Summer Garden

One of the reasons I plant this Eastern Prickly Pear is to enjoy the blooms. They last only one day over the course of a short week. Both last summer and this summer I've missed the display, but people have been sending photos so at least I could enjoy remotely. This year they put on quite the show, starting July 4.

We came back from Yondering to Toronto on July 20, and the first thing I did was tear into the garden to weed and water. Ended up getting stung by some bees when I was removing seed heads from the lambs ears. Ouch! I learned the hard way that our native bees have smooth stingers and can sting again and again. So when I staked the sea holly I wore full body protection (gloves, boots, mosquito netting hat, long sleeves etc.). So many different kinds of  bees, wasps, hornets and flies feeding on one plant. The 'common' European blue butterfly, so called because it's open wings are such a beautiful blue. The Great Golden Digger Wasp looks like a sting could really hurt, but they don't bother humans so much as grasshoppers, which they paralyze to feed their young. 

We were back to Yondering July 31, so I had  ten days in the July garden. Hours spent tending or enjoying the view. 

In other notes:

• I was happy to see the Tulip Tree and Grey Dogwood I'd planted in the ravine were still growing strong. Hopefully the rains continue into August. 
• A wet season brought some mushrooms that seemed to like the shelter of pots. iNaturalist identified as a species of mica cap.
• I'm trying to get the primrose to grow all in a row in front of the bench, so transplanted a few. They didn't seem to like it, hopefully their roots will find their way. Would like to create a space where we can enjoy watching them pop open.
• My brother Dave gave me a watering system that we're trying out in August in the back garden, set to water twice a week. We'll see how it goes. Most of these plants were chosen because they could withstand summer neglect and periods of drought, and it's been a wet summer.  Anyway, an experiment. Meanwhile we still rely on family to drop by and water the planters and the front in dry spells.
  
  
  
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Yondering in July 2026

We - almost - bought another boat in June, so spent a lot of time checking out the Prospect and getting Yondering ready to sell. After a full inspection and getting a good look at our Prospect's bottom, we cancelled the deal. Let's just say the owner had spent more effort in buffing up the wood than tending to damage on the underside.  What an emotional roller coaster! I already had a new boat name picked out and had visions of entertaining guests and sailing the Catalina 320 to Waupoos. But it was not to be. 

Yondering was looking pretty good after being spiffed up. Our 30' boat actually seemed to have more storage and sitting area in the salon than the 32',  but then again, there's no second cabin.

Anyway, aside from one very brief shake down sail on June 8, we'd spent more time thinking about buying and selling boats than we had sailing.

We departed for our summer adventures on June 28 and set sail motored to Cobourg Harbour. The next day we made Waupoos Marina in time to enjoy the moonrise in our slip. 

We were already calling the slip home. 

 

Lots of afternoon sails in Prince Edward Bay, and five nights anchored out at Little Bluffs, Van Deuson, or Waupoos Island. Weather was highly variable. Hot, cool, rainy, grey, sunny, windy, windless, stormy. 

When conditions were right for sailing, that's what we did; when not ideal, we explored the area by car. After we arrived, Rob took the train back to Toronto and then drove the car to Waupoos so we'd have it to provision. There's also no laundry facilities at the marina. Having a car is essential for any long term stay.

One rainy day we decided to venture to Kingston Marine Museum and check out the historic cruise ship Keewatin. When we were visiting the Murney Martello Tower, there was an unexpected Haiku Canada exhibit, with poems fluttering from stone walls and dangling from the ceiling.

We had the County at our doorstep. Time to check out the Lavender Farm, wineries, and enjoy a fine meal at Stella's Eatery. Great galleries as well - Mad Dog and Oeno - well worth the visit.

Forest fires brought an apocalyptic sky for a few days. We explored the County and a few different restaurants and galleries to gulp in some clean indoor air.

When we first arrived the water was 65 degrees, quickly climbed to 75 and then dropped again to "refreshing" temperatures. I love being able to jump from the boat or the dock for a swim.

Alex and Penny visited for three nights, timed with a celebration in Wellington for our nephew Ryan's 40th birthday. 

Griskit's fur was free of mats in early June so we didn't take her for a lion cut. We'd underestimated how much fur she'd shed in the boat. Long hair everywhere!  And by the end of June, her fur was clumping and pulling again. So a grooming appointment was made. Hopefully less fur flying when we return in August.

Three weeks in Waupoos before heading back in to Toronto. We had planned to stay a bit longer, but the weather was looking ugly. Besides, we wanted to be there to celebrate Nora's second birthday.

Full Buck Moon, July 2026

 The moon was full on July 29, and Rob and I were in the city, but we returned the 31st for this evening view from the dock.

Sailor Moon - June!

The moon was full June 29 at 8:30 am. Elsewhere people were calling it the Strawberry Moon, but it was Sailor Moon for me! We set out for Waupoos early in the morning on the 28th and anchored by the Cobourg Pier, we watched it rise in the sky, red to gold to silver. When we were dockside at Waupoos marina on the night of the 29th we saw it rise behind the trees on Waupoos Island. Love these uncluttered night skies.

June Splendour

June! My garden seems to offer a new delight every day. I'm happy to stay put in the city and enjoy the show.

First the tree peonies bloom, then in the back garden we have bleeding hearts, beauty bush and Rogersia plumes. 

Tiny fish and water striders in the pond. Iris starts to bloom, clematis opens and the geranium pop. Hostas still untouched by slugs.

The evening primroses open at dusk calling the night moths. I tried planting nicotania seeds this year but no results. Next year I will start indoors and plant near the primrose to create a night garden space. West Coast Seeds has jasmine tobacco that grows 3-5 feet tall. Maybe under the bird feeder? Or a pot behind the irises? An annual in our zone.

The rose is exceptional this year, bursting into flower. Rob cut it back quite vigorously and fertilized... Elizabeth obviously loves the attention. Sage bursting and onion chives perfect to pick. 

Everything so, so green.