Growing Things In May

The bantam hens can't go outside anymore, but they seem happy and content in their room inside the barn:

They have not yet totally soiled the pine shavings I put down when I cleaned their room:

The fantail pigeons are paired off and making nests, but nothing yet has come of their efforts:

They have soiled their pine shavings more than the chickens have, and I have to clean my shoes each time I leave their room:


But on to cleaner topics - One of the plum trees suddenly put out buds:


And then just as suddenly, the whole tree burst into bloom:

I cut some branches and put them in a vase, which I brought to church. It was so tall that I had to set it on the floor next to the pulpit:

And my PJM Rhododendron put out buds:

And then the flowers began to open. This was the first open flower, but I hope to have pictures in future posts when the entire bush is in full bloom:

Seed tray number one, with my two new Begonias at one end. The seedlings, from top to bottom, are  Gaillardia apricot, Gaillardia red, Gaillardia sunset, and New York Asters:

Seed tray number two, top to bottom. Bachelor's Buttons, Rose Mallow, Chives, Globe Thistle. Sadly, the Rose Mallow seeds again did not germinate:

A new variety of Daffodils was the last to bloom, this one white with a pale yellow center:

Cats And Dogs

I am happy to say that all the house pets are healthy and happy, with no crises for me to handle. Bugsy and Daisy sat together on a yoga mat to watch my every move:

Similarly, the dogs use the back yard to watch my every move:

 
And the cats now expect a fun chase with the laser pointer every evening before I go to bed:

   When I work outdoors, the dogs can almost always see me from their back yard. Watching me holds their attention most of the time:

Clover, Fergus and Jack shared the big, green floor pillow:

 

And Bugsy, whose job it is to drape himself over things and look luxurious, enjoyed one of the pet beds:


Clover often curls up in the tall grass by the rocks at the north end of her fenced yard. I think she is sunning herself, as the sun hits her there at almost all times of the day:

A typical kitchen corner collection: Clover, Fergus, Jack and Caspar:


Only Daphne uses the dog house, but Clover at least came close to it on this day:

A typical scene in the farm house - Jack, Daisy and Sammy formed a line from the kitchen to the computer room:

Clover, Bugsy, Caspar and Jack:

Seamus, Bugsy and Daphne on one of the new yoga mats. They had ruined the old ones so I had to replace them. Poor Seamus can't navigate the slippery floors without them: