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| Robin, by Norma A. Boeckler |
I have found the garbage and recycle barrel lids ideal for bird-feeding. They are washed by the rain and also drain water away from food. The Sass and I returned from our walk to see a robin walking around on the garbage barrel lid, wondering where his food was. It was pick up day.
I felt bad, so I took the barrel to the back yard and piled up squirrel feed for everyone - corn kernels, peanuts in the shell, and a few sunflower seeds. I went inside and found the starlings sharing food with a cardinal, all crowded together. That is what birds consider "calling a lid." Squirrels are not welcome until they have sampled. But sometimes, two birds become one squirrel feeding in their place.
A squirrel will also try to claw at birds buzzing him from above, more of a warning on both sides.
We had a big rain with long, dripping supplements, so the innocent little mint weeds are looking ready to take over the garden. The ground is too gooshy to walk on, so I have excused myself from that - for now.
The roses got the kind of drenching they love, to be followed today by bright sun - ideal for weed growth too.
I think the great soil fertility contributed to the height and health of the daffodils, with perhaps 120 blooming. I keep harvesting them for the altar and for Ranger Bob's cemetery visits. They have stayed fresh the whole time - two varieties - pure yellow, white with orange cups. Bob thought only pure yellow ones were good - until he saw white and orange. Next year will be giant Mt. Hood daffodils and a bag of mixed colors.
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| Mt. Hood daffodils |
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| Butterfly daffodils |
