In the Garden this Morning.

Our little robin family has been a bit obsessed with our serviceberry tree this week.   In fact right now they are having a little squabble about it underneath the tree.   It was only after my sister had posted this beautiful photo of her homegrown salad that I remembered you could eat these little berries.  In the past we had tried them but they were very bitter.  I guess our little tree has matured enough now to produce this sweet, blueberry like treat.

Photo by Kathleen Maunder.

We don't have as many on our tree as Kathy has in this bowl but I think I may know why.

I really couldn't believe he let me get this close.  He gripped the berry in his hands until the very last moment. While amazed and snapping photos I did have visions of him  leaping from the branch into my hair.  The memories of a recent dream of flying squirrels is still rather vivid in my mind. :)

The coveted prize.

Yesterday, while weeding in our back garden for the first time this season. (I know some of you are shaking your head in disbelief and disgust!!)  I found this lone, slight stem.  I was pretty sure it was a poppy that had seeded from our neighbour's garden.  Although it had landed in a bit of a strange spot I weeded around it.

Today this beautiful poppy is starting to open up.  I must try to plant these again.  I just love poppies.

The (Mis) Adventures of Chippy

Monday morning while sipping on a coffee at our kitchen table, and peacefully working on the computer, I noticed something running by in our backyard.  When pulling back the curtains I saw a cat.  There are very few cats running at large in our neighbourhood and of the ones I had seen this one was unfamiliar.  He was a scruffy one with a snarl on his face and he glared right at me.  Ok. maybe he didn't have an actual snarl on his face but he definitely was scruffy and I'm almost positive he glared at me.  He was preoccupied with something in our garden and then all of a sudden he sprang into the cedars and shrubs.  I was quite horrified thinking he was after one of our birds.  I knew the mourning doves regularly sit in the garden back there.  When he emerged from the shrubbery it took me a moment to realize it was not a bird but a small animal....on no a chipmunk. It's Chippy!   The strange, guttaral sound coming from my mouth startled the cat and he dropped Chippy. I was sure he would be dead but after a few seconds of shocked stillness he scrambled off into the neighbour's backyard.

I watched and searched for him throughout the day.  I was sure I was going to stumble upon him lying in the garden bleeding or worse. Tuesday came and almost went with no sign and then last night at dinner a familiar friend showed up.  Springing around and popping in and out of his chipmunk hole.  He looked good and I sensed his new fresh outlook on life.  Chippy would definitely stop and smell the roses this week...as would I.