Life and Day Lillies

The Day Lillies are going to flower soon, but I am worried by the lily Beetle, a nasty creature that breeds like mad. Someone once said that they are sex mad. I have noticed a few on my plants and half are mating, so I do tend to agree with that observation. 

These Day Lillies have been with us for the last three years and every year they deliver beautiful flowers that do not last long but while they are there they are magnificent. I have sprayed them with some organic bug repellent, not sure if the Lily Beetles will take the slightest notice. I will keep you informed of these illegal migrants, bastards.

Weekend with the two boys, Gary was away playing golf. Yep, the whole weekend. 

Robert and Lauren came down from the north on Friday and the weekend was a mixture of food, swimming, running and catching up. I do wonder what more there is in life but those simple pleasures. Lauren has entered into a triathlon, 5 km of swimming, 50 km of cycling and 21 km of running, all in one day. I do hope there is a Happy Eater somewhere along the way. Robert is doing the triathlon but the scaled-down version, no swimming,  15 km of cycling and a 5 km run, that boy is fearless. Talking of running, Michael and Matilda are doing the race for life, 5 km around Poole Park and then onto the Purbecks for a well-earned lunch, we are thinking of joining them, for the lunch that is. 

My life is a juxtaposition of note. I have been there and done that, but never really stayed the course. They say if you fall off a horse, you have to get back on it and conquer your fears. Farming was my first love but the droughts and lack of experience left me wondering. 

The only thing I have always done and still do, is write. I enjoy it and it does seem others do as well, it is not just me. Thank you to all those who read and commented on my last blog, wow, 2685 views!

Never give up on the ones you love, even if you feel they have left your life, see them again and then decide if you want to give up. Life is who you love and loves you back.

Do not be one of those people who think you can make a difference, when you complain about your existence. Make a difference or stop complaining.

Getting back to the weekend of activities, swim, of course, first thing Saturday morning and we had most of the motley crew with us, Matilda was in disposed, it was a ‘B’ thing, I think, please do not quote me. No, I have got it wrong, she was washing Michael’s work uniforms, he wears a clean set every day. Michael does appreciate her efforts and proudly wears those neatly ironed clothes, he does cut a dashing figure.

The day lilies have started flowering, knowing full well that the man of steel will be here on the 17th to chop them down, clever flowers, I will take a few seeds to perpetuate the line. 

Talking of the man in steel, he came around today and confirmed the date that the Day Lilies will be euthanised. Take one last look at our present garden, I will post an image of the new landscape garden when it is completed. 

Sad day but then we have to move on from those delicate red flowers that the bumblebees love. Hopefully, the bumblebees will be able to sup on the nectar in someone else’s garden. More importantly, Susan will be able to enjoy a garden full of grass and sandstone paving, I do believe we are going for a Tuscany theme. Sorry bumblebees, I gave it my best shot but you know Susan, resolute to the end. 

Looking on the positive side, we will have a new raised garden bed on the left side of the new garden, this as Susan pointed out is the sunny side and will give us maximum growth through our short summers. Bumblebees, do not lose all hope, we will find a new home for you to feed. Now I just have to negotiate where the birds will get their food.

Talking of birds, Gertrude is still limping on with one gamy leg and I do believe it is now 4 years that she has graced our garden and I must say she is very welcome. She has lost the bottom of her leg from the knee and now has a stub. When she first burst on the scene she was having trouble standing on her left leg and she went through a time when she just sat on the garage roof and waited for the rabble to finish. Then she would come down and eat the scraps. I did put out food for her on the garden bench when the rabble had left, not sympathy amongst pigeons.

Nature can be hard and beautiful at the same time, it is what it is.

To end, the following results of a survey done by a well-known mobile phone provider makes for interesting reading.

Average Duration of a Phone Call

Boy to Boy - 00.00.59

Boy to Mum - 00.00.50

Boy to Dad - 00.00.30

Boy to Girl - 01.23.49

Girl to Girl - 05.29.45

Husband to Wife - 00.00.03

Mum to Married Daughter - 10.50.59

Wife to Husband - 14 missed calls