Char’s Blog

We were finally able to light up the pile of branches from the tree that crashed.

Now we just have to wait for a good time, when we are allowed to burn and it’s dry enough, to burn the weeds.

We have whined calmly and with minimal exaggeration explained our harsh growing conditions here. We are continuing the saga here today as, with heavy hearts and down turned faces, we present the sad, sad story.

A gopher got this one. Yes, it’s Autumn and the leaves are supposed to be turning yellow but the other trees were still green and not dry and crunchy.

Another munched tree. This is was the Pie Cherry tree. It is close to the Peach tree that got the same treatment this spring. This was caused by deer. Hunting season is upon us but seems to have not effected our local deer population. Recently, Col. Panic saw three bucks- a fork, three point and a four point- with several does wander across the wheat field behind the house. The deer continue to use our yard as a buffet line- enjoying the various treats that we have so kindly planted and watered for them.

Here’s the advertisment being aired on the Gopher and Deer Entertainment Network right now: “All gophers and deer! Come dine on The Human’s Hard Work under the starry sky at this exclusive Fine Gopher and Deer Dining Establishment!”

The advertisment is working- they keep coming in droves.

One of my many cousins came over for a visit when we were at my parent’s back in July. Looking back, I see I promised stories and photos about the trip. And then didn’t post any photos! I took a ton so we may have to go retro here and revisit July.

Back to my cousin. This Cousin, a dear friend to me, has an artistic eye. I have often admired her sense of style and her ability to “see” things. I take tons of photos with the belief that sooner or later I will take a good one. Later as I go through what I’ve taken I’ll think- oh! that turned out nice! or the more often that didn’t work! Cousin pointed out to me one of my Dad’s planters on the patio and commented that it would make a neat picture. I didn’t imediately run and get my camera but I did remember what she said and later I went back and took a few. The Girls had “watered” the plants- took cups full of water to them earlier so there is a bit of a darker area from the water that I wish wasn’t there but it still is a neat perspective.

I also like this one even though it’s a bit crocked. (oops, I see they are both a bit crocked- what does that tell you about my ability to “see” a picture?) I think they might be better if cropped down so just the wood of the planter shows and not the rock patio.

Thanks Cousin for a neat perspective!

We enjoy watching the hummingbirds that frequent our feeders.

It’s fun seeing them zip about.

They even share, once in awhile.

Alternate title: Embarrassing Oneself On the Internet….Again.

We have a weed problem. Due to various reasons, too numerous and varied to mention, the weeds got ahead of us this year. Well, they often do but this year it seems extra “bountiful”.

The Weeds are up and down the driveway, around and in the parking area and taking over the driveway to the shop. One method of weed control we are aggressively pursuing is the “Drive Over Those Puppies” application.

You see The Col. applying the technique here.

At first the kids were a little apprehensive about going down the driveway at such a slant but now think it’s quite fun. We’ve all come to appreciate the smell of weeds burning on the exhaust.

It even works, kind of. It’s sort of environmentally friendly- no chemicals being sprayed about. It’s an efficient use of time- The Col. is on his way to work here.
I think it’s a “win, win” situation.

The Boy brought in our copious cherry crop of three sour cherries the other day and loudly proclaimed that I needed to make a pie with them. Pretty meager pie, if you ask me. Pixie tried one and proclaimed that yes, it was a sour cherry!

The Sour Cherry tree is the only cherry tree with actual cherries on it. It’s so exciting! Not that there are really that many or that they are very large. But they are there!

Gives one hope for the future.

Note: I’ve now used the word “copious” in two posts! Aren’t you proud of me?

Now that I have talked about how difficult it is to grow trees and other things here, I thought I would highlight something that seems to be thriving. These pictures were taken just a few hours before the storm came through.

Our Canadian Hardy Climber that we got from Heirloom Roses, who specialize in roses grown on their own root stock, is doing wonderfully. .

It’s past its prime here but you can see how tall it is! Unfortunately it lost most of these remaining petals in the wind.

It’s over the roof!

I found pictures from last year so you could see the beautiful flowers.

It blooms copiously in the spring.

The other roses aren’t doing too bad, either. It seemed an extra hard winter on them but they seem to have shrugged it off. Although, the storm broke some branches, they should be fine. Here’s two:

The Graham Thomas:

The Chicago Peace:

They are pretty much safe from swathers so close to the house but the deer still like to eat on them, and obviously the wind can cause damage. We are extra careful with trimmers and mowers. The Murdered by Mower Rhubarb story is a post for another time.

When one makes light of what a catastrophe is, then one leaves oneself open to reality.

Reality hit in a lightning, thunder and wind storm yesterday afternoon.

This tree is off the side of the house and provides a great amount of afternoon shade as well as being the “best” climbing tree. This is the tree that nurtured the baby robins earlier this spring.

It missed the house, dog house and the swing set; it covers the sand box. One branch broke lose and then the other came down.

Rose bush branches were bent over and broken. The poor purple-robed locust got it too.

If it’s not poor soil, deer, gophers, pheasants, hot, cold, menacing mowers, and scathing swathers- it’s the wind out to get us. No wonder there aren’t that many trees around here.

It breaks our hearts.