IN THE GARDEN

 

You think I would have enough to do lately. After being off a year and half for the pandemic and then going right into the through's of freelance projects and a new job,  would be enough. Well before the pandemic, when I was still off I had been to Mother's on several occasions where we have slowly been rebuilding some of the gardens to what it looked like when my father was still alive. He loved gardening. While being in Harrisburg on weeks with my good friend at his shop, I'm continuing to potter around in the garden, which is sort of nice,  since I don't have one.  And don't ask what the hell some of these things are, I have no idea what I'm doing as I told Madame Arcati...but everything seems to be doing well.... miraculously. Though the heat is taking a toll lately. The above garden in done, with the help of the big Greek neighbor my mother has next door.  Mission accomplished! These are some of the shots since June. Me in a garden...oh dear. Take a look....

In June, after a four year wait, the Blueberry bush finally yielded berries!!!!! It was very exciting. And a challenge to keep the robins and catbirds from swiping to many. It was nice to be able to just go out and get them. But don't worry, I'm not about to start farming.

No idea. but my father loved these. These were transplanted from another area, where we filled in with grass.

Mountain mint. Smells heavenly.

This critter was fluttering about. At first I though it was a hummingbird or a really huge bee, but turns out it's a Clearwing Hummingbird Moth...larger and more colorful and very soft looking to other moths. I also understand their the only moth to be out in the daylight and use the fluttering of wings like a hummingbird, and pollinate. It was so pretty and fast. Never saw one before this. He was pollinating like crazy.

I couldn't be more happy with the fuchsia. This is the first year we had one survive this long...but the heat may be taking a toll.

A coneflower

My mothers' hydrangeas are going insane this summer as are the zinnias. This is just one bush! At one point we must have had a vase in each room, my friend actually bought a bunch to sell in his shop, and we gave a big bunch to the neighbors on either side of us. 

The heat even seems to be getting to Bugs. Look at the fur ball resting a spell, behind the shed.

A beautiful mustard and ketchup rose. This was one of the newest ones this year. the roses are loving this summer.

Because of the heat and humidity this summer mushrooms seem to be popping up over night it seems. And they are everywhere.

I loved the details in this shot. I guess I never really noticed the delicate details on the underside of the mushroom head.

This stunning black and white moth I came across in the shed. It was huge. Never seen one like this.

And just yesterday caught this beauty in the garden at the butterfly bush and the red plant thingy. They do seem to be attracting butterflies, and lucky I had my phone ready.

And I guess since we have finally introduced so much color, more then we have had in previous years, and several groupings of potted gardens as well, we were overjoyed to finally see the return of a hummingbird!!!! It was so nice. I don't think my mother has seen one since I lived home back in my school days in the 90's. Its been great seeing a whole little habitat coming to fruition I must say. The hummingbird seems pretty friendly too. We can get pretty close, and he doesn't seem fazed.