a.k.a. Gardening

Today was the first day I’ve been able to get out and work on our ever-so-neglected garden.  Chris mowed and I trimmed; then I dug in (literally) to our garden boxes.  I’m sure I pulled over 20,000 weeds by the time the sprinklers got to my section of the yard.  

It was great to clean up, thin and remove the over growth while preserving the spider, rolly-polly, ant and worm populations.  I definitely disturbed the eco-system in my 8′ X 4′ garden boxes.  However, I did manage to save some snails.  Saint Francis would be proud.  Only indoors do I have a full contact sport of eliminating insects.  They can frolic all they want out doors.  I simply move them gently out of my way or even pick a different part of the boxes to work in when I’ve over stepped my boundaries.  

While I’m waiting for the sprinkler program to complete I’ve made a nice little spot on the deck under the umbrella watching the birds.  I need to pick up a bird book one of these days.  I know the easy ones; the Robin’s and Doves, but there is these others, Finchs we think, that have taken up residence in our Martin house.  And another interesting Robin looking bird that has very interesting markings on its chest and a white patch on its chin.  I wish I had a telephoto lens to take a picture.     They got a double dose of worming in with the sprinklers going this afternoon.  They hopped around in the garden boxes and yard until they found their catch.  

Playing in the dirt has always been a source of relaxation for me.  Exercise secondary, as I can lift about 50 pounds of anything purchased at the greenhouse.  But the best comfort I receive is being a part of this incredible nature that God provides for us.  After the initial intrusion, felt by the birds, it’s really wonderful to be in the nature with them as they go about their of feeding babies, defending territory and calling to their mates.