It's not near enough.
The gardens are beginning to show signs of drought stress. We had a little sprinkle of rain today, gentle, but not near enough. Less than 2 mm. The perennial gardens will have to fend for themselves. We'll hand-water our newly planted trees and shrubs and we'll put the sprinkler on for the vegetables. But, no more. Wells are somewhat finite.
Instead of lamenting the shortage of rain, I thought I'd just look for beauty in the gardens. No sense in wasting that.
This little broccoli head will be harvested tomorrow.
Every leaf holds on to raindrops differently. Haskaps must have a waxy outer skin. The raindrops really bead up on them. And, look how the tiny drops hang on vertically.
I never paid attention to the fruit of red osier dogwood bushes. Not sure what I am looking at. Are those black ones un-pollinated flowers? You win some, you lose some.
Speaking of winning: looks like this little guy won the lottery of life. He's our first little frog of the season.
Take a look at your thumb. Now measure ⅔ down. That is how long this frog is. And, it's already casting a reflection in the pond.
Some of the larger frogs must be on an excursion today. There was a wild turkey wandering around this morning. Maybe they got scared. Wild turkeys will eat frogs. Life is harsh in frog world.
As I was quietly walking around the ponds, this little guy jumped on the "boat". Maybe he thought I couldn't see him there.
Back in the vegetable garden, some plants are doing better than others. The Napa cabbages usually get attacked by pests. It's interesting how they will still form a heavy head, mostly free from pests.
Nothing seems to bother dill.
If I were a dress designer, which I'd never be because I don't wear dresses, I'd use this red cabbage's colours. Can you imagine an evening dress in these colours with Swarovski crystals sprinkled over it? And, isn't it interesting how the leaves fold around each other in such beautiful shapes? Rose-like.
There are four green cabbages. We'll probably freeze two or three of them in wedges. In the winter, they make a really nice soup. I love the rolling edge on the outer leaf. It's like a baby's bonnet.
In 10 days, our two raspberry-loving Toronto grandkids will be here. It took a while for them to understand that you can't step out the door in the winter and expect raspberries to be ripe. Sure hope they are not disappointed that the raspberry season will be almost over. I wish I could slow down the season for them.
A couple of years ago there must have been a lot of annual rudbeckia seeds scattered. They are everywhere in the perennial garden this year. Black-eyed Susans. Looks like Susan had a welcome shower this morning.
Susan and her sisters, Susan and Susan. Showers for everyone.
Unfortunately, the clematis missed out on the showers. They need to grow their roots deep into the soil to get their water. Living next to the house has its advantages and its disadvantages. Advantage: you live through the winter. Disadvantage: no showers. If I were to paint the petals, I'd use Cobalt Blue and Opera Rose. And, aren't your eyes drawn to the centre? See the white of the petals behind the white stamens? Lost edges.
I saved the best til last. This one has been put in my Art Pictures folder. It would be a lot of fun to paint it.
So, today's sponsor......beauty won't keep the garden growing in a drought year. We need a hopeful sponsor. Hope. The hope of enough rain. Enough sunshine too. Hope is our sponsor.
“The important thing is not to stop questioning.
One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity,
of life,
of the marvelous structure of reality.
It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of this mystery each day.
"Old Man's Advice to Youth: 'Never Lose a Holy Curiosity.'"
Albert Einstein
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