It's just those hazy, crazy, lazy days of summer. I finally had a weekend at home — hurray! But I was overwhelmed with a passion for pulling weeds.
I pulled and I pruned and I plucked until the eight flower and herb beds were preened and properly appointed. The weather was with me and I worked in the shaded areas as the afternoon heat intensified. It was good to touch the earth and smell the mint, oregano, sage, lavender, thyme, lemon balm and chives. An evening at the chimnea with a starry sky above reminded me of why I love my home and the comforts of my space.
Moving indoors, I bedded down and awoke in the wee hours of the morn. I heard an unfamiliar sound. I strained my auditory senses in an attempt to identify the source. It was not a house sound. It was a muted, muffled munch. I bolted from my chair and raced to the front door - all the three paces perfunctorily performed. There it was. The silhouette of a deer, poised, head down in the distinct vicinity of my budding carnations. Oh, did I feel violated, raped and robbed.
I stood at the screen door and clapped. Was I nuts? I was applauding the audacious actions of a deer in my domain. Anyway the deer was clapped away and then there were three four-legged denizens of the darkness parading down Main Street in search of more snacks.
Sure enough, Sunday morning I inspected the scene and where I had proudly inventoried six carnation buds on my weeding foray, now there were three. At least the deer didn't take another step to find the vinca that I had planted last week. My son Shayne, the Yard Ape, had admonished “Watch out, Mom. Deer like to eat vinca vine.” Whoosh. Close call. The geraniums on the front porch steps were also spared. There is some good that comes from getting up in the wee hours after all.
The farmer's market across the street was all a bustle this past Saturday. I especially enjoyed my purchase of fresh milk in a glass bottle. It stirred within my being memories of my past working as a milkmaid in Idaho. I was there for a year with my friend Ginger, the barn foreman. If you would like fresh milk delivered to your home on Wednesdays, call 323-5733 or go to blackcanyonfoods.com for their menu.
Speaking of Ginger, she and her friend Peggy have their garden planted. Sixty-nine tomato plants, 61 peppers, 17 eggplants, 13 okra, 37 watermelon, 16 zucchini, 16 cucumbers, 70 cantaloupe, 12 rows of corn, one row of beets and one row of carrots, pumpkins, winter squash and millet. Gosh, those women in Idaho sure keep busy. Summer is short and we might as well enjoy all the exercise that gardening offers. Have a fun-filled rodeo and County Fair. See you there.