Of Interest

"A lot of people call me a weed but I'm a friend and come to help you!

When you see me, remember that I'm the ONLY one who wants to, and can grow in that particular spot. 

Because:

Either the soil is too compact/hard/stomped and I want to loosen it for you with my roots.

Or there is too little calcium in the soil - don't worry, I will replenish that for you with the dying of my leaves.

Or the soil is too acidic. But I will also improve that for you if you give me the chance.

Or a mixture of the above reasons, of course 😊

I'm here because your soil needs my help so best you let me grow without disturbing me! When everything is fixed, I will disappear again, I promise! 

Are you trying to remove me prematurely with my root? However meticulous you are, I will return 2x as strong! Just until your soil is improved.

You can even tell by my growth at which stage my help is at. If my leaves are flat on the ground then I'm far from ready but if they all reach up then I'm already a long way on my way.

Something completely different is that I am one of the first bloomers in spring so I will announce spring/summer for you. 

During the day when it's hot, I open my flowers but in the evening when it cools off I close them again quickly. In fact, if it's not hot enough during the day I won't open them at all!

My flowers are some of the first food for insects after hibernation and unlike most other plants, I have pollen AND nectar, not merely one OR the other! And I am generous with them! 

My flowers are even delicious for you people by the way, did you know? I used to be called ′′honey (or gold) of the poor′′ because my flowers are so sweet in e.g. jam, sauce or salad! 

But wait until the end of May or later before you start picking and even then, don't pick everything yet! The biodiversity and bees will be very grateful!

Have a dandy day”

- Poem by Paula Kok - Den Boer

After an action packed morning of running, swimming and playing fetch, this is how we found Harley …

I think he’s feeling right at home now!

Aside from painting another canvas black in preparation for my third jellyfish attempt, I didn’t do any art today, but I found a style that I would love to try after my next jellyfish (which I accidentally called an octopus in yesterday’s blog post!). I started a little practise pad today so I hope to soon share my ideas.

Harley has been a good boy - except when BGWLBH dropped a grape while preparing a lunch platter and he snatched it from the ground and ran off with it.

We don’t know if he ate it, but we do know that grapes are very toxic for dogs, so we have kept a close eye on him. Nothing seems amiss but it can take up to 24 hrs to cause problems so we are still on alert.

We chose to not go to the park for coffee this morning so it was a nice lazy start to the day.

It’s almost 11pm and I’m feeling tired. BGWLBH has an appointment in The Bay early so I should get to sleep now.

Nite all.