M arrived on Wednesday evening, and I’d taken two days off work for his visit. The weather was decidedly uncooperative, but we got stuff done anyway.

Thursday, I tidied up flowerbeds; taking out dead stuff and pulling weeds. M offered to help–he really is quite lovely–but I don’t mind doing that stuff, and he was here to see P, not slave away in the yard for me. Anyway, I got most of them done on Thursday. Lots of green peeking through, and at least some of the Radio Red salvia made it.

On Friday, P and M went to pick up some soil and mulch for me that will be used in the No-Mo flowerbed I’ll make soon. M had a truck, so I got lots. He not only went to get it, but stacked it neatly on the patio.

They also picked up my baby pine trees. Tree Dude is coming tomorrow to tell me what it’s going to cost to get the bush honeysuckle out of the way so I can plant a pine grove.

P asked M to go up on the roof to blow off the sweetgum balls. Thank Christ for gutter guards; without them, I’d have said no because it would be too much to expect of someone who doesn’t actually live here! Anyway he made short work of it, and tossed my extension ladder around as if it were nothing. Christ, it’s all I can do to wrangle it in place to climb a tree. Anyway here’s the Texas Leafblower Massacre, and the roof is clear of debris!

I didn’t do much on Friday because we were taking photos, and therefore, scary hair, no makeup, and ratty gardening clothes were out. We took pictures as the sun was setting, then sat mostly in the garage, drinking and talking.

Cat Gangsta. I took another with a serious gangsta face, but I like this one because he’s laughing.

M left this morning at a bit before nine, and I went out to do the cosmos bed, which I cleared of debris, weeded, and seeded. There are lots of 544 Bright Lights seedlings, but bees think more is better.

I threw Mammoth Russian seeds in the bare spot where I’d planted that tough stinging nettle. They’re a few years old, but I threw them in by the handfuls, so even if 10% germinate, that’s plenty.

I planted some dill and carrot in the Black Swallowtail bed.

I think Wave petunias planted themselves. Too small to tell for sure yet, but we’ll see.

I put in two more stepping stones. Only two left to go!

Planted pots of scarlet pumpernickel and oak leaf morning glory. I also put morning glory and Monarda fistulosa in Sarah-Flah’s garden.

When I moved the old lady’s clematis last year, it came with a bonus violet. I left it…and I know what all those little seedlings are! Don’t care–I love wild violets.

I love them so much, I took the volunteers that were growing in an old planter and put them over by the pond. I remember picking violets from our lawn for Mrs. Fletcher when I was in Grade Primary. Mrs. Caldwell, too!

Virginia bluebells are beautiful. I’m glad I planted them even if they don’t last for long before going dormant.

Volunteer tomato in Sarah-Flah’s garden, nowhere near last year’s volunteer tomato.

In “still indoors because taro is tropical” news, we finally have a tiny sprout.

A bit damaged by the cold lately, but the first bract has appeared on the dogwood out front. I’ll take it, damaged or not!

Laundry tomorrow, then back to work. I’m glad I took time off, though; it was nice getting to know M a bit. He even knew what plants crave, and nobody gets that!

P.S. I also planted the saliva ‘Vista Red’ that I’d got a week or so ago into hanging pots. Two in the Trail of Tears bed, one out front, and one outside the Man Cave. I should’ve had my MLB feeders out by now, but I swear I’ll get them done tomorrow, and now they’ll have some red flowers, too.

P.P.S. Threw 3000 Dianthus seeds into the south side of the Honeysuckle Horseshoe. Hope I don’t regret that! 🙂