Just when I think nothing could surpass the lilac fragrance, the peonies opened up. There fragrance was breath-taking. I'd walk into the back garden and the scent transported you into another world. Heaven couldn't be sweater. I'd go to the back and just linger just to let my body take it all in. I'm not sure what the annuals will produce but nothing will surpass the joys of spring.  I do have the day lilies coming and they will bloom through the summer but spring was glorious.

 

     The garden has been coming slowly; the cooler and rainy weather didn't help the farmers out.  In fact, last week we had hail the size of golf balls that destroyed much of the strawberry, cherry and apple crops.  It hit sporatically. One farm lost all it's crop and several miles away, the crops were safe. There was no rythm or reason as to how or where the hail hit, but some of the crop farmers lost millions. But we're enjoying the lettuce especially the red and bibb and even though the strawberries generally don't yield much the first year, we are reaping some this year.

 

      I'm working on the back of the garage; I'm sure I mentioned that I pored a concrete floor that I use as a wood shed.  It is about 16 feet by about 8 or 9 feet.  I decided to expand the floor with concrete slabs which are 16 by 16 inches. The back opens out to a view of the fields that run by the stream.  As we were working on the back patio, we were able to watch some deer feeding the folliage by the stream. As we were working on removing some of the grasses, and realligning the stone dust, we came upon some toads which actually delighted me.  Toads are one of the things that we are seeing less and less of and our abuse of the land and environment are endangering more and more species of wild life that is slowly disappearing.

 

     Well I'm enjoying my summer reading.   I probably should be doing more weeding than reading but there is something very attractive about reading while the temperatures are warm and inviting.

 

     A thank you to those who have been visiting.  I always enjoy your hellos.   Peace.......Bittersweet on the hill.

 

 

The other day we were watching Sydney spitting out something, then playing with it, picking it up in her mouth and dropping it again.  As background, every spring we have a migration of several snapping turtles  that walk from the wet lands across the street down to the stream that is four or five hundred feet behind the house. Sydney had one cornered in the corner of the carport several weeks back which we managed to redirect and get it on its way.  Well David (youngest brother,) went to investigate what was keeping Sydney so busy and found that she was trying to ingest this two inch snapping turtle. Believe it or not, this little thing was able to expand her jaws about a quarter to a third of an inch and had very lethal claws enough that she could scratch you with. I watch David handle it and must say he was very careful where he held it so as not to have it take a nap at him. Now understand that Sydney eats everything.  I mean everything.  The list goes on and on. So anytime we see or think Sydney has something in her mouth we check it out.  Well this little turtle must have been snipping and scratching the inside of her mouth every time she tried to get it into her mouth. We ended up walking this little creature down to the pond by the stream, hopefully giving it a chance to grow up.  I'm not a lover of snapping turtles since they can be exceptionally vicious once they get their jaws snapped on you. We have toyed with one or two with a rack handle and once they latch on, they won't let go. And while not necessarily a fact that I voice with pride, it is the state reptile!  Yes, the snapping turtle is the Empire State's reptile!

 

After today, we should have a spell of some very hot and hazy weather. Five or six days close to 90 or above 90 degrees. While not a dry heat, I'll take it.

 

My irises are quite lovely.  Everyday I go out to check what magnificent bloom has opened up. I have several hundred in a rock enclosed circle and will probably have to thin them out this Fall. I get so excited when I check the beards, the ruffles, the blended colors of the standards and the falls, the duo-tones and just the unbelievable apricot, rose, peach colors and of course the old standards that I remember from years ago. The depth of colors - the maroons, blues, purples are also something to stare at.  Anyway, quite lovely.  Blessings to each of you.   Bittersweet on-the-hill.

 

P.S.  Being a New Yorker, I'm a tad saddened by Hillary Clinton's loss for the nomination. A hard fought for battle but Obama had that little extra charisma and a better delivery for his message.  Either way, a historic moment for this country.