Capt SpaceBat

As forecast yesterday, we went down to the allotment today to check on things.  Life for me and all those around seems to be returning to at least the outward and visible signs of normal after the prolonged festive period; abandoned Christmas trees littering the streets nearly a week after Twelfth Night.  This is very strange: people chop down and kill deciduous trees which would normally keep their foliage all year round, put them in a bucket in their homes and then complain when the tree’s needles fall off.  Wouldn’t it be more sensible to sit in one’s pyjamas around a live tree, eating sweets and other goodies out of one’s socks?  If the custom had to be continued indoors, why not settle for a bonsai scots pine? German Paganism has a lot to answer for, in my opinion.  Kaizen Bonsai seem to have the answer …

Proof that Christmas is finally over

Down at the allotment, things seem pretty much under control: the beans seem to have made it through the recent cold snap and the kale is still going strong.  Bird feeding rings that look like seed-flavoured bagels were affixed to appropriate high points to keep our feathered friends stocked up on food and essential oils whilst distracting them from the nearby produce.  There is a weath of wildlife at the “leisure gardens” - as I think they are officially designated - feeding is good for them, their habitat and the environment generally, whilst giving close viewing of them - plus points all round!

Feed the birds (on the wires)

Since the cold weather and our earlier industrious excavation meant that there were few brambles or weeds to contend with.  There is a lesson here - dig out the main “root causes” of your troubles and you will only have to manage to clear the odd superficial problem.  Gardening and growing as manageable therapy rather than a Hurculean task - the way forward!

Seeing that little needed immediate attention, we looked around to see other patches and how they were doing.  A nearby allotment had put old household fittings to great use in making containers and raised beds: not quite the frontier spirit according to some people, but inspiring nevertheless: why not put these things to good use rather than ending up in landfill?

Imaginative uses for old household items

Despite our neighbours’ most valiant attempts to control what grows and where it goes about doing so, I was pleased to see a solitary Swiss Chard poking its leaves out from amidst the varying covers that were being used to check weed growth and to protect the underlying beds. Proof, if any were needed, that life goes on - despite the best efforts of others!

There is a crack in everything

(”That’s how the light gets in” - thanks L. Cohen!)