Beep-a-da-BEEP!

This little patch on the left was supposed to be my Prairie Garden. Turned out to be a forest of Bee Balm and wild Sunflower. It is an incredible 8 feet high and full of American and Lesser Goldfinches. All day long. Feeding their babies. All day long. Babies who WON'T SHUT UP. All day long. How do I know this?

Because, you see, baby goldfinches beep incessantly. And when you are living in your garage while your cool old hardwood floors are being refinished.. You hear them. Beeping.

These babies need food. Constantly. They tell their parents, constantly. You know this because you have your garage doors open to keep cool, while you are in your office garage. The garden is right there.

So are the babies. Beeping. Constantly. All day long.

But I love it, I really do. And I didn't plant those sunflowers. Killing the grass, mulching and watering a bit, they finally got to grow.

And they did.

The end.



P.S. Maybe I should let the rest of my lawn do this.

What do you think?

Finding & Photographing Juvenile Juncos

While wandering the woods recently, I came upon a small family of Gray-headed Juncos. I have not often seen baby Juncos. They are gorgeous. They like thick brush and deep cover making it a challenge to get a decent photograph.

I stood still a long time against a tree waiting for these little button birds to show themselves.

Sneaky.

This Old House & History & Time

Take a look at this, circa 1983. And this, circa 1990,

And this circa 2011:Yeppers, it's the same house. That little 918 square foot house is wrapped up inside. There are some gems too. As many of you know we are doing some major remodeling. Old oak and Douglas Fir floors were hidden under layers of sub floor, cheap carpet and piled high with "Marmoleum" and fantastic green and gold vinyl. No longer. While most of the Doug Fir was covered with oak, my office is still the original fir.
Here is the kitchen, during destructo time.Here is where the lacing or weaving will happen. Blending the old floor with the new. Underneath is the tantalizing Doug Fir. We chose not to remove the oak as the old floor without it would be very spongy.

Here you can see the new sub-floor, leveled and secure, which will be covered with new oak. Interesting fact. The old oak floor is just "oak". Back when this was done there was no red oak or white oak designation. So our old floor is both. We get a cool mixture. Keeping it authentic.

The old wood in the kitchen is in pristine shape. It appears it was laid and immediately covered with a lovely green vinyl with gold glitter. Why? The particle board is the new sub-floor. Half of the kitchen is a "new" addition. Done in the early 90's.

Here is the front of the living room showing the steep slant in the front joists. 2+ inches!

A test sanding spot was done in a few places, which helped them to determine we had both white and red oak.

*Sigh*
So the one week job is expanding to two weeks. But we know it will be done right and stunning when finished. That makes backyard and garage camping easier to deal with. 'An hey! At least it's not winter!

I'm standing on my front porch, amazed at the "Prairie Garden" on the left.I think it's Forest Garden. A Bee Balm and Sunflower Forest Garden. But I'm greeted every morning by the American and Lesser Goldfinches that decorate the tops of the "trees".
This is what it looks like from the road.
Hopefully it is enticing to people too.
Come take a walk, watch the birds and the bees eat their fill.

This is the hummingbird garden I can see out my front window.

The Agastache are beginning to bloom and the hummingbirds are showing up. I think there is one in this picture, can you see it?

It's doing a pretty good job of hiding the big, huge house behind it, and bringing smiles to me and the birds. In another week or two the Agastache will be in full bloom, which draws all four species of hummers we tend to get here in Colorado. Anyone know which ones?

The Wilds

Or rather, my garden.
Brocolli and Leeks gone to seed."Volunteer" Sunflowers everywhere.
No tomato cages anywhere in sight.
Not that they seem to mind.
"Brandywine"Curl Leaf Mahogany going to lovely seed.
Hope you don't get lost.