Fall garden

The backyard garden always has a hard time at this season of the year. By late September it has usually been dry for a few weeks, and the sandy soil just bakes. Earlier this week even the raspberry canes were starting to wilt. This is when I realize that I really need to add organic matter to the soil. Lots of fibre to hold on to moisture and give the roots a chance of reaching deep enough to stay alive through the winter. Call me cheap, I just can't bring myself to water it enough to keep it happy!

Camping at Baker's Narrows

We went north for Labour Day Weekend, to Baker's Narrows just east of Flin Flon.  We had reserved our spot back in May, choosing one of the few reservable spots based on its number (we like the number 22).  Turns out it is one of the best spots!  Neighbours not too close and this great view just over a small rock ridge.

Brother Duck

Our campsite attracts an odd assortment of neighbours!  This flock of ducks - I think they are a nestful of juveniles - followed us home from the beach.  

They marched right up the path, along the road and into our campsite.  They looked at us inquiringly: "got anything to eat?" We found a few crackers.  Apparently we are not the first campers at this site to find a few crackers!

They hung out for a while but stayed back a bit once the dog noticed them.  

They were rather like a group of monks going on their daily alms rounds.  They have no begging bowls, just a hopeful look in their eye and a willingness to eat right off the ground.

Do not adjust your set

I was having some technical difficulties adding photos to my posts.  Not so good when they are about a picture!  Seems to be fixed now.  Sorry about the delay!

Midsummer Garden

This garden is at its peak in mid to late June, when this picture was taken. The Shasta daisies are in full bloom and the purple iris bloomed for the first time this year. At this point I started to realize just how crowded the garden is. The raspberries are taking over the right side so that nothing else has a chance to grow there. I don't know why I thought it would be a good idea to plant vegetables here!

Spring garden

Sorry, I got a bit behind with garden updates. I have been busy with my vegetables at the community garden. This is how the corner garden looked in late May or early June when the first few plants were starting to poke above ground. Promising, but still a little sparse.

Epinette

One of my favourite spots. Just a few steps from a gravel parking lot to the rolling prairie. Step carefully or you'll get cactus thorns between your toes! Past the cactus patch and the rolling hills begin. You can bike across the prairie, or hike it if you don't mind climbing up just to climb down again. It's a beautiful walk but the sun can be merciless.

Beautiful blooms today - purple prairie clover, pink onion, wild bergamot, goldenrod, sage, and others that I can't remember the names of. The first time I came here, years ago, there was forest here. Since the fire the blue Grama grass has taken over along with all these wild flowers. Charcoal and decaying wood feed the soil for new trees to grow. A few remain to lead the succession.

This spot feels sacred, and it's not just because of the sundance site nearby. Here you can feel the slow insistent cycle of life.