For oft when on my couch I lie In vacant or in pensive mood, They flash upon that inward eye Which is the bliss of solitude, And then my heart with pleasure fills, And dances with the Daffodils.
I’ve spent the last few days overwhelmed with how far behind I am in my home’s garden maintenance.
Yesterday, I knocked the weeds down with a weed wacker because they were so overgrown.
This morning, I flame-weeded our gravel driveway.
Finally, I hoped to tune up the lawn mower but fell behind in my plans.
The Perfect Day Maintaining Gardens?
I used to think that if I woke early, had a good plan, and worked hard, I could finish my garden maintenance chores in one or two days.
The family and I would barbecue chicken with an Italian glaze while enjoying the immaculately maintained landscape. Fresh-cut flowers adorn a vase at the center of the table.
While I sometimes rise early, I never get as much done as I want.
In summary, I get sidetracked, and tasks often (always) take longer than anticipated.
Weather can also cause delays.
How did I get so far behind?
I stopped weeding my garden in September last year. I’ve been experimenting with flame weeding, and the hose to the torch broke.
I searched the internet for a replacement hose, but nobody had it in stock.
I visited a local propane supplier. The replacement hose cost more than the torch and hose did new.
I lost motivation.
Winter annual weeds, especially chickweed and grassy weeds, overtake my gardens.
Sugar maple seedlings carpet parts of the landscape.
Our Newtown, CT, arborist visited twice last winter and cut the wood to log lengths. I cut the equivalent of three large sugar maples worth of wood.
While cutting the logs, I could have been picking up sticks, cutting back perennials and weeding.
I don’t regret the decision.
It gave me an immense sense of accomplishment.
The Reality of Maintaining Gardens
While many wait for the first warm day to start working in the garden, we should do what we can when we can.
Work at a steady pace and gradually move forward. Enjoy time in the landscape throughout the year, not just in the spring.
They usually sleep in different locations, so I make sure to put two of everything out for them.
Phantom, a male, likes to sleep in high positions and relentlessly chases Snowball around, though he never hurts him or her. He makes sure Snowball knows who’s the boss.
Phantom and Snowball showed up in the yard about a year and a half ago. I started feeding them, and surprisingly, they decided to take me into the colony.
Indoor Cats
Phoebe (black) was up in Chloe’s (pastel tortie) usual sleeping spot, sharing the warmth. Chloe has appointed herself the top cat of our three indoor spayed cats.
Chloe has some issues to work through, as we all do, but that’s for another time.
Phoebe, the most tolerant and psychologically balanced cat we have, is Chloe’s sister. They had identical childhoods but grew up with completely different personalities.
There’s a lesson there somewhere.
Signs of a Dominant Cat
Besides sleeping in high positions, the dominant cat is sleeping on top in both photos. Interestingly, the cats they’re sleeping on top of both have calm and agreeable personalities.
If Phoebe and Snowball were people, they would offer to help move furniture or take your mail in while you were away.
I’ve also noticed the dominant cat showing more aggression toward other cats, but it never gets physical.
Chloe and Phantom have some unresolved issues, as we all do, but are also the most affectionate. Chloe doesn’t let me to share my affection with other cats in the room.
Come to think of it, Snowball won’t let me pet her either, especially when Phantom is around.
A cat that sleeps in high positions, sleeps on top of the pile, and initiates aggression toward other cats are signs of a dominant cat.
I can’t say the dominant cat is also the most physiologically balanced cat. I can say they’ve appointed themselves leader of the colony.
Last week, I woke early and headed out to hone my photography skills.
While I would like to put all of my award-winning photos in one post, I realized a picture truly is worth a thousand words and decided to break up the posts.
Click on a photo to open a larger version.
Patriotic Lambsquarters
I love how this lambsquarters frames the American flag. I should feel guilty for not weeding my gardens, but I don’t. The weeds keep coming, and all we can do is our best.
First, I turned on the backyard light one night and saw an orange and white cat patiently sitting under a shrub by the bird feeders.
Then, a few weeks later, as I walked across the side yard, I spotted a black and white cat carrying something.
I ran toward the cat assuming it was holding a bird. The cat dropped its prize, a partially eaten roll, and ran.
I felt like a heel after that.
I Leave Food for Cats
In elementary school, perhaps fourth or fifth grade, I spotted a cat under one of the cars. I investigated and saw a white and grey cat that looked down on its luck.
The cat’s white fur had a yellowish tinge in some spots on its legs. While the cat wasn’t well groomed it wasn’t overly scruffy either.
I remember looking under the car at the cat, and it looking back at me. Neither of us moving. Neither of us sure what to do next.
I ran into the house to get something to feed the cat. All I could find was a piece of American cheese. When I returned the cat was gone so I left the cheese.
When I got off the school bus the next day, the cat followed me to the house door. From that day on, he was part of our family.
Cyrano was a feral cat who decided it was time to live the good life. I hope we gave it to him.
Back to this Century
Getting back to where the story started.
After chasing the black and white cat away, I put some dry food on a paper plate and left it for the cat.
Although I never saw who was eating it, the food was gone daily, so I kept putting it out.
Eventually, I was refilling the plate two to three times a day.
I don’t remember exactly when or how, but over time I had two cats showing up daily for meals. Every time I fed our indoor cats, I brought food to the outdoor cats.
Phantom
Eventually, I named the black and white cat “Phantom” because he’s a master at not being seen. He hides in shadows and under plants to avoid detection.
In this picture, I caught Phantom at a bad time, so he looks a little irritated. He’s keenly aware I’m encroaching on his space and taking his picture.
Initially, Phantom was the more timid of the two cats. He wouldn’t touch the food until I was at least 50 feet away. He would watch me while eating, and if I moved toward him, he would back away.
As a matter of fact, I told my children Phantom is a wild animal and will never be interested in people.
I’m not sure when it happened, but gradually Phantom let me get closer and closer.
Phantom learned his name and started coming when called.
He ‘lived’ under an abandoned shade canopy in my neighbor’s yard and slept on an old lawn tractor seat with some plywood remnants overhead.
Below is Phantom lying in catnip, looking at Chloe, our rescue cat.
Phantom’s go-to body language is rolling on his back and side looking for attention. Generally, he follows me daily while I feed the birds.
Snowball
Initially, Snowball was the more friendly of the two cats and more comfortable with people.
Snowball has a left ear tip, meaning they have been spayed or neutered.
Further, Snowball spent most of last summer sleeping next to our shed. If you walked by the shed, Snowball watched you go by. Things are fine if you don’t get too close or walk directly at them.
Snowball enjoys sleeping in the catnip growing on the side of the house.
Last summer, as I was working in the garage, Snowball kept meowing, hoping for a snack. Snowball knew the exact tone that sounded the most helpless. I’m sure it worked!
Snowball has a very calm personality and is quite content to sleep and eat with some hunting mixed in. Snowball is a master at finding warm places to sleep.
Lastly, Snowball’s go-to body language is a long, slow blink. I have learned that means a cat feels comfortable.
I’m fairly certain Snowball was a monk in a previous life.
The Irony
I occasionally wonder what brought these two beautiful creatures to me. The answer is quite hilarious.
