survived the stormy night with some minor damage. a clay bell fell from its frayed line but that was bound to happen anyway. and the bell didn't even break. seven fallen spruce trees and some torn roofing. the electricity wasn't gone for too long, either, so i can't complain. it was fierce, though. the house was creaking and moaning and shaking. at times i wasn't too sure the roof would stay put.
 |
| crucibulum laeve |
the next day we had glimpses of the blue sky and it was very warm. i found a decayed cone with bird's nest fungus (or bread basket as we call it). it's tempting to try and grow it in a little terrarium. i understand it only needs decaying wood and moisture, but will also dry nicely for decoration. little twigs with these nests would look lovely in wreaths and arrangements.
i have four pale ladies from one bulb now. i'm so glad i bought these (i have some doubled, pale purple ones also) because it feels so luxurious to have flowers in the garden in november! if snow doesn't suddenly fall, my autumnal crocuses might still make it, too, i see flames of blue rising from the grassy spot i planted two dozen bulbs earlier. i had given up on them altogether already, thinking the voles had been at it again. i'm still not a huge fan of crocuses (although i love saffron!) but i imagined the purple-blue flowers against orange-brown fallen leaves when buying... those have long since been raked away! now it's just wet grass.
today i seized the opportunity of a car ride back home from town and bought a million things. among them rat poison because it's that time of year... two sleepless nights wiped all mercy off me and it's bye-bye mousie time. i've had my live-catch traps out for quite some time but they've been ignored. i bought them in ireland the last time but it's not the same design as the one i used successfully back at the farmhouse. now i wish i hadn't left that one behind... the mice could not wait to rush in there!
with the pantry replenished i have no need for grocery shopping for a few weeks. i do have to go to the library next week to fetch something i ordered, and undoubtedly i will grab some chocolates on the way, but i think i might also do something i rarely have a chance to and visit the florists. i'm in a mood for indulgence but also something new. so no white carnations, as much as i do adore them...
