September 2007 - Page 3 of 4

Bzzzz September 9th, 2007

It may still be hot as Hades when I’m pulling weeds in the heat of the afternoon, but the early signs of fall are unmistakable.

First, the terrifying spiders that thrive out here in the country and are an integral part of our household fall landscape have arrived. They are as large as a silver dollar (not even counting their legs!) and look like they found their way into a vat of growth hormones. To top it off, they’re always decked out in their festive Halloween orange and yellow colors. I think they look like someone’s idea of what a really, really scary spider is supposed to look like. Only it’s real. This is not fake.

I always chuckle to see families down at the local Wal-Mart buying up plastic spider and spiderweb decorations for Halloween. No need here at our house. We have the real thing going on! Come and take some of ours! Please!

No really, I do tell myself that the spider serves an important role in keeping down the undesirable insect population. Still, I’m always a bit creeped out, particularly when I walk into one of the webs…And the spider jumps onto my shoulder…And he scampers onto my face…And I realize. IT’S A SPIDER ON MY FACE!!!!!!!!!!!!! And I have to run around and dance around and hop up and down while my arms are flailing and trying to get the scary spider off my face. And I fall down because I tripped on one of the little dogs who was barking because I was making scary noises.

AAAAAARRRRRRRRRRHHHHHHH!!!!!!

Need to calm down now. I’ll be alright. I’ll just sit right here and tremble for a bit. And mew.

And Now, A Happy Subject…

One of the more pleasant signs that summer is winding down is that the clematis on the gate entrance is blooming. I love to just sit on the garden bench and stare at it. I know, it seems a little feeble. But I just like to sit and stare at it.

Not do anything. Just stare.

CLEMATIS%20ON%20TRELLIS.jpg

And stare some more.

You have to love a plant that comes back year after year, grows like mad and then pops out with so many little white flowers it looks almost like frosting on the fence.

Our garlic chives have rallied for a second go-round of blooming and are, I think, absolutely gorgeous. I think they are prettier than a lot of flowers that I grow. And you can eat them too! And they keep coming back every year! And the moles don’t like them!

BLOOMING%20CHIVES.jpg

I like to stare at these too.

I think I’ve calmed down now.

–Robin (Bumblebee)>

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Posted In: Gardening, Lifestyle

Does this look like the face of a killer?

Don’t let those big brown eyes and butterfly ears fool you. Inside this fuzzy little dog lies my secret weapon against deer. Inside this little 12-pound Papillon lurks the soul of a BEAST.

Exhibit #1

The deer stray into the BEAST’S territory on the south side of the house.

The deer are at first frozen by fear and trembling. But then, the bullet BEAST wakes their survival instincts. Sensing imminent death, the deer finally flee.

The BEAST brooks no foolishness from those hooved creatures and chases them off–all before breakfast.

Exhibit #2

The deer, being rather foolish deer, return to the north side of the house. One of the smaller stupid deer continues his feast on my antique roses. Oh, my. Not the antique roses! The BEAST knows I love my antique roses.

The BEAST is ready and waiting. Venison for lunch would be just fine.

She rushes to action, showing the offending deer and her friend the way…away.

Stupid deer.

Guess that’ll teach YOU who’s in charge of this joint.

Just checking to make sure they’re good and gone now.

Sophie, the BEAST’S little Papillon friend always takes a celebration pee. (You know how excitement affects a girl.) (Note the near dead lawn from the drought.)