Garden, Gift and Gnome

My neighbor recently asked if I would like to have like her old patio set, and when I saw it, I instantly realized the possibilities. It really was not that old and she said it was a great set for family get-togethers. Well to heck with that I thought. You see, I am a mega mosquito magnet - it must be that sweet Polish blood and fair skin, and that is why I spend any leisure/meal time in the safe confines of the solarium, where I can look at the garden and not get devoured, as I do continually whilst I garden. Repellent does not deter the buggers much - what a scourge!

Anyway, getting back to the patio set - as the photos indicate, the glass table and huge umbrella gives me a fabulous large work space, and provides much-needed shade. The glass top makes it look much classier than plastic, and our little neighbor's cat Noomi, thinks it is, and sorry I can't resist, the cat's meow! And as an added bonus - the table came with 4 very comfy chairs that also came with comfy weatherproof cushions. These are being well used by the feline residents. The chairs are in shady nook of the garden, and what better place to have a snooze on a warm afternoon. Pics of those to come soon.





The table is totally covered after my trip to the nursery.








Little Noomi - he is so cute!! He was the first to jump on the table - amazing he actually found a spot amid all those plants!

Callibrachoa, or Million Bells, in a juicy punch color.




My latest favourite: Verbena - and it stays through light frost at the end of the season.


A very different Pelargonium (Geraniums to most folks), with leaves like a Coleus - also soft and fuzzy - gorgeous.



Newest Daylily: Jamaican Me Crazy. I now have over 50 varieties - the newest ones are so large and very beautiful, and there are thousands now available.


Flirtatious Fuschia! Like petticoats on a can-can dancer....

Arrangement hanging off the porch railing: peach impatiens and blue lobelia - the blue in real life is much more vibrant.

Zesty Daylily Sammy Russell after a shower.


And despite his dubious look, my latest garden inhabitant - a recent gift from my sister - is surely pleased with what he sees. A garden gnome - every good garden must have at least one!

Updates - Spring at Maple Grove Gardens

The Collaring of the Cats

As an update to the dreaded visit by our local SPCA, we were given 48 hours to collar, with tags, all our cats. And since we really did not want to find out what the "or else" might be, off we went to find suitable collars and get replacement tags for those that had been lost long ago. Now, anyone who has cats, probably is well aware of this next great challenge - especially for those that have never ever worn a collar before. Here is how it all panned out:

- Tristan the White was first - his reaction typical: "Oh my God, what have you done to me - I can't stand - I can't walk - ack! I am crippled!" Then, he disappeared for about 15 minutes, returned without the collar, and with somewhat of a smug look on his face - "ah, that's better" - he seemed to convey. You see, these are the safe "breakaway" collars - and that's exactly what he did - quite skillfully and in record time! Maybe we should nickname him Houdini!?

- Manitou, the Caramel - well, he's had a collar before, and whilst he really would prefer to remain "au naturel" - it is still on.

- Chaiyka, the Tabby&white, sports a red one, and seems to be rather accustomed to it - a bit tricky at first, but now no problem

- Mr. Poole, the black - like Chaiyka, it was a rough start, but now he's ok with it

As for the 2 "illegals" - Bandito and Longfellow - they are my sister's cats that I look after every now and then ;) Both have collars, no tags though. I will have to append something to make them look "legal".

I must say that all this has rattled us. We feel we are being watched, and we don't know by whom. Which of those smiling neighbors is it? Or is it the non-smiling ones? We try not to let the gang out all in one herd, but sometimes that is hard. And it doesn't help when at any given time, there are 4 cats on the porch - and they aren't even mine! Even the next door neighbor's cat - just a shared driveway away - comes when the "dinner gong" (aka can opener) is sounded. Good grief!

Anyway - dreadful heat wave at the moment, and the cats are much in favor of us installing an air-conditioner - finally! I for one seem to be less and less tolerant of this heat as the years go by.
Even lounging about outside seems to give little relief to the furred ones.


Tristan and Chaiyka nap together....pre-collars


Some lovely shots of our regular visitor, Ping-Pong - so elegant, slightly oriental-looking and sleek.......and no collar!









The Reverend relaxes and strikes a pose....




Mr. Poole, at the other end of the table, makes sure The Rev stays in line... "I'm watching you".... ahem...I don't think The Rev looks too frightened! By the way - someone put his white flea collar back on again...but as of last week, it is off once more. Hmm....

Spring flowers - now just a memory....


Ping-Pong plays.....



My first daylily (Middendorfii) - a very early variety and the flowers stay open for 2 days not the usual one...






I love, LOVE, to see things sprout and grow!