OF MICE AND AND OWLS AND MEN

Did the Butterfly count and then - more exciting, next door have barn owls nesting and when clearing out a drain they also found an eel.

All we have are mice, rabbits and our big fat rat.

The mice are extraordinary, a bit like Norman MacCaig's ring plover - 

They sprint eight feet and – 

stop. Like that. They 

sprintayard (like that) and 

stop. 

They have no acceleration 

and no brakes. 

Top speed’s their only one.

Well, maybe not 8 feet - see for yourself what they were doing one night.

We have four types of hydrangea in the garden - one is a cutting of Annabelle, below but has sported pink and is shoved up be the top fence.

There are three cuttings in the cutting bed and one has been given to PB as a gift. (Praying it does not snuff it.)

One plant I like is the sea holly - this is the wild one from Askam shore. It grows in the sand and shingle above the tide line and just below the marram grass in the low dunes. The blue-grey colour is always a useful addition to a bed as a contrast in texture, foliage and colour.

We have finally had enough rain to top up the pond and it is now losing its dead colour. Around the banks the yellow loosestrife and spirea thrive as do the meadow sweet and marsh woundwort.

Above the pond the red rose given to us by PJR (M) clambers up the holly in the hedge and the flowering rush lights up a dark area of the water.

We have had one flower on our sweet peas - great achievement - well, better than last year and have eaten some delicious broad beans. The new chard is doing well as are the Brussels sprouts though the latter have to be checked for the caterpillars of the cabbage-white butterfly.

The courgette has suddenly expanded with the rain and is spreading in all directions. So far I have managed to keep the rabbits off the parsnips and carrots, so far.

Outside the house the Lilium regale are starting to go over so here is a last blast. The scent is heady.

So much needs to be done and so little desire to do much - let alone with my right shoulder rotator cuff injury - still aches.

So, what can I say to stir the world up - as if it is not enough chaos already. 

Now I am in trouble -

MEN

Men, that’s the problem,

that’s the problem - men!

I’ve heard women say it

again and again.

What can they do

that women cannot?

What are they good for?

Well, not a lot.

They invented religion

to keep women down,

cover their heads,

kneel on the ground.

They can’t multitask,

they’ve a one-track mind,

can’t think out of the box

you’ll generally find.

Together they’ll talk

about this and that -

of course ‘this’ is sport, 

but then so is ‘that’,

beer and some scratchings,

down at the pub, 

or if they’re posh it’ll

be at the club

drinking wine, eating olives,

nibbles and such,

discussing their ailments.

What else? - not much.

So men, that’s the problem,

power and control,

they’re scared women might

run the whole rigmarole.

So here’s some advice

to the ladies from me,

get rid of the men,

set yourselves free.

With careful A.I.

there would be only girls

and you all could live

in a happier world.

If you wish to subscribe or get updates via email re this blog there is a place on the top right of the blog page.