Slightly Bemused: Did It Make A Sound?

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A victim of Storm Eunice in Slightly’s back garden

A little late today.

Owing to some gardening ‘issues’.

Slightly Bemused writes:

So this morning, as the sun rose fresh and clear, and I sipped my tea and watched the shadows recede towards my back fence, I realised that I have a bunch of work to do.

This has become a bit of a ritual over the past few weeks as my strength returns and I get ready for the summer. Up with the dawn, and plan my course of action, gazing over my gibbous garden, sipping cups of tea and plotting my, er, plot!

I am worried for my little birds in my garden. I had the brambles cut back late last year, and this past week of stormy weather has caused one of the trunks of my tree to fall over. It was dead anyway, but was home to a few different species of little birds that nest in the hollows of a tree bole.

My old shed is clearly leaning over, and I am afraid if I open the door the roof may just cave in. Never mind, it was on the list for demolition this year anyway, and potential replacement with a more robust model.

In the meantime, I shall be gathering in the cut brambles, and the remains of the tree, into a skip and off to the composting dump. My hope is to totally change the back end of the garden, and look to plant more native species that will hopefully provide nectar for the bees and butterflies. And I will get a proper bird bath.

I have an old tarp outside on the grass, and one side has a shallow pool of rainwater gathered. It has become the bathing place for many birds. I do occasionally head out and empty it, and refill it afresh, in case different birds accidentally infect others. But a proper bird bath would be better.

A Butterfly and Bee hotel is hopefully going up, along with some bird boxes. I have seen some interesting ones on sites that show you how to make them, so they are not as artificial looking as many you can buy, and certainly not plastic.

I am debating a herb garden. I have many seed ‘pellets’ that were given out by a certain small supermarket chain a few years back. I am not sure if I cook enough to make using living plants worth while, but I am happy to share with my neighbours.

The good thing about this, as the longer evenings eke out, is my doctor wants me to be more active, and start losing weight. They do say, also, that gardening is therapeutic. So gathering in the spiky remains of the brambles (which will surely be accompanied by some very therapeutic vocalisations of my feelings – my therapist once said it was important to express such feelings), clearing out the old compost heap that did more for the nettles than anything else, and finally getting the garden in order, should be helpful in meeting medically advised goals. Although I hope the garden loses more weight than I do.

And when that is done, I must plan where to put a place where I can get out my telescope again. I have seen a nice, simple design for a rotating cover, with a curved back and half roof, allowing full elevation of the scope, and turnable to see north or south. Maybe a plan for later in the year.

In the meantime, as I finish my cup of tea after lunch I realise that my outdoor work is done for the day. The rain has started, and it will be dark before it is due to stop. So at least I know what my morning will bring.

Slightly Bemused‘s column appears here every Werdnesday.

Pic by Slightly

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3 thoughts on “Slightly Bemused: Did It Make A Sound?

  1. Janet, dreams of an alternate universe

    Happy gardening, the ” management ” flattened my snowdrops…..I’m still plotting revenge

    1. Slightly Bemused

      I had some lovely pink flowers, violet pansies, out front that sadly also took a bashing. That was Dudley, I think.

  2. Liam Deliverance

    Sounds like you have some nice but rewarding work ahead you Slightly, enjoy and the birds will appreciate you. It’s nice when the rain dictates finishing up time a little early!

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