Peak

 

There's been a lot of drama out in the ghost garden. First the good news. We passed the town's test and our case is officially closed. The city dude who came out yesterday was rather impressed with our efforts to replant the required 24 trees. 

The reason we called them to come out now is the bad news. We hadn't covered up any of the pines and the deer have destroyed them. Only this one loblolly out of four will survive the brutal attack. Two of the Eastern Pines were munched to death also.  We covered them all up so the city wouldn't notice what bad shape they were in. I cried for days after I saw what happened. Those pines were beautiful. So strong and healthy. I'm heartbroken.

All the other trees that have been covered all year are doing fine. The red maples are particularly beautiful under their shrouds. 

All the native trees are finally beginning to show off their fall color. Here's the view up my driveway.

I've even got a rose. The deer have been so busy destroying my trees that they must have missed this one. 

The wetlands that surround us are in their golden glory phase. Unfortunately, it's been so warm that I haven't been out much to enjoy any of it. Sunlight and rash do not get along and neither does sweating so I'm missing the best of the season being inside and grumpy. The old rash is starting to fade but I still seem to be breaking out in other places. I wish I could figure out the cause. I'm so over it.