Yard

[lighter]

The moss is layers thick with all this rain.  So happy.

There are many young woodpeckers flying around, pecking on my bedroom window, landing on the porch, sitting in bushes and trees.... all around.  I hope they go somewhere else to make homes.

The hummingbirds are very active.  Since I put up red lanterns, around the porch, they spend time contemplating them, up close, where I tend to the tadpoles.  I guess they wonder if they're full of nectar, as is the red feeder.  There's 3 of them zooming around, maybe fighting, often sitting in the Hemlocks, flitting back and forth to the feeder.  It's very special. 

I have tadpoles turning into little green jewel box tree frogs.... they're just tree frogs, but they remind me of jewel boxes, bc they're metallic green..... just breathtakingly green, and I do love green.  I KNEW they were green tree frogs!  There's about to be 100 or more little green tree frogs making their way out of containers over the next few days.  I have to figure out how to keep 5 or so alive till my niece and her bf arrive. 

I have moss and plants to deal with.  Gutters need cleaning badly.  The trimmer and blower have work to do too.

I'm really enjoying my yard right now. 

Lighter

[lighter]

Niece's bf is here again.  Today he helped me with weed eating and made an amazingly happy discovery.... FROGS.

Big frogs.  Not toads.  Not tree frogs.  Ground frogs... so cool and sleek and striped and spotted.... just very jumpy and fast and they;re living around the cut tree.... just all over the place, and in the drain. 

The tadpoles are fast turning into little green treefrogs... under an inch long.  SO TINY and so green..... an amazing green.

The white tadpole is one of the last to develop.  All her container mates have their front arms.  Can't wait to see what she looks like when she changes.

I moved moss around today.... the truth is I have moss I haven't dealt with in weeks.  I've kept it alive and happy, but it's loaded on sleds, waiting for new places.  There are decisions to be made... I'm just not ready to make them, but I will be.

I also have plants to get into the ground, and I figure I'll get more help from the boy.  Or not.  We're having fun stomping around in the creek.  Baby girl pug went with us yesterday.  She was so happy and running in the creek.. like a puppy again.  I think the chiropractor is really helping.

We have lots of salamanders and crawfish in containers to observe.  So cool to feed.

I still have to find a place to put the pond plants I have.  Someplace I can harvest from, should the frogs gift me with more tadpoles next year: )

Lighter

 

 

[Twoapenny]

That sounds so lovely, Lighter.  Frogs are just the cutest little things, especially when tiny babies!  So nice to think of them hopping around near you xx

[lighter]

Tupp:

I have lots of tiny adult tree frogs in a very tall glass enclosure with tall sticks and lots of moss and ferns at the bottom.  There are 2 Southern Leopard frogs sitting in their water dishes as we speak.  I LOVE them too.  They speak of the farm and cut grass and galvanized metal watering cans in my childhood.

We have salamanders... not the bright orange ones we had before, but beautiful brown and light tan orange ones.  Crawfish.... tiny tiny to over 2 inches in length. 

Caterpillars.... ,

And the light tadpole is the last of her tank mates to metamorphosis.... she doesn't have her front legs yet.  I think almost every tadpole is changed and in the trees.... except for the 6 or so we're observing.  I saw just a few tadpoles in the larger tanks.... there must have been a large number leave in one night, bc there's usually many swimming around in the 3 large containers, but nope.

Letting all these critters go is a no brainer, except when it comes to the light tadpole.  Her chances of survival in the wild aren't good, bc of her lack of pigmentation.  I don't know what to do about that.  I'd like someone, who loves frogs and cares for them, to HAVE her to keep safe and happy with tank mates.  That's not my in my wheelhouse.  I'll see if I can find someone who already keeps tree frogs.  Hmmmm.

The humidity here is thick.  If it's not raining, it's misting.  The moss is very happy about that.  I can't believe how thick it's gotten.  It's inchest thick in areas it was super thin...... just very lush and amazing to walk in.  I wish I had a good routine of doing early morning yoga in it.  Maybe in the fall months.

We used to do martial arts workouts, barefoot, in the snow.  I don't mind the cold as much as the heat and bugs.  I'm having a hard time picturing winter yoga outdoors.... just can't picture it.

