Our tulips and daffodils are done and the lilacs are fading, but irises and allium are in full bloom. A few new cat and dog photos are featured, and I announce a new project to be completed by winter. Such are the stories of our retirement life.
These allium are planted next to our east porch steps. They are quite tall, and the flowers will last for several weeks.
Blue and white irises are blooming on the garden fence.
We went greenhouse shopping and returned with quite a few annuals. Pam planted many of them in our north flowerbed.
While we work outside, the cats and dogs relax inside. I realized it has been a while since I showed any critter photos, so here are recent shots of a few of our critters.
A new Gallery of “Critters” is up as well. This collection should be more interesting than trimming the oak tree. It consists of animals, other than our pets, that I have photographed over the years.
As if I did not have enough to do, I (somewhat inadvertently) picked up a new project: Trying to resurrect a 1985 Gilson GT18HE garden tractor. It has a blade on it, which I wanted, as I am getting tired of the twice-a-year switch over between lawn mowing and snow plowing with the John Deere LX176. The Gilson will, I hope, become my snow plowing tractor.
It does not run, and that is the challenge. It is also why it was cheap: A $100.00 bid bought it, something of a surprise as accessories, such as the blade and tire chains, normally sell for more than that. Someone did some “creative wiring” under the hood and I am waiting on parts to see if I can fix it. Wish me luck!
Summer life has dropped into a routine of yard maintenance, flower bed creation and upkeep, and small projects around the house. (Something always seems to need paint, for example.) Pam continues to research houses for sale in hopes of finding something with a water view that we could afford.
That’s it for now. Thanks for looking in!
Pam’s Penny
It was a bitch of a winter, and then – seemingly suddenly, but not without a few hail storms – everything is once again growing. Plantings around the yard finally matured and have a familiar pattern. But I change things up a bit with annuals every year. This fall I will reintegrate the garden area into the yard once more, as I’m finding spring garden prep is more work than reward.
Relocation search: The sub-zero winters (and the Victorian stairwell) will break us, if we stay in Elma. I scan house listings along the Mississippi River in the Driftless Area; hopefully, moving south of our current latitude will save us from direct Alberta Clipper winter blasts. Properties are not inexpensive along the river, which is a bummer for retirees. I anticipate selling Heart House will be challenging. All factors under consideration.
Rock on.
Humor for today:
With some ingenuity and luck I have faith in your mechanical skills!! The flower beds look great! I planted my morning glory seeds from Pam and they are coming up. I will get a picture when they are in full bloom. I do not plant much any more. Our ground here looks like nice black soil but you can hardly put a shovel in. Tab bought me a bunch of prairie plants and Jan used a drill to loosen the soil!!
Hi Deb –
When you live on Main Street in a Victorian, it’s almost required that the lawn resembles a golf course and the tidy flowerbeds are colorful and interesting! Maybe the next house will be a Mid/Mod ranch, where tastefully maintained trees and shrubs will suffice.
My Otts are up. They were planted late this year, as we watched the weather/frost warnings in the early part of May. Hopefully the late frost(s) impeded the life cycles of the gnats and mosquitoes. (I think the gnats in particular are developing toxic tendencies as they spawn in hog manure.)
Good news for this winter up North..A very strong El Nino is forecasted..( Likely to experience a warmer, drier winter with below-average snowpack.)
But Texas is suppose to be cooler and more rain!!!!
Shorts and Tee shirts is way more likeable for me!!!!
Going to Curtail the trips in the summer, but planning for another adventure this Fall… and already looking forward to January!!!!!
Craigie –
A warmer upcoming winter is desirable, particularly if the Midwest can avoid the dreaded Alberta Clipper. A below-average snowpack could be an issue, however; without regular snowfalls to plow, whatever will Himself DO all winter?