Author Archives: offtheedgegardening

I am a prolific and adventurous dreamer, both sleeping and awake.  Last night I had one of my more traumatic nocturnal episodes, an energetic feature-length sci-fi thriller, involving aggressive aliens (in the guise of humans, it could be anyone, trust no-one) pursuing me through city and country all the while attempting to shoot me withContinue reading “Bad Dreams are Made of This”

Top Tip:  Don’t forget to check your tree stakes and ties on a regular basis.

The weather forecast for today was “starting dire later becoming horrendous”.  So being the eminently sensible person that I am, I shuffled Lionel and Lucinda to a sunny Tuesday and planned for a wet catch up day at base camp.  As these things so often happen, we woke to a dry and singularly non-threatening morning. Continue reading “Rediscovering my Sowjo”

It is not my imagination, there is definitely some plumping up going on in Larchland (the one of undoubted European descent).  Only a faithful follower would notice the subtle swelling of the dormant buds, the aura of awakening.  Only a true devotee would peer so closely, with such optimism and growing impatience.  However, as PhilContinue reading “Tree Following – Plumping Up”

Lucinda and Lionel are not bad people, they have just got in with the wrong crowd.  They are sharing their lives with thugs, delinquents and ne’er-do-wells, a veritable band of rogues.  I can understand the attraction of these villains, they are powerful, persistent and often glamorous, they promise vigour and strength.  They are enchanting andContinue reading “Bad Company”

Today I was mesmerised by the sight of tadpoles, warmed by the spring sun, wiggle their way out of their jelly gaols.  This was their first fight, the struggle to escape their bounds.  There will be many more battles and few will live to maturity.  To watch this spectacle was incredible, a first for meContinue reading “Life”

Essence of daffodil.

It is always heartening to find wildlife in the garden.  It seems like an affirmation, confirming that we are doing something right.  Although I have no documentary evidence, I would guess that wildlife rarely thinks “I love to see a human in my backyard”.  We are generally stomping around like big unfriendly giants with noContinue reading “Peeved”

Not every day is an adventure.  Some days are just fine; not wonderful, not dreadful, but fair to middling.  They are comfortable but not glamorous, like your favourite winceyette pajamas.  They are days to ease through, to gently wallow in.  Today was a day like that.  The sun shone and the sky was blue butContinue reading “Fair to Middling”

Take one pink and frilly rhododendron, early flowering and most welcome, wash down with some gentle spring sunshine.   Before long your step will develop a distinct bounce, the corners of your mouth will unavoidably turn upwards, your heart will lighten and the world will seem a better place.  Repeat whenever possible.