Categories
Gardening

Milo

Karen and I went to the awesome Hare Hatch Sheeplands on Saturday, this time to buy some fruit bushes for the allotment. Bernard fell asleep in the car on the way over.

*What’s the plan?* I asked.

“You’re going to stay in the car while I go and buy the fruit bushes. I’m being decisive, for once. I hope you like it.”

*I do like it. Feel free to buy me some nougat from the farm shop.* I said, while I pulled into a parking space.

She made it clear that this was not going to happen.

So I sat in the car, listening to Jonathan Ross, with Bernard snoozing in the back. Some time later, she returned.

“I brought you something.”

Milo

Meet Milo. The name owes its existence to a terrible, terrible pun.

More context.

Categories
Gardening

The decline of Snappy

Regular readers will be familiar with Snappy, the venus fly trap that I have been nurturing for the last two years.

This afternoon, Karen and I were in the conservatory, pouring wormery juice onto the plants therein. She looked out into the garden.

“Is that Snappy’s pot, out there on the table?”

I followed her line of sight.

Oh God no. Please, no. Shit.

Snappy must have been out there for a few weeks, because he was well and truly drowned. Now, I know that they can survive underwater for months at a time, but we’ve also had a few frosts in recent weeks, which can’t have done him any good. He’s not looking well. Not at all. I think that this is the end.

Categories
Gardening Photos

Snappy

Snappy in July 2007

Snappy’s doing pretty well at the moment. He’s been eating lots of delicious flies lately.

Categories
Food Parenting Photos

The effect of tiredness

Lack of sleep is having a noticeable effect upon [Karen][]. Allow me to illustrate using an example.

[karen]: http://uborka.nu/rise/

Today, I came home from work at lunchtime, as usual, to prepare a small meal, hang out the laundry, usual kind of stuff. The fridge was full of coleslaw, potato salad, and other similar items, so I made up a couple of platefuls and brought them back through to the sitting room, where Karen was sat, giving Bernard his milky nourishment.

I set down the plate in front of Karen and the change that took place in her face was remarkable. At first, her eyeballs glistened slightly. Then I noticed her chin start to quiver. Her skin reddened, and pretty soon there were tears streaming down her cheeks and wails were emanating from her mouth.

What’s up, sweetheart?

*(sob) There’s too much of it! (sob)*

This was the first time that I’d known someone cry because I’d given them too much lunch. As I wrapped my arms round Karen to comfort her, I was simultaneously crying along with her and laughing at this completely unforeseen situation.

She doesn’t know that I’m posting this. I hope that one day she’ll be able to look back on this and laugh.

In other news, my venus flytrap is currently digesting flies in *six separate traps!* This is a record, and I’m pleased that he’s getting the nutrition that he needs. I couldn’t fit all six traps in one photo, so I’ve taken two.

Snappy Meal (1 of 2) Snappy Meal (2 of 2)

Categories
Gardening Photos

Return To Health

Return to health

After flowering last year, Snappy is finally starting to return to form, with some decent-sized, healthily-coloured traps.

Categories
Gardening Photos

Poor Snappy

Poor Snappy

I suspect that this pot is too small, and his roots aren’t deep enough to support his shoots.

I hope that it won’t hamper his reproduction too much.

Categories
Gardening Photos

My new friend

This is a photo of my new friend. I call him Snappy. I hope that the reason behind this should be obvious.

Snappy

*Originally posted here*