Tuesday

 Woo...When I opened my eyes it was 8:30. Now how did that happen?  I guess the liven' is easy today.  

After walking the garden, I decided that a tad of work would make things better.  It sort of feels like the first part of the summer is over and now it's ready to do a few things to prepare for the rest of the summer.  

This is the bed that got a trim after most of the day lilies bloomed.  There is one more clump to go which will be finished by Friday.  When checking around I found more volunteer cleome and moved them to this area with the hope that when the lilies regrow, they will be in good company.  A few more touch -me-nots have joined the cosmos.  There should be great improvement when we get home from the U P.  

I moved on to another bed, the one that I pictured yesterday where there is a little of everything.  The center attraction is oats grass.  I love it but it can take up space.  Last Summer I dug out a lot making the plot smaller.  Sometime in August, I usually cut it down because every little seed head turns into a plant.  I don't need that.  This morning, I made the clump smaller by clipping about 6 inches off around the entire clump.  Woo...Big improvement still with all the interest and the line of sight is so much better.  

         There is room to breathe.  In August the daisies will be trimmed.  Some will rebloom but most will not.  That gives everyone else a little more room.  Gardener jobs are never finished.  

I was excited to see more of the bloom this morning. Yesterday I sent you a bud ready to open.  It looks like there is a bit of a problem with one side, but the excitement of the orange color still makes this Mexican Sunflower a winner in my mind.  

        I transplanted a few really tiny ones this evening.  One never has enough Mexican Sunflowers.

Another place needed some help and that got some attention.  Lambs Ear loves to grow in the sun.  It's just a hot grower.  One area where it was planted was in shade most of the day and all the rain that we've had really did a number on Lambs Ear.  I ripped out what was moldy looking, and ready to kick the bucket leaving a place that needed even more attention.  Perennial geraniums like to live just about anywhere.  One plant during the spring was sending out little seedlings that turned into little plants.  I kept track of them watching their growth.  So, I collected them and now they have their own space to do their thing near St. Frances.  I told him to watch over them while we are gone.  I'll be looking forward to the progress they make during his watch.

The area will eventually be covered with purple Perennials Geraniums.  I may need to remove more Rabbit Ears.  Yes, a gardener is never finished.   I am bringing home more Lake Superior rocks! 

My UP friend Leslie took a workshop focused on willow crafting.  She made some beautiful willow forms that flowers like sweetpeas could crawl on.  I would love to work on things like that.  But I did do a project last summer that is holding up well.  It's a section of a fence that was completely worn out.  This summer it continues to do what it is supposed to do.  

I think I could make some lovely wreaths with some of the limbs.  They are so long and so bendable. 

                                                One can never have enough basil.

The basil is doing a wonderful job.  Time for pesto.  Yum.  More tomatoes are ripening.  More for the vacation.  And speaking of the U P.  Today the camp kitchen got filled to the max.  That's always a good sign.  Other years I have filled three drawer units with food and brought home a lot of food. This year I've filled two which will take good care of us.  So, 90 % of the food is packed. The suitcase came out and now has some things added so the process is moving along.  I like to start early so the things forgotten usually come to mind before we leave.  Our first trip was the summer Eric was 2.  He's now in his 50's.  It's been an event for ever, missing about four of the years since Eric's first trip. 
 

        It looks the same as yesterday but it's today's sweetheart.  What a gift just outside the back door. 

Today I used a whole lot of energy.  I did a little watering late afternoon helping the transplants. Supper was very simple. The dishes will wait till tomorrow. Woo...My chair will be a welcomed spot.  I must use better sense tomorrow.  If you are in the praying mood about something add the word sense to your prayer if it's about me. I'm all out!  

What a beautiful start to the day.  Blue sky, smiling at me.  And now another way to end the day.