A hundred degrees and humid is not the ideal time to be messing with concrete pavers, but it was only a small job, so…

I dug out the dirt a little bit; took out weeds, leaves, sticks and anything that would negatively affect the stability of the paver base. I had…I think five bags, and used them all.

Packed down the sand same as I did on the patio. I think I had six bags of sand, but used only three.

All of the pavers in place, cracks packed with sand and paver base.

Packed dirt all around the Trash Pad. Done! It took me just a few hours from start to finish, and I didn’t need to cut anything. I hope the paver base will stay in between the pavers when it rains hard and all that water goes flowing across it!

Now flowers and bugs…because they go with concrete. A nice surprise from columbine, which is a spring bloomer.

Leaf-cutter bee. I think this is an alfalfa leaf cutter, but I can’t swear to it; those little dudes look a lot alike.

Native hibiscus. I have three colours; dark pink, light pink, and nearly white with crimson centre.

I think this is my favourite.

The very rare Apis oriole.

Vicious attack by a southern flying squirrel. Oh my GAWD. Onje had something, so I went to look. I thought the little flying squirrel was dead, so I went down to put deer repellent around the mountain-ash and morning glory. I went to take it from Onje when I got back, but then it started to move. Thinking it needed to be put out of its misery, I reached for it…and it jumped. As I was chasing the cats away, the squirrel made a run for it, and, mistaking my leg for a tree, tried to climb me! He eventually made it over to the sweetgum, and he was gone. I hope the little dude doesn’t get an infection from the cat attack; I didn’t see any blood, but…anyway, I hope he lives, and I can honestly say this is the first time I’ve been scratched by a flying squirrel!

Sweet Tea looks like shit, but its leaves are regrowing, and it’s blooming again. I’ll forgive it.

Just one berry on it.

Pano from Sunday morning, blown highlights, harsh sunlight and all. Don’t forget to link to the full size.