Things Come In Threes #2

Approaching the mid-winter solstice, my time in the garden is limited by cold and dampness. The work is done, yet it's rewarding just to walk around for a few minutes to see what happens. Yesterday, on my way to the shed to get wood for the stove, I met Mr. Robin on the bird-feeder. He was on it, I was not. We eyed one another up and down before he returned to feeding as I journeyed to the woodpile. 

This little fella accompanied me on my 5-minute ramble

Just before the woodpile (in the shed) I glanced down to the two rows of gypsophila seedlings. I had planted these back in October, and they are thriving. Well, they were thriving until very recently. Yesterday, most of them were cannibalised, a gourmet starter for Mr. Slug and friends, perhaps even starter and main meal. I'd be tempted to have a word with Mr. Robin, but I don't think he likes them either. There are about seven plants remaining, and this one seems to be head and shoulders above her siblings. The others have been beheaded.

One of the few untouched gypsophila

Finally, loaded to my chin with seventeen logs, I approached the kitchen window boxes. The pansies are in full bloom, defying wind, rain and cold. This particular one is so pretty, added to by a tiny spray of light mist remaining from overnight. Naturally, you'll understand that this photograph was not taken until I had unloaded the seventeen stove logs in the stove log basket beside the stove; and when I returned to the shed to get the camera (it was beside the log pile, you'll agree?), the delicate mist on the pansy was exactly as it had been one minute earlier.

I love the misty rain on top

• Time in garden: five minutes. That's just about enough. I'll put on the kettle and set the fire while it boils.
  
• Four minutes to set and light the stove
• Four minutes for water to boil
  
• Result: tea and accomplishment
• Five minutes later on, warmed by both tea and stove, to to dickie up the robin photo

This is #2 in my "Things come in Threes" series, recounting a five minute ramble in the garden, and consciously seeking out three things of interest. Want to look back to #1?

Here it is: Things come In Threes #1

Happy gardening (or reading), wherever you are,

Páraig