The morning is overcast and chilly. Rain is predicted for later and for the next two days. I planted flowers and herbs yesterday so the rain is welcome, but I do hope it holds off until later this afternoon as I have more to plant. My trunk and front seat were filled with herbs, flowers, tomatoes and clay pots when I left Agway yesterday. I know I need a few more annuals so one more trip ought to do it. I say one more trip despite knowing that once I grab my wagon and wander the aisles I have an overwhelming urge to buy more and more for the garden. I bought two anise herbs yesterday. I rubbed a leaf between my fingers, and the smell of anise was a delight. I even said wow out loud. Two people turned.

Either I was sleeping too deeply or the spawn of Satan did not dine on my furniture this morning. Rubbing the metal with garlic was suggested by Christer, but with the rain coming I’ll have to wait. My luck, however, is such that the evil one will love the added flavor and bring his friends to dine alfresco.

When I was a kid, I loved feeding squirrels. They’d come right up and take a peanut from my fingers. I was delighted. I remember trips to the Public Garden in Boston. At the Swan Pond, people sat by the side of the pond, threw pieces of bread in the water and fed the ducks. People on benches all around the garden were ringed by squirrels looking for handouts. I remember squirrels running across the walk in front of me and scampering up the trunks of trees. It was like being part of a zoo exhibit where all the animals are close enough to touch. It was the neatest place for a kid.

I don’t remember seeing too many animals in the wild where I was growing up. I remember a few skunks and running in the opposite direction just in case. Raccoons would amble by but they were infrequent visitors. Once in a while, driving in the car, we’d see a deer in a meadow along the side of the road. That was the best sighting of all.

Where I live now, I see many animals in the wild. Coyotes and foxes are common. Deer have run in front of my car just down the street. Wild turkeys are getting more and more common. Rabbits sit on my front lawn as they munch the flowers. The possum was here a whole summer. He was after my tomatoes. I think it a wonderful thing that despite the numbers of houses there is still room for all these animals to ignore us and go about their business.