Autumn chores

It's cold. It's gray. But some things can't be put off any longer.

Especially the snowdrop bulbs I ordered 5 weeks ago 

but which didn't arrive until the eve of our first major snowstorm.

Copious rain on Thanksgiving has washed all the snow away,

so it's time to plant.

Ten tiny bulbs by the back door...

...in Oscar's domain.

Oscar's looking a little scruffy: 

having a gall bladder and spleen-ectomy 

evidently requires much shaving of hairs.

Not just his underside; also a large spot on his back.

And three of his legs are somewhat denuded.

But the fur will grow back, and he doesn't seem to mind.

Next chore: the tying up of a transplanted volunteer evergreen,

which was standing up just fine until the big snow.

Now it's being assisted by my rain gauge holder, 

whose functional parts have been emptied

and retired to the garage for the winter.

Next: native seed assortment to please the local butterflies and bees...

(Blurry!)

...and to restore where I've removed honeysuckle shrubs, 

which I only recently learned are invasive.

They are Asian and have probably been edging this property for decades. 

And not only do they spread rapidly, but they crowd out natives - 

and their berries,

which the local birds like just fine, 

have no fat, so don't support the long trip south

for the migratory ones.

Already the bay magnolia is showing its buds.

And what's this?

The melted snow has unearthed a downed traffic sign.

Note to self - notify village public works.