Scratching Deer ~ And 53 You Say?

Fall is ebbing into winter and the threat of frost is eminent.  I had moved most of the winter tender plants into the greenhouse when this old man’s back decided to show its age.  It really is all my fault as I forget that I am not the young nimble gardener that I used to be and don’t take precautions like lifting properly and doing so with the aid of my back support strapped securely in place instead of hanging on its hook in my closet.  My back is better now but I am holding off moving the three largest pots into the greenhouse until one of our son’s are able to assist.  We also moved all of my orchid collection into the sun room for the winter as the heating in the greenhouse is getting old and expensive to maintain at 78 degrees throughout the cold winter months.  I turned the thermostat down to 45 and if the remaining plants seem to hold their own it may get turned down lower.

Orchid # 63 an odd looking little miltonia obviously enjoying the warmth of the sun room

Last week MeMa, myself and the dogs spent a few days at the family cabin.  We packed up Thursday evening and zipped out of the city.  It takes one hour from Menagerie Manor to the gates of the compound and every time  we arrive I wonder why we just don’t do it more often.  It is very relaxing and the air is clear, clean and woodsy smelling.  I had to go into the office Friday morning to finish a project and returning to the city with a large list of things to bring back to the cabin.  MeMa spent Friday clearing out all of my late mothers things and doing a thorough cleaning of the entire cabin, a job none of the rest of us were looking forward to.  Her goal was nothing more than to make coming there easier on my father.  When I got back to the cabin there were a mountain of boxes and bags to deliver to the nearest charity drop off and I filled the back of my work van.

Saturday was a day of rest……well sort of.  Being under a canopy of deciduous trees the roof and rain gutters were packed with leaves and forest debris.  We worked like troopers cleaning and clearing up the massive piles of leaves.  The deer that live in the surrounding forest are very tame and if the dogs are indoors, will allow you to stroke their noses and ears.  We only pray they never leave the compound as they would be easy targets for hunters.

Sunday was the day to celebrate MeMa’s birthday.  Our boys and their families and my father were coming for supper.  Unfortunately Ian, the youngest was sick so he and his family stayed home.  Nathan our eldest and his family arrived and my father as well.  We all enjoyed the meal and while MeMa, Nathan,  Jackie and the “Little Terrorists” all went swimming my father and I did the washing up.  On their return we had cake that I had my father pick up from the baker in town.  When I placed my order I told them to put 58^th  and not her actual 60^th.  When the box was opened we were surprised to find it read 53^rd, I don’t think the mistake bothered MeMa at all.