it's been raining so much...

...that even the rail on the deck is sprouting fungi:


Naturally, the mosquitoes are also flourishing. I was not a happy kitten about them feasting on me. To Abby's immense relief, however, I decided to stay outside and get some gardening done (indoors, I've been stalking her with brush and scissors all around the house, since she's in high moult). Naturally, she wanted to help...



...and I did reward her with a green bean that had escaped its stalk. It was a productive day: I transplanted the Kentucky Colonel mint to the front yard and the rosemary and thyme to larger pots. I sowed arugula, radish, hollyhock, and primrose seeds. I divided my mom's ancient Christmas cactus (at least five years old, and probably more like ten) into three pots, as well as rooting one cutting and saving another. There was also some pruning and weeding and a side trip to a pathetic KMart and a decent Home Depot.

The to-do-next list includes transplanting and maybe dividing the tarragon, researching plants that should do well in light shade (I have some lists; it's a matter of deciding what I want), and maybe acquiring a bulb or two to force in some indoor containers...