Backyard Musings

I am participating in the March Slice of Life Story Challenge. Thanks to the co-authors of              Two Writing Teachers for creating this  supportive community.

I am not a great gardener or birder, but one of the best decisions I ever made was to keep a gardening journal. It helps me remember what I planted (and where), what worked or didn’t work, what birds are visiting. Today’s post is just a collection of thoughts I had yesterday as I walked through the backyard. The journal excerpts may help explain some of my thinking.

 

I walk the perimeter of the garden and notice. What is starting to show signs of life? What has survived the cruel March snow? What might change? I think and wonder…about some of the rebalancing that occurred last summer, about nature taking its course, about color and beauty and joy.

I’m confident that the peony bushes will once again burst forth this May in an abundance of pink and white blossoms.  5/17/16 – The peonies are bursting!

I worry that the house sparrows will take over the white bluebird house.  5/11/16 – Everything I have read indicates that house sparrows should not be allowed to live with blue birds or tree swallows as they are predators, but I feel conflicted. Might be best to let nature take its course.

I’m confident that the pink and purple tulips will bloom and join the yellow daffodils with the droopy heads.

I worry that the winterberry is lost. 5/6/16 – …I trekked out to Briar Rose for hanging baskets, geraniums, container plants. Best find of the day – winterberry!

I’m confident that the cardinals and chickadees and woodpeckers and finches will find places to nest and sing.

I worry that the bluebirds will not return. 5/19/16 – I peeked into the fancy house again today. I think the bluebird in there may be dead, but I know I must leave it alone.

I’m confident that there will be mulch to spread and weeds to pull and blue hydrangea blossoms to snip.

I worry that the tree swallows will not visit.

I’m confident that there will be surprises and celebrations and births and deaths, and I’m confident that the cycle of life will continue. 6/15/16 – The eggs in the bluebird house by the hydrangeas are gone, but the nest is still there. A bluebird was sitting on the box this morning, and a new bluebird nest has been started in the fancy house. Spotted the tree swallow this morning sitting on top of his box. They were swooping yesterday. Balance is being restored.