New paintings and regular art updates.
Wish I’d taken a “before” photo. In the past my back yard would have already been a riot of colour. But age and infirmity have made it difficult to get out there and garden.
But my kind friends Lin and Twiggy came round and gave me a couple of hours of their time. Weeds removed, pots emptied ivy cut back, apple tree tied onto the fence. It’s still in need of sorting but it’s getting there!
Might be done in a couple of weeks all being well. Me? I’m knackered!
My garden is overgrown, particularly the front hedge which is trees and bushes. The local council has sent me a warning letter to get it cut back in 14 days. But I’m physically not capable of doing it, I’m on a low income and my garden is a haven for birds, squirrels, sometimes hedgehogs and bats. I’m going to try and get it done, but will have to rely on friends as my hubby died 18 months ago.
What is worse is I struggle with anxiety and having a letter addressed to the both of us really upset me. I found myself crying on the phone to a council worker. It makes me feel like my heart is breaking. I just wish hubby was still here. Meanwhile I will try and plead for some more time.
Last night I thought I heard movement in the garden, a bit of noise, something rattled. I didn’t know what to do so I opened the back door. I think the noise was coming from a neighbouring property but just to be on the safe side I made a noise to make them aware someone had noticed. Then I did something strange. My phone was on charge but I pretended I was speaking to the police! I had a one sided conversation and left gaps as if I was listening to their response. It went something like this…..
Hello
Police please?
Hello, I’m ringing from…..
I can hear movement and think there is someone in my garden.
Yes it’s been happening for a few minutes.
You’ve got someone in the area?
Thank you
Ten minutes? I’ll lock the door and wait..
It was a bit like improvised acting. I don’t know why I did it. I wasn’t going to go outside, and I wanted to make anyone out there aware they might be caught. I feel a bit daft now. Was I right to do it?
Only one tulip so far this spring. The rains been absent this month and although there are leaves, no flowers are in bud. The one that has flowered is a lovely pink. I will have to take a photo of it.
Has your spring (or autumn) been good so far this year? I feel like I’m missing it with so many things to deal with. Take care all.
Ferns are growing in the wall again, catkins are appearing on the trees. My snowdrops have flowered and now the daffodils and helibores are in flower. Soon the tulips will open.
I can’t wait for warm breezes. Marigolds, wallflowers, wisteria and nasturtiums. Blue skies and then the fruit blossoms. The days will be longer and it might help me feel better. I hope the bees and ladybirds arrive soon.
My hubby always fed the birds at this time of year. I just realised that I need to take over. But I rarely get out in the garden because of being so unsteady and the fact that there are uneven steps,and the pathways are covered in leaf mould. I must make a plan to try and get out and feed them, other than that I think I will ask a friend.
Do you ever see wild animals?
Yes I see wild animals, mostly birds including Robins, blackbirds and wrens, but a squirrel jumped onto our garden fence last week, right outside the kitchen window. I’ve previously seen hedgehogs and also spotted a fox a few years ago. My garden is a bit of a wildlife haven with bushes and trees for the animals to rest in. There’s also a leaky pond, so sometimes we have tadpoles and frogs.
I must put out some bird food soon. I’m a bit nervous though of slipping on the leaves out there. My garden is on a slope so I could end up sliding down it in the mud. Must be careful.
What does your ideal home look like?
I don’t live in an expensive, ideal house. This is next door. Mine is in better repair, but it’s an old house built in the 1900s. It’s been changed so that it has a bathroom/kitchen extention. It took years to buy because we previously rented.
Someone suggested to me recently that I should downsize. To that ideal home the prompt asks about? But why should I? Unless my health deteriorates further. I know where I am. I have a large garden at the side of the house. It’s full of nature, an old pond, trees, squirrels, hedgehogs. Why do I want someone to buy the house and rip it apart. If I ever find the money I would repair and restore it. I guess that’s my ideal home. Maybe with a stair lift and storage for my art?
I found this photo of a tin cat knocking about in my Facebook memories recently. I think you were meant to put a tea light in it? I had it for a few years but I think it eventually rusted through. I guess a bird could nest in it although I never saw any inside it. A cat with a bird in its mouth isn’t a good idea anyway. I love it’s shocked or scared expression.
Looking up, not at a roof, but at the sky. I’d forgotten it was there. The privet tree and hedge are missing, and I feel their loss, but if I want to look up for meteors or to try and see aurora I can do it now. And you can’t take the garden off me. That garden where I’ve seen hedgehogs and squirrels. I will try and get the rest of the garden (the bit I never show you because it’s overgrown) a bit tidier and let more light in (enough) to grow roses and honeysuckle. Xxx
Just a note. Spaceweather.com has updates of astronomical activity and there is a possibility of auroras tonight in North America and Europe!
Mallaband-Brown