The Open Door

The Open Door. A good title for a short story. Unfortunately, I am not in the mood for writing yarns. The washing is in progress and we have a dog to look after. She belongs to my son and his wife. They will be here tonight and our duty will be relieved. We love that Border Collie but she is a handful. She has developed a sure habit of getting attention. Howling!
She likes to look out of the window or sit by the open door, hoping to see movement — squirrels, or occasionally — a rabbit! Squirrels can climb trees but rabbits can only run and dive down holes!
I saw a bee on the garden steps. Was it dying? I put some flowers close by and it moved slightly. I found flowers almost hidden, broke them off and put those near the bee. It showed interest by crawling inside one flower and then another. I left it to it. Had I helped it to recover? I like to think so.
It is lovely to be able to have the door open. Nothing like fresh air!

Birds and Bees

Sunshine and the bees are buzzing, birds are singing and a soft wind blowing. All is tranquil. The rain has done wonders in the garden — such abundance! Feel good — domestic chores done! (well almost!)
Maybe time to do some serious writing this week?

The Flowers That Bloom In The Spring Tra-la!

Just to be out among the spring flowers after the cold winter is a great joy! In fact, just to view them through the window is uplifting. More birds are around too — a great variety. Wonderful singing when all is quiet. So many bees buzzing too. The whole garden is full of activity and yet there is also a blessed stillness.
What matters age? The beauty of nature is for all to enjoy. And a garden keeps us fit!

Suddenly It's Spring

Well, it is all happening now. Flowers coming out, buds busting, some trees in blossom and, on the down side, grass needing mowing and borders weeding. Our little friends are doing mischief. Mischief? Well, the squirrels are nipping buds off the daffodils. A bunny popping into the garden nibbles what he fancies. And birds peck off the primrose flowers. Unfortunately, black sooty mould completely covers one of our large Debbie camellias. Plenty more though of different varieties. Other shrubs yet to bloom - their beauty to delight us throughout the year until winter arrives. Even then, winter jasmine, snowdrops and bright berries to cheer us up.
It's uplifting to hear the dawn chorus, to see birds building nests, and have them coming to their feeding stations — the tits drop many seeds on the ground, feeding the blackbirds and white pigeons which gather there. And now the return of a pair of woodpeckers, and many other birds, brighten our day.
Bees are buzzing around the flowers, especially the heathers. So good to see them busy in the garden. News reports seem to suggest that bees are dying out, but there is no shortage in our garden.

Yes, spring is here and summer not far behind

Welcome to my English garden in August - flowers, bees and butterflies!

We may have had far too much rain but the garden is still a joy! After today's rain I took some photos. I managed to click on butterflies and bees exploring the flowers on more than one shrub. Bees were buzzing around too. Quite a number of them on our glorious eucryphia with its simple four petal flowers and magnificent stamens. The hydrangeas have been slow to come into flower but their blooms are huge and colourful. Buddlea and a sprinkling of azalea blooms, plus a number of flowers we have planted and which have grown from seed. The raindrops sparkle in the sunshine and the birds are happy picking early berries as well as helping themselves to seeds and nuts. Squirrels make us smile too. We don't have to water the garden as nature is doing that for us. True, we are losing some roses but those that are smiling in the sun and glistening with raindrops are a joy to behold. The trees are in their full summer foliage with the silver birches waving in the breeze like triumphant cricket supporters. Holiday makers can keep their hot beaches - they are nothing compared with the peace and tranquility of an English country garden!