Let’s just stop for a moment and take time to honor the favorite flower of yours truly.
They’re on their way. I walked down to the edge of the property to where the peonies were planted years ago by a former owner of the property and there they were: nice fat buds, complete with the requisite ants.
This bud is on the peony bush I should have moved last autumn, but didn’t. It’s under the shag hickory that is growing so tall and using so much energy that the peony can’t compete. But there’s at least one bud this year. I thanked the peony and promised to move it this fall.
Our other shag hickory, one of the four trees that made us fall in love with this property, inexplicably died a few years ago and the other shag hickory, which was a tiny baby when we moved in is growing by leaps and bounds. Don calls it Hick Jr.
Catmint.
Three poppy buds so far.
I did a lot of work outside yesterday – I’d say I was out there for six hours, off and on. Mulching, moving things around, mulching again, planting, watering…it was a spectacularly beautiful day and I knew it was going to rain today, so I kept at it until I’d finished what I needed to. I felt nicely tired and finally came inside, whereupon I promptly indulged in a cupcake.
Don told me all about the audience they had for Saturday night’s show. It was full of Jimmy Buffett fans, some of them had traveled to La Jolla all the way from Texas. In true “Parrothead” fashion, they partied before the show (a conga line was formed) and they were a fabulous audience! They “got” everything, cheered, sang along, and loved every minute of the show. Don talked to several of them after the show and really loved their joy and enthusiasm. Sort of your dream audience!
Finally, I’ve stopped by the bird nest a few times lately. Right after I found the dead babies, I stayed away for a while. Then a week or so went by and I peeked at it. There was still a trace of the bodies and the unhatched egg remained, but there was also evidence of new nest materials. I thought I was seeing things, but it looked as if the birds had been adding twigs. I checked a few days later – even more twigs. I could still see the blue egg.
Yesterday, this is what I saw:
All traces of the remains and the egg have been completely covered. It looks like they’re going to go for it again. Such resilience!
I had a lovely bit of Face Time with Little Z last night. That boy makes everything magical.
Happy Monday.
Your yard is looking so good. I am happy things are about to bloom! Don’s show sounds amazing! I’ve got Tiger with me today and maybe all week as school is out for him but his Mom still has another week of work. His Dad is working also but will get him afternoons. It takes a village or at least an extended family to raise kids now days. I love spending time with him. Like Little Z he makes my world magical. Hugs!
Have some wonderful Tiger time today, my friend!
Oh, torrential rain this morning! And my little robin is hunkered down on her nest without much protection from it.
Sounds like Don’s play is going well. A house full of parrot heads must be a raucous affair. How great to be a part of it!
I’m glad we’re living in the time of Facetime. Without it, I’d almost never see my kids.
It looks like it’s going to rain here but so far…nothing. But it’s cold and damp, for sure.
Hi Claudia,
I hope you check for ticks every day. There has been an unusually large number in Connecticut this year and you’re close by. I finally had to resort to an organic tick spray because I would get a tick bite every time I went outside.
Your yard, patio, and porch look lovely. I’m still working on my yard and window boxes.
Mary
We are veteran tick-checkers. The best thing to do as far as I’m concerned is do your outdoor chores, then come in and take a shower, making sure to scrub all of your skin and your scalp as well.
So fun for Don to be in a musical with such an appreciative enthusiastic audience. You miss him, but you gotta be happy for him, too. I’ve pared down the garden work. Spring clean up is about done and there’s just the on-going maintenance now. However, I’m now tackling the garage, and my late husband’s extensive music memorabilia. On top of that, I have a deadline for the wedding quilt. I’ll send a photo to you via email, Claudia. Encourage me, please! I’m procrastinating!
PS: I love peonies too. I’m wondering where I can put them in my yard. …
Good for the robins. Resiliency that we humans can learn…
I’m amazed that they’re going to try again in the same spot. Bless them!
I’m very happy he’s having fun because his days are very, very long and he’s barely home with all the rehearsing and performing.
You can do it, Wendy! Just make yourself sit down and work on the quilt! (I’m a procrastinator, too!)
So sad about the baby birds…I wish them better luck this time…I’m glad that Don is having fun with what he is doing!
He is. That makes me happy.
It looks like we are going to have a wonderful peony “crop” this year, too. More buds than I remember in recent years. And the ants are doing their jobs, too. I have read and heard of people trying to dissuade the ants from being on their peonies and I chuckle. Without the ants, the buds won’t open.
The poppies will be beautiful when they open. Don’t you just love their paper-like blooms? Such a nice time of year. If only the cold and the rain would go away here. Patience is, indeed, a virtue.
Have a good Monday, Claudia!
I know! How can they not know that ants and peonies go together??
I love the blooms of the poppies and I want the rain to hold off once they open…fingers crossed!
It’s cold and damp here today. I just turned the heat on!
Hope the birds have a success this time. It is so sad about what happened the last time.
Marilyn
I know. And it makes me nervous about the second time around.
So poignant about the nest. If we all could do that…just cover up the grief…but, actually, we DO eventually move on from tragedy, just like the sweet birdies…where there’s will, there’s a way…we press on…
We do, indeed.
I love the smell of peonies and have a few plants from the previous gardener! I picked a huge bouquet last week. The next day we had a terrible storm come thru and pounded down the remaining blooms so I’m glad I had some to enjoy in the house.
That often happens here, as well. I have to run out to rescue the peonies from the rain.
We went up north to visit a friend today…we missed the rain showers. It was a beautiful day…my friend has 20 horses…such beauties. I’m so glad Don is enjoying himself…I’m sure it makes it all worth the effort when you have such a responsive audience! Your garden is coming along nicely…I will enjoy my neighbors peonies shortly too. She has them planted close to the lot line so we can enjoy them…and she’s told me to pick some…but, I just can’t! Enjoy your evening! ;)
I only pick them if a big rain is coming – otherwise, I leave them where they’re planted.