It's been a mild winter so far. Snow has come only a few times, just to cover the ground and then melt away. I should be grateful for the thaws, as I am still working on that whole garden-clean-up-before-winter thing.
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| Don't come up yet, daffodils! |
Towards the end of last year I didn't blog or even manage to get out in the garden very often. End of the year chores were left undone, and the garden left to just do its own thing (more than normal, anyway.) Life was too busy and full, full, full. And then too empty. Last fall, both of our beloved cats, one after the other, were diagnosed with lymphoma. Both of them ended up passing away shortly before Christmas.
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| I keep expecting to see these two little furbabies around... |
Back to the topic of gardening (who's cutting those onions? *sniff*), we did manage to get a few fall chores done. With surprisingly superb timing, I got the last of my fall bulbs planted right before the first real snow of the season hit.
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| one of those beak, wintery days |
In fall we also accomplished the much-needed task of moving our clump of young white birch trees out of a spot that was too hot for it. In just one year, the roots of the birches had spread far beyond their branches, and it was unexpectedly quite the chore to move it. (After digging out and moving that clump, poor Mr. Red House was very glad to go back to the office on Monday. He said it was far less work than helping me in the garden.)
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| trying to dig out the roots of the small birch clump |
I now find myself solidly in the middle of the winter season with the fall clean up continuing sporadically on mild January days. Thanks to those January thaws, however, many of the garden beds have finally been cleaned up and a lot of the fall gardening chores (the ones that are going to get done, anyway) have finally been accomplished...
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| The local robins volunteered to clean up my winterberries for me. |
...that is, except for my greenhouse cleanup.
I have to admit that at this point I am rather afraid to even look in my greenhouse, unsure of what I might find in there after all the tomato and pepper plants were abandoned and left to fend for themselves for the winter.
I should probably get on that.
So sorry to hear about your cats.
ReplyDeleteThat is hard! And for your little girls.
Thanks. My daughters were pretty upset. However, now they are asking for kittens!
DeleteI'm so sorry to hear about your dear cats, Indie. I'm sure your house must seem empty without them. I applaud you, though, for getting out and doing some late chores in the garden this winter. We've had similar weather, but the ground, when it's not frozen, is far too muddy for me to do anything. I'm actually wishing for some real snow!
ReplyDeleteThanks. It's been odd weather here as well, and we've gotten a good amount of rain. We've been in such a drought, though, that the water is welcome, and the ground hasn't even seemed that muddy thankfully.
DeleteI am so sorry you lost both your cats. I hope you will open your heart and home to a couple kittens sometime soon, one should not be without cats for too long ... Love your pictures as always, but especially the last picture, that is how I feel after coming home from my extended vacation. Arm yourself with clippers and attack the beasties!
ReplyDeleteWe do plan to adopt a couple more cats in a little while. My kids are definitely hoping for kittens!
DeleteSorry for the loss of your cats, Indie.
ReplyDeleteHope the cycles of life in the garden as we head toward rebirth in the Spring give you hope and solace.
Thank you, Aaron. It has been strangely spring-like outside here. When the sun comes out, things always seem more hopeful.
DeleteOh, so sorry you lost two fur babies so close together. That is tough. Mine are such treasured senior companions these days, I'm trying to prepare myself for the inevitable around the corner. But it's never easy. On a lighter note, I had to chuckle imagining Seymour waiting for you in the greenhouse! My plants in the sunroom are growing slowly in the cool air, but at least they're surviving and at this point with lengthening days should make it through the winter. Blessings to you and yours as we move closer to spring.
ReplyDeleteI'll bet you enjoy your sunroom! A sunroom sounds like such a nice place to be in the short days of winter. I'm trying to get outside more now, and get some of that vitamin D.
DeleteOh no, both from cancer? I am so very sorry. I have two 14 year old tabby brothers and I understand your loss....I hope you getting out with the decent weather helps with your grief....Michelle
ReplyDeleteThe veterinarian says it's just bad luck for both of them to have the same thing at the same time (though we're getting our water and such tested just the same.) The house does seem emptier now, so getting outside is a nice break.
DeleteHow sad. I'm so sorry to hear about your two beautiful cats. It's horrible when we lose one pet, let alone two. Your garden will wait. I am a great believer in letting the garden be until spring. The greenhouse, on the other hand, is a different matter. It's such an easy job after digging out the white birch. Why not delegate to Mr Red House? He'll find it positively relaxing after all that digging ;-)
ReplyDeleteHaha, that is true!
DeleteI am so sorry to hear about your kitties. How strange that they both suffered from the same disease. Were they related?
ReplyDeleteI tend to put fall chores off until late winter. In fact, I was determined to get outside today to do some clean-up of dead foliage in the front garden. But the wind is blowing and the air too chilly for my comfort, so here I am on the computer instead.
No, they weren't related at all. The vet said that it was just a strange coincidence. However, we're testing our water!
DeleteIt's so hard when pets die. :( I have a dog who is about 800 years old and every morning when I wake her I wonder if it will be her last. I do very little winter clean up aside from what must be done to help with the annual Happy Plant Hokey Pokey, where I rearrange the garden. If a dried stem pokes me in the eye, it's gotta go!
ReplyDeleteI usually rearrange the garden in spring. It's already in planning!
DeleteSo sorry to hear about the kitties. Maybe this spring you can get some kittens -- so much fun. I do hope you are not swallowed by the monsters in the greenhouse!
ReplyDeleteWe do plan to get adopt a couple more cats in the near future. The kids would definitely like kittens!
DeleteWonderful photo of the robin eating the winterberries. If you hear someone saying "feed me!" in the greenhouse, don't go in alone.
ReplyDeleteHaha! I'll be walking in pruners first, that's for sure!
DeleteIt's good that you are getting more cats after your sad loss. I sense your reluctance about kittens ... they are a lot of work. I rarely finish the fall cleanup, but there's always next spring. Love your sense of humor. P. x
ReplyDeleteThanks! We'll have to see what the local shelters have, as well. It will be nice to have cats around again, whichever we end up getting.
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