Our Return Home

 Thursday, July 16, 2026

We were gone for about a week and a half. Here's what the yard looks like.

I admit it's a little overgrown in spots but it's not as bad as I anticipated.

The annuals did really well despite the heat we had. Dale said we got a pretty good amount of rain while we were gone. That helped. 

The Yard Today

Tuesday, June 23, 2026 

Stopped by Bachman's yesterday to pick up some more annuals. 

Added an impatien and the purple leafy thing to this planter. The pansies I planted earlier are really filling out. 

Picked up a plant of rosemary.

The petunias I bought earlier this season are really filling out. There are snapdragons hiding in there. They can grow quite tall and I'm surprised they haven't done so yet. 

The ferns continue to do well although they can start to falter once you get into July if you don't keep 'em watered. We've gotten enough rain this season that we've only had to water the gardens 2 or 3 times. 

Cigar in the Back Yard

 Thursday, April 30, 2026

Cigar in the back yard today. It was right around 50 degrees and partly cloudy. When the sun was out it was perfect - still comfortable with a jacket, especially if not moving around. 

When the sun went behing a cloud it was cooler but not at all uncomfortable especially with a jacket on. If the wind came up while the sun was hiding I'd simply duck into the garage. 

I've been working slowly, steadily, and consistently on the yard over the past week. 

It's starting to look good although there's still more to do. 

Some of the gardens have been raked out. 

Some have not.

Noticed this lone pansy growing in one of our pots. They're not perrenials so I'm not sure where this one came from. I guess life's always better with a little mystery in it. 

Friday of MEA Weekend

Friday, October 17, 2025

MEA weekend. Considering I'm not working right now I'm considering all of October is MEA month. I've been working over time on this fern garden bordering Andrea's retaining wall. The above photo dates back to October 2 and was taken shortly after I cut back the dead fern leaves. 

I cut back the overgrowth and reset the garden stones. 

I think it looks pretty fantastic if I do say so myself. 

Leaf changing update: Most trees haven't started turning except a few that are in the early stages. 

There are some exceptions which have completely changed. 

Including this one in the yard across the alley from us. 

Lit up a cigar while Dale was on a bike ride. 

He joined me outside when he got home. He said it wasn't because of the cigar he was sitting away from me but that it was just more comfortable over there. Okay. Sure. Fine. 

                      

He eventually moved closer.

We both commented how beautiful it was outside. 

It really was.