As I write this on Tuesday evening, I’m hopeful that the weather forecast actually comes true on Thursday. They say we are finally getting some rain. It’s been a long time since we have had a good soaking. I was scratching up a garden bed this week, doing some last minute weeding. It was so dusty thatI longed for my Covid mask.

Most of my garden accounts have turned off the outdoor water for the season, so it’s impossible to give the recently-planted another sip before cold weather sets in. Hopefully folks are being extra careful concerning outdoor fires.

I’m fascinated by the different varieties of maple trees. Many have yet to lose their leaves and are outshining their fellow oaks, beeches and locusts. Some still have green leaves, for Pete’s sake!

Although we’ve had a few barely killing frosts, there are still some annuals—happily blooming lantana and osteospermum to name a few. Even though I would love to finish up a few places, I do not have the heart to pull them. I saw a honeybee enjoying them on Monday.

I have several large pots of roses. The plan was to winter-over them and plant them in the spring. Deer have completely stripped them bare. How do they tolerate the thorns on their little lips? They also will eat very sharp holly leaves—another of nature’s mysteries.

While driving after dark, I went through several areas filled with winter moths. This does not bode well for next years’ trees. They spend late winter in tiny crevices in trees and their larvae emerge in the spring to feed on baby leaves.

I started cutting hydrangeas in earnest. It’s helpful to know the variety. Some of the older specimens bloom on old growth so they need to be clipped with care. The pee gees and newer varieties, like endless summer, bloom on new growth, so have at it.

The herbs are looking particularly good right now. Most thyme, sage and parsley, for example, thrive and can be snipped as needed all winter. I do cut several bunches of each, though, to be popped right into the freezer. I use the tiny plastic bags. Then when I need some, I hit the frozen bag with a knife handle or rolling pin. Because they are still frozen, chopping is unnecessary. By the way, I wash and reuse plastic bags all the time to save money and the planet.

Now that saving the planet is once again in question, it’s difficult to maintain a cheerful attitude. I’ve been reading a lot of reports about buyers remorse after the election.

Then, say it ain’t so, Joe and Mika. I guess they took a page from Kevin McCarthy’s playbook and took a trip to Mar-A-Lago. My friend Sharlee was asked: “what are we going to do?” I’m agreeing with her response: “the dishes!”