We are finally getting our deck problem sorted out this summer. The deck was built flush with the entrance to the house which can cause problems in a heavy rain. The previous owner realized this just as he was finishing the deck and he left out the last board closest to the door. This summer we are having the deck replaced with a stone patio. In preparation for that we cleared most everything off of the deck yesterday afternoon. The plants will all live next to the fence for the duration. I had to repot the sweet peas as the half barrel they lived in was so rotted it could not be moved. They look happy in their new home.

I’ve been watching this poor cardinal loose his head feathers all summer.  I can’t recall when we first saw him losing his feathers but it was definitely before we went on vacation 4 weeks ago.