This is what I spent two hours doing on Sunday: digging fruitless holes in the garden, searching for the gopher tunnels that I knew were there.
Things I’ve tried in the past:
Drowning with a hose (unsuccessful)
Pesticide bombs (unsuccessful)
Ex-Lax (dropped down gopher holes, unsuccessful)
Metal spring traps (currently unsuccessful)
This gopher is smarter than I am. He somehow springs the traps I have placed into the tunnel (when I can even find a tunnel), then fills the hole with dirt, making his unfindable exit. Nevertheless, hope springs eternal.
Other things I did on Sunday: Attacked and cleared another section of garden. I’m now halfway finished with the back yard. Two days ago, I thought the job was beyond me.
Look what a little bit of diligence will do.
Things I saw as I worked:
Miniature daffodils.
Unusual daffodils.
A new bud forming on the roses.
My faith is renewed.
The Haitian prayer tacked on my refrigerator for the past 8 years:
Lord,
Your servant doesn’t know left from right.
Even now I don’t know which one of your hands I am in.
Whether I am in the left or the right, it doesn’t matter.
I am in your hands.
That’s enough.
Things I’ve tried in the past:
Drowning with a hose (unsuccessful)
Pesticide bombs (unsuccessful)
Ex-Lax (dropped down gopher holes, unsuccessful)
Metal spring traps (currently unsuccessful)
This gopher is smarter than I am. He somehow springs the traps I have placed into the tunnel (when I can even find a tunnel), then fills the hole with dirt, making his unfindable exit. Nevertheless, hope springs eternal.
Other things I did on Sunday: Attacked and cleared another section of garden. I’m now halfway finished with the back yard. Two days ago, I thought the job was beyond me.
Look what a little bit of diligence will do.
Things I saw as I worked:
Miniature daffodils.
Unusual daffodils.
A new bud forming on the roses.
My faith is renewed.
The Haitian prayer tacked on my refrigerator for the past 8 years:
Lord,
Your servant doesn’t know left from right.
Even now I don’t know which one of your hands I am in.
Whether I am in the left or the right, it doesn’t matter.
I am in your hands.
That’s enough.
~~~~
26 comments:
good luck with them gofers. are they the same as moles? if so, you're gonna have to get a pool and a baracuda cleaner for it. apparently the thumping noise of the cleaner annoys them and they stay away...
and nice to see your spring garden coming along so nicely.
Beautiful prayer
When you done with your yard, I have a yard. To just see one of those flowers in it (without me doing anything to get it there) would make me so happy each morning. How nice that you'll be able to enjoy the work of your hands.
I love the prayer, and I hate to admit, but a teensy-tiny part of me is rooting (pun intended) for the gophers of this world! Somehow, I think we've encroached on their gardens, not the other way around.
Your flowers are beautiful. They go with the beautiful Haitian prayer. Thanks for sharing it.
Secretia
nifty prayer... and a bit of mid winter envy from Ohio, seeing your gardening efforts has lifted my spirits this morning that soon enough I will be procrastinating my own gardening efforts lol
You make gardening sound like a Saturday morning cartoon. Outwitted by the gopher but you finish strong with hope springing faster than the gopher can spring the traps.
it is the unusual where the beauty of the effort is found, no?
What a simply beautiful prayer. I shall take it with me all day today and especially as I visit patients in the hospital.
These pictures do fill a heart with hope.
PG
wonderful prayer...the pic of the thorn bush si very nice....
Your hard work is being rewarded. What lovely flowers and the promise of more to come. Good luck with those gophers!
My LIFE is a Saturday morning cartoon!
Dang gopher!
I'd keep an eye on your neighbors with daffodils that look that beautiful! teehee
Loved the prayer.
We call those other daffodils Narcissus. Will you be taking a bouquet down to your neighbor?
Juicy fruit gum keeps the little chipmunks away around here.
Oh I remember the gopher chases from when I grew up in southern California. I know some people do get rid of them but most everyone I know have to just let it go. Great photo of new life budding on the roses. I like new life!
My neighbor is retired and spends considerable time trapping moles, skunks, and raccoons. One time our cat got caught in one of his bait laced traps, and was in there well into the night. We were so happy when we found her!
hard to believe it is spring anywhere when I look out my window and yet I just returned from Florida. One day and it's gone.
Beautiful poem on your fridge...
The gophers outwitting, well that is their job too, they have to eat and survive too...LOL!
We had mice one year, it got very cold and they moved in (ugh) well we bought traps and they managed to get the food out of them every time. I have no idea but I said a prayer that they could stay if they didn't raid my foodstuff or scare me and it was as if they heard it and stayed away...
hugs to you Chris...
Dahalia Girl
Great photos. The daffodils are a favorite. Spring will be here soon.
Just found you this morning from Auntie Cakes site. Looking forward to being a follower if I can get it to load for me...not having much luck at the moment
Take care
Maggie
Hmmm . . . as I'm not a gardner, I have to admit that I'm rooting for the gopher (or gophers) too. I can't bear the thought of a steel trap!
That said, I'll pray that the gopher (or gophers) will peacefully leave and take up residence in a non-gardener's yard--and hope I'm not too naive in wishing for a win-win situation!
I don't have any advice on the gophers, but yellow flowers are my favorite. Very pretty.
Have you politely asked the gopher to leave? Perhaps a more diplomatic approach is necessary.
Although the Ex-Lax tactic is brilliant....
Down with zee gophers, I say! May they burrow far, far away. :)
You will beat the gophers! Think positive! The flowers are beautiful. I love the Haitian prayer. (((HUGS)))
Ohhh, I battled gophers a few years ago. Buggers. Nothing seemed to work. Even chucking logs of wood at them. (They get rather pissed off and mean, by the way.) I hate to admit this, as it environmentally sucks, but my husband poured a bit of gas under the area where they were hiding. One day later they moved on out. Eeks. Sorry environment.
xo
erin
Maybe watch "Caddyshack". Although the gopher won that battle too. :-D
The pictures make me want to go roll in potting soil...I am ready for spring.
Namaste
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