My Bit of Earth

My Dog Moe Sniffs Orange Flowers

Sunflower Saver

A tip for those with dogs and flowers: 

Last year the pups trampled my sunflower seedlings before they could get properly established.  So this year, I took this old broken part of a sundial that I bought at the "Junque" store--Who knew you could make junk cool just by changing the spelling?--and put it over the top of the seeds after planting.  Sunflowers can grow through it, dogs can't jump on top of them--genius!  In a few days I'm going to remove the sundial, and let the sunflowers continue on their merry way.

Blooming "Sunrise"

Thanks to the every-other-hour rain we've been getting, my little "Sunrise" rose is in full-on-flower-making mode.  It's not making whole bouquets of roses all at once the way the tea roses did, but there's always at least one on the bush.  And they smell incredible--perfectly sweet without being too much.

As a bonus, it's little sister (the one I thought was dead on arrival) recovered and has about 5 little buds forming. 

So far, so good on the "northern" roses--I'm curious to see how they do once it really gets hot.

Red-Winged Blackbird

Wednesday Poll: Dreaming the Impossible Plant

Last week, I planted some stuff that I've been wanting to try for a long time.  I'm not completely sure why I hadn't done it before.  I kept thinking there would be more time, or more space, or better conditions if I just put it off.  I had been going on that way for awhile when--not to rip off the movie title, but--one morning I just kind of woke up and thought, "Ya know, what if this is as good as it gets?"

Later that day, I ordered one Passiflora 'Incense' and two 'Sterling' hops rhizomes.

So, for this week's poll:

What's something you've wanted to plant and haven't?  Or, if you prefer, what's something you've always wanted to do and haven't?  For either question--what are you waiting for?

Comment and discuss.

Rocks

Penne with Beef and Arugula

Here's one for the "keepers" list:  Penne with Beef and Arugula.  It's super simple, tastes great, and I think it would even be good cold.  We left out the extra basil and parsley--just 'cause we didn't have any on hand--and it was just fine.  The steak--with the yummy herby-garlicy rub--would be great on its own too.

Bunnies In the Garden

It couldn't have been more perfect--I already had the camera out, the dogs were safely inside--when who should wander up to the yard but Peter Cottontail and a friend.  I stalked them with the camera for about ten minutes.  One was pretty skittish, but the other let me get within probably 5 feet.  It made me worry for him a little that he was so unafraid of humans, but at the same time I can't say I didn't enjoy the show.

Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve

This morning we woke up and felt the need to wander a bit.  So, we got in the car and headed west for the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve.

The park is in the Flint Hills--call it central, slightly-eastern Kansas--and is still largely the way it is because the soil is too shallow to till and turn into farm land.  The grass was not as tall today as it apparently is in Autumn, but the green was lovely under the blue sky.  We also enjoyed the wildflowers. 

It's amazing how windy it gets out there...and just how kind of desolate it is...kind of like the ocean.  It makes me wonder how the first pioneers--out there all alone without another human for miles and miles--didn't go crazy from loneliness.

More pictures here.

Snapper