One-A-Day

A very late emergency blip... taken almost at dark!   I wish I could edit my garden as easily as I can edit a photo of it! Garden chaos? Crop! Weeds? Delete! My day lilies are still blooming but not for much longer... not too many buds left..one can count the number of days before there will be none! 

The task of bringing order back to the garden after my frequent absences over there summer  is daunting..and the rain, heat, and humidity so far have not helped. But..help might be on its way...

I had a wee chat with a neighbour who walks his dog past the house every day - his house is a block away and his front garden is to die for; but then, what could one expect? He is a professional gardener; in fact he is head gardener for a very prominent and wealthy person in Toronto (!) which is most impressive...

When he mentioned that he is ready to start retiring somewhat eg: working fewer days..my eyes lit up..my heart pounded..and I could not stop myself from asking...."Really? Retired with time on your hands? Need a challenge? I have one for you!" Actually, he said he IS interested in doing a little gardening on the side when no longer working full time.. Soooo, I dragged him into my back yard for a look and he started right away pointing out things he could do to help...(there was not exactly a lack of challenges) The hourly rate he quoted was very manageable. Could this possibly work out? How long before he will be ready to do this? I am trying not to get my hopes up..but ...OMG...what an opportunity may have just been dropped into my lap! 

Anyway, after my exciting adventure yesterday into the whole new and exotic world of exhaust system repairs, it was time to get back to the more mundane aspects of my life back in the city...fretting over my garden, getting a haircut, returning library books and shopping for groceries. and oh yes, taking care of my neighbour Elaine's cat Dickens while she is cottaging up north! 

Dickens does not like me - or most people.  He is an adorable looking ginger, (extra) but do not be fooled; as he has aged, he has become very grumpy and hostile and has taken to growling, hissing and spitting ...So taking care of him is pretty much restricted to providing food and meds...no petting, hugging, or playing. He is on a new med schedule administered with food three times a day - 6AM, 2PM and 10PM...which creates a bit of a challenge scheduling my agenda around his, but the good news is - it seems to be working.... which is a big relief for Elaine; she was really  worried about leaving him with his condition unresolved. And it makes me feel good to see that he is improving! Now, if he could just be more friendly...