Wednesday, August 24, 2016

And A Cow Plowed Through It

God grant me the serenity to accept the loose cow at the top of my driveway
The courage to chase the damn thing away
And the wisdom, speed and agility to run if I have to.

The disturbances continue. Orange tag.





















So I walked back down to the house to call my farmer and when I returned the cow was coming down my driveway. It was me, the cow and a truck blocking its escape route.

Shoo cow. Shoo.

So it plowed right through the roadside vegetable garden. Several tomato cages were dislocated.





















But praise be, the finest okra patch I have ever grown was spared.





















At dinner this evening Bulbarella says, "I saw a cow walk by my kitchen window this morning."

Oh dear Lord. Did the cow stomp through the garden?

No. It wandered out to the back forty and headed into the forest.

Hmmm? I wonder if the farmer found his cow? Ohmm.





















Last night I decided to hire myself out as a gardener to Bulbarella's broken boyfriend. He'll need time for his bones to heal. I designed and planted the bulk of his garden so I know what it needs. It is a much smaller and tidier version of the Tall Flower Meadow planted as a trap to lure in bugs for him to capture, kill and add to his collection.





















My bugs are safe. I am also happy to report that the loose cow did not stomp through the Tall Flower Meadow.





















I wonder if my farmer found his cow. The last thing I need is a feral cow colony just beyond the back forty making foraging excursions into the gardens.





















It has felt all week like I am surrounded by evil forces intent on stomping the Tall Flower Meadow before my open garden day on Saturday. I have been having to put up my shields and fend them all off. After work today I tidied up the mess the tree trimmers left along Bulbarella's driveway. Once I got in there they were down graded to a C for cleanup. I can't fix the stompage.

Let's not mention the weather. So far it has been most cooperative.





















It could just be pre-show jitters, but I have done this often enough that I don't really fret over the garden itself. Outside forces are much more concerning.





















Right now it looks fabulous and only needs to get through three more days intact.





















I will be even happier if it remains intact until the first of November when the tree trimmers return.





















Then, God grant me the serenity to accept barbarians in my garden





















The courage to supervise and direct the cleanup crew




















And the wisdom to restrain my sharp tongue and replace it with kindness.


4 comments:

Lisa at Greenbow said...

I had to giggle about the cow.
It does seem that there is a magnet in your garden for garden marauders.
Only three days until open garden. It will be ok. Don't panic.
Namaste.

Marsha M said...

After reading your wonderful blog for over a year and yearning to see the lush in person what happens? We go to Maine for a week and that weekend you host an open garden. Darn. I know it will be beautiful but I am sorry to miss it. A drive-by is called for at a later date, before the end of September. Good luck and have fun. The garden looks marvelous, darling.

beverly said...

Buy a case of beer and they will do anything you want!
"Feral cow colony". Thanks for my laugh of the day!

Christopher C. NC said...

Lisa I should count my blessings that the herd of wild pigs hasn't stopped in for a visit. Turkey and deer I am used to. Deer are really dainty compared to cows. You have to look for the signs or you might not know they had been in the garden.

Marsha sorry you can't make it. I did half lie to the utility's head of maintenance when I told him I was having two open garden days, the second being Sept. 17th when all the blue asters will be in bloom. I'm open to having visitors then. The garden is looking marvelous. Thanks.

Bev I am considering offering treats to the tree trimmers. A feral cow colony is not out of the question. Last week a flock of roosters was up here crowing. I suspected someone tossed them and wondered how long they would last.