Deterring Future Intruders?

 I looked at them both and asked, "Would you?"

She smiled at her friend saying, "Let's do!"

So, they posted their sentry,

allowing no entry,

Meaning, "Hey deer! You're finally through!"

Near a Shady Bed in the backyard,

I asked, "Do you think this'll be hard?"

"No way," echoed they,

"We've decided to stay!"

Thought I... "Please let no deer in my yard!"

"Follow me now, I'll show you evidence,

And no, I admit to not having a fence."

So, after taking a glance,

They took up their stance.

And already I'm feeling less tense! 

This is Susan Scare-the-Birds and her friend, the mysterious stranger - click the link to read of their first meeting, back on September 16, 2008.  :-)

Yes, indeed.  I think this is my first Summertime visit by a deer.  You might note there's been a "nice" clearing provided by a neighbor...(hopefully not attractive to other visitors) so I'm hoping these two provide a little diversion!!!

This post property of http:yardisgreen.blogspot.com

Sunday Surprises

(Susie Scare-the-Birds has something to say.

After my brief intro, she'll have her way.)

This Spring it'd become quite obvious
that Susan was becoming querulous.
She was quite vociferous,
(not bent as tremulous)
but she emerged victorious!


Now I'll let her continue...



"Living here with Shady
is always an adventure.
She's an accommodating lady,
showing little censure about color.


Recently I've been confounded
by the beauty in which I'm surrounded.
The knowledge is heart-wrenching
when I discovered I'm not so fetching
as I used to be."

"I mean this quite sincerely,
(for I love her very dearly)
But, and I emphasize this clearly,
She'd quite overlooked --- my looks!

Everything else in the garden is lovely.
I've heard others say it's so.
Then why is it I've been neglected?
Even my complexion had been let go!

So I mustered my courage to vent -
and out Shady immediately went!
She returned with depleted wallet,
but I gained a new makeup palette!
(and a new outfit!) :-)
"Don't you think I'm quite as lovely as the flowers that surround me now?"

:-)

The wren stands guard at the entrance.

Kopper King is blooming for its first time!

Blackberry lilies are blooming in the shade gardens.

'Quickfire' hydrangea (photo taken June 15, 2010)
flowers began as bright, bright-white!

This photo was taken July 25, 2010.
It's turning colors.

Shady says, "It's my aim to please!"
But for now, I really AM on vacation.

The Continued Saga in the Raised Beds...

She heard a cough and turned her head.
Perhaps she should have stopped, instead.
His voice was very soft and low,
His words? "You know I soon must go...



Fall is coming; Winter's cold I dread,
I thank you for the board and bread..."
Long and drawn-out, a silence ensued,
and then she completely became unglued!



"Please don't, I beg..." 'twas next he said,
as he humbly stood and bowed his head.
"Perhaps," she said, "it is my heart..."
then she proceeded to fall apart!

Now, of course... I should have ended here... but, no. I don't always know when to quit! ;-)

So, here's a little more...

"Perhaps, again... as I travel next year...
Do you think I might... be welcomed here?"
She looked at him, with downcast eye,
and said, "As surely as Winter snow doth fly!"


(So far, so good...)


He smiled at her quite tenderly
And he could quite, and plainly, see
That while it was she that couldn't go...
She would certainly need help to avoid Winter's snow!


(or)


He smiled at her quite tenderly
And he could quite, and plainly, see
That while she seemed to care so much,
She was going to need Shady Gardener's touch!


(or)


He smiled at her quite tenderly;
Tho' he could quite, and plainly, see
that perhaps her temperament he might pardon...
Was there really room for two in this garden?


(or...)


Do you have a suggestion?

:-)

Have fun!
Shady G.

Perhaps you missed out on the original post? Click here.

Green Thumb Sunday

Garden Bloomers' Bloom Day
(on the 15th of the month - follow this link!)
and
Green Thumb Sunday
click on this link or
check the right side-bar!

Join today!

Yes, there are some great things blooming here today!
These three photos are of the crazy-bright impatiens
(which I Really Love!)
and the items sharing their beds... :-)
How many times have I mentioned that they self-seeded again this year?

The following few photos are of plants in the south raised beds.
Here's the Obedient Plant, "Vivid."
It has no choice but to be obedient, due to the fact that it's confined in a raised bed.
(At least I hope that's the way it works!) ;-)This is Aster "Alert."
(These aren't tall plants... just another close-up!)

Here's another plant in bloom in the raised beds...
"Turtlehead" Chelone Obliqua
I'm sure you can tell why it's called "Turtlehead!" :-)

I like that hosta plants bloom at all different times. These have just begun!
This is an unnamed variety in northeast shady bed.This is "Sugar & Cream" on east side of house.
You can catch a glimpse of more hosta...
but what do you think of putting some impatiens
in the tree?
(I'll work on a better planter next year! ha.)Another unnamed variety in south woodland walk.

Earlier I'd posted photos of my tricyrtis.
This first photo shows 'Seiryu', which has just begun to bloom.This is 'Shining Light', also just beginning to bloom!
Notice the fuzzy buds of the upcoming blossoms. :-)

And 'Lightning Strikes' is closer to blooming!

I was certain that, when I planted these 5 Springs ago,
I had two different varieties of Lilyturf, Liriope Spicata...
but in doing a Google-search, I'm finding only one
type of the variety that I have.
Oh, well. Some of them have lavender blossoms.

And some of them have pink blossoms.
If you can help me with this, I'd appreciate it!
And here are a few more soft colors!
Anemones (they were here when we came)
of an unknown species...
most of which are turning a pale pink.
And next to the anemone is an Autumn Joy sedum.

