A Scary Sight

I was absolutely delighted when my neighbor that lives two houses down from us added two Paperbark Maple trees to his parking strip.

But then he did this.  I almost shrieked in horror when I realized that he had topped his new darling trees. Was it to block the view?  I don't think so.

I'm guessing that he didn't want them to grow up past his fence line.  He committed the number one way to kill a tree according to the 24 Ways to Kill a Tree publication from the Virginia Cooperative Extension.  I felt tempted to tape it to his door, but the damage is already done.

Have a happy and safe Halloween night!  And remember, friends don't let friends top trees.  

Barnaby and the Dog Park

We've been savoring October's foggy mornings followed by afternoon sunshine that lights the autumn foliage on fire.  My day is punctuated by Barnaby's walks at the dog park at Pacific Park.  

My Pirate joins us whenever he can.  

Barnaby enjoys playing and running in large circles with the other dogs.

And then he enjoys the nice cold water from the drinking fountain.

 While I smile at all the funny faces that he makes.

Barnaby's growing like a weed and I know that someday I'll think that he looks small in these pictures.  But in the meantime, I have an eight month old puppy who can sit his chin on the kitchen counter.  

Oh Barnaby!

Tetrapanax Leaf Theft

Someone snapped a big leaf off of my Tetrapanax 'Steroidal giant'.  And of course they stole the leaf that was front and center.  How rude.

I'm left to wonder who would do such a thing?  Did someone break it off to fan their elderly grandmother to keep her cool during our sunny afternoons?  Did someone take it to go identify it at a nursery?  Or, was it a couple of Beavis and Butthead wannabes that snorted and laughed as they broke it off and slapped each other in the face with it?  Hmm...  What do you think?

Bee Balm and My (Wily) Pirate

Today, I finally capitulated to a seven year battle between me and My Pirate in the garden.  After digging out plants to make room for my 96 (according to My Pirate)new acquisitions, I kneeled down and dug out the three new Bee Balms and added it to the big box for my friend, The Plant Rescuer, to take home.  They will live on, which felt good, but a bit sad for me.  Every year, I plant Bee Balm with high hopes and the next spring, My (wily) Pirate 'weeds' them out.

He now knows from my expression what he's done and simply says, "Time to hit the nursery?"

I've edited other plants out of my garden for being susceptible to pests.  I could bait:  Slugs like beer and pirates like rum, but it's all about the effort involved.  And it's high time for me to try a pirate resistant plant.  Any suggestions?

Barnaby and a Foggy Morning

This morning, the dog park at Pacific Park was enshrouded in a thick gauzy fog. The ordinary was suddenly transformed into a mysterious new landscape.  I paused to take in the moment and Barnaby faded into the cloud.  

I called out to him. "Barnabyyyy!"

And he emerged from the fog

at a run.  He skidded to a stop and nuzzled my left jacket pocket, begging for a treat.  

"Sit.  Good boy!"

The sun started burning through the fog as we drove off.  Barnaby with his head sticking out the passenger side window and his hind quarters leaning on my shoulder. 

"Sit.  Good boy!"