This is gorgeous take on the instinctive need for bedding down and hibernating. I’m also sorry for the loss of Mama Hedgie… but how wonderful that you gave her the best hibernating experience possible, a place where she could her birth her hoglets (what an excellent term!) and carry on her name 🥰
Oh I love this. I am not a gardener but we do have things to tend to and plant some annuals. When my mom died 14 years ago I dug in the dirt for months. It helped.
So sorry about Mama Hedgie and the idea that the babies are hoglets thrills the word lover in me. Your love of her and them is special - my kind of people. I always do my best to give any birds or bunnies that die in my yard a fitting resting place too.
So many gorgeous take aways here! I wish more people had your philosophy Cait! I shudder every time I see people using chemicals in an attempt in their mind to create a green lawn. The irony is heartbreaking! You have created a lovely nest for yourself and all the creatures that are lucky enough to be joined by you. It feels like a big, generous, comfy hug...from you...to your earth. 💚🥰
This is something I really struggle with re: all the weeds on my driveway, patios, etc. It's TOO MUCH and I really do need a better system for dealing with it. But I also can't imagine spraying anything on them, because of all the animals who hang around here. Even just the local cats. I wouldn't want any animal to get hurt. But I could really use the help of those sprays! Ugh, haha. I'll just continue to let them go a bit wild, until I figure out a safe option...
Ugh, bless Terrance. Crying with you. Also this reminded me that it's probably been long enough that I can rewatch all of Garden Rescue again. The British are so much better at TV.
Oh, poor Mama Hedgie...I cried when I read this. How lucky was she to have such a caring human helper. I'm also a fellow animal supporter/lover and it breaks my heart when death happens. Birds are the little critters that I've made my gardens for and there had been an unusual amount of window strikes lately. It guts me every time it happens. There's something about the reflected trees that they can't tell aren't real. Since I'm committed to my birds around the property, I've looked up a DIY window curtain thing that I'm going to make to help this situation. You writing about committing to the animals in your garden, and having your garden be for them made me feel seen. That's my motivation for everything I do outside as well. I want a native habitat for all the critters to thrive, but you're right, it's a commitment for sure. Just wanted to let you know you are seen and thank you for writing so openly about this emotional topic. Hope the baby Hedgies have a good hibernation :-)
You are seen too, friend! I'm not surprised we are similar in this way ☺️ and I hope you find a solution you feel good about, to help your birdies avoid your windows!
Ahh poor Mama Hedgie. And like you, gardening has become my sanctuary. I ripped up my summer garden here and am not planting anything new as I figured I'd have to rip it all up again when we list our home for sale. And it makes me so sad, but I try to get outside and weed a little because that helps.
Perhaps something tactile like making candles during the winter months might help?
It's devastating experiencing the loss of life in nature but often it's giving life to something else. Whether by food or nutrients for the soil beneath our feet. Still I cry as well. We've had a black bird family in my pot garden for 5 years and I unfortunately found their only baby this year succumbed to a crow. They were quiet for awhile but they are back singing and trying to eat my cherries through the netting.
I'm in love with your garden Cait. You have a beautiful wild garden that nature can thrive in! If anything just throwing some various beneficial wild flowers around would bring in more birds, butterfly's and bees. Nothing like listening to the buzz of nature. And if your interested in exploring ways to keep the growing hoglets (OMG so cute) safe by stopping slugs/snails in the area as best you can.
Aww, their poor baby. Birdy had a few babies this year too, and one of them was also killed, I think by a neighbourhood cat. Very sad. I WOULD love to get rid of some of the slugs and snails, but also don't want to kill things!? So I don't know what that looks like... yet. Maybe a 2025 "gardening" project!
So I see where you've joined us outdoor maintenance folk. I for one enjoy the time that I spend out in the fresh air, tidying up our fairly large front and back yards, mowing and weeding and (at this time of year) raking the ever-falling leaves, followed by the constant snow shoveling that often comes all winter long. Well, this may read like a lot of drudgery but, in pacing myself, it really isn't all that bad and provides me with the opportunity to get some daily exercise (away from sitting in front of a computer all day) as well as to have some time to myself just to think about things not related to all the drama that one is often exposed to on social media.
In reading your words I was just wondering - are your neighbours located fairly close to your Lighthouse residence (like mine are) or are they located mostly somewhat further away, providing you with additional privacy and quite?
I agree with you, Rob! This year, I've learned to appreciate the physical aspect of it all, and often break a sweat or can feel which muscles I used the next day! And my neighbours are close by. Just on the other side of all the hedges ☺️
I've been reserving this dispatch to read at the right time. Today was more than perfect. I laughed, I cried, and I also grieved mama hedgie. My Dad's nicknames for me were 'Bird' and 'Birdie' (it's why our pup is named Birdie!), and today, I found my glimmer in your writing. Friend, this was the biggest, warm, virtual hug that I needed. Thank you so much for continuing to share your light with us all! <3
Aww friend, thank you for this comment and for sharing what Bird/Birdie means to you! (And where Birdie's name came from!) I am SO glad this one felt like a hug... I'm definitely sending one over! ❤️❤️❤️
This is gorgeous take on the instinctive need for bedding down and hibernating. I’m also sorry for the loss of Mama Hedgie… but how wonderful that you gave her the best hibernating experience possible, a place where she could her birth her hoglets (what an excellent term!) and carry on her name 🥰
Oh I love this. I am not a gardener but we do have things to tend to and plant some annuals. When my mom died 14 years ago I dug in the dirt for months. It helped.
