A touch of wild

Lii took great care of my garden in my absence.  She made sure that the plants that needed monsoon protection  would be placed undercover and that the already sheltered ones would get their due drink.  Once the annual deluge began, there was no need to water anything!  She also helped prune back the oleander, bougainvillea and the alamanda.  Still, when I returned the garden was akin to jungle! The monsoons seem to have an elixir like effect on vegetation.  You’d never believe anything was cut back!

I have been longing to be out and working in the yard but getting the house mold free was priority!  I finally was able to do a little when my mother came.

She showed up on my doorstep after conspiring with Adam and Renu!  She didn’t want me to go crazy cleaning for her visit so she didn’t tell me she was coming!!  It was lovely having her albeit for a measly ten days!(Can you see me pout?!)

The garden must have been in on the conspiracy too! It must have willed her intervention! Some form of civility returned after that initial help from the head gardener and I was able to get my yard-bearings.  “Be careful of snakes,” warned Adam when he saw me put  on my gardening gloves.  I did pay attention to the caution. ( I am also trying to get some beds ready for planting my arugula, zucchini and tomatoes)! So as I cleared sticks, leaves and weeds, I was wary.

20160911_15370420160910_191251Well, while pruning, I noticed a golden flash.  Upon closer inspection I found a gorgeous, metallic looking chrysalis, dangling under a bougainvillea leaf.  This has now been safely placed where we can watch it, (hopefully) morph before our eyes! There are now dark lines where there was nothing before so we believe our butterfly is in the making!

20160911_13291520160911_133318Then this afternoon, after we came back from church, while I fixed lunch, Adam called urgently! Trigger, our hunter par excellence cat, was cuffing away at something near the bird bath.  Two Bronzeback snakes were desperately playing dead to avoid our sleek Diana! Adam rescued them and our newly emptied recycle bin was the perfect stowing zone.

img-20160911-wa0004We quickly referred to our snake guide which Rahul Alvares had recommended.  And yes, the now-not-so-playing-dead-and-quite- frisky babies were Bronzeback snakes.  Probably male and female! Brandon was delighted!  “They’re beautiful!” he exclaimed while Ria smiled from a safe distance!

They are nonvenomous and fairly shy, but I think I may have to wear my boots in the garden from now on!  Well, at least when Trigger is not around!  Earlier in the year we did also find a deadly Russel Viper in our yard too but Cassie (the mama cat) chased it away! We decided to wait for R and B’s friends to see the Bronzebacks before releasing them.

So wild garden to wild chrysalis to wild snakes!  What next?!

About Probhita

Quite ordinary, really. Where I do consider myself extraordinary is in that I have been tremendously blessed with the sweetest family and the best of friends. It is nothing short of the richest luxury to be loved as I am! Being challenged to think and break away from status quo is a personal priority. I believe that the Creator of the universe has a plan for my life and random chance is not the way of my existence. I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. I deeply uphold tolerance - I may not concede to a thought being right - but will always respect its view. The privilege of having the best parents in the world and growing with caring sisters in a rather unique setting is an aspect closely cherished. My youngest sister, despite being oceans away, always remains my closest friend and my biggest encourager! I have a wonderful husband who loves me and two gorgeous children. I presently live in India. This blog is the embarking of a journey with Charlotte Mason's philosophy of education as I continue to homeschool my children. I hope their childhood will be as fulfilling and memorable, if not, more, than mine.
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2 Responses to A touch of wild

  1. Lii says:

    Yes, I can see the pout!!!

    And by the way, I do love your garden.

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