Hurricane Sandy

Hurricane Sandy has just passed through.  It is pretty windy out there this morning but I'd say that we drew the long straw this time.  We did have some rain and wind overnight but nothing to frighten us.  Central Vermont must have been working overtime because our lights didn't flicker but once.

Unfortunately I can't post any pictures because I am so technically challenged that I can't figure out how to get my photos from my PC to my MacBook.

NEW CHAPTER

Back in August we welcomed Atticus into our family.  We drove to Toronto on a Thursday, spent the night in Milton, Ontario and drove Halton Hills to Dawin Kennels to meet Atticus and bring him home.  He has grown lots since this picture was taken and is a real caution.  Last night he had his first 'puppy class' and was absolutely a mess.   All the stuff that we had practiced at home went right out the window and he became a leaping wild man.  You can see the twinkle in his eye in his picture!!!   He'll get it but it'll be a challange.

We are having some 'weather' this afternoon.  The wind has picked up and the rain is steady and due to last through the night.  The summer has been a dry one so we are appreciating this good soaking.  When transplanting perrenials over the weekend I was surprised at how dry the gardens were.  Not just a few inches of dry soil but dry a good foot down.

NEW TREES

The guys from Elhannon showed up this morning just before 7:00.  I needed to drive FSS to Pittsfield as his jitney is in the shop with a bad gas line.  By the time I returned they had dug all three holes and place the trees.  Below is the Cornus Florida, just off the screen porch.

This is one of two Sargent Crabapple trees.  This one off the corner of the garage and the other behind the perennial garden.

RAINBOW AT DUSK

What a vision!  We had quite a rainstorm last evening and the temps dropped dramatically.  We were sitting at our little kitchen table chatting and noticed this rainbow in front of Cupcake Hill.

BANK SWALLOWS

This is a former gravel pit located on the 'dugway' just behind Tornabene's on Rte 7.  I stopped there on Monday on the off chance that there might be some active nests.  I counted seven!!!

GNATS

Thank fortune the extreme heat of the last few days has abated.  Unfortunately the gnats that appear with the heat and humidity have arrived in full force and have driven me indoors.  We just had a bit of a downpour an it seemed to me to be a good time to venture out to the garden and plant the two new miscanthus that have been sitting by the back door since Monday.  They are planted and have a good amount of compost in their holes but that was all she wrote.  My skin is crawling!!

GARDENING

Lovely morning in the nursery garden.  Pulled some weeds to uncover some perennials that I would like to transplant into the new bed in the front.  All was going well until I spotted a few leaves of the dreaded Bishop's Weed.    ARRRRRG !  I grabbed the Round Up and sprayed each leaf liberally.  I hate to use herbicides but Bishop's Weed requires extraordinary measures.  Unfortunately it has rained this afternoon and I may well need to reapply in  the morning.

In anticipation of planting in the new bed I made a trip to Whitney's in Cheshire for some new perennials.  The rain threw a spanner into that plan.  My plants are sitting in the back of the RTV having had a drink of fertilizer.  Tomorrow is another day.