Choice Morsels

 It is soooo hot out right now! In recent days I've waited until 7pm to mow and then only a section at a time; 20-30 minutes max.  Today I rehung my Chickadee nesting house. I had it inside, gluing a portal protector on to keep the Downy Woodpeckers from drilling on the entry. Come fall, I plan on getting a Downy nest box, so they can have their own space, though I've read they primarily want a cool weather roost. And I pick up a few sticks tossed about by recent thunderstorms. It's that rainy time of year with nearly daily storms. I have plenty of firewood now for when the weather cools off. I've read we're expecting an "arctic summer," though here that may be 88 next week instead of 98, but anything is better. Garden Photos Today: Limelight 4 O'Clocks: Really this color. Bright lime leaves with magenta flowers. There's a story about these: I bought it as seed once, but never have more. I had one and saved seed from it and got 2 with the second mo

While my tomatoes and the first round of squash are done, my cucumbers are just coming on!   I often find them standing on end like this. These are pickle cucumbers, so they grower to a shorter length; about 5 inches. They makes them quicker to enjoy. They mind the summer heat less and if I keep them picked they could last all season. I also planted a couple more spaghetti squash; one seed from packet and one I saved from a squash and both have come up. Here's a bunch picked: My favorite way to eat them is peeled & sliced with a touch of salt, Dill Weed and sour cream.

Last weekend I talked about the juvenile Mockingbirds being taught by parents to come to the suet cage hanging on my feeder. There were 3: one set of parents had 2 and the other only 1. Now that they are "on their own," they spend all their time harassing each other and chasing one another off the suet cage, each trying to be King of the Hill.  Garden Pics: First, I have a nice shot of my newest Lace Top Hydrangea in bloom. It's called "Cherry Explosion."  It was my one new garden item I ordered this spring. It's a compact variety that won't get larger then about 36 inches in circumference. I love Lace Tops. Many years ago I had a blue one I adored that was not only a blue Lace Top, but also had lovely variegated leaves. I've not seen anything like that since.   And I have Blackberries... Lots of pump, juicy Blackberries. Tame, thornless all on tall, upright stems I tie up, I used to make jam, but I don't really need that much jam any more, so I