add that tree to the to-do list. It was simply amazing what a little man with a little chain saw and no fear at all about climbing trees, accomplished in a short time. I wish I could afford to keep Antonio "on my payroll" for the next ten years. This afternoon I finally got most of the small tangle of vines out of the larger, interesting tangle of vines. Still must make sure that all vines have been severed. Still must dig up all the rooted portions of the vines, which at least don't seem to be very deep. Still must dig up the Vinca Major that joined in the fun. And then...and THEN..I can add compost and sun loving plants to a whole new sunny area! Yippee!!! (This is in Phoebe-Dog's yard so the deer aren't an issue)Woo-hoo!

The Gardener

 

I got the leaves off what passes for lawn and mulched the shrubbery with them. Verna,in gardener mode, promptly reversed my efforts. Perhaps she thought the leaves were too close to the plants' bases. We have a few issues, she and I, but her snail eating ability more than makes up for untidy edging. In fact, I'd love to have a couple more hens.

Misc. Fall Fotos

 

 

 

I love the mini papyrus as much as the giant papryus!
Butterflys really DO like Asclepias.(aka milkweed)
I didn't have the courage to eat this Giant Puffball even though there is (supposedly) nothing like it that is poisonous. I am such a sissy!

Bye bye Atha

 

Atha, though never as spry as Verna, really started going down hill this past week. Friday morning she went to the Great Scratching Grounds where all Good Chicken Souls go when they are done here. Bless her big heart. So now I'm in the market for another hen or two to keep Verna and Roostie company and to help them decimate the snails.

breakfast

 

fresh eggs from Verna-the-Hen and freshly harvested, fried green tomatoes from the garden. Oh My!

praying mantis

 

 

 

I was just about to cut this fine Tithonia flower for the house when something moved...

misc

 

 

 

 

Just a few shots from around the yard this month.

and a squash blossom. gourd actually.

 

a bit of early morning fall color