Today was a day to get some stuff done out in the yard. I had to do some measurements to figure out some volume and pH control problems for the pool. Where’s that slide-rule? Then I had some ultra-glamorous weeding to do, followed by fertilizer application. I had to replace some components on the hoses I use for watering the gardens and I had to disassemble the lawn mower to find out why it was smoking. Stupid mice.
But while I was doing that stuff, I checked on the elecampane (Inula) I planted in the spring. It’s finally starting to actually grow. About time! I checked out the barn swallow nest and followed the parents darting back and forth and spotting from a tree for insects and keeping an eye on the nest. Probably still on the lookout for that stupid blue bird pair from last month.
I went and looked at the sequoias and metasequoias and marveled at the growth they’ve put on since I planted them. I spotted the first garter snake in two years. After they were mysteriously absent the whole of last year one popped its head out of the day lilies and shot back in after seeing me. I’m glad they’ve returned. Otherwise, the frogs and toads might get too uppity. I noted that the wolfsbane was doing better in one location than the other. Maybe I should move it.
I turned over a muck bucket full of weeds near Camera Girl’s mulch pile and a couple of field mice or voles skittered away. There are a lot of mice around this year. That has me thinking of a new project. I’m thinking of buying some black rat snakes and breed a few clutches of eggs a year and release the hatchlings around the yard, especially in the rock wall. I think they’d improve the rodent ratio around here. A big black rat snake can get over seven feet long and not only could eat plenty of mice but chipmunks and squirrels would be on the menu too. Raising the rat snakes would take up time for cleaning and feeding the buggers but if I could establish a population, it would be well worth the effort.
When I finished outside, I read through the news articles. Same old, same old. When Camera Girl got back from the supermarket, she said it’s not so super anymore. In fact it was depressing. The half empty shelves were stocked with food almost too expensive to buy. I commiserated with her and told her that hopefully this situation will get the Democrats fired sooner than later. She said some very uncharitable things about Dementia Joe and I chuckled.
So today is a day for getting stuff done outside. Not very good for writing on the blog. Later on I have to find the next author for the Quotation of the Day. I think Mr. Hobbes has had enough days for his say. Who will be the next H? Tomorrow I’ll write something mordant and wise about our political situation. Today I’ll enjoy a June day with sunshine and warm weather. I could do worse.
We are becoming the Soviet Union. Empty shelves and Pravda ( CNN) telling us how lucky we are.
I just saw an article that showed the shelves of a Moscow supermarket. They were full and the prices exchanged into dollars were lower than the prices we’re paying. Something tells me that Biden will be remembered as the worst President of all time.