Another day of spectacular sunny weather. I spent the morning walking to Homebase and then working in the garden. I bought a big bag of compost, a new flowerpot, and a tray of pansies for some hanging baskets. While in the garden center I saw a bunch of plants on a shelf including some lilies that had been tipped out of their now-absent pot and were lying, rootball exposed, like a patient in a hospital. Of course I thought: "I can save those!" I took them to the cashier and asked how much they were, and she gave them to me -- so I brought those home too.
I repotted our Amistad sage, which is looking spindly after its winter by the back door, and three honesty plants that were in a too-small pot. (The root ball was so tight I had to run a knife around the edge and then get Dave to hold the pot while I pushed the roots through the drainage holes to get it out.) Then I potted up the free lilies and two baskets of pansies, and put one by the back door and one by the front. Now everything seems happy. It will be interesting to see what color these lilies are. I haven't the faintest idea what to expect.
I also planted some corncockle and hollyhock seeds.
Speaking of seedlings, I'm noticing that some of my foxgloves are being eaten, I think by slugs. This surprises me because foxgloves are toxic, at least to humans -- they can alter the heartbeat. (They're the source of the heart medication digitalis.) I always thought them relatively impervious to pests, but then, maybe slugs don't have hearts?
(Actually, they do! Or snails do, anyway, so presumably slugs as well. The things you learn from blogging...)
Olga and I went to the cemetery around lunchtime. I'd planned to take her to the Heath, but she obstinately turned for the cemetery and would consider no other option. We didn't hear the turaco today but we heard it last weekend, so I guess it's around for another summer.
On Saturday, when we were taking our morning walk under that blue sky, we passed a guy working on a brick wall in front of a house. He had a portable radio sitting next to him, exuberantly blasting the old '60s song "Build Me Up Buttercup," and it was such a retro experience -- I suddenly felt like I'd time-warped back to a sunny Saturday morning in 1968. That song has been stuck in my brain ever since, the theme to this bright, relatively warm weekend ushering in a new spring.
Olga marked the seasonal change with a mud-bath -- you can't tell from this photo, but she'd just been lying in that puddle (as well as drinking it) and her undercarriage is coated as thoroughly as someone getting a spa treatment. Needless to say, a bath was in order when we got home.
53 comments:
I hope you returned that antiquity to its rightful country. Of course you rescued the lilies. What a guy. The park looks so inviting.
The plant whisperer strikes again! Good luck with them...that is a sweet pic of Olga. Happy Spring.
With an increase of blood flow and decrease of vascular resistance, perhaps the slugs eat the foxglove to become faster.
I think it's adorable how you want to rescue those lilies. It says something kind and dear about you as a person. Is that how you choose your animal companions? I've never heard your story about how you and Dave got Olga, but I suspect there's an element of lilies. involved.
I'm late in catching up, but I love the way you framed the Olga portrait that I painted. And now I wonder why I didn't do one of her lying in her mud bath, which would be a characteristic pose. She's a lucky dog, living her best life.
A lovely, upbeat blogpost. You could sing that earworm song to Dave:-
Baby, baby, try to find (Hey, hey, hey)
A little time and I'll make you happy (Hey, hey, hey)
I'll be home, I'll be beside the phone waiting for you
Ooh ooh ooh, ooh ooh ooh
'Tis a queer thing how young people like music decades old, even music before our time. When I was young I did not like the music my parents and grandparents liked.
Oh yes, good photos.
I love that you rescue plants and dogs. Olga looks quite content when covered in mud.
Well, now I wanna flop in a mud puddle and sing 'Build Me Up Buttercup.'
Look out!
Have you considered that now all of your readers will be going about with that song in their heads? Thankfully, it's a nice song. And it surely looks like a nice day for humans and dogs alike.
I wonder why the lilies were left out of their pots. And you walked back carrying all that stuff? Kind of sad to see the figure in the dirt. Was the rest of her head broken off or buried?
