Working Through the (Dust) Storm

Despite the sky turning a 'mustard yellow' due to a dust storm yesterday, described by Josephine - the Tale Peddler, our garden mulching extravaganza continued.  Right into the afternoon, we carted and distributed wheelbarrows of euc-y mulch.  It always strikes me that before one job can be done, garden bed preparation has to be paramount. In our garden, you don't just lay a mulch covering; firstly, you pull larger weeds, poison smaller shoots, wait till said weed shoots turn yellow, carry a bucket and tongs to collect various sizes, textures and ages of dog-poop, move a variety of garden artwork (as in our Emma's face above, attached to the willow tree) and sometimes - even transfer plants to different locations BEFORE scooping on the thick layers that will serve and protect the plants during prospective summer droughts.  And as the day ambled on, we sang many a ditty like "Oom Pa Pa" amongst others from Oliver Twist, as the rain soaked our clothes and hair, but never dampened our enthusiasm.

"Mulching the garden before the heat is like buying presents long before Christmas", I declared to the garden supplies lady, who wore a quizzical brow. "It is so accomplishing..."

And today?

Today was an 'indoor' day, the house being warm and cozy, thanks to the last dregs of logs in the woodshed, courtesy of the Machinist and Samuel-son, who spent many days cutting and chopping in blistery winds...