21 May, 2020 - Critter Proofing & A Walk in the Park
Dear, Mom -
I cannot stop yawning. I was at work today, went to the hardware store, came home, started working in the garden to critter proof it, and just finished about an hour ago. I am totally wore out and ready for bed after I write you this letter!
As you can see if you compare yesterday's pictures to todays, I have put up fabric to keep critters from walking into the beds (squirrels, raccoons, possums, skunks, rats, mice, and assorted other animals that may meander through...giraffe, marmot, moose, platypus...). I also put netting on top of all three of the beds to keep out birds. I don't know why. I don't have any berries or things that birds would want, but I figured it may help to keep the other animals out, too. We'll see. At this point, I am just hoping the rain isn't too hard on the little starts. I need to buy some plastic to drape over the posts for days like, oh, today, when it is supposed to bucket down rain. I am hoping to make that happen after work tomorrow (today? Friday). To the right of the beds, I am going to put some big stumps connected with a nice piece of wood as seats, a fire pit, and a couple of other seats that will sit on the pavement (from where I took the picture). Between the containers, I am going to put down cardboard boxes covered with wood chips to kill off the weedy lawn. I am also going to plant a cedar tree to the back right of the container on the right. Mind you, this is a summer project. I have work in the front yard to do, as well. Paula and I will get an additional yard and a half to split between our gardens on Monday. Ugh. So much to do...
I walked through the forest twice today. Once with Elsa dog and another with my client Bob. I got interested in noticing all the little flowers that grow there. I hadn't really noticed all the different varieties, so I started taking pictures and noting their names via my Plane Identifier app on my phone.
This is known as "Herb Robert" or "Robert Geranium". It is also known as Storksbill, Cranesbill, Crow's Foot...(Which is it? A bill or a foot?!)
This is known as "Redwood Insideout" or "Redwood Ivy". It is very small. The flower would be about as big as the tip of your pinky finger. I had to blow it up so you could really see it on the picture.
This is a "Creeping Buttercup" or "Sitfast". It makes one wonder how they come up with the names for some of these things. Was the flower creeping up on somebody? It was creeping up so quietly that when the person realized it was creeping, they had to sit down fast at of surprise? I don't know.
This is a common daisy or "English Daisy". You could also call it a Bruisewort, but why? Daisy is so much prettier. It is very small. It isn't much different then the ones I find in my lawn, I don't think. Sometimes they make little fairy rings.
This is one of my new favorites. It is very, very small. It is known as "Small Enchanter's Nightshade". It is not poisonous, but was actually used medicinally as a tea for rheumatism, gout, infections, and fever.
Just to be confusing, this is a "Dove's Foot Crane's Bill". Another type of wee geranium. It's a bit more pink than the first geranium. Still very cute. I should have got a better picture. I'll try again tomorrow.
Last, but not least, this is a "Birdeye Speedwell". Like the buttercup, it is also known as a "Creeping Speedwell". I guess some flowers just like to sneak around for something to do?
I wish I had something more exciting to report, but I am enjoying learning about all these native species of flowers growing in the park, along with all the beautiful flowers that grow around the neighborhood.
Here is a honeybee taking a nap in a giant "Pot Marigold".
I LOVE how orange it is. I'm not usually a big fan of marigolds, but I really like this one. So does the bee!
I shall now bid you adieu until tomorrow, mom. I love you with all of my heart and soul. I miss seeing you often. I am hopeful that the day will come when I can again give you a big, big hug in person and a warm smooch, too. You're the best mom a girl could ever have. So, stay happy and healthy and I will see you soon!
Your Gal, Sal
I cannot stop yawning. I was at work today, went to the hardware store, came home, started working in the garden to critter proof it, and just finished about an hour ago. I am totally wore out and ready for bed after I write you this letter!
As you can see if you compare yesterday's pictures to todays, I have put up fabric to keep critters from walking into the beds (squirrels, raccoons, possums, skunks, rats, mice, and assorted other animals that may meander through...giraffe, marmot, moose, platypus...). I also put netting on top of all three of the beds to keep out birds. I don't know why. I don't have any berries or things that birds would want, but I figured it may help to keep the other animals out, too. We'll see. At this point, I am just hoping the rain isn't too hard on the little starts. I need to buy some plastic to drape over the posts for days like, oh, today, when it is supposed to bucket down rain. I am hoping to make that happen after work tomorrow (today? Friday). To the right of the beds, I am going to put some big stumps connected with a nice piece of wood as seats, a fire pit, and a couple of other seats that will sit on the pavement (from where I took the picture). Between the containers, I am going to put down cardboard boxes covered with wood chips to kill off the weedy lawn. I am also going to plant a cedar tree to the back right of the container on the right. Mind you, this is a summer project. I have work in the front yard to do, as well. Paula and I will get an additional yard and a half to split between our gardens on Monday. Ugh. So much to do...
I walked through the forest twice today. Once with Elsa dog and another with my client Bob. I got interested in noticing all the little flowers that grow there. I hadn't really noticed all the different varieties, so I started taking pictures and noting their names via my Plane Identifier app on my phone.
This is known as "Herb Robert" or "Robert Geranium". It is also known as Storksbill, Cranesbill, Crow's Foot...(Which is it? A bill or a foot?!)
This is known as "Redwood Insideout" or "Redwood Ivy". It is very small. The flower would be about as big as the tip of your pinky finger. I had to blow it up so you could really see it on the picture.
This is a "Creeping Buttercup" or "Sitfast". It makes one wonder how they come up with the names for some of these things. Was the flower creeping up on somebody? It was creeping up so quietly that when the person realized it was creeping, they had to sit down fast at of surprise? I don't know.
This is a common daisy or "English Daisy". You could also call it a Bruisewort, but why? Daisy is so much prettier. It is very small. It isn't much different then the ones I find in my lawn, I don't think. Sometimes they make little fairy rings.
This is one of my new favorites. It is very, very small. It is known as "Small Enchanter's Nightshade". It is not poisonous, but was actually used medicinally as a tea for rheumatism, gout, infections, and fever.
Just to be confusing, this is a "Dove's Foot Crane's Bill". Another type of wee geranium. It's a bit more pink than the first geranium. Still very cute. I should have got a better picture. I'll try again tomorrow.
Last, but not least, this is a "Birdeye Speedwell". Like the buttercup, it is also known as a "Creeping Speedwell". I guess some flowers just like to sneak around for something to do?
I wish I had something more exciting to report, but I am enjoying learning about all these native species of flowers growing in the park, along with all the beautiful flowers that grow around the neighborhood.Here is a honeybee taking a nap in a giant "Pot Marigold".
I LOVE how orange it is. I'm not usually a big fan of marigolds, but I really like this one. So does the bee!
I shall now bid you adieu until tomorrow, mom. I love you with all of my heart and soul. I miss seeing you often. I am hopeful that the day will come when I can again give you a big, big hug in person and a warm smooch, too. You're the best mom a girl could ever have. So, stay happy and healthy and I will see you soon!
Your Gal, Sal
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