This is August?

Okay, it is mid-August in Cincinnati, and I need a sweatshirt to work in the garden. Go figure. Sat down to watch the birds that suddenly swarmed the backyard feeders--been watering various beds for the last couple of hours--and that's when the neighbor thought it would be a great time to mow. Oh well, at least it wasn't the neighbor immediately beside the feeders! And, I am very thankful that it wasn't their evil psycho dog that does nothing but run around and bounce and bark like every other psycho little terrier the entire time we are both outside. So, there I am enjoying the birdie antics, and this cute goldfinch perches on the volunteer sunflower!

Poison Ivy, Again

I think I saw it before I touched it this time. This stuff is sneaky.

Friendly Bees and Ground Hornets

The bumble bees are just peacefully checking out the flowers.

The ground hornets in the video also seem pretty peaceful, but I'm told they'll only get bigger and less friendly. I'm also told I have to kill them. Much as I'd rather live and let live, since they are outside, I suppose they do pose a serious and potentially painful threat, especially to anyone who wanders by unawares.



Watch them fly in and out like a Roman candle! Eek. They weren't the least bit interested in me, though.

Hopefully the foaming spray I just coated the nest with is doing the trick.

Summer Rains Bring Flowers!

Sunflowers, Zinnias, Knock Out Roses, Morning Glories, and Cosmos, to name a few.

Lots of rain lately, but you won't hear me complaining. I remember well the last two summers of drought, dragging the hoses and watering cans all over my acre to get to all the planting beds and the baby trees.

They say the cool nights that go with all this rain are slowing down the tomatoes, but with any luck we'll have more full size tomatoes soon (the cherry and grape tomatoes are coming in at a handful a day).