Sharing the Garden

Every week, I facilitate a discussion group with about 10 residents of a dementia care unit of an assisted living center.

Today, I brought the group copies of this blog and fresh herbs from our garden. I read the blog out loud and passed around pictures of the garden, the pets, and the hummingbird.

The residents really seemed to enjoy the discussion, which included them getting to hold and smell fresh, home-grown herbs.

~~Hummingbirds~~

A hummingbird is hanging around the garden these days, as I put some super sweet red water in the feeder for it.

I was wondering if I could put a hummingbird feeder around the garden to give it safety from the big, nasty blackbird that is lurking to steal others' eggs for breakfast.

(The internet amazes me. You can sit in front of your computer and learn about everything and never learn it all!)

I learned that hummingbirds don't appreciate man-made houses, nor do they appreciate fragrant flowers. They like their own spaces and have virtually no sense of smell.

Having heightened visual senses, they do love bright colors. So, to attract hummingbirds, create a colorful space and keep some sweet water for them.

As for the nasty black bird, I'll need to get a gun. (kidding, of course)

Easter in the garden

Well, how appropriate is it that the hummingbird babies made their debut on Easter morning. You may find them difficult to see, so just look at the picture and trust me.


The garden is responding nicely to the beautiful Arizona weather. (Notice the giant gecko that made its way into the scene.)

Tigger enjoys the bougainvillea (boo gan vee ya).

The "Gifted"

Yesterday, a neighbor who knows that I started a garden stopped me to ask how the garden was growing. I excitedly told her that I have my first tiny tomato! She responded, "Well, MiMi, aren't tomatoes supposed to be big?"

Stunned, I looked at her and said, "Gertrude, isn't everything tiny before it becomes big??" (The name has been changed to protect the "gifted.")

Speaking of tiny, look at the hummingbird's eggs. She dutifully tends to them most of the day. Her partner takes turns guarding the nest when she needs to eat.

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This weekend I moved a hummingbird feeder to the garden, as I noticed a few hanging out there.

Hummingbirds can fly right, left, up, down, backwards, even upside down.

Hummers have a fast breathing rate, a fast heartbeat, and a high body temperature. They must feed every 10 minutes or so all day, and they may consume 2/3 of their body weight in a single day.A major part of a hummingbird's diet is sugar. They get it from flower nectar and tree sap.

We found a hummingbird nest with momma doing her nesting duties. Only females tend to nests of hummers, but doves share the joy.

Other critters like to play near the garden-- Tigger, the tabby and Tater, the puggle.

I cut a bunch of cilantro, also. Cilantro is a kind of parsley. I use scissors to cut it generously into Mexican or Asian recipes. I also use it in guacamole, omelets, chicken dishes and soups and salads.

Guacamole Recipe
2 soft-ish avocados
fresh lime--from the garden
coarse salt
small tomato--from the garden
garlic
cilantro--from the garden

Simply peel and pit the avocados. Mash them up--chunky or smooth. Add garlic, salt and cilantro to taste. I also like to add freshly chopped jalapeno...from the garden, of course. Squeeze in fresh lime juice and fold in the small tomato. Serve...with EVERYTHING.

By the way, avocados are "good" fat and guilt-free.