So sorry about Mama Hedgie and the idea that the babies are hoglets thrills the word lover in me. Your love of her and them is special - my kind of people. I always do my best to give any birds or bunnies that die in my yard a fitting resting place too.
Oh, we are definitely each other's people, friend! If we didn't know it before, we certainly know it now ☺️
You should read or reread the children's book The Secret Garden! It's all about healing through taking care of a garden.
I did a few years ago, actually! During the pandemic.
I'm sorry to hear about Mama Hedgie. If you ever need more time in the garden, please feel free to fly to Seattle, Washington to help me in mine!
So many gorgeous take aways here! I wish more people had your philosophy Cait! I shudder every time I see people using chemicals in an attempt in their mind to create a green lawn. The irony is heartbreaking! You have created a lovely nest for yourself and all the creatures that are lucky enough to be joined by you. It feels like a big, generous, comfy hug...from you...to your earth. 💚🥰
This is something I really struggle with re: all the weeds on my driveway, patios, etc. It's TOO MUCH and I really do need a better system for dealing with it. But I also can't imagine spraying anything on them, because of all the animals who hang around here. Even just the local cats. I wouldn't want any animal to get hurt. But I could really use the help of those sprays! Ugh, haha. I'll just continue to let them go a bit wild, until I figure out a safe option...
Ugh, bless Terrance. Crying with you. Also this reminded me that it's probably been long enough that I can rewatch all of Garden Rescue again. The British are so much better at TV.
BLESS TERRANCE! I couldn't have found a better person to talk to that day. And I haven't heard of those show! *Off to Google...*
Oh, poor Mama Hedgie...I cried when I read this. How lucky was she to have such a caring human helper. I'm also a fellow animal supporter/lover and it breaks my heart when death happens. Birds are the little critters that I've made my gardens for and there had been an unusual amount of window strikes lately. It guts me every time it happens. There's something about the reflected trees that they can't tell aren't real. Since I'm committed to my birds around the property, I've looked up a DIY window curtain thing that I'm going to make to help this situation. You writing about committing to the animals in your garden, and having your garden be for them made me feel seen. That's my motivation for everything I do outside as well. I want a native habitat for all the critters to thrive, but you're right, it's a commitment for sure. Just wanted to let you know you are seen and thank you for writing so openly about this emotional topic. Hope the baby Hedgies have a good hibernation :-)
You are seen too, friend! I'm not surprised we are similar in this way ☺️ and I hope you find a solution you feel good about, to help your birdies avoid your windows!
Ahh poor Mama Hedgie. And like you, gardening has become my sanctuary. I ripped up my summer garden here and am not planting anything new as I figured I'd have to rip it all up again when we list our home for sale. And it makes me so sad, but I try to get outside and weed a little because that helps.
Perhaps something tactile like making candles during the winter months might help?
Maybe! I'm also thinking I'll write more. Maybe start a book 🙃
Ohh totally here for it! I initially read this response as write a book about gardening haha (but totally there for that too!)
It's devastating experiencing the loss of life in nature but often it's giving life to something else. Whether by food or nutrients for the soil beneath our feet. Still I cry as well. We've had a black bird family in my pot garden for 5 years and I unfortunately found their only baby this year succumbed to a crow. They were quiet for awhile but they are back singing and trying to eat my cherries through the netting.
I'm in love with your garden Cait. You have a beautiful wild garden that nature can thrive in! If anything just throwing some various beneficial wild flowers around would bring in more birds, butterfly's and bees. Nothing like listening to the buzz of nature. And if your interested in exploring ways to keep the growing hoglets (OMG so cute) safe by stopping slugs/snails in the area as best you can.
Aww, their poor baby. Birdy had a few babies this year too, and one of them was also killed, I think by a neighbourhood cat. Very sad. I WOULD love to get rid of some of the slugs and snails, but also don't want to kill things!? So I don't know what that looks like... yet. Maybe a 2025 "gardening" project!
Hi Cait !
So I see where you've joined us outdoor maintenance folk. I for one enjoy the time that I spend out in the fresh air, tidying up our fairly large front and back yards, mowing and weeding and (at this time of year) raking the ever-falling leaves, followed by the constant snow shoveling that often comes all winter long. Well, this may read like a lot of drudgery but, in pacing myself, it really isn't all that bad and provides me with the opportunity to get some daily exercise (away from sitting in front of a computer all day) as well as to have some time to myself just to think about things not related to all the drama that one is often exposed to on social media.
In reading your words I was just wondering - are your neighbours located fairly close to your Lighthouse residence (like mine are) or are they located mostly somewhat further away, providing you with additional privacy and quite?
Take care my friend and enjoy your garden.
I agree with you, Rob! This year, I've learned to appreciate the physical aspect of it all, and often break a sweat or can feel which muscles I used the next day! And my neighbours are close by. Just on the other side of all the hedges ☺️
Such a beautiful post. And the photo of Hedgie and one of her babies is just gorgeous.
Thanks, Keris! I love that one. Though it also kinda makes me want to cry ❤️
I've been reserving this dispatch to read at the right time. Today was more than perfect. I laughed, I cried, and I also grieved mama hedgie. My Dad's nicknames for me were 'Bird' and 'Birdie' (it's why our pup is named Birdie!), and today, I found my glimmer in your writing. Friend, this was the biggest, warm, virtual hug that I needed. Thank you so much for continuing to share your light with us all! <3
Aww friend, thank you for this comment and for sharing what Bird/Birdie means to you! (And where Birdie's name came from!) I am SO glad this one felt like a hug... I'm definitely sending one over! ❤️❤️❤️