Just a little pissed....

I am not really, but it just doesn't seem fair. My husband always seems to get the first look at the hummers. That happened this morning. He went out the back door and there was a male, which he thought was a bumble bee at first. A quick glance and then away he went. Alan thinks there was another one too, because he said they went two different ways. I put up pictures of all the hummingbirds that are supposed to visit Kentucky. I only have ever seen the Ruby Throated Hummer. They are just beautiful and fascinating.

This second picture is a Green Violet-ear hummer. Very pretty.

Some observations I have made lately that I have been meaning to share. It is interesting how you see things happen and it doesn't really register, well not for me, until it happens again and again. The first, which I mentioned in the previous post, is the fact that rain is better than just watering. I need me another rain barrel, a good one that you can put pressure to so that you can use the water without the need for a slope - maybe one day at the monastery.

Thirdly we have the Black-chinned hummer. It looks to be pretty tiny.

Secondly, is that tomato seeds are pretty tough. The fact that every year I get renegade tomato plants is proof of that - tough plants too, well kind of. If you grow tomatoes you know what I am talking about. Another thing is that Borage comes back, from seed, as well. I kept wondering what some seedlings were and decided, for a change, to see what became of them once they got bigger. I have borage EVERYWHERE in my yard. Under a tree, in a pot with one of the rogue tomato plant, next to the garden area where they were last year, growing up out of the dang yard where I had a pot of it setting last summer. Seriously, I need to find a good use for it.

This dainty little hummer is the Rufous Hummer. CUTE!!

I guess the last observation I will share is that clover just doesn't give up. It smells really good when you step on it, and the flowers taste pretty good, but I really don't want my whole yard filled with it, and that is where it is heading. I just hope this new grass I planted helps keep it down some, eventually.

Water versus Rain

It has been an unusually dry spring for us here. Today, not the first time, I noticed how the plants just aren't growing like I would expect them to. In the past I have seen this phenomenon as well, and I know why it is this way. The lack of rain. Sure water from the hose will keep plants from drying up and dying, but they really benefit more from the natural stuff that falls from the sky. If we manage to get some here soon, things will really start growing like they are crazy.

And you know, I couldn't imagine being a pioneer, coming from a place I know what I am doing and how things grow and produce, and coming to a place where I have to start fresh. The thought of breaking fresh ground, putting in seeds and then wondering what the heck was going on when they didn't grow. I am in that place now, sorta, kinda. I put a small layer of organic material in where I put my garden. But, ultimately, it is virgin land with I don't know what kind of nutrients in it. I think that is contributing to the lack of growth as well. I think next year will be better after another thick layer of compost over the winter. Get some good nutrients and food for the plants in the dirt and we will have more produce than we know what to do with. I think - HA!!

My Yukon Gold potatoes aren't looking good at the moment. They are a bit wilty and not from lack of watering. I haven't investigated enough to know why but hopefully I can save them and still get me some taters come the fall. If you all have any ideas as to what might be affecting them, chime right in.