Please be patient with this little video.
I took a steadier one later, but I couldn't help showing you
how the bumble bee met up with a crab spider! ;-)

It feels as though we're really on the last legs of Summer.
In fact, Fall is definitely beginning to show signs of moving in.
But, I couldn't help walking around with the camera today...
just to take a few more photographs.

Hope you've enjoyed the tour as much as I did! :-)

---Shady Gardener

Just a Moment...

A Right Moment in Time


Susan spied him the moment he entered

he stood at the far eastern end.

She shyly cast glances upon him

wondering what was he was there to attend.

His expression was woefully sullen

as though he had come to ‘the end…’

She wondered and wondered about him.

Might he she entreat as a friend?

He was pitifully dressed and downtrodden;

his clothes sorely needed a mend.

She’d never used thread or a needle,

Inept, she could clearly not mend.

It was then that she fondly remembered

attire that perhaps she might wend

from a closet way down in the basement.

Would he his pride or his honor defend?

Oh, whether or not she could find them,

Oh, whether or not she might lend,

Oh, whether or not they would fit him,

On which matter would this finally depend?

She found them, she tried them, they fit.

He accepted them, they’re on the right track!

Susan’s generosity has given new meaning

to “giving the shirt off one’s back!”

Slightly silly, perhaps slightly "Shady," and we're still in the garden! ;-)
Have a nice evening!

Yes, this was written by "Yours truly." Just enjoy it. You really shouldn't copy it.

Susan Scare-the-Birds

You may remember meeting my little friend,
Susan Scare-the-birds, earlier.

She's been wanting to be outdoors all summer, and it's my fault that she's been held hostage indoors. However, she's finally happily standing guard in the raised beds. It's so dry out there, however, that I had to dig a hole to sink her post. Consequently, I will have to water the ground to settle it so she doesn't fall over in the event that we should receive rain before long. ;-)

Doesn't she look happy? My most serious threat is whatever has attacked my Kopper King hibiscus. Click on the photo. If you look very closely, KK is at Susan's right... just past one tall, sad-looking (wanting for rain) purple phlox. Ooooooh, isn't that a painful sight? I hope Susan's middle name includes "Scare-the-pests!" :-)


P.S. My neighbor has trimmed bushes and cut a couple of trees, so the raised beds are getting just a bit more sunlight! Yea!!

Still Shady, but enjoying the sunlight, too.

8/21/08 - we are receiving rain today! Yea!!

Just a Bit of "Garden Whimsy!"

Nan Ondra at

Gardening Gone Wild

has asked gardeners to participate in
"Garden Bloggers' Design Workshop,"
a monthly posting of interesting topics.

This month it's "Garden Whimsy."
Enjoy your visit!

This metal rose was "created in Mexico."

I believed it, so I purchased it. These flowers are being sold as a fund-raiser in support of the mural project on the exterior of our community's new civic center.

(Click on the photo below to better appreciate the mural.)

My 2-year-old granddaughter is patting one of two "turtles." But in the meantime, it looks as though she'll be soon making a new friend!

I thought this looked like me. At least she represents most of what I like to do outdoors...

She's waiting patiently for more butterflies... as am I.

If you look down, at her feet, you'll see what she stood on to get where she is!

Rounding the house to the backyard,
you never know who might come crawling out from under a hosta.

If you experience the need to go stepping into "light-footed" areas, you may as well have a pleasant place to rest your toes.

Hose guides can be fun, too. Are little white perch-birds nocturnal?

Knee-deep!
This fellow's mom taught him to "sit up straight!"
I believe he's quite proud of himself.

A long-time friend and former neighbor presented me with my first and only Faire Flower Fairy a few years ago. She likes to hide in cozy green places with scented pale petals.

Faire FF's able bodyguard enjoys the bolder blossoms. I don't blame him, as he is often called upon to defend FFF and her territory. Thus, Smell the Roses Whenever You Can, has become his most appropriate motto.

As we enter the Valley of the Shed, hopefully your first welcome is the ever ready teacup... for you and/or anyone needing a refreshing sip of water.
As you begin your South Woodland Walk, you'll notice the emerging hellebore bed. Aren't these plants worthy of a little extra attention? Someone else might give them a pillow...Notice your mid-journey's guide. Just follow her gentle nod.

Did you stop for a rest on the bench shown above?
If so, you were being guarded by our friend below.
He's really a good fellow, so don't be taken aback
by his rakish expression.

Whimsical it may be, for you and me, but the balloon flower is not joking around. She's only trying to whisper in your ear. She caught me the other day. And she has the sympathy of her neighboring daylilies. What was her message?

"Please move me."
Another cozy sanctuary for birds and their buddies.

I found this bespeckled fellow at an art fair two years ago this past June. My sisters and I were spending a "Sisters' Weekend" together, near the quad cities.I'd like to introduce a couple of my gardening buddies. They've appeared on this blog before, but some of you may have missed meeting them. :-)

This is Gardener Gladys.
She is good company while I garden in the backyard.
(soft sculpture, created 4 years ago)

This is Susan Scare-the-birds.

She's known for occasionally hanging around in the raised bed gardens. She vacationed last year, but has been begging to resume her position again this Summer. I'd better humor her. She's pretty good at what she does!

(soft sculpture - created 5 years ago)
Perhaps this isn't exactly whimsical,
but it is exactly where my heart lies.

I can hardly think of any other place I'd rather be,
especially when I'm finding it hard to be out there!

Not a "shady" sentiment. ;-)