Photos Copyright: Maggie May
This winter has started off extraordinarily mild and it seems so strange to have fuchsias, honeysuckle and roses still in full bloom.
Today it is warmer here than in Florence, Italy.
It is very unusual to find these plants in flower in the winter time in our part of the country.
My garden is a bit of a mess as neither Harry nor I can do very much work out there at the moment. It seems to really aggravate my back and hip. However, I do what I can when I can.
If you notice the last photo, you will see that I had a tub planted up with tulip bulbs. I am fed up with the way that foxes seem to be digging everything up. You can see that they have started to dig down into the earth to see if the bulbs are worth eating. In my front garden they have dug out the primula plants that I carefully put into a pot to brighten the winter days. They also scattered earth right over the path and they often leave their mess for me to clean up too.
Just as well my bunnies are tucked up in the house otherwise they would be really scared of these night time predators and might end up as an easy dinner.
They are city foxes and probably come from nearby allotments. When I first saw them, I was quite surprised as they are quite tame and one once tried to come into my house.
They are an extreme nuisance and I don't encourage them at all, though I know that some people do put food out for them.
Harry is just about to start his tenth session of chemotherapy and should be feeling better by Christmas. I think my daughter and grandsons are coming over for Christmas so that will be something good to look forward to.
I have a scan some time in January and will get the results the following month. I'm not looking forward to that at all.
I do have a chance that everything will be well though and these chances make a difference to my outlook.
27 comments:
Love your winter shots...and want you to know we still have you on our prayer list at St Peters...you are always in my thoughts, even when I am a bad blogger...the RA has been hell but I'm determinded to get around to all my friends today!
hugs
Sandi
Beautiful to have some color in the garden in this early winter. We have the deer that eat and mess with everything.
I hope Harry does well in the next round and having something to look forward to is huge...hang in there Maggie I hope 2012 is a better year for all.
I'm surprised you have foxes in the city, but then a friend of mine told me about a coyote that was roaming their subdivision. I think gardeners are always fighting one kind of pest or another. Most animals leave daffodils alone, so you might try those next time.
Wishing Harry well in his last round of chemo--I hope he is feeling much better by Christmas. Wishing positive results for you, too, Maggie!
Whether you work in your garden or not, the flowers are showing you some love.
Sorry about the foxes. That sucks!! Will be praying for you both on chemo and scan!! Good positive thoughts to you both!!
Hugs
SueAnn
Turning a slightly green shade with envy as it was -15ºC here last night. Very frosty!
You have foxes, we have skunks, squirrels and raccoons. The only thing they leave alone is my daffodils and iris.
Wishing as hard as possible that Christmas sees your husband well enough to enjoy the season and that your results are all you could hope.
Virtual hug, not frosty at all, winging its way from Canada.
Thinking of Harry as he approaches his next chemo treatment. I hold you both in my heart...I truly do, Maggie. As Christmas approaches, I also pray that Harry will be feeling much better and that your daughter and grandsons' visit will be the perfect way to spend time together. As you get results of your scan in February, know that I will be praying for miraculous results. Absolutely.
I am sorry that the foxes are digging around and spoiling the plants that would have sprung up from the tulip bulbs. I also have been wondering about your sweet bunny rabbits. You mentioned them in this blog, and I was glad to hear that they are safe and happy.
Love to you, my friend.
Jackie
We have an occasional fox visitor in our local park and regular coyotes. Coyotes have been spotted on our street which leads right into the park though I've never seen one yet. I remember your egg discovery and how we figured out it was the fox. Sorry he's causing difficulty for you, Maggie.
I continue to keep you and Harry in my best thoughts. Stay positive.
I am keeping you both in my prayers. Hope you can enjoy your lovely weather. I don't think I will manage to get all my yard cleared up either even with the help of the grandgirls, so be it.
Foxes are quitre numerous in towns and cities these days. But agree they are still a nuisance and it annoying they spoil your garden. Hope the chemo goes OK for Harry. Luv Ed x
What a strange weather pattern indeed! Enjoy it while it lasts. We have had a longer summer and a shorter fall as the winter storms are already at the door.
It's interesting that you are being infiltrated by the local wildlife. We have nothing as daring here except for the occasional hedgehog. I think I'm too far into town for it. Your flowers are lovely and I am envious of them, but it has been unseasonably warm here too. Good luck to both you and Harry. You're always in my thoughts. How can you not be? XOX
I hope everybody is feeling well!
I also have some flowers blooming. It is so strange. We have freezing weather every night, but the delphiniums are blooming.
I do hope that your holidays are full of family and good health reports. Take care, dear Maggie.
The weather is certainly causing some strange activity. My hyacinths are starting to unfurl themselves. I fear it will all end in tears.
It really is strange weather for November isn't it?
Hope Harry's treatments goes well and your scan results are good. x
Wow - it looks like spring! Even our honeysuckle is still out over here as it's so mild.
Lovely shots!
Frankly Maggie, I'm of the opinion that the weather for this entire year has been VERY strange! Rain out the yazoo all spring, a colder than normal summer, then more rain -and MORE rain -and then, snow for Halloween now the days seem to rotate between rain, cold, a lot warmer day or two than the norm and then, back to rain or really cold again! No happy medium for sure! (Much like the economy of late too!)
Hi Maggie, I hope both you and Harry are feeling much better very soon, and that you enjoy the time with your family.
Perhaps if you put some wire netting over the bulbs before you finish burying them it will discourage the foxes...we call it chicken wire here, and it comes with different size openings, so you can choose the size which will allow the shoots to come through.
I've been out of blogland for a bit, but you and Harry have been in my thoughts. Sounds like you have a lovely Christmas to look forward to.
MAGGIE,
You know I understand more than most how hard it can be getting ready to be scanned again. I hate knowing that all these days of pain will come to some kind of clinical result.
Just remember YOU are STRONG; YOU are AMAZING and you can keep moving forward even when things are hard.
Hey, I keep hearing some of my readers saying they are having trouble leaving messages and following my page. I have looked at the setting and can't figure it out. Any ideas?
It is very odd weather isn't it. We still have flowers from summer that have colour even though I wouldn't describe them as in full bloom. It's very mild up here as well, we're just waiting for the snow to fall!!
CJ xx
Tulips in the fall... that would be really nice. At least with the strange beginnings, beauty still abounds.
Hope you have a great week (I almost wished you a Happy Thanksgiving - but I suppose that isn't right ;))
CHEERS!
We keep getting warnings about the weather yet it is still mild....how long will it last eh?
Hey sweetie, I just wanted to wish your and your family a wonderfully blessed and beautiful Thanksgiving.
Enjoy!!!
BTW: Giveaway...my place.. please drop on in when ya get a chance. :o)
Woohoo!!!
It's really a mistake to put out food for wild animals (I make an exception for birds. Well, squirrels, too, I guess). I love to see foxes and the like in the wild but I'm not sure people should encourage them to hang around their house.
Good luck with all that Maggie x
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