How is your garden doing, Tupp?

Lighter

[Twoapenny]

Oh my days, barefoot in the snow, my little English feet are cringing at the thought   I'm such a woss about things like that - barefoot's supposed to be very good for you but I only get my socks off when it's very warm and I don't like squelching or squooshing under my feet.  As soon as the temperature drops my chunky socks and slippers are very firmly on and that's where they stay   Lol.

I've done nothing with my garden to be honest, the initial enthusiasm left me very quickly and I feel quite reluctant to do much to it as I'm hoping we won't be here too much longer.  It does look pretty out the front, just with my big fuscia bush stretching out one side of the path and the crab apple tree opposite arching over the top.  It looks nice as you walk up to it from the bus stop.  The only plan I have been thinking about for the front is socially distanced trick or treating - assuming we can do it at all, I thought I could put a table out the front with the sweets in individual bags, light it all up with pumpkins and lamps and then the kids can still get the treats and show us their costumes without anyone touching anything.  We'll have to see nearer the time.

I hope you can get someone to look after the little tadpole!  It sounds so nice watching them all grow and change like that xx

[lighter]

Well..... that's a clever way to deal with treats at Halloween this year, Tupp. There's supposed to be full moon! 

I'm glad you can see green growing things from your place, Tupp.  Even if you aren't gardening...... at least there's beauty there.  I stopped tending to my tomato plants.... I send one of the kids to collect tomatoes and whatever the neighbor insists they take.  Usually peppers, and squash, which is appreciated.

The Linton Roses and Hostas and other things waiting for me to tend to them are still sitting... waiting.  I just don't have a good plan for where to put them.... trying to cut back on maintenance, dont'cha know.

It looks like I'll do it in cooler weather, and that's better for planting anyways.  I'll deal with it when it feels right.

Lighter

 

[Twoapenny]

Well..... that's a clever way to deal with treats at Halloween this year, Tupp. There's supposed to be full moon! 

I'm glad you can see green growing things from your place, Tupp.  Even if you aren't gardening...... at least there's beauty there.  I stopped tending to my tomato plants.... I send one of the kids to collect tomatoes and whatever the neighbor insists they take.  Usually peppers, and squash, which is appreciated.

The Linton Roses and Hostas and other things waiting for me to tend to them are still sitting... waiting.  I just don't have a good plan for where to put them.... trying to cut back on maintenance, dont'cha know.

It looks like I'll do it in cooler weather, and that's better for planting anyways.  I'll deal with it when it feels right.

Lighter

A full moon at Halloween would be amazing!  I love Halloween, much prefer it to Christmas - not so much the plastic tat that fills the shops but that whole sliding from autumn to winter and the veil between the worlds being thin.  I just feel like it feels special.  I do love the kids in their costumes, especially the little ones who have no idea why they're dressed like pumpkins lol.

I think with the garden I have big ideas and I can see how it would look much nicer but it's just not been the priority for a while.  If we get to a point where we are still here and it's easy to spend the money and sort it out then I will but for now I'm just keeping it tidy and that's enough.  Trying to cut back on maintenance sounds like a good plan x

[lighter]

I think saving for THE garden,  or for whatever else comes next....  maybe no garden at all, Tupp... is a good idea.

Turning to what needs tending, without having to force it or fake it, is something to relax into, IME.

It sounds like you have your flow going: )

I have every intention to start a real garden on the island, and allow the housekeeper to tend and eat from it... she has 5 children of all ages.   Between them, it shouldn't be overwhelming. There's a true need for fresh veggies on the island.  I'd love to plant fruit trees and take down some of the pine trees.... they're an invasive tree taking over what used to be an island that was heavily cultivated and farmed.  I know it can be done.

When the youngest dd is out of hs.... I can think about spending a lot more time on projects like that. 

Lighter

[Twoapenny]

I think saving for THE garden,  or for whatever else comes next....  maybe no garden at all, Tupp... is a good idea.

Turning to what needs tending, without having to force it or fake it, is something to relax into, IME.

