A fun evening spent at Steve’s parent’s house, and here Steve is about to blow out the candles on his birthday cake, held by his dad.

I got beaten by Brian at scrabble but the beers helped to soften the blow. We visited the brewery too and managed to get home before the storm struck. Good times!

Making the color separations for Boss Man’s party shirts. 

Hilarious evening with a friend, great dinner and local library book sale. I had a budget of $20 for books and spent $21. This pile will keep me busy for a couple of months.

Found this snake skin in my newly found strip of land. I’ve just planted more squash, zucchini, peppers and tomatoes round there. Hoping that Mr Snake will keep the rodents away.

A guard cat under his vintage Dodge truck, spied near Strasburg.

My last trip of the year to DeBaggio’s for their half price plants. The peppers had become a jungle, so tall, but I rescued a couple, plus a few other veggies. 

I made another batch of these mini quiches. So easy to knock up and tasty.

Emily and Margie savoring their beers after a day exploring in Richmond.

On my way to work this whopper of a snapping turtle was hanging off the edge of the kerb, wanting to make his way across the road. I got out a blanket and carried him across to safety. He snapped and jerked the whole way across and went for my ankles when I put him down. How ungrateful! But at least he’s alive 😁

Look at this precious little fluffball poppet! A baby mockingbird in the weeping cherry outside my kitchen window. I don’t know if there’s more in the nest as it was a fleeting visit, but after days of enduring severe harassment from the mother I thought I deserved a quick peek. Adorable!

Joining 66 for the haul to work and enjoying seeing the sun break through the fog. So glad it’s light now for the morning commute.

A fistful of basil, cilantro and nasturtium to go in my salad for lunch. Delicious!

Left work early because of no AC so scored a couple of extra hours at home, paid my property taxes, went to spin class, dropped off books and audio tapes at 2 senior nursing homes, watered the garden, and now relaxing with a glass of cheap wine on the porch and listening to the birds. Bliss.

16 June 2019

Early Sunday morning and the mockingbird is still yelling at us through the windows. Poor Rosie Lee is trying to enjoy a sun spot on the floor and looks really fed up with our aggressor.

I got a sub for lunch today at a small country store called Henry’s that’s had great reviews. I looked across the road and I guess this is where he lives.

Saw this little visitor on my plants, a baby praying mantis. I hope the birds don’t see him.

13 June 2019

Janice and I spent a fabulous evening at the Smithsonian Research Institute, a few minutes from my house, learning about insects in a bird’s diet and watching an endearing short film called The Love Bugs.

Watch “The Love Bugs (Trailer)” on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/313409013?ref=em-share

Tricksie Treat, Rosie Lee and I sitting in the lounge listening to the mockingbird who has now discovered she can yell at me through the lounge windows as well as the dining room and kitchen windows. We’re being harassed from 3 sides of the house. So far I’m safe in my bedroom...

For the past 2 days this mockingbird has been chattering at me through the doors and windows, almost non stop. I can get close to her before she flies off. I think it’s because she has a nest in the weeping cherry tree and I’m too close. I apparently need to vacate my house!

A poor lady was killed on this crossing last week and the marks the police made on the road still haven’t been cleaned off. Not sure if that’s intentional, to serve as a reminder to vehicles. Regardless, I don’t like driving past them. 

Emily, Rob and Margie stayed on Sunday so I took them to Back Room Brewery, and succeeded in getting them to buy some of the Cuban oregano plants I’d loved and bought myself on my last visit. 

8 June 2019

Rob jumping down after examining my metal roof. I held my breath hoping he wouldn’t topple backwards into my new pond. 

My banana bread came out well. Just have to hold off diggging in until tomorrow. 

I pass this every day on the way to work. I think it’s an abandoned motel.

I came home one of the deers chowing down on my yew hedge. I’ve no problem with that, and bless her, she’s keeping her part of the deal and not touching my perennials or bulbs. 

Watching sunbursts light up the morning as I sit in traffic on my way to work.

So this is how mattresses come these days, rolled up into a box, then when the vacuum is released they expand. 

I found this gem today at a local flea market but have had to put out a request for any information on it as I can’t find anything on line. 

I filled up my little cart today with plants from the Garden Fest at Belle Grove Mansion. And finally found a Cardinal flower plant for my pond as well as other natives, including a Trumpet Vine, an Ostrich fern and other pollinator plants plus some sedums.