renovations and Writer's Digest and raccoons

I had an article published in the Writer's Digest 2005 Yearbook but had forgotten to pick up a copy because we were in the middle of packing up and selling our condo. I recently ordered a copy of the magazine for my clippings file; the latter is somewhat out of date, so I'm revamping it right now.

Renovations going well at the house. Jeff and I are keeping out of the way, but we went by the house late yesterday afternoon after the renovators had left for the day. Our friends Jeff and Alison came by with their young son to check out the house, and it was also fun to find a card from Kate P. in our mailbox.

Walter and Jeff removing old carpet.

I did some weeding and pruning in the garden (using the pruning shears Allison gave me). OUR garden. I was worried about the Corkscrew Hazel leaves looking so wilted, but found out online today that the leaves are supposed to be that way! The two clematis plants were sprawling across the ground, so I reattached the vines to the trellis. Took out two dead plants (they were dead BEFORE we got the house, really!).

Spent way too much time sniffing the white lilac tree. LOVE the scent of lilacs. Found myself wistfully wishing I could take a blossom home with me and then realized, WAITSEC THIS IS *MY* TREE! I CAN TAKE WHATEVER I WANT! Jeff was highly amused.

As we packed up to go back to the condo, I noticed movement out the front window. Investigating, I saw a raccoon casually sauntering down the path to the back garden. He was startled when we went outside to check him out, climbed the fence and fled. Other wildlife I've seen in our yard so far: black and red squirrels, cardinals, yellow finches (they seem to quite like our tamarisk tree), numerous unidentifiable other birds. We're thinking about putting up a feeder.

Quite the change, hearing birdsong and children playing outside instead of the sound of nightclubs and Gardiner Expressway traffic.

I'm sure I'll get used to it, though.

;-)

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