Thursday 6 May 2010

Over the rainbow ....

I woke up in an odd mood this morning. I don't know if it was the thought of the unknown political mayhem ahead - I am not going to discuss politics here - or the fact that it was very grey and damp and chilly - or that my whole body was crying out OLD AGE PENSIONER, but I was not very happy. There are many jobs I ought to do, many creative activities I could indulge myself in, but I don't feel like doing anything at all! However after a few 'ought to's ' some laundry, voting, paying bills and so on, the sun came out, so I took the opportunity to tour the 'estate' to see if I could spot any bumblebees. Walking round the veg patch I glanced down into an empty pot and there I saw this -
one of our Mid-wife toads, living in a hole! What an existence! I thought "Living in a hole in the bottom of an empty pot - that's a bit how I feel today,"    (shhh, I know it's not true). I thought I'd move the pot to make sure the toad had got up through the bottom and not fallen in and got trapped - and there I found...

...toad number two - right under toad number one! So all of a sudden the empty pot looked quite a cosy spot.
I got them both to pose on an old frog plant label, which was also under the pot, before they shuffled off to the shade.
By now I was feeling a bit more cheerful and took a few more photographs round the 'estate' which I am going to share with you. 

It is great how a few carefully taken photographs can make the most of your patch.

First here is our first row of peas with a few temporary sticks. They have got bottles on so Mr T doesn't poke himself in the eye. He had a stroke about 12 years ago and his perception down one side is effected, he can see, but is sometimes unaware of what is on his right hand side so inclined to bump into things. (He has made a near full recovery - he just can't read or write a lot - but that is another story). However with other health problems we  sometimes feel we are living in a hole, but we do have each other, a bit like those toads! 

Anyway back to the garden -

Here is a pretty little wild flower/weed, Herb Robert, which has seeded itself round the garden in the last couple of years. One of the cranesbill/geranium family with lovely feathery red foliage, I only pull it up when it is in the way.


Lots of honey bees in the Spartan apple, but no bumblebees just now.
(My Bumblebee Conservation Trust membership material has arrived and I have challenged myself to be able to recognise the most common bumblebees.)
Only a wretched Spanish bluebells which are everywhere in the garden. I pull them up by the handful, but they can look pretty.

Two sorts of lichen on the apple tree  - a Newton Wonder - which must be nearly a hundred years old - our 1930's house was built on the site of an old orchard. When we first moved in 20 years ago, you could still line up the trees in neighbouring gardens, but sadly most of them have gone now. 
My family of watering cans, a favourite subject of mine,
and a pretty shrub...
Exochorda 'The Bride'
...and finally after this rather long post - my 150th  and a celebration of a year of blogs, I will finish with one of last year's photographs and the inspiration for the title of this post, because a little bit of sunshine and a little bit of nature took me out of the gloom and over the rainbow today

17 comments:

Marigold Jam said...

Oh Jill what a great post. I know how those mornings sometimes happen and I am so glad you found enough inspiration to take you over the rainbow after all! That little Herb Robert reminds me of my Mum whose favourite it was and I love your row of watering cans. We don't know how lucky we are do we fancy living in a hole in a pot like that - not very cosy nor comfortable I wouldn't think! Sorry to hear about Mr T but glad he made a good recovery and think those plastic pots a good idea although for a more artistic effect some tiny terracotta ones look good as I discovered when visiting a garden in France and you can write the names of the plants on them too!

Jane

Jane said...

Must be the sudden cold weather, I, too felt really in the doldrums when I got up today. Unfortunately, we haven't had the sun at all here and the highlight(!) of my day so far has been a trip to the dentist for a filling! At least we shall get some excitement later - though I don't think we shall be up to a night watching the results. Who knows what's to come though - probably mayhem as you say. Perhaps the toads have got the right idea - hide in a hole till the sunshines.

Marigold Jam said...

PS Meant to say congratulations on your 150th post!

Jane

flutterbycrafter said...

What beautiful photos and I love the toads. We used to have a wildlife pond, which we had to get rid of when we had grandchildren,and I used to spend hours watching all the wildlife. xx

Duncan Astbury said...

Some lovely images, like the toads, watering cans and rainbow best.

JP said...

it is funny isn't it that despite having a wonderul free time in retirement on can still have down days - they alweays mke me feel guilty as I feel I should always be bright and cheerful! - somtimes you just feel abit old i think!!! your post was great

Sandra Hall said...

How I love your posts Jill - when I click on your blog (you're in my favourites) its always with anticipation, wondering what I'm going to find - its really one of the delights of my day! You always point out the treasures in the environment around us - a true gift.

sea-blue-sky & abstracts said...

Jill, what a lovely post! I especially enjoyed the toad sequence, lol. Lesley

menopausalmusing said...

That top photo of the toad is a beauty!

A trip round the garden is always a boost when a bit down....

Barb Cady said...

Today is my birthday and your blog made me smile! I am officiallly an OAP today, roll on, life is full of wonders and your garden holds a lot! Love your blog, it's a present in itself. Barb.

LAC EMP 2020 said...

Jill,
It really is the simple pleasures that make the difference isn't it? I think we forget that too easily some days. I can relate to your strange mood as we all have them. There is an intangible feeling that something is not quite right with the day but you can't put your finger on what it is! Sunshine is always guaranteed to lift my mood and the way the garden unfolds by the day is a true delight. Lovely photos as ever, especially the watering cans. Don't they just say 'Draw Me!' Lesley x

Karen Blados said...

We have toads like that hanging around here. They put up quite a racket at night. Your garden looks lovely ... serene and calming. I'm blown away by the rainbow shot and I too especially like the watering cans. Glad a walk could lift your spirits.

Chrissie said...

So glad you found such a nice way to help you feel a bit happier and thanks for sharing the great photos with us. I covet your watering cans!

Anonymous said...

A lovely post today,really enjoyed your musing and accompanying pics,but then I always enjoy your blog,thankyou,from Irene

Unknown said...

Thanks for sharing Jill. I'm having a bit of a doldrum day today and this post, and your lovely pictures and words, has made me feel much better. Love and best wishes to you and Mr T.

AeFondKis said...

love your toad in the hole and the rainbow!!!
Linda

Judy Wise said...

Girlfriend!! You have captured my heart. The journal. The garden. The grouchy morning and then the toads! How I relate to all of it. I've added you to my bloglines so I can visit with you more often. Thank you for your blog. xo