Autumn has Arrived.

Where to begin.....fall has arrived, leaves are changing colour and quite a few have already fallen.  I commented to himself yesterday on the beautiful sweet smell coming from the earth this time of year.   We've had wonderful weather this past week or so.   Some days it's been like the height of summer with lots of sunshine and warm temperatures.   I'm trying to get most of the perennials cut back which will save me some work in the spring.   It's such a big job with wheelbarrows being filled and back breaking from bending over.   I figure that you have to love gardening to put yourself through this.  I've also had to move a pile of Lavender, Sage and Hyssop to  better prepared areas.   I've been mixing seaweed, leaves and soil with a bit of wood ash thrown in to use in the spring.   I've emptied most of the pots so will soon have to put them away for the winter along with storing the garden ornaments. 

I've had a new deck and steps built on the front of the house as the old one had started to rot.  This one is a bit bigger and I'm really pleased with it.   I've painted the railings and stained the floor of it, a job I don't like doing at all.  Never the less, it's finished now. 

As for himself, since the last trip to hospital with congestive heart failure once again, about a month ago, he's been doing well.   He's had most of his medication changed and it seems like that did the trick.  He's looking and sounding much more like his old self. 

Little Tommy is growing up.   Looking more adult now even though he thinks he's a big boy, he's still a baby.  He's a darling.  

A few pictures:

Some last blooms.

Looking through window in the darkness.

The Rowan Trees, (we call them Dogberry Trees), are laden down with berries this year. 

And, one more of the baby.  Cuddled into his teddy.

He's Just Too, Too Cute.

Little Tommy is a growing boy.  He's chewed through the microphone wire on the computed in three places.  He's tore two lamp shades, knocked over ornaments and has my seven foot China Doll plant shredded.  Among other things!   Still I can't help but love the boy.

Summer seems to have gone so quickly.  Some days you can feel a touch of fall in the air.   Most of the perennials are turning to seed.  While I think of it...I have an overabundance of Woad seed and Angelica seed so if anyone wants some I'll send some to you where ever you are for free.  Email me at wytchwood@gmail.com

Himself is in the hospital for the third time in just over a month.  Congestive heart failure each time.  They are doing a MUGA scan today and he may be let go after that.  He was taken away by ambulance last Thursday.   I haven't been looking after the garden as I usually do so it's all looking a bit raggedy.    I've been stacking wood for a couple of days.  There's about a truckload left to do.   I can't complain about the summer weather wise.  It's been lovely. 

If you look closely, you can see the little imp who knocked over the lamp.  He thinks I don't know who did it, lol.

You can click on the pictures to enlarge them. 

Down The Road A Bit.

A Handful of Mischief.

This is Tommy.   The story goes like this......there's a woman I know in a nearby town who, for this past few years, has been catching all the homeless and feral cats, having them spayed and neutered and finding homes for them.   There was one female left.   She's being trying to catch this one for two years and finally, a while back, managed to get her.   The thing is, the cat had four kittens with her.   So, a couple of weeks ago, I get a phone call asking if I knew anyone who could take a kitten.   Only a good home of course.   She had found a good home for the Mother and one of the babies.   She described the kittens and I said I would take the orange tabby.   The next day I was telling friends about the situation and they took two.   So, here we are with this bundle of joy.  The other cats have their noses out of joint but are coming around to accepting this little fluff ball.   He's into everything.   The only time I get any peace is when he's asleep.  Not only does he think I'm his mother but also his play toy.    A few pictures of the little dear.

Anniversary.

Today my parents celebrate their 70th Wedding Anniversary.  Yes, believe it or not it's 70 years since they tied the know.   It's amazing and they are amazing.   Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad.

Gone again, home again, jigedy jig!

A brief note on the health situation of himself.  He was home from the hospital for about a week and a half when he had congestive heart failure.  He ended up in hospital for a week and is now home again.   The doctor said he was close to death.   To be honest I felt that at the time.   When we got to the hospital, he couldn't walk but a few steps so I had to put him in a wheelchair and get him seen to.  He seems to be doing pretty well now, although weak.   Fingers crossed that he continues to improve. 

I can only say that after over four months I was starting to feel the stress.  Thankfully my wonderful daughter came and stayed for that week.  It was so good to have someone here so that I could relieve some of the stress by talking things out with. 

The garden is coming along nicely.   A few years ago someone asked me if I wanted a lilac tree that was dug up and about to be thrown out.  I've always wanted on for the garden so I said yes.   When I saw it I didn't think there was much hope as it was just a stick and it had been dug out so close to the trunk that there were no roots left on it.   Never the less, I said "Miss Lilac, I'm going to give you a chance."   So, I planted it.  This year it's done me proud.   Just goes to show that there is always hope.  And, maybe the fairies were listening to the conversations I would have with it and performed their magic. 

The lovely Miss Lilac

I've been trying to do some weeding but the black flies are driving me back in the house.  And now the mosquitoes are becoming a nuisance.    I expect I'll have to try it around five in the morning when it's a bit cooler and these creatures aren't quite ready to start their day. 

So, here are a few pictures from around the garden.

He's Back!

Himself was released from hospital about a week and a half ago.   He finally had the defibrillator put in his chest two days before being sent home.   He was wonderful the first couple of days but now he's having panic attacks all day and during the night as well even after taking a sleeping pill at bedtime.     This of course is affecting me as well.  I've not been getting much sleep at night either so am tired during the day.    He has an appointment with the local doctor this afternoon so we're hoping some solution can be found.    These attacks are a stress on his heart which is not good at all as his heart is very weak to start with. 

We had thunder last night, lots of it rumbling through the heavens.  Rain coming down in sheets.  I found it quite comforting.   The weather hasn't been too bad, a few cool days lately which made it good for working in the garden as it kept the black flies down.   The Raven has been back a few times since the first sighting.  It looks like it depends on what treats I have on the platform feeder.   Our small squirrels, who chase the crows from the feeders, back off when this huge Raven appears.   He or she is a joy to look at.   I got a picture of the first dragonfly in the garden this season.   Always lovely to see them.  I remember when growing up, my mother would sit in the sun in the garden and it wasn't unusual to see four or five dragonflies on her.   The garden is coming along beautifully.  Forget me nots abound at the moment.  So, here's some photos of what surrounds me.   The new sign is thanks to Tricia who gave me the idea.   And, the angel in the red dress I found at the second hand store.  It will be at the top of the tree on Yule.