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Flora & Fauna
Below, flowers from the garden. At first I was skeptfical that we'd attract butterflies and bees, we're so deep in the city. But during spring and summer, our flower beds are buzzing with activity. We've yet to attract humming birds, but the garden is young yet (just two years old). 
 Below are are some urban wildlife highlights: |
Jill and I have two dogs and two cats. They're a rowdy bunch, always making mischief. Left, Frieda -- our Bassett Hound -- is the crazy one. She'll eat anything. One time, with my hands full of vegetables I was about to chop, I dropped a carrot on the kitchen floor. When I returned to retrieve it only seconds later, it had disappeared. Frieda was there, of course, looking innocent. "Gee," I wondered aloud, "what do you think became of my carrot, Frieda?" She gave me a glance that was the equivalent of a shrug. Then I pried open her mouth and, yeah, there was the carrot in its entirety, as yet unchewed. Frieda has stolen so much food in so many ways, she's developed all kinds of strategies for getting what she wants. But when all else fails, she'll simply run with it. When we catch her, she surrenders immediately, rolling onto her back and looking at us with those sad, what's-the-matter? Bassett eyes. Her biggest coup was the night she ate two apple struedels from the kitchen table while Jill and I were upstairs. Oh, life is good!
Right, Jill with Simon. Jill used to work at an antiques consignment store. Occasionally, when a person died and an estate was consigned, a pet came with it. Simon was one such acquisition the store took on. He was so special -- so self-possessed and unafraid of anything -- the store owner decided to keep him. It was just a matter of time before Jill brought him home. He's the only cat I've met that hugs: he'll place a paw on each of your shoulders then draw near to nibble your ear. 
