Oops! Doing what I have chastised people for doing - not a good look

I have repeatedly chastised people (silently) who volcano mulch their trees with either rocks or mulch. Surrounding the base of a tree doesn't allow it to breathe and invites rot and insect activity. So one day, as I'm looking at the overgrowth mess at the base of our giant Chinese Elm we love so much in the backyard, I realized with a shock, that I am GUILTY of a version of volcano mulching that didn't enter my pea brain. In my case, it's putting potted plants at the base of the tree, allowing debris to pile up. Allowing too many spider plants to take over and suffocate the base - not to mention just covering up any other decorative elements. So with the zest of a born again gardener, I have started the process of clearing out and sprucing up. Naturally this project was begun during the hottest weeks we've had to date because why not? Nothing like working up a good sweat, right?

This does have a certain charm, until you look closely and realize certain things are not thriving by being choked out.

As I pulled pots away from the base, the amount of leaf buildup was a bit unnerving. Poor tree was gasping. You can see the dark band at the base of the tree. Not good.

Another view of the overgrowth. The large blue pot held plants that had been knocked over in the wind/firestorm we had in January and were not thriving. In remaking the area, high winds, which now seem to be a given, are being taken into account.

Ferns seemed to be a good choice for the pot because it doesn't get too much sun. The ferns that were thriving in another area of the yard had been destroyed in the windstorm, so I salvaged what I could and hope they will fill in nicely in a year or two. All the spider plants are gone as well. While the wind isn't an issue for them, they just weren't thriving and were creating a debris catch-all.

This is as far as the rehab goes so far. Still thinking how to finish off this area without choking the tree and allowing other plants to thrive. A work in progress.

How does he do it?

Nellie's bestie Nick has many talents, with getting seriously sick during a heatwave being only one. We worry about the boy frequently. However, today he showed us not only his bright eyes, but a talent we weren't aware existed in reality. Apparently now dogs can take selfies. Here's proof.

Not only that, but they can text with the best of them. When I texted Nick's mom to make sure she was really home (and yes, I knew she was), he texted back this masterpiece:

That boy is talented on soooo many levels.

 

Sadness creates lifesaving happiness

We got the very sad news that Lenny and Jack, two of the sweetest little dogs, succumbed to their old age within one week of each other. The normal thing to do would be to grieve for months and then maybe look for another dog. Fortunately for 10 year old siblings Billy Bob and Penny Sue, M's sister and brother-in-law embraced the notion they should have a home as soon as possible and went to a shelter an hour away to adopt two charmers. The double names are the because the dogs lived in South Carolina (it's a Southern tradition) until their guardian died. We're told they are energetic and clingy, and they make two sad people laugh - which is a good thing. 

They may look as if they will create mayhem, but the next photo tells the true story that they have fit right in.

Perky is as perky does (whatever that means)

 Nellie's bestie Nick has been truly suffering in the heatwave we've been experiencing. Well, in all fairness, Nick thinks anything above 75 degrees is too hot. When he's having the vapors he won't eat, he refuses treats, and he looks like he's near collapse. Imagine our surprise on our last visit when he not only DEMANDED treats, but was zesty. It was so good to see his alert, whadda ya gonna do for me expression, it's impossible not to share his cuteness.

Welp - that's it for me today says Angel

Last night was National Night Out and we decided to crash a block party that was happening a couple of streets away. Baking my world famous brownies (in a three block area) and taking them seemed to be a clever way to blend in. We were also greeted by the many neighbors who knew us (and actually invited us). All in all, a jolly evening. HOWEVER - the duo we were expecting, and had assured us would be present, were missing. A quick text and -- disappointment followed. They weren't coming. The reason -- Miss Angel was too tuckered out to move. As follows:

 Yup - totally crashed. Sweet dreams. And excused.

Stunning simplicity

There is a house on our dog walks that has a nice yard and occasionally their overly exuberant dogs are out to loudly and repeatedly say hello. But this, surprisingly, isn't about dogs (for a change). They added a touch to their entry gate that is just so simple, and yet stunning. It reminds me of Japanese bonsai (though it isn't at all), and being in front of a Craftsman style house, which has Japanese origins, it makes perfect sense.