Catartis

Temporary Escapes from Cyberspace

Sometimes I wonder why I bother to put out flowers that will only be gobbled by nasty little buggie things. Japanese beetles shred anything they can eat, snails turn my lilies and hostas to lacework and then there are the ever present white flies. *sigh*

But then the hummingbirds start their midsummer mating rituals on the back patio and the butterflies and dragonflies start to wander in. Suddenly it begins to feel like it was worth planting and picking at plants that will withstand full, hot afternoon sun in Tennessee.

We have had the most adorable little male ruby throat take over our patio as *his turf* in the last few days. He buzzes me when I am by the study window and I can't decide if he has been flirting or fighting. If he was flirting, I am afraid I have been tossed away for another woman, because as of this morning, there has been a small green, lady hummer inspecting what he has to offer.

Our little James Bond Birdie has been graciously letting her inspect his bug supply, feeders and the plant that seems to have her most fascinated. That would be a rather strange and scraggly looking plant with small, salmon colored trumpet flower clusters that smells heavenly. An Agastache Acapulco Orange ... whatever in the heck that might be. I saw it, I liked the smell [and noticed that the butterflies and bumbles liked it in the Home Depot garden shed] so home it came to replace the white petunias which were frying in my hot sun basket.

Potential *Mrs. Bond Birdie* must have inspected every tiny trumpet on the plant this morning. I was picturing her as having tiny white gloves, running them across *his* pad to see if she could rescue it from it's bachelor mess. And somehow, I don't think she cares a bit that Mr. JB Birdie might be a bit of a rouge. I think she's one of those ladies who wants an afternoon of wild sex, followed by flowers galore and sweet treats to eat.

Hopefully, we will be summer hosts for her and her little family soon, and those horrid Japanese beetles will head back underground for another year so my hibiscus blooms won't be pretty only in the mornings and gnawed full of holes by midafternoon.

This too shall pass, I hope. Someone please convince the bluejays that they might be a tasty treat!

One of these days I might even come back to cyberspace, I've just been enjoying *being away* for a bit. We shall return from the garden and other non-computer related activities, soon enough. Right now, I think I might go watch the ritual and squish a few bugs while *THE* Cat soaks up a bit of sun.

Farron
[and a porch-bound, sun worshipping _^OO^_ ]

Posted by farron at July 21, 2004 01:28 PM