Sassy

It's raining here. No, *really* raining! The grass got just a tiny bit green today, softening up from the hard crunchy prickly brown it had reluctantly grown to accept. Those peas better get growing! No excuses now!

We came up with one solution for the hungry deer: extend the poles holding the chicken wire fence, and string twine in two parallel rows above it, high enough so the deer can't jump over. Then, tie large strips of plastic from grocery bags (so far the Aldi one is the sturdiest) at regular intervals so that if deer want to lean down they have to push through plastic. Not a barrier, just a deterrent. So far, so good! Let's see if it works. Our neighbors are a bit perplexed by how ugly it is; one even offered us a fence. Ha! We laugh at fences! Ha! I haven't peed around the perimeter yet.

But the rain has reminded me of how I miss the woods and walking and green things. The smell of real wet earth and ozone and hearing thunder with lightning was enough to relax my whole body, and make me stop and just watch the sky without anxiety or worry or stress about money or kids or laundry or whatever the hell else is plaguing my bunched-up cranky mind these days. And I almost started to feel happy about riding in a car with an infant and an energetic 4-year old for days on end in a few weeks.

And a mama who shops at the co-op approached Chris at work and conspiratorially told him she didn't know his partner was so sassy. Well! Little does she know how sassy I *really* am.

The garden, even less so

Happy Father's Day to all those super Tatas out there who love love love their children and care for and nurture their partners. We love you!!

OK. I know what we need to do to protect the garden, but Chris couldn't get to the fence yesterday and - you guessed it - we lost about a third of the bean plants, most of one of the tomato plants (including all its juicy tomatos), and some zucchini and squash plants. I'm just about to lose my mind to these deer! They just walked right over the bunny fence, because they could. Time to get serious about deer control. I'm thinking about peeing around the perimeter. At least, as Louise mentioned, I don't have to worry about bears. Oh man.

Strategies:
Fence.
Stinky human smell
??

Suggestions welcome.

Deer - again

Well, the deer have discovered the tomatoes. I wondered how long it would take before the destruction of all my beautiful plants would begin, and now I need not wonder anymore. All three tomato plants are eaten down by half, and most of the flowers are gone. The deer ate the tops and sides they could easily reach by leaning over the bunny fence; it's only a matter of time before they eat all of it, I'm sure.

I think I'll plant a couple more plants next to the house, without compost-enriched soil, in the hopes of getting at least a few tomatoes this summer.

Last year they ate everything. But I feel unusually disappointed this time. Logically, I expected the deer but yesterday I just fell in love with those plants - they were so lush, so beautiful, and smelled soooo good. My attachment was too much, I reckon. A giant cosmic lesson.

They didn't touch the bean plants. I wonder when they'll be eaten. Of course, dear readers, you'll be informed as it happens.

Garden update

Oooh, my garden is growing!

All the zucchinis have flowered, and both cherry tomato plants have little green tomatos. All the beans have sprouted, the radishes are growing, the pumpkin and cukes are flowering, and the older patch of carrots is already a few inches high. The late-sown peas have finally sprouted, too. The winter squash is growing slowly, I hope it fruits this fall.

In the herb gardens, the valerian is as tall as Lola, with sweet-smelling white flowers. The feverfew has also blossomed, finally; the chamomile is everywhere (not "invasive", adaptable!); all 4 varieties of echinacea have sprouted, a little lavendar, too. The sunflowers are numerous, and have formed a little town by the lilac. They will look very cool if they make it to August. I'll be surprised if the calendula flowers. It's still really short, and not very dark green. I don't think I've found the right spot for it to grow well, yet.

The chives and green onion and basil and watercress and mint are up, tiny little seedlings.

What else?
Teddy bear sunflowers are doing great, downy sunflowers came up, a few black-eyed susans, the alyssum is slow growing, and the zinnias are taking their sweet time, too. And then there's the mystery flowers my Russian neighbor gave me, which are coming up slowly, too. The dill already smells great, and is a couple inches high.

Man, there's a lot going on. See, I have been busy.

Plus I found a monarch caterpillar on the milkweed this morning. Life is good!

Now, what's growing in YOUR gardens??

Read and shriek

One of my interesting relatives made sure I read this guy: joe bageant and his essay
And because I love to share, I thought you should know about him, too. For someone who name drops timothy leary, his writing is sharp and left. And full of fire! Woo hoo! While you're there, be sure to poke around his site. Very interesting writing.

Ugh. As I was typing this, I heard the sad squeaks of another baby rabbit being mauled by our neighborhood night cat. La la la, I can't hear you! la la la! Here's the backstory:

Yesterday, I notice a very tiny rabbit run out of my neighbor's garden as I am watering my my echinacea. The poor thing runs into the middle of her yard, and sits motionless. It's so small and cute, it could fit into the palm of my hand.

I watch it for a while, keeping its secret. :ater, I notice it's still there, and hasn't moved an inch. Trouble. I tell my neighbor when I see her that she has a rabbit in her yard, come see. We go over and worry over the troubled rabbit. It's in shock, I theorize. Or sick, she offers. She calls her daughter over to look at it, and she feeds it clover. My neighbor then tells me she found two decapitated baby rabbits that morning in her garden. Cat!

I've known about this cat since last summer, from foot prints, but this is concrete evidence of feline hunting and killing. The wanton blood lust of cats destroying a vulnerable rabbit hutch. My neighbor doesn't believe me, but humors me anyway. The baby's sibling chooses this moment to run out and nibble in my raspberries. It is even skinnier, so tiny! Eventually the stunned-not-sick rabbit #1 goes back under the shed to hide. But that night, I hear the awful shrieks of baby bunny death. Eee! Eee! Eee! May you never hear this, friends.

And tonight, again. How many more can there be?

Limited time offer, act now!

Mama #5 is officially printed! Copies are available to be mailed if you'd like one.

Non-Wisconsin mamas pay $2 per copy, unless you've already worked out a trade with me. AND this one has a beeyootiful full-color cover (thanks to the color copier at Kinko's), and there are 2 of those available for $3 each. Limited offer! Act NOW! Get your own copy of mama before they run out! If you live in WI, simply send me postage or a manilla envelope (not letter size) with .39 + .24 stamps on it addressed to you and I'll mail it out to you. The color copies will cost you, though.

I will also drop them off at the Menomonie Market (today), the Acoustic Cafe (tomorrow?), and eventually Legacy Chocolates (next few days). Tell your friends!

mama #5 is almost finished!

Ooooh, the next issue of mama (#5) is done, waiting to be photocopied! And not only that, but I actually kind of like this issue - unlike last issue.

If you really want one, let me know and I'll make a list. tell you friends! At jut $2 per copy, it's a bargain at any price. Plus, this one may have a few, limited edition full-color copies available for a slightly higher cost, if you're interested. I'll update the blog if it looks good.

This issue includes another fun essay by Tata, a bit about unassisted birth, gardening and parenting musings, and more.

Gotta comfort the cranky, constipated baby.