Here's a photo from earlier this month. Embedded text. #Dogsky #PetLoss #Grief

He was a wise old soul from Day 1. Serious, never wanted to play, absolutely no interest in toys. But he loved his foods and treats. Every day, at 7 pm, he'd demand a Greenie. Bunny hops, vocalizations, head butts, full body wags . . . he would not tolerate anything less than perfect service!

TW: Pet loss . . . . . . . . . . . It's been a very long week, after a long decline. I'm shattered. We said goodbye Thursday afternoon. I *hate* that the system may show this to people who don't need yet another loss in their feed. And yet, I want solace and comfort.

A couple days ago, I took several shots of this red clover in a sea of white, thinking I'd meme it up - "Stand out from the crowd," or some such. Sent the photos to my aunt. We were talking and looked closer. The next morning, I went back. It was still there. #GardensHour

Yesterday I chased this beauty all around the clover. In the meadowhawk family of dragonflies.

Oh, we harvested and ate the lion's mane mushroom! It was quite good. Watching to see if I can coax out a second flush. #GardensHour

We're doing some mushroom experiments. Bought a lionsmane tabletop box - just cut and spray. Here's how it looks today. Anyone got a favorite recipe? #GardensHour

I think I have found six different species of spider. My favorite is this beauty, who captured one of my buckets and is trapping anything that flies in for water. #GardensHour

Hello! Since one of my goals is biodiversity, I'm excited to share I'm seeing dozens of native bees - at least eight different species! Think this is a type of mining bee on the horseradish (trying to blend food crops and natives.) #GardensHour

No, he retired about three years ago, so we also have Pup (We were able to gradually transition between the two.) She will turn 5 in August. Unfortunately, she has some limping going on. I suspect we'll discuss next steps relatively quickly. 😔 Hubs is a tall man, so a large dog is necessary.

I don't have many IRL friends on this platform, but it's easier to just post this than try to explain my absences from posting. Was a really tough night for all of us last night. Found hubs outside crying at 0030. We're all just trying to work our way through.

I wish I spent more time / gave this little gem more TLC. #GardensHour

Red: I have two species of bleeding hearts in the yard. Did have a third at Mom's but it doesn't appear to have survived the winter. Hummingbirds like 'em too! #GardensHour

I really was pleased with the tulips. They didn't bloom exactly together but I felt as if we had flowers for weeks! I need to do some bed maintenance and figure out what to add this fall. #GardensHour

Ohhhh, this is a cool Orange! I think this is called a Six Spot Spider and it was hunting in the gardens a couple weeks ago! (I'm looking for a different picture but had to share!) #GardensHour

Orange I have to fudge a bit, as it's not a very popular color here . . . . Closest I can come is this peachy tulip. Wish I had photos of the apricot begonia we're enjoying. #GardensHour

YELLOW - I think I have fallen in love. Planted dozens of these miniature Teté a teté daffs and they were amazing. Haven't figured out how ambitious I feel for this fall. Yet!!

GREEN Don't have any 2026 photos, but I'm pleased to report the asparagus are producing. I have a batch I meant to cook for Mum this morning but I ran out of time. (2025 photo) #GardensHour

Blue - my hubs gathered native blue flag iris from his man property a couple years ago and brought them for my mini pond! What a beauty! #GardensHour

Purples - we're coming into full lupine season. I'm debating the fate of these plants, as these are non native and they hybridize with the native species, creating an unusable food option for an endangered butterfly. Kinda proud of the pollinator photo! #GardensHour

Let's start with white! Horseradish blossoms with insect pollinators. Current obsession! #GardensHour

Had to rejig my morning plans, but may I say the skies and clouds this morning are truly spectacular! Good morning from the Northlands, where we have lows in low 50s andca forecast today in the upper 80s.

Good morning from the North! Rainy and gloomy outside, but I had planned ahead and used the cool morning to cook - cheesy (home-grown) asparagus angelhair pasta. May get an inch of rain overall, which would be splendid! Working on inside plants some this morning. #GardenGrewPeas

Summers here are short. Lots of festivals and food trucks. Lunch today 👇

Continuing my neighborhood #SciComm campaign - my newest chalk signs went out late this afternoon. I'm trying to come up with lots of options, so welcome feedback and suggestions. (Often post about birds or plants of note.)

Got a fascinating text to the wrong name . . . . A scam? Or a political group shenaniganing?

Good morning. I can hear the hummingbirds scold as they nectar. I did put out fresh warm syrup already - currently 35° F. Hoping this is the last really cold night but not assuming ANYTHING - this is northern New England! At least 3 hummingbirds - hard to count and they don't share well!

It's been a good day so far . . . Mom had an appointment that we got in early and booped right thru. Got home and her plants were delivered as we arrived. The new bakery has its new menu and YUM! Plants and desserts. Perfection. #GardenGrewPeas

That's too warm! We had one day about that temperature this week and then two nights with frost. May still be one frost ahead but I am starting to move plants out. I thought the weigela front right might have failed, but it is coming on strong now!

Good morning from the frost-free Northlands! I planned to sleep in but rolled over to see pink and managed to catch a portion of brilliance. 39.7° F, rain due this evening. I have so much gardening to do I don't know where I will start. Maybe with tea. And a pastry. #GardenGrewPeas