RIP Me Golden Beauties
One day in the recent past, something like over a week ago, I noticed that the little animals in the area had consumed every ripe sunflower seed that inhabited my little speck of earth that I fondly call garden. It just meant more work for me and getting it done sooner was better.
One evening, four days ago, I broke off my computer chains and ran outside to strip the sunflowers of their leaves and buds. I left those in the garden and I pulled the stalks and carted them off to a pile in the woods. Then I tilled.
There is a bright note, the pampered zinnias are a sight to behold. Not only do they give me joy, but they are host to butterflies and hummingbirds. Just today, Holly and I watched playful hummingbirds flying about them in huge circles. The tallest zinnias are eye-level to me. I have pink zinnias too and they are tall, but not as tall and lush as the red ones.
This is an image of the pink zinnias. They are a bit crowded and require a lot of water. I did not reset these after they sprouted and that is why they are too crowded. I transplanted the red ones, setting them around 9-12 inches apart. They almost died and had to be pampered.
This is one of my tomato plants. It has twined around in its cage and is growing out of the cage in several places. The tomato is sticking up over a foot above the 5-feet tall cage. This is short, normally they are 10 to 12 feet tall by now. I suppose the drought and getting city-water has been tough on them. They are producing beautiful tomatoes despite the weather. Notice the empty space behind the plant, that used to be occupied by sunflower plants.
One last look at the sunflowers. This image is from the July 12, 2007 entry
On the home front, my son arrived safely back in America on August first from his visit to Japan. He had a fabulous time and I have yet to see pictures. His internet at his apartment is down and we have not yet seen each other .. but soon .. soooon .. I will have pictures .. oh yes. 
I’ve got to go!
Have a lovely day. 
Donna Young
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I am so sorry that your tomatoes are not producing. This year is the first year that we have had a good crop. We planted romas.
CC, I am getting a good crop, I wrote about the tomatoes: “They are producing beautiful tomatoes despite the weather.”
I forgot to mention the American Goldfinches. They loved the sunflowers, they were the first birds to start eating them. The goldfinches love eating the zinnia seeds too.
Actually, while watching the birds, I got the thought that the cardinals and the tufted titmice learned from the goldfinches. When the sunflowers ran out, the cardinals would perch on the tomato cages and watch the finches eat the zinnia seeds. I don’t know if the cardinals tried landing on a zinnia or not, had they, that would have been a funny sight!
Your plants look lovely! I’m glad you were able to break those computer chains to tend to them.
Mine are dying by the truck load - most of them are in pots and I can’t keep up with the watering. Next year I will plant everything in the ground.
I’m glad your son is back in the states safe and sound. Can’t wait to see pictures!
So glad that you’re getting good tomatoes from your plants. I wouldn’t have known that they weren’t big if you hadn’t said they usually get much taller.
I guess it’s sign of growing up that he’s not been by to see you since he’s been home. Hope you do get a great visit with him soon.
He hasn’t had a chance to visit. Last weekend, he was still recovering from the trip and jet-lag and this weekend he is packing. He is moving to another apartment in a week. We will go see him next weekend to help him move.
Your zinneas are beautiful. So were your sunflowers when they were alives. I would love to see birdies in my garden, if I had one.
A sweet thing happened to our cat yesterday. He was sitting in the dining room window watching the birds at the feeder. A baby bird was tweeting constantly and sitting on the window sill. At first the bird had its back to the window, but then it turned around and looked at the cat. It tweeted unceasingly while looking at the cat. The cat started purring.