It sounds like you have your flow going: )

I have every intention to start a real garden on the island, and allow the housekeeper to tend and eat from it... she has 5 children of all ages.   Between them, it shouldn't be overwhelming. There's a true need for fresh veggies on the island.  I'd love to plant fruit trees and take down some of the pine trees.... they're an invasive tree taking over what used to be an island that was heavily cultivated and farmed.  I know it can be done.

When the youngest dd is out of hs.... I can think about spending a lot more time on projects like that. 

Lighter

I think time is the key thing, Lighter.  I'm forever starting projects that I don't have time to finish.  I always think if I start it off it will make me finish it.  But it never does.  So I'm trying really hard to finish (or discard) all my other projects before I start anything new, although I'm jotting ideas down so I don't forget.  I think a veggie garden on the island sounds lovely.  Would you ever see yourself living there one day or is it too far away from everything else you do to contemplate? xx

[lighter]

I don't know, Tupp. Maybe spending half the year there... I can see that.... sometimes.  Maybe the cooler months.   It's a simple life with a super slow pace.  If I have the tools and the garden and the people set up ahead, which I feel on track with...... all sorts of possibilites open up.  Sometimes I think about offering necessary services, opening a little restaurant, which would likely be absolute hell BUT there are lots tax breaks that go along with having a restaurant.... and my restaurant I mean delivery service and takeaway, rather than people coming INTO the cottage.  I can see having a pavilion built with places to eat, but you never know.

I like the idea of putting a sleeping loft over the bathroom in the guest house, which is basically a room and a bathroom with a large bookshelf and storage space over the bathroom now.  The bathroom needs an update BUT it's serviceable... it's hooked up to city water, has a hot water heater, new windows and doors.   It needs paint, for sure, but I love the unfinished wood ceiling, which is vaulted and feels lovely.  At least, I remember it feeling lovely when I had access to it.  I could live in the cottage, but move back to the guest house when guests arrive.  IF I lived there I could provide services I have trouble finding locals to perform, like cooking in the cottage... making lovely drinks..... setting up an outdoor firepit cookout, helping get kayaks to the water and back.  Keeping up with golf cart, as a rental... bike repair, spear fishing for guests, teaching them how, etc.  So many moving parts, and I've been peeking at folding boats I could manage on my own, and store flat in the container or shed.... has a motor..... looks sleek,  but brother says it's just a gimmick.  I see a Japanese crisis response team use this craft, and people water ski behind it, so... just not sure.  I know I don't want to deal with a boat IN the water, maintenance and storms, etc.  Brother wants a center console boat there.  I don't feel that, however, and certainly couldn't afford it.  GAHHHH the idea of depending on island mechanics and fuel shortages... no thank you.  The folding boat I saw was under 1,300.00, so..... not overwhelming in any direction... price, maintenance, fuel needs or docking/storage, depending on someone else and maybe my small appliance repair guy knows enough about engines to keep something small up and running, though I wouldn't count on it.  No dock necessary.  No rails to install to get it INTO and out of the water at our cottage... it has little snap on wheels.  So cool.

So, a private sleeping loft in the guest cottage with a nice Futon downstairs, for sleeping two people.... room for a little table, and area for small fridge, and hotplate since we closed off one of the doors to make a wall for such things.

I don't feel strongly about it in any direction.  I know I have to tend to it.  Or sell it.  Or something.  Honestly, it's never been in better shape, with more comforts and possibilities.  I feel things will work themselves out and I'm not worrying about it so much.  I was worrying pretty hard when the first renters were there, but that seems to have worked out without a crisis, so counting it as a win.  No matter what.  Even if renter has access to keys I DIDN'T want him to have... it will all be OK.

Lighter

[lighter]

I've been cooking Indian and Thai Curry.... we had Japanese Curry recently too.  Just spicy and full of fresh veggies.  The Indian curry finished in the oven tonight.  It was so good.   Lots of leftovers, which is nice.

Oldest dd had salmon with a thin coat of seeded mustard then topped with Japanese mayonnaise and baked. 

All the tadpoles, save for 2, have finished turning into frogs.  Almost all have gone, except for the few we still have on the back porch.  We release them once their tails are completely absorbed.... I wouldn't know what to feed them, so that's when they go. 

