RIP Me Golden Beauties
One day in the recent past, something like over a week ago, I noticed that the little animals in the area had consumed every ripe sunflower seed that inhabited my little speck of earth that I fondly call garden. It just meant more work for me and getting it done sooner was better.
One evening, four days ago, I broke off my computer chains and ran outside to strip the sunflowers of their leaves and buds. I left those in the garden and I pulled the stalks and carted them off to a pile in the woods. Then I tilled.

There is a bright note, the pampered zinnias are a sight to behold. Not only do they give me joy, but they are host to butterflies and hummingbirds. Just today, Holly and I watched playful hummingbirds flying about them in huge circles. The tallest zinnias are eye-level to me. I have pink zinnias too and they are tall, but not as tall and lush as the red ones.

This is an image of the pink zinnias. They are a bit crowded and require a lot of water. I did not reset these after they sprouted and that is why they are too crowded. I transplanted the red ones, setting them around 9-12 inches apart. They almost died and had to be pampered.

This is one of my tomato plants. It has twined around in its cage and is growing out of the cage in several places. The tomato is sticking up over a foot above the 5-feet tall cage. This is short, normally they are 10 to 12 feet tall by now. I suppose the drought and getting city-water has been tough on them. They are producing beautiful tomatoes despite the weather. Notice the empty space behind the plant, that used to be occupied by sunflower plants.

One last look at the sunflowers.
On the home front, my son arrived safely back in America on August first from his visit to Japan. He had a fabulous time and I have yet to see pictures. His internet at his apartment is down and we have not yet seen each other .. but soon .. soooon .. I will have pictures.
I’ve got to go!
Have a lovely day. 









— chocolatechic · Aug 12, 09:25 AM · #
CC, I am getting a good crop, I wrote about the tomatoes: "They are producing beautiful tomatoes despite the weather."
— Donna Young · Aug 12, 10:43 AM · #
Actually, while watching the birds, I got the thought that the cardinals and the tufted titmice learned from the goldfinches. When the sunflowers ran out, the cardinals would perch on the tomato cages and watch the finches eat the zinnia seeds. I do not know if the cardinals tried landing on a zinnia or not, had they, that would have been a funny sight! :)
— Donna Young · Aug 12, 12:15 PM · #
I am glad your son is back in the states safe and sound. Can`t wait to see pictures!
— Melanie · Aug 12, 02:00 PM · #
I guess it is sign of growing up that he`s not been by to see you since he`s been home. Hope you do get a great visit with him soon.
— Elaine · Aug 12, 09:01 PM · #
— Donna Young · Aug 12, 09:11 PM · #
— Michelle · Aug 13, 09:30 PM · #
— Donna Young · Aug 14, 10:51 AM · #