...hmmmm......dandelions......

I have just harvested my first crop of dandelions from my front yard. You might wonder, "Is she making dandelion wine?" Nooooo...... just harvesting.......... the weed and feed we put on three weeks ago obviously did not do the job. Now. I'm not saying it was Ortho's fault. It was most likely our own. But really. Shouldn't it be easier than it must be?? Why do they have to do such a good job of afflicting and tormenting????? However; I have inadvertently discovered a use for dandelions in the front yard! Hooray!!! I push my little dandelion digger tool into the ground and hopefully cut the root below the crown. And I pull out that thumb-sized root, wah-lah!!!!! I have aereated my lawn!!!! But oh my!!!! my aching legs!!!!! They are not as young as they used to be........... and two days now of unaccustomed labor have made them scream in protest! Thankfully, I will survive and my lawn will be green with little purple flowers here and there..........instead of the yellow that might attract some bees. (Dandelions are an excellent source of early pollen for the honeybees.) And my little purple flowers are violets I planted years ago........Yes. I was warned that they would spread everywhere. But somehow I don't mind the "country" look--as opposed to the formal, well manicured look......which I would never have anyway unless I hired a yard service..........hard to come by in our little town. Just wanted to share my new discovery as well as my victory! I understand I will have to do it again nearly every day all summer long. But this first time is always the longest and hardest............done!

I just had to add this picture!!!! Look how she is covered with pollen!!!! I didn't realize that until I down-loaded the picture!! These are some of the most amazing little creatures in all the world!! She's rather young..........her wings are not in the least frayed and she is still really hairy. Someday I hope to be able to "talk" to them!! You gotta love this amazingly glorious and beautiful world!!! Even if it does grow dandelions...............

BTW--our lilacs are sending out their heavenly perfume............wish they lasted longer.........

new resident

We have a new resident at our house..........uninvited yet only partially unwelcome. Obviously I was neither persistant nor persuasive enough to discourage the new construction. I can only imagine what I did to her poor heart when I went bursting out that door yesterday. I got a serious tongue lashing--maybe a beak-lashing? She was not happy with me. Then, as I had to work outside, I found myself praying that somehow, Someone who could communicate with her would let her know that she really had no need to fear me. And I went out of my way to use other doors and entrances to the yard so as not to disturb her further. I'm glad to see that she's back on her nest today. We can use another door for a while since she is obviously doing very important work.