Kiwi Flowers

Day 263: I'll admit my memory isn't as sharp as it was when I was in my thirties, and that's one of the reasons I maintain my blog, specifically as a handy reference for plant phenology. My head was telling me the kiwi vines were blooming late, but according to my records, they're right on time. I'm not seeing as many flowers as I think I should, but whether that is due to the odd too-hot-today, too-cold-tomorrow weather we've had all spring or to my radical pruning of the vines last fall can only be conjectured. It's possible there are more buds still to come. Today I clipped out the long, thick, non-productive canes to open the tangle to more sunlight, crucial for ripening the fruit if and when it sets. I'm still in the learning phases of hardy kiwi horticulture, and it seems every YouTube video suggests a different method to achieve the best crop.

Five-Star Kitten

Day 262: Merry had his first checkup this morning, and passed with flying colours. Any concerns I might have had were addressed and dismissed, and his doctor told me that she was very happy when she saw our names on her appointment list. I've been going to the same vet since the days when my cockatoo was still with me, almost twenty-five years now. Merry was not exactly happy about getting poked and squeezed, but he behaved himself beautifully. When we got home, the first thing he wanted was the security of my lap (where he is right now, all teeth and toenails and telling me I should be petting him and not typing...OW! THAT'S MY ELBOW!), and after a nap, he had a snack and playtime. Given the way the rest of June progressed, I am glad to have this initial visit behind us, and my little mischievous sweetheart given a clean bill of health.