The mail man asked for some today... for a friend.  I hope whoever they are they have the ability to keep frogs and will take the light tadpole when she's changed,  She's the ONLY one who hasn't sprouted front legs yet. 

What were the odds she'd get scooped up for the small glass containers, and what was the chance she'd be the last tadpole in the bunch to change?

I have 2 playdates next week.  One with my moss friends,  and one with the lady who took 100 tadpoles.  She's down to 35, she said.   Her's seem to be changing slower than mine did.  I guess it has to do with the heat, and food, etc. 

She didn't know they were green treefrogs until recently.  Just crazy,  bc I told her that;s what I thought they were, and she's seen they were little green frogs for a while.  I don't think she sees very well, but we;re going splashing around in the creek with her 12yo grandson. 

I think the plants the tadpole grandma gave me had Koi OR big goldfish eggs attached, bc I now have little fish in the largest container.  That's where I put the plants from the nursery with Koi and goldfish. 

I really want to see what they turn out to be BUT I'm not sure I have the ability, or the will, to do what it takes to raise them to adulthood. 

So far we've counted 3 for sure. 

Anyone have any experience raising this kind of fish?

Lighter

[lighter]

Sister and I spent time working with rock, dirt and moss to direct water around the trail.  Planting moss on either side so it wont drown or get scoured away by little fast flowing rivers of water during storms.

That required building high spots and planting them.  Digging low spots and pushing in rocks to secure.

Will see how it's going today in the rain.

We also put in elderly neighbor's drainage ditch then mossed like a Zen garden, ya!

I put 150 moss pins in last night to secure it after we planted found moss from sunny parking lots as that space is pretty hot and sunny.

This neighbor usually refuses all help....she's in her 80s, retired emergency room nurse, no nonsense, but has ankle troubles lately, so relaxing into accepting more help.

Having lots of fires lately...going through all yard sticks and logs in this lovely cool weather.  Cooking hot dogs and marshmallows.

Lighter

Lighter

[Twoapenny]

I've missed posts here, Lighter, I'm not sure how!  The moss sounds amazing.  So much work, but it sounds like nice work, that you enjoy?  And the cooking, that sounds so yum.  I seem to be constantly hungry at the moment, but with little interest in food, oddly enough.  I think because our choices have been much more restricted over recent months the allure of another meal made from tins isn't tempting me into the kitchen often enough.  Pasta's become a staple, although that's easy to make different sauces to go with.  I did make son a lasagne but he didn't like it so I ended up eating all of it.  Your curries sound delicious.

How is it going with the beach house?  Have you had more people in there or are holidays still difficult with everything that's going on?  I hope everything is going alright xx

[lighter]

 No guests at beach cottage lately, Tupp.  They're pretty much shut down bc of Covid.  I have a flight attendant booked in December, which would be great, bc she's tell her friend's and travelers about it.  Will see.

I do enjoy tending the moss.  It's a very peaceful act.  The rain has most of it inches deep....just thick and amazingly green. The weeds are easy to pick from very thick moss, btw.

We use Preen corn gluten to stop seeds from terminating from 3 to 6 months.  The gluten is washed off the broken corn bits and into the top 3 inches of soil where it sets up a barrier to stop seeds germinating.  I have to time it right so it doesn't get washed away.

My sister and I put it out at night this last time....it felt very intuitive.....in the mist, knowing one last rain before a week of sun was on the way.  The next morning we could see the corn, and we did a great job.  This should last 6 months and really works.

I hope you feel safe enough to begin eating fresh things again soon.  Lasagna is chaotic here bc everyone likes different things.  I can't even remember everyone's preferences.

I buy little cans of curry...some powders and mix it all up with some fresh spices and coconut milk from cans.  Easy and yummy.  We just made some with a head of cauliflower which takes on flavors beautifully in the oven. 

I'm yapping on about food....and it's still raining here.

Lighter

[Hopalong]

That's really interesting, Lighter.

Would the Preen stuff be a good thing to put on my clapped-out veggie beds once all the rest is pulled up?

thanks,
Hops