Zsa Zsa, cactus, and marigold.
Our new kitten, Zsa Zsa, is settling in as new cat in the hollow. We plucked her from a porch just over the county line last June when she was 8 weeks old, weaving her way in and out of the paws of assorted dogs and eating out of common dishes. She’s not afraid of anything and has a calm demeanor. She’s not a needy cat, just the kind to win my heart – a diamond among stones, a seal point Siamese out of Nelson County. Here in Albemarle she is becoming mistress of her domain, pestering the aging Milo (going on for 11) and generally giving some life to the place.
We head out as usual this time of year for the Outer Banks of North Carolina and south Nag’s Head, leaving behind the old garden of summer. Always love to toast the autumn equinox at the edge of the tide. And tackle the hollow garden when we come back, tilting toward fall.
This summer star tomatoes have been heirlooms ‘Mortgage Lifter’, ‘Cherokee Purple’, and the golden cherry tomato ‘Sunburst’. In spite of foliar disease, they push out the fruit.
The single marigolds in the half barrels host hummingbirds, swallowtail butterflies and assorted pollinators throughout the day. They come up from seed every year and I can’t remember where I got them!
Planted with peppermint and spearmint, the deer have left these smelly plants alone.