An Early Start on a Hot Day

I'm up early this morning. I'm in a "tidying mood." First the kitchen cupboards and then outside to my garden by the drive. I noticed the rose bushes yesterday, as I was driving away. They seemed to have less foliage than before. I went out to investigate this morning. I've been commenting on how we have fewer J. beetles this year. Well, I was so wrong. There were clusters of them on the roses. I decided to take care of the problem and drown them when they least expected it. While they were happily munching, I swooped them into a jar of soapy water. Then I trimmed back the roses and will keep a better eye on them from now on. Some of the other plants needed a haircut too. The sage has performed beyond the call of duty this summer. I noticed a few more new blooms starting, so I lopped off the dried ones and they look ever so much better. The petunias are perking up and flowering a bit more. The marigolds, started from seed, look bright and crisp. My sedums needed a trim...I took off the dried parts and they look good.

I'm back in the house now...and out the window I see a man walking a yellow Lab in the road. The dog is coming toward my mailbox. The dog noses around the flowers and starts to lift his leg...the man looks toward the house and all around him. He looks very guilty. "Surely, no one is up this early...go ahead and give it a squirt"...he seems to say to his dog. The dog lifts his leg and gives my asters and susans a good shower. That being done....they walk away....their heads proudly in the air...after all, "A man's gotta do what a man's gotta do." Now, I'm a dog lover, but this is so bad. We try to keep our mailbox gardens pretty, but it's a losing battle. I think that today, I will make a sign to put in the flowers NO WATERING NEEDED... THANK YOU!

Speaking of mailboxes...our rural postman works so hard for us. He drives a jeep and has to have the windows open, so he can stick his arm out and open the boxes to put in the mail. He is dripping by the time he gets to our house. He wears a head band to keep the perspiration from running down into his eyes. He is conscientious and very seldom makes a mistake. On real hot days, I watch for him to come on the other side of the road. I go out and put a cold can of pop in the mailbox and raise the flag. He drinks it down in one swallow. How many people can you think of that do work for you.. outside in this hot weather? I just say thank you.

Balisha