Sometimes, it just finds you.
I don't know how it found my shopping bags, which live on the landing with our shoes, and our neighbor's shoes, and the odd tennis racket. But there it was when I picked the bags up and slung them over my shoulder. I may have squeaked a bit.
The cat finds them on the terrace occasionally, and shows every intention of eating them. I can't stand the sight of green blood, so they are confiscated. He has caught two tobacco hornworm moths. I increased his pocket money.
And then there is the caterpillar on the Brandywine on the roof, noticed last night as I picked some last tomatoes. That one, well. That one is being dealt with by Nature. And trust me, my methods, and the cat's, are kind by comparison.
Now the wind is tearing across the terrace and I have lifted the fig down from the edge, and the smaller pots that are vulnerable.
Rain is coming.
*** Please vote in the Poll on the left in the sidebar for the best collective noun for this produce. The winner receives tickets to the Edible Garden festival at the NYBG this Sunday.
At least "he" was a good coordinating color for your bag...
ReplyDeleteI'd like to know how you let nature deal with your caterpillars? I launch mine off the balcony.
ReplyDeleteWhen do you consider your tomato plants "done" for the year? The first frost or before? After that storm yesterday afternoon, mine are looking pretty raggedy but there are still some medium to small tomatoes on the vines. hmmmm...
ReplyDeleteI apologise in advance for my hippy/Buddhist comment, if it offends. I don't mean it that way :) We should all be respectful towards our fellow creatures. None of us really have the right to extinguish a life, just because it doesn't 'fit in' or it's required on a plate. For all we know, we too are crawling around on someone's shopping bag...x
ReplyDeletewebb - indeed
ReplyDeleteMiss Piggy - wasps, very creepy, picture coming. The others are launched.
Katie - well, when they ripen too slowly, or are too blighted or when I can't stand the sight of them any more and want their pots for something else:-)
jelli - admirable. I used to think we were all fleas on a big dog.