AUTUMN IN THE GARDEN

It's been a glorious weekend, if not a bit cool with some light gales. The first of what is bound to many garden clean ups for fallen leaves, dead blooms and a start of putting the beds to rest. But worry not, parts of the garden are still going quite strong...and of course the autumn has brought about new stars of the show like the dahlias and zinnias, and the Mexican sunflowers are way above the fence. Who knew they would get that huge from just seeds in May?!?  They are still attracting bees galore, but I do believe the butterflies may have migrated already. I saw more butterflies than I had seen in a couple years. I guess the wildflower garden really does attract more pollinators. But the cooler nights has already claimed some of the potted plants.

I really need to add in more ox blood dahlia next year.

What's left in the wildflower garden

A huge mushroom in the garden! It was huge!

A new usual suspect to the garden of late. I have seen her/him many times the last couple weeks...even napping for some time before moving on. Sophie has yet to see the visitor. I hate to see the kitty spooked, especially while enjoying a nice pew or nap. I'm pretty sure it's a neighborhood cat that has a home.

The Cassia Didymobotrya rivaled the Mexican sunflower for height. The two together look spectacular and it smells so good. I might rethink for next year thought it's placement. Both are still going strong.

The Datura Ballerina are always still blooming like crazy. And do they ever small heavenly.

I do believe the Clematis is going for yet another showing.

The salvia beds are still going strong and are even more brilliant, I think. This is generally where I catch the hummingbirds.

 

I also got in my first batch of Chicken corn soup made this weekend

So there was that too...and it was delish!!!!!!

IN THREE WORDS

In this feature, I'll share a weekly guest with you all, 

and you tell me in only three words what come to mind. 

In Three Words...

Vincent Price

THE STAND OFF

Since my new neighbor moved in... it's been entertaining to say the least. She owns a catering company and is home very little of the time. She went out and bought one of those automated self-driving lawn mowers. It mows as often as you want it too. Her lawn looks nice, but I'm not sure I'd want one. It doesn't seem to pick up leaves, and it goes right over branches and leaves them. I'll keep my lawn guys thank you. But Sophie is not having any of it. Every time she is out, and the mower leaves its dock, she goes nuts. She must know it's not another dog..but the closer it gets to the fence the nuttier she gets. She is generally happy with herself when it is done in the vicinity, and she thinks it's because of a "I told it"attitude. This was just a few weeks ago.

I also liked it that she had to investigate around the grill to make sure no pieces of meat were left behind from the night before. Then later the same day after the mower stand off, it was off to the vet for her shots.

Did you say vet?

 You said we were going for ice cream. She is actually very good at the vets. Doctor Daryl said she is one of the most welcomed patients and laid back. Not to mention she loves car rides.

OCTOBER INTERLUDE

In honor of Hallows Eve approaching, here is a long-forgotten clip of "I Enjoy Being a Girl" performed by Carol Burnett, Chita Rivera and Caterina Valente. The clip was actually from a show called "The Entertainers", sometime between 1964/1965...which happened to be when "The Addams Family" was also on the air...hence it being more likely to be inspired by Morticia than Vampira. And how about the appearance by Boris Karloff at the beginning and end of the clip?