catching up

We are busy as bees working in the yard and tending the garden, which is doing very well despite numerous snails and slugs. We have been sprinkling the sluggo around and it disappears quickly. The other day we suspected the birds might be eating it... yipe. Besides slugs another groundhog is on the loose. We have not yet captured him/her but will post it when we do. A deer came by the other morning to eat apples from our tree that fell on the ground. Alden did not seem that interested at the time but later talked about it all day.

Alden has finally taken up the harmonica. I know this is a 'careful what you wish for' but I have been trying to get him into it for several months. He is the type of chap that really enjoys watching others do things and is a bit shy about trying new things himself. It was nice to see him finally take to it.
We also have a chipmunk living in the hollow of our apple tree. Alden and I saw him the other day and we were both delighted. Alden promptly dropped about a dozen apples in the hole for the critter to eat. Hilarious.
I took Alden to visit Grandpa Scott for the day when I went for a conference in New Hampshire last week. They had a good time looking at the chickens and driving the tractor. Alden figured out the scoop control lever and the steering wheel this time around. Clever lad.
Ilana, Karen and Barbara all got together and got Alden a riding lawn mower for Father's day.