Times I wish I had a telephoto lens: today.  Times I wish I could take a picture that was actually in focus:  all the time.  I have been finding half chewed apples hanging on the apple tree and strewn about the yard for years.  Assuming it was the work of roof rats, I just discarded the fruit.  But it seems I have another critter taking advantage of the free apple buffet.....

Squirrel Nutkin, here has taken residence in the Ugly.  I think I saw its nest up in one of our trees.  I also believe this little guy has been reeking havoc on my potted plants.  Digging holes in around my fig sapling and completely decimating a pot full of poppy seedlings I had started.  That last one really made me mad.   Despite all that, Mr. Nutkin here is awfully cute, so it's hard to stay mad.  So, lesson learned.  Protect fall seedlings with mesh or chicken wire and save a few apples for our furry neighbors.

I just realized how long it has been since my last post.  Life here in the Ugly has been especially crazy the last few weeks.  Homework, both mine and my middle schooler's; the weekly wedding performance; teaching and preparations for symphony season have kept me out of the Ugly.  If I'm totally honest, though, I've really been using all of the above as excuses not to go out.  After our last mini heat wave a few weeks ago that took out any remaining veggies, I became fairly discouraged.  But then, I found this book at the library: The Urban Homestead.  This book by Kelly Coyne and Erik Knutzen is getting me excited about the possibilities of gardening in the Ugly again.  They also have an interesting blog called Homegrown Evolution that I like to follow.

More pictures to come.  We had a great family "Weekend Wandering" last weekend.  My husband took some truly beautiful photos I can't wait to share.