There is a battle going on here at The Puddle Pond. Us against the lily pads. Years and years ago when The Puddle Pond was dredged and cleaned, the lily pads, that had been individual pots, got scattered far and wide over the bottom of the pond. Since then there has been a relentless battle every year to keep them under control. Yes, the flowers are lovely and yes, the pads themselves are interesting especially when a small frog is sitting atop a pad. But...their roots seem to mass produce underwater and each year there can be almost 90% cover over The Puddle. This is not good for the fish and the eco-system of the pond. 50% coverage is optimal and we're shooting for 0% coverage. To that end a glyphosate-based herbicide was ordered and the attack began a few weeks ago. The area in the pictures lacking lily pads was the area treated about 2 weeks ago and the results look promising. The john boat was launched today and another round of spraying took place. Keep your fingers crossed that the lily pads are eradicated this year. If needed, spraying will take place in the spring at the first sign of new growth for those hardy plants foolish enough to show themselves.
The hot sticky weather is still with us. Fortunately, the air conditioning has not been needed every day and can be turned off before bedtime and the sliding glass door opened in the bedroom to take advantage of the cooler nighttime temps. Weekdays are filled with working, keeping the lawn under control and cutting and splitting firewood for this winter. Last winter, everything that was cut and split was used shortly after Mr P, chief wood cutter and splitter, had some major surgery and the furnace was called into action. Hopefully, there will be plenty of firewood for this upcoming winter.
There have been lots of birds to watch at the feeders out back and building in the boxes stationed around the yard. Deer meander through in the morning and again toward evening; a mama and two spotted fawns visited one day and zooming in on one seen in the corn field behind the house revealed a set of horns.
There was a baby shower at work this past week which necessitated a quick sew-up of a flannel crib sheet the night before and I finally finished the second fingerless glove in a pair I made for one of my sisters. Next up is the pair of stockings that I started for OnlySonInLaw that was to be a gift two Christmas' ago. Hopefully, they will be wrapped and under the tree this year.
Oh, and the baked goods on the plate were delicious. Fudgey, creamy and crunchy all at the same time.
