Relaxation

(noun) definition: the state of being free from tension and anxiety

Cats on bed

Catching Up

Lavender

Frangipani

Chickens

Yes – catch up time! On weeding in particular. It’s taken me a few days to look closely at the garden after being away for over a month. The first reason was because the grass was so high that I couldn’t actually see the garden, and secondly, I just didn’t want to know how much work was in store for me. As you can see, I have some work to do!

The grass is taking over!

More work needed here,,,

I don’t know about you, but when I have catch up on chores like sorting out the filing system, cleaning out the fridge or in this case – weeding, I tend to procrastinate for an inordinate amount of time, only to realise that the job would have been over and done quite quickly had I just got in there and made a start straight away.

So yesterday I bought a magazine featuring some garden ideas. But rather than making me feel like rushing forth armed with my favourite gardening implements, I compared my bit of weed covered earth with the glossy images of perfect tropical paradise, which the owner modestly proclaimed was a bare, wind swept desert only a year ago, and wondered why I haven’t achieved a lot more in the last two years.

One step at a time, I remind myself, so on that note I will venture out and start on the cat’s garden. This was last year’s project of which I was quite proud – after much consultation on the web, a cat’s paradise of only good, safe plants such as herbs, rosemary and lemongrass. As I lovingly tended it, I could just picture the two cats finding shady spots to laze on a summer’s day, nibble on cat grass and roll in the catnip.

DSCN1890

Unfortunately, the reality was that after some time exploring said garden, Samurai discovered, after 6 years of doing nothing more active than chasing the odd garden lizard which always got away, that he could jump the fence and became far more interested in exploring next door’s open, empty patch with hardly a plant in sight! Higher fences proved no challenge, with the result that the cats now have three connecting cat enclosures; so rather than being in the garden they now look down on it.

The tunnel

Cat enclosures

Even so, the least I can do is to give them a weed-less view!

My Cats Garden is Nearly Done

Last year I was planning a garden for the cats. Well, for them and for me. They have a fenced-off area along the side of the house and I thought a narrow garden along the fence line between us and our neighbor would be nice for them and create some interest from the street view.

So recently, with a little bit of help to sort out the string line, I did the edging myself. Maybe not absolutely straight in parts, but I am pretty happy with my efforts and I’m sure it will look fine once we have finished the planting.

So the dream becomes a reality. Great – one more item we can cross off the “To Do” list!

Dreaming of a Cats’ Garden

Yes, we are all definitely dreaming of a garden for the cats at the moment. Would love some rain for a start, you can see how dry it is. Will also need to have a load of soil delivered before we can start planting.

In the meantime, here is Brother Malai picking a spot for his toilet. Let’s face it, he has a lot of choice! We do have some grass, but not very lush at the moment with such dry weather.

Here is Cousin Arielle checking out the cat grass. I have planted cat mint and catnip as well but the fussy four only like the grass!

Creatures of Habit

Every morning I get woken up any time after 4.00am to the sound of cat claws scratching at my bedroom door. I am required to serve breakfast and open the back door. Then they take over my bed. I have been trained very well!