That's a Huge Weed

I was looking out the window, and I saw something that looked like an overgrown weed that needed removal. Upon closer inspection I discovered my first artichoke of the season.

Noxious weeds

I got up early on this beautiful morning in May so I could get a little bit of work done in the sunniest parts of my garden before the temperature got out of control. We have a family of scrub jays that have decided our berries are their dinner. Those birds have not yet experienced my resolve to succeed. After all, my homegrown, organic strawberries are about to come in. I am not about to let them be food for the birds. Today's garden project was to put in place a barrier of bird netting, and strategically place the cat statue.

That project was easy, and it went up fast. I expect great results, although I did notice the strawberry patch may also need some mulch. When I looked up, feeling triumphant over the jays, I noticed the two Sycamore trees I planted two years ago are looking tired. I decided to water. I started those Sycamores from seed over seven years ago and one of them is looking terrible. I was hoping I wouldn't have to attend them this year, but we have simply NOT had enough rain this spring.

Tell that to the noxious weed that spreads out on our backyard hill more and more each and every year. I am referring to the yellow star thistle that has claimed residence in our neighborhood. Star thistle has to be THE most annoying plant on the planet. I went up to pay homage to my sycamore trees, worried they wouldn't make it through this hot day, and there was that awful plant coming in just like it does every year with a vengeance. There, amongst the dying wild grasses and pink clover are tiny, light green patches of star thistle.

Weeds seem like such a nuisance and annoyance in the garden. These ones are the worst visitor, much like my seriously unfortunate circumstance with Hardy, or the awful injustice that has befallen Amanda Knox. Her sad memoir hit the bookshelves yesterday, and I picked up a copy hoping to help her cause. These bad instances, like weeds, crop up from seemingly nowhere and cause discourse, pain, anguish, and serious questioning about everything from the existence of a higher power to surviving and growing in a hostile environment.

I've always thought that life is filled with good and bad for a reason. I think it's a law of nature. People can push through the bad circumstances because tucked inside we can still experience moments of love, happiness, and even humor. The randomness of good and bad events teach us to muster through. It is similar to playing a slot machine in a casino. The unknown outcome keeps us going through good and bad rewards. We believe that something wonderful could soon follow, so we hang in there and keep trying to win that jackpot. I guess gardening is the same. In some ways I keep on trying for nature's reward.

MYOB

Last weekend my husband and I went out to lunch at one of our favorite restaurants. As it happens, this restaurant isn't pet friendly. We were in Santa Cruz and its the beginning of paid parking season, so we decided to purchase a $35 seasonal permit. With our new parking pass securely affixed to the car window, we began searching like a shark swarming around for its prey trying to locate an appropriate place that had enough shade to keep the dogs comfortable. Finally, we found a place to park our car.

We rolled down the windows a bit to provide ventilation, and tried as best we could to get the dogs to quietly wait for us while we grabbed a bite to eat. Unfortunately, Bentley has the terrible habit of barking stressfully whenever we leave him - even if one of us remains. This time was no different. As we walked away, we heard him carrying on, but we were sure the dogs would settle down, and upon our return they were resting comfortably. We had spent about an hour and a half inside the restaurant, and returned to our car with a note left under the windshield (in the shape of a traffic ticket). The note berated us for leaving our dogs in the car unattended. The note went on to call us abusive, said the dogs had barked for hours while we were gone, and stated that the police were called because of this.

Really? To whomever wrote that note: mind your own business!

I get so tired of people, those who probably don't even own a dog, telling me what is or is not abusive treatment of my pets. We never leave them without making sure they are pretty darn comfortable. We also go back and check on them frequently when they are in the car (although we don't go too close so as not to upset them). In fact, that day we had been enjoying the company of the dogs all morning, and had just finished walking them for over an hour. They even got to socialize with other dogs at the park before our walk.

This isn't the first time either. About six months ago, I had stopped to get a cup of coffee at a local Starbucks and upon my return to the car, a concerned woman had called security. There was a line in the coffee shop that made the dogs and me wait for maybe 15 minutes, but the car was in the shade, and the car thermometer read 65 degrees, so I wasn't worried. Imagine my surprise when I returned and there was a woman antagonizing my dogs just outside my car. Roxie was hiding and shuddering, and Bentley was barking away. The security officer seemed embarrassed. He turned to the woman and said there was no need for concern, but the woman yelled at me saying it was obvious that I didn't love my pets, as she stomped away.

What makes people feel like they have the right to get into other people's business like this? They must think they are advocating for defenseless animals, but if they truly want to defray cruelty towards animals, they should try sending money to their favorite animal charity, and keep it at that. Maybe then something good would come from their attempt to help out.