A year later for Newkie.

If you thought Newkie would tire walking the rails of this deck, you'd be wrong. All this year, she has enjoyed the smells from squirrels and gulls and occasional deer that roam this deck, and has taken to this house as though she lived here all her life. Even while romping around, she tries to figure out where we are, which room we are moving to, all because she wants to get back into the house quickly if something out there spooks her.

The family was vacationing with us for the  last few weeks. They would go in and out, up and down the hill to the dock, on the dock, on the waterfront, in the upper garden, in the lower garden, Newkie was kept busy figuring out what moves to make, where to rest, when to sneak to her food and water, when to hide from everyone.

She loves being brushed, and the girls won her confidence by offering the brush, and watching her stretch out to accept the activity. At times, she would peek into their bedroom, sniff around all the stuff that was laying around, and return to her usual sleeping quarters satisfied that her place was still unchanged.  Her sleeping area is at the side of my bed, across a heater vent, with views of her deck and the world beyond. She loves this configuration the best. Second best place, however, is under a blanket, with barely a hint of nose sticking out, fooling all of us that she is out playing for the afternoon.

One morning, she followed me to the lake garden where I've begone to plant (Yes, we plant late; but this is the latest I ever planted!) The place is still under development with machines and implements all over the place. She follows me if I wait for her; then, she becomes free and easy, and wanders around the place, always watching where I am, when I move to the gate on the way up the hill.

(ten new planter boxes on the water-front garden)

Mostly though, she looks down at me futzing with the vegetable boxes below deck, and cries out, until I return to guide her down.  I'm sure, in a few weeks she'll wander off on her own and begin sniffing the many plants growing down there.

For those of you who are anticipating pictures of the completed garden projects, you need to wait a little longer. Too many interruptions have occurred, and completion is not in sight yet.

However, we are all very happy with the results so far, and look forward to a big garden party before summer is over. I do know that my neighbors are all looking forward to a big shindig.

I wonder if any zucchini or cucumbers or peas will be ready.
So far, lettuce and herbs are cooperating.

Pesto pasta, anyone?