A Gardener's Diary

[Monksdream]

July 21,22--What do you do when the heat index surpasses 100. Go inside and stay there. Which is what I did Friday. I managed to get some tasks done by midday -- clearing out more cuke vines for replanting -- picking melons, cukes, tomatoes and peppers -- shelling radish pods -- stripping the lettuce plants for seed. Other things, too. Just too many to remember when it gets this hot. I did return later in the day, sometime after 6, to feed the cat. She refuses to come out from whatever cool spot she can find until late in the afternoon.

Saturday was different. It was hot, of course, but I stayed. I even worked until around 2 before dozing. CC the Calico Cat finally appeared, ate, and then disappeared. Between my own cat naps I sat in the chair to watch the bees and butterflies nectaring. A female Ruby Throat appeared -- the third time in three days. She inspected the zinnias, figured there were better pickings elsewhere, and zipped away. I will have to buy a feeder later this week from Wal Mart.

I'm up to 8 separate species of butterfly. An Eastern Tiger Swallowtail -- not be to confused with the Appalachian Tiger Swallowtail which only lives in the NC mountains -- made a visit to the zinnias.