Spring For A Day

We have been having a heat wave of sorts here in North Carolina.  Many days with temps in the 90's.  It is too soon for this.  But today, we've had Spring again, for today anyway.  I busied my kiddos and a helper with outdoor chores like weedeating, moving my herb cart, and more; only to be waylaid by a large colony of ants.  I am just thankful they aren't fire ants!

The herb cart was providing protection for the ant colony, so they swarmed in crazy motion once it was moved.  And once the cart was in its new location, more ants were discovered on the cart's bottom shelf.  I found this out the hard way - even non-fire ants can bite!  So, the cart has been sprayed with water in an aggressive fashion and left in the yard to dry in the sun.  

Ants were also noted on the concrete squares when my daughter moved the planter containing oregano.  I sprayed the ants with insecticidal soap and hope it will shoo them away.  Once the newest planter has some holes drilled in the bottom, I can replant the sage.  It is in great need of a larger space.  A few more tasks like bringing the cart back in from the yard and the herb garden will be functional again.

Update from Our Place on the Map

Not long after my last post in January, our one-of-a-kind 3-legged black miniature poodle, Cajun, began going downhill.  She had been sick with breathing problems, and continued joint pain in her remaining back leg.  It became apparent that the breathing and the pain were too much, so we again did the hardest thing for the second time in about 8 weeks.  Afterwards, Cajun was laid to rest in our yard, under the pine trees, alongside her frenemy, Jake.  She is sorely missed, so much that words cannot describe the loss.

I expect, though, that Rusty believes he ran those two dogs off all by himself!  He continues to be the mighty hunter.  This spring he has already captured several critters, including a small live snake that he brought into the house.  One of these times, I need to video the capture and removal of one of Rusty's live presents.  It is always an amusing episode!

Now, onto the opposite of amusing.  On April 16, an F3 tornado came through our town.  My home and property was spared, but the tornado destroyed half of a neighborhood around the corner from me.  The tornado warning came over the weather radio, sending my daughter, Katie, and I (and Rusty) into a protected hallway.  Soon afterwards, we heard the sound of a train, and the lights went out.  A few moments later, we heard a high-pitched whistling sound as the tornado left our area and headed to the next neighborhood in its path.  Our town has been in an upheaval since.  Business and homes will be rebuilt and repaired but the landscape of the town cannot be fixed.  And the lost lives and possessions cannot be replaced.

So, that brings us to now.  It is a glorious afternoon here.  My garden has been started.  It will be a small venture this year - tomatoes, herbs, bush beans, and garlic which was planted in the winter.  The garlic has another month or two to go.  From my office window, I am watching a pair of twitterpated cardinals, the male feeding the female.  So sweet!  It rained earlier today, so Rusty is curled up in a chair in the kitchen, waiting for the grass to dry a bit more.   I am thankful to have a kitchen chair, and an office, and a garden, and all the rest.  Tornadoes make you notice and make you thankful, too.

The Garden Grows

Everything is growing beautifully, so far.  One of the tomato plants is about to bloom and I think one of the pepper plants may be, as well.  The squash in the bags of soil on the ground are growing like mad!  I will be thinning them this weekend, along with the zucchini and cucumber plants.  

Still have some more to plant this weekend, including herbs.  It's been slow-going here with the drama as of late...human illness, doggie illness, crazy work schedules and other things, too.  

We have seen some squash bugs already and some little caterpillar chewing on one tomato plant.  I think some insecticidal soap may be in order for the caterpillar.  I will talk to my gardening consultant...my sister...she knows everything about growing veggies!