Mulberry Jam

I had a fabulous weekend. Well, half fabulous. Sunday I worked an eight hour day, but Saturday! Saturday I got out into the garden for the first time. The photo beside this post is me, out raking leaves off the bulbs. My tulips and daffodils were starting to smother under their winter blanket, and I have definitely been smothering after a cooped up winter. I spent a happy day cleaning things up and finding out how my plants have come through the winter. Mostly it seems they’ve done very well, after a mild winter.

My spring nesting impulses come out in gardening. Other creatures are also feeling the bug. I had been out working for about an hour and had left my garden shed open as I went in and out to get various tools. At one point I stepped into the shed and was startled by something flying around my head. I backed out quickly and then peered into the gloom of the small shed. Two pairs of black beady eyes peered back at me– a pair of Carolina wrens. They were perched on the edge of a basket hanging from a nail on the eaves. I think they had just discovered the nesting spot of their dreams in that basket. Can’t you imagine? “Look honey! It’s high and dry, out of the weather and up away from cats. Let’s move in right away!” I felt terrible to dash their hopes but I had to shoo them out, poor dears. They didn’t shoo easily. They thought they’d hit the jackpot.

My mother thinks if I really loved the birds I’d hang the basket outside for them, but I use that basket myself so they’ll just have to make do with one of the shrubs this year. Sorry.