still more?

More flowers to snip, more bugs having a July field day, more storms on the way, more work to do.

But, too, we have come to a point where moderation is called for. Take the job of deadheading lilies: I snipped off 886 spent flowers today. I'm pretty sure that's an all time record. I took a long time to get through all the fields and of course, those spent flowers are a gloppy, sticky mess. I've been dumping them in the old orchard because Ed tells me that the compost pile isn't the best place for them. He tries to mow down and shred all our organic matter (mostly weeds) before adding it to the compost heap and you cannot shred wet lily heads. Halfway through my lily snipping I wondered -- when will I have time to do this next week when I have a house guest who wakes as early as I do? And my next thought -- I wont be very upset if the numbers start moderating.

The bugs came under temporary control today as we bought ourselves a brief reprieve by allowing for another spraying of the "natural" (whatever that means) stuff. It never lasts more than a couple of days, but it will allow me to work outside tomorrow without bugs biting me all over my face (their latest favorite territory). 

Moderation: I'm also noticing that my weed control at this point is not so perfect. I'm letting some of the stuff remain in the flower fields. Sure, I can blame the bugs, but realistically -- I just haven't the time for it all. Right now the garden's appearance is of paramount importance and that's where I put in the most work. What grows at the base of the fields? Well, I go after some of it, but not nearly with the dedication I had just a few weeks back, when that's all that I had to do.

Given that these days are most definitely lily days, let me post some photos of their beautiful faces -- alone, in groups, with other flowers. They're all magnificent!

Breakfast? On the porch. Of course.

And just before noon, I head out to pick up the big two from their Shakespeare program for lunch and play at the farmhouse.

Because it has been a while since they've spent their afternoon here, everything seems fresh and satisfying. Toys, games, books, foods -- all wonderful. Kids... it's so easy for them to find pleasure in very ordinary moments.  

The evening is stormy and wet. I hope it all passes quickly enough. We don't need more weeds, bugs,  or rainy days. But of course, our storms are small stuff compared to those that do very real damage. And I have to admit it -- all those drizzles and downours really did give the lilies a stellar season of blooms. Shall we slow down now? Just an idea...

with so much love...