WILTING SUMMER ROSE

Summer, 2011 will definitely go down as one of the toughest this old gardener can recall - persistent heat reminiscent of opening the oven door when baking biscuits at 400 degrees without the promise of a single yummy bite, hair-curling humidity and dehydrating drought.  You gotta love Mississippi summers! 

Having finally made it to August and the little kiddies back in school, hopefully some of us can go to a local football game and manage to sit on the bleachers without getting bun blisters.  But for me, I am just an old wilting summer rose waiting around for the beautiful butterflies that are everywhere this time of year. 

PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS

All lovers of birds, you just must give them a nice cool place to drink and get a good bath.  It's such easy, cheap fun to watch them come and enjoy themselves.  Use a container that is at least the size of a large dinner plate and about 2 inches deep.  I have been using an old plant saucer for about 15 years.  It sits on a big stump of railroad cross tie and is near a bush they can hide in until brave enough to perch for a drink.   They drop in everyday about mid morning and late afternoon.  Cardinals are the most frequent visitors and usually come in as a couple.  He always takes the bath first while she patiently waits.  Very interesting to watch.

Enjoy the free joys in life.