My garden serves up minor amusements now and again, little surprises that make me grin. Here’s a recent one:
Something ate a hole in this California poppy making me think of a tent for a traveling snail.
Equally amusing but more annoying, is the weed that gets a foothold in the center of an established plant. There is no way to get the weed out by the roots without completely uprooting the shrub. I manage to get my gloved hand under the low branches of each perennial, only to come away with part of the weed and no roots.
The weeds aren’t thumbing their noses at me, are they?
Some amusements are more along the lines of quaint, like this self-seeded lavender. Planted by the wind or a bird, the starter plant grows in a small pot surrounded by succulents. It’s nice of the container to host this little upstart, but now the plants are probably intertwined. Stay tuned for updates.
This photo is reminiscent of my girlhood. I was taller than average, rail-thin, with bright red hair. I longed to be one of the pretty-in-pink-petite girls, but alas I only grew taller. I’m at peace with my uniqueness now, but I wouldn’t want to relive those early years.
A praying mantis is oddly amusing, but startling as well. They show up during the summer months in shades of brown like this one, or green. They pivot their head giving you that odd feeling of being watched. The mantis is good for the garden, as long as they leave the hummingbirds in peace.
This ceramic lizard was destined for the trash. Like a lot of children, my son loved creating art. Then he reached adolescents and decided it wasn’t worth saving. I couldn’t bring myself to throw it away, so I moved a few pieces into the garden. It was amusing to discover that a plant had taken root in the center of the lizard’s tail.
I’ve shared this tip with some of my organizing clients, who are reluctant to part with ceramic pieces from their child’s grade school. The ceramic holds up well in the garden, it frees shelf space in the home, and it creates a wonderful conversation-starter when guests happens upon the garden treasure.
My favorite amusement of all is finding Tessa incognito.
Who doesn’t like a game of hide and seek?
I hope you find ways to amuse yourself this weekend.
Gardening Nirvana 
Wow. Our Mantis are green. Love your garden!
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Certainly an amusing post. Our sneakiest invaders are brambles which always root beside another plant. Not knowing who Tessa is, I couldn’t find her. You certainly should be at peace with your uniqueness 🙂
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Such a lovely happy post for Easter weekend Alys! 😉 Love that photo of Tess, and the tall orange poppy among the pink flowers… it is good to be different, except when you are a teenager!
Have a lovely day. 😃🐝
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I have had the same experience with weeds growing in the middle of a plant. Never good! I sympathize with how you felt about your looks as a teenager. I, too, was taller than everyone else. With my nearly black hair and my olive complexion, which became very dark in the summer, people didn’t know how to categorize me. And I wanted to be blond. Of course. 😉
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Oh those painful years. No matter what we looked like, someone found a way to make fun of us. I was short, blonde, round and wore thick glasses. Plenty of fodder for poking at my awkward self. ;( I thought my children were perfect in every way but still, children tormented. I wonder if that happens in the garden? Can you imagine the conversations between flowers or trees? I saw Tessa hiding in the bushes but had to look very closely. You do have quite the show going on out there. Enjoy.
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Great tip about the ceramics, though my daughter has never actually produced any.
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Aw, cute Tessa! ❤
One never knows where volunteers will show up in a garden! 🙂
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I love garden volunteers! I love finding Tessa hiding in the garden as well. She is a character.
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Isn’t is a shame that ‘different, standout, special’ doesn’t make the same impression on us as kids as it does as adults. Lack of self esteem is a universal issue with young girls. They didn’t make a magazine of ‘everyday girls’ back then.
There’s an artist I adore so much, her name is Demelsa Haughton. A pretty redhead features in a lot of her art. I always think of you when I visit her feed. Here’s a link, I think you’d enjoy the sweet nature and little animals she visits with in forests and gardens.
That lavender is planted in the perfect spot ! Can you smell it from the deck? I adore the scent !! xK
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How right you are, Boomdee. Our society rewards beauty in women and girls, above strength, courage, intelligence, and pretty much everything else. Beauty, in this case, is also a narrowly interpreted ideal. In these days of photoshop and filters, it’s probably even worse.
Thank you for sharing this artists info from Instagram. I think I’ve followed most of your suggestions over the years. You’re a good curator of beautiful things. xo
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PS. Us !!
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Yes! I clicked over to your link and smiled. Thank you, KM&B.
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There is ‘magic’ tucked in every corner of your Springtime garden, dear Alys! So glad that you captured these special images to share with us. It is a perfect reminder to be present in the moment, especially in our gardens! Sending warm hugs across the miles!💗
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Thank you, Dawn. Sending warm hugs back your way. xo
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Motel 6 for Mullusks! HaHa!
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