It was a very hot and dry day.........the late afternoon was a good time

for me to drain and clean our pond. Cleaning the pond is not my favorite thing to do, but it 

is necessary every 3 to 4 weeks to keep the fish happy and healthy.  

As the pond water drained and spilled out onto the ground...........

I only stepped away for a few moments and when I returned.......

this young bobcat was standing in the drained water

I quietly moved from tree to tree to get closer so that it would not notice me

it kept looking in my direction, but soon the water would draw it's attention away from me

it even got comfortable enough to sit and relax for a few moments

For me........it was the most amazing few moments......ever

It then realized that I was not part of the natural scene

and it hurried on it's way........back into the hot and dry mesquite woods.

Visiting the pond gave it a little relief from the day's extreme heat......

cleaning the pond gave me a wonderful ending of another day in the wild.

An archway made of bent metal rods and wire

sits in the middle of our circle driveway.........constructed and placed there by my husband

when we first moved out to our country home. Cactus and wild grass has grown under it and all around it...........although one year I tried to raise grapes to grow up the arbor......

but something ate them down. 

For years it has just stayed wild and un manicured until recently.......I have begun to clear the cactus and grass 

and I have been making cement path stones 

and decorating them with the natural elements

that is available all around me. 

Slowly.......very slowly.............cement work is very time consuming ..........I am making a good size 

path/floor for the floor under the archway.

I am also making cement pumpkins.........because I love pumpkins.....

and their cement leaves

and I have placed a row of them along one side of the archway.

Slowly, day by day, week by week......the ground floor is filling in

I gather colorful rocks to place between the cement  stones

and I am filling in the side places with the smooth egg shaped stones

and Homer is trying to fill a space.......

The plastic sheeting along the sides look terrible I know, but it is protecting the plants I have planted in long wood boxes from the harsh wind and heat that blows strong in this area

I wanted a plant that would climb and make shade for the archway ......

so I planted Loofah sponge plant.

It has leaves much like a grape or pumpkin and grows the long thick loofah sponge that one can find in beauty baskets.  

I also have a trumpet vine..........it got chewed down by a varmint........

however, I kept watering it and surrounded it with chicken wire and now it is growing back.  

I also have a cactus garden  on the pathway up to the archway

I find these lovely round cactus( Copiapoa echinoides) growing all over the wooded grounds and I  dig up a few to place in the garden or in pots like this large beauty. 

I am also making cement quail.........I hope to have a long string of them going throughout the garden

With the exception of the plastic sheeting........the archway is beginning to look

pretty.....or at least that is what I am hoping for. 

After the harsh summer days have died down, I can remove the plastic and hopefully the vines will be filled out and over the archway.

I think however, if the trumpet vine recovers completely that next year 

it will be cascading over the archway with no loofah sponge. 

So tell me.........do you have an area in your garden or grounds that you are working on ?

What kind of plants do you like best for climbing?

I would love to hear

This is the time of year when one can walk through a field of corn..........

and never be seen again.........

it is so tall and so thick....

and so wonderful to eat........

but you wont find corn growing in my gardens.........I have to purchase it from stores or farmer's markets........

from those who somehow.........can grow corn

I have tried.......every year.........to grow corn. It sprouts.......it grows tall.......

it starts to get big ears of corn on the stalks........... I get excited...........

and then.....moths lay eggs in the ears and the larvae eat the corn.......

what ever is left........birds.......by the dozens.....

camp out around the garden ......

and peck away every kernel......

I have tried scarecrows......wrapping foil around the stalk...(advice from a farmer)

but nothing works.......

so now.........I purchase......enviously and enjoy.

I can grow flowers.....and pumpkins......but never corn......

any advice??

Speaking of pumpkins.......this year I have fairy tale pumpkins on the vine

and weird gourds with warts

and large yellow gourds.....with more fairy tale pumpkins.

and I have the usual long and large pumpkins

I started growing pumpkins years ago......for one reason. I wanted dozens of pumpkins to decorate the porches and tables with.......

dozens of pumpkins and ornamental gourds.......

cost dozens of dollars......which I did not have.

The first year that I planted and raised pumpkins,  I had so many pumpkins that I ran out of places to decorate.........

which I loved. 

I still grow pumpkins for decorating.......and I love fresh pumpkin for pumpkin pie......

but the main reason I grow them now.......

I love the large leaves and the large space that the vines and orange globes take over. 

I look out of my window........or walk up the path

and my heart is happy to see 

their large leaves blown by the breeze ......as if they are waving.......

saying ......."welcome home!"

How about you?

Do you grow vegetables well?.........including corn??

Do you grow decorative plants such as flowers and pumpkins?

I would love to hear!

Sophie is

a hot dog

a chilly dog

a corn dog

a sweet dog

the best dog..........

ever

B hopeful, B happy, B cheerful, B kind,

B busy of body, B modest of mind,

B earnest, B truthful, B firm and B fair...

B watchful, B ready, B open, B frank,

B manly to all men, whatever B their rank;

B just and B generous, B honest, B wise...

B temperate, B steadfast, to anger B slow.

B thoughtful, B thankful, whate'er may B tide...

B pleasant, B patient, B fervent to all,

B best if you can, but B humble withal.

B prompt and B dutiful, still B polite;

B reverent, B quiet, and B sure and B right...

B grateful, B cautious of those who B tray.

B tender, B loving, B good and B nign,

B loved thou shalt B, and all else B thine.

"A Swarm of Bees," 

The British Bee Journal, and Bee Keeper's Adviser, 1882 February 1st