Has Spring Sprung?
Oui - it feels to be almost real.
The calendar says Spring has been with us for 2 months now. Goodness gracious, bientot it will be Summer. What have I been doing these months while the sun has shone hot, then clouds cover cold, then those clouds spew wet and stay cold, and this week after days of cool it will become very warm. Well, there is no moss gathering on this old rolling stone – though unlike the meaning of this proverb - I take my responsibility to Maison des Mots very seriously.
La jardin thrives as do all the creatures within. Though they too are in a confused state. I have always been challenged with escargot et limaces, but this year the birds are eating my buds too. When it was so hot, the soil was dry as was the moss on the roofs – dead dry with no insects to beak up. No worms squirming about the terre – the usual fare was not was showing up - so my buds became a tasty alternative. Actually, this is a fib – the caterpillar that makes Box shrub ill - was enjoying those hot-day moments in its colourful box-kill costume which inspired me to be rid of them. I do not enjoy destroying any of Natures gifts – but their desire to eat and live do not inspire a listen to my pleas of go away s’il vous plait. Why were the birds not eating them?
I have lost lots of seedlings and must do a second planting of courgettes and pumpkins. I still have plants in pots-I am nervous to set them into the soil just yet. At this moment my voisines cherry tree is loaded with ripe fruit. I wish I could share the cacophony of the many variete d’oiseaux who are relishing these deep rouge beauties. What a racket to endure in my quiet plot! Mais naturellement I do appreciate that they are savouring good eats and delighting in their sugar high swoon about. Do birds get diabetes? One blackbird brings his cerise into my courtyard to nosh. He too has desire to be away from the madding crowd. Yes, he leaves the pits for me to clean up before hopping up the stairs into the garden.
L’hiver dernier we endured a long cold spell which found me staring at dead plants. Diligently I persevered to nurse them back, and I had success with a few, but most said au revoir to find their ethereal peace where ever it be that plants fade away. I am somewhat frustrated that I can not find the plants I want to replace in the garden shops. Maybe it’s a sign that I am not meant to plant them again. Someone suggested going on line, but me being moi, je dit non. Even if a nursery does not have what I am hoping to purchase, I love being in place amongst the rows of fleurs et arbres on offer, and speaking with others about the good and challenging moments they experience in their gardens.
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Minette too finds Spring formidable. The birds are noisy while protecting their bairns. Other cats who like to hide in our garden, sleep in the garden, and find birds in this garden, succeed to stress Minette. But she is finding hours of purring joy with the many guests coming and going. As am I, though the weeds are taking second place to guest care, and why the birds and others don’t eat those, I despair that I will never know.
La recette for my Garden Health Cocktail is: Into a Shaker that is cold with 2 glacons - Squeeze ½ Lime – ½ Lemon – ½ Orange, add a few drops of Orange Bitters and a teaspoon of Miel. 2 jiggers of Gin. Shake like there’s no tomorrow – then strain into a beautiful verre.