I've decided not to do battle with weeds in my usual all-or-nothing way. Just consider them a green manure crop. I keep them loosely in check and pull them when they threaten my crops.

Now, look at all the food and flowers on the way! The cucumbers are starting to run, the beans and peppers are blossoming, I have baby squash, eggplant and peppers, and the zinias and calendulas I grew from seed are growing quickly. I have been watering most days. I'm fertilizing and mulching just with what I have on hand. No $ in this garden other than seeds and a few plants. Aren't the tomatoes doing well? Last year that was the only crop that did poorly. These are a special disease resistant variety. I do hope to get a crop from these 2 plants. Enjoy the views!

Sandhill Cranes are rare birds, but they're common in our neighborhood at this time of year. They appear in groups of 2 or 3, rarely singly. Usually one bird stands guard while the others forage. They love my backyard because of a wet area at the opening of a culvert where they can drink and also eat whatever tidbits favor the damp ground there. They are not shy birds. You can often see them walking down the boulevard in middle of the road, causing cars to stop or follow them slowly until they decide to move over. My cats are afraid of them but will crouch in the grass and watch from a safe distance.

Easter, Cat in the Garden

Garden with recumbent cat:

You can't make me leave:

Oh! Ecstasy!

Such a beautiful day. It' Easter, my favorite holiday. I've been working a lot. There are lots of little weeds in the garden. They don't worry me. I will enjoy pulling them up while sitting on my stool in the warm sunshine. So much life to observe in a garden! One little problem, though: How do I keep Rosie out of the garden when I'm working in it? She doesn't realize that I tread carefully. She likes the cool dirt. All four feet in the air, she wiggles back and forth, scratching her back on the rough ground. How can I make her leave when she is enjoying herself so much? Oh, I guess I can sacrifice the little zinia seedling she worries, there are so many others.

Look! There is an eggplant blossom already! I planted these about 2 weeks ago.

And a tomato blossom!