Portrait of a happy dog playing pig in mud. How nice you are to rescue plants. My neighbor rescues them from the dumpster, only he brings them to me to care for!
I love that you rescued those lilies. They were so lucky that you spotted them and took them home. You are the flower whisperer.
I love Olga's mud days!
With all the plants you have , you need an acreage of some kind!
It certainly looks like spring has arrived in London. Great looking weather. I'm guessing that statue was found at the cemetery. It looks very ghostly. Spa day for Olga!
Olga thinks you are mad, washing off all of that lovely , refreshing, mud bath. Why would you do that!There is just no explaining humans.Mud , good, bath , bad.
Jealous of your fine weather- rain for days here and well into the next week.
What is it about mud that dogs love so? We've been having nice weather lately too. Tomorrow, though, the cold temps will be back. Enjoy your day, hugs, Edna B.
I didn't have to wait until you mentioned it in your post. The title of your entry planted the ear worm! (and not bad one to have)
We have lots of slugs around here and they definitely have favorites in the plant eating category. They love most of the annuals I plant. I don't think they like marigolds?
How do you carry all those items home? Do you have a wagon for them?
So I'm telling my husband about your "Build Me Up Buttercup," story while walking in a parking lot and am wondering aloud what comes after that. What do you think happens? Two passing women suddenly belt out; 'I need you (I need you) more than anyone, darlin', you know that I have from the start
So build me up (build me up) Buttercup, don't break my heart'. Too funny!
I keep thinking we'll see pansies in the market any day now. And I also know I'm overly optimistic -- just hopeful! Love the mud bath -- that's a dog for you!
Gosh, lots of good cheer.
Pansies and free lilies. A good day.
The second photo was too forensic x
The music of our past lives inside us I think, waiting to be activated anew. You’ve activated buttercup for me today. Now I too can’t get it out of my head.
I had that song in my head the minute I read your title. I'm growing quite fond of seeing Olga almost daily, she's such a happy girl.
But it might belong to the British Museum!
We'll see what happens! I hope my whispering works!
Slug speed!
Olga is indeed a rescue -- we got her from an organization called All Dogs Matter. I'm glad you like the Olga frame job!
I don't need to be beside the phone -- Dave is usually in the same room!
Yeah, I've noticed that too -- the songs that were popular when I was a kid remain popular now. It's interesting how often I hear "classic rock" or retro pop. I seldom hear newer stuff, but that's probably because I'm just not listening to those channels/artists.
She LOVES mud. But then she's so picky about rain. Go figure!
I think you should, and post pictures! :)
Yeah, I kind of deliberately planted that earworm. It's a perfect song for spring!
I think the lilies fell off the shelf or off the delivery van and somehow the pot got separated from the plant...who knows. Yes, I carried it all home. NOT EASILY!
I didn't excavate the figure to see how intact the rest of it was. It was sort of picturesque, half-buried like that.
Ha! I think whoever pulls them out of the dumpster has to keep custody. LOL
Hopefully they will repay us with some impressive flowers!
I suppose we have an acreage, though I'm not sure how many acres it is. (A half, maybe?)
Yes, it was on a grave at the cemetery, looking like a Roman ruin!
We're having a sunny spell, beginning last weekend and lasting up to the beginning of April.
Maybe it helps prevent or kill ticks and fleas and stuff like that, so it's instinct for them to roll in mud...?
There are worse ones! (I won't mention them. :) )
Ours LOVE marigolds. The strong scent seems to attract them, actually.
I carried them in my arms, but it wasn't easy! I always think I buy just enough to get home comfortably, and then about halfway I realize I bought too much. :)
Ha! That's awesome! I love that the song I heard on the radio in passing here in London has spread around the world. :)
You'll see them soon, I'm sure!
Spring! And let's face it -- we all need our spirits lifted.
Indeed!
Ha! Crime scene!
Sorry, and -- you're welcome!
It's funny how literally EVERYONE knows this song! Everyone in blogland, anyway.
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