tick magnet

 Still seeing multiple rabbits a day here!

Some really gorgeous moths lately, too.

clymene moth

stinging rose moth

tulip tree beauty moth

And my first caterpillar!  Looking forward to a caterpillar bounty this fall.

yellow woolly bear caterpillar

The garden is looking great, somehow!  Normally I have a lot of weedy-looking celosia, but the deer are so plentiful this year that they've mowed them all down.  All I have left are the things that deer don't really eat...like this beautiful perennial purple verbena bonariensis.

Coneflowers are going strong, too.

Nice to have reliable perennials coming up, like russian sage and yarrow.

We've been able to resume our walks in the main part of the state forest but wow, the damage is crazy!

Even with downed trees, the little lake is so pretty.

Still dealing with the usual pests...

lone star tick pulled from Pepita

...but overall, it's been smooth sailing around here.  At 99 days accident-free, Pepita has earned access to a new room...with a rug!

With hot, humid days, she spends a lot of time napping.

...as well as her kitten cousins!

Hoping for a break in the humidity next week.  I'd love to spend a little more time outdoors!

sours on flowers

After a few frosty mornings...

...I think winter is finally over!  Everything is so green.

Peonies are starting to pop!

Because of a pretty rainy stretch...

...my ferns are going crazy.  

I love spring!!

Todd had a cyst removed last week.  He's been recovering with a little help from Pepita...

Celebratory "body cavity" cupcakes!  The middle is raspberry jam...I swear.

The cats have been their usual helpful selves...

"Gonna take out the trash any time soon??"

"Oh, you wanted to stretch your back?  Let me help."

"I'm done folding!"

"Why are you photographing NASA stuff when I'm soooo much more photogenic?"

"You missed it!  Ryan broke up with Marissa AGAIN."

I can't believe that June will be here in a few weeks.  I've barely been outside with my camera this spring.  It's been cooler and wetter, and life is just busier in general. 

One thing I haven't done, even though it's nearly mid-May, is plant out my annual garden.  In years past, I had seedlings ready to go into the ground by now.

This year, I bought the seeds and soil, cleared the garden debris, and...nothing.  In part there's a physical aspect.  I developed Morton's Neuroma in my right foot, which is a pinched tendon/nerve between two toes.  Some days it hurts to walk/be on my feet for too long.  I also have arthritis in my lower back that has been more painful this spring.  It's more easily aggravated and the thought of the lifting/bending required to do just get the boxes seeded has been daunting.  The main job, however,  is crawling around on the tick-infested ground, stabbing the spring weeds out of the hundreds of 4" pre-cut seedling holes.  You can get an idea of how many there are in this photo.  It's hot, dirty, grueling work and I dread it every year.  Because we've had a long, wet spring, the weeds are now 6-12" high, with deep roots.

A more inspired year

But this isn't a case of the mind is willing but the body is weak.  I'm just not interested in doing it this year.  As I have done my whole life, I throw myself wholeheartedly into a hobby and it consumes me for months or even a year or two.  Then I completely lose interest and focus on something else.  I always cycle back through my hobbies again but sometimes it takes a decade to reignite that passion.  And this year...I don't care about it.  I'm not interested in the propagation process.  I'm not interested in a colorful garden.  I'm not even interested in picking future bouquets.  I'm either 100% in or 100% out...and this year, my interest might even be in the negative.  ;)  Worse case scenario, we will string-trim the weeds down to surface level and just cover the whole lot up with landscape fabric.  Save the seeds and hope that the interest returns next year.  We'll see what happens!  

helter swelter

It's July at last!  I know that we've really only had about 3 weeks of summer weather, but that's been plenty for me.  Taking a puppy outside in the heat every 30 minutes (plus romp sessions) has pretty much done me in.  I'm already counting the days 'til fall.  I'm trying to appreciate 'summer' things, though. 

Like interesting insects.

ringed assassin bug

carpenter bees

spiny oakworm moth with two serious inspectors!

Japanese beetles

milkweed beetle

paper wasp

...and others, too!  It was so humid when I went outside to confront this flower-munching deer that my camera lens instantly fogged, so I didn't get a great picture, but...he's definitely licking his lips!

Deer have been getting into the hostas by the house too, so I'm definitely paying attention in case they need to be chased off.

I caught this guy ambling by as well!

eastern box turtle

The annual garden is putting on blooms, although it's definitely subdued this year.

I'm glad to have ANY flowers after our cold, wet spring!  The perennial garden is still blazing.

Nice to have a little color.  It's not autumn leaves, but it'll do!

Meanwhile, Pepita is keeping us busy.

We've had her for going on three weeks now and she's definitely more confident...and stubborn, which is a hallmark of her breed!

learning to leash-walk with Daddy

She is still sweet and cuddly, but has a lot more puppy energy.  Thankfully she doesn't bite like a lot of puppies, and not much barking either.  Just a few potty accidents...

who, me?

...and a lot of outside romps!

She does not love being outside, which is kind of surprising.  We end up having to carry her out to the field to try to get her to run.

Todd carrying Pepita to the back field

When I check the trail cams, it's a lot of Todd letting Pepita go and Pepita running for the house!  :)

But at least she's getting exercise...and we are too!  Just wish it was a little cooler...at least August is only three weeks away.

Have a great week!