Friday Flashback

Since I've spent most of this week out in the garden, that's where my thoughts have been. As I pulled weeds and spread straw in the berry patch I was reminded of my anticipation last year. The plants were old enough, large enough, cared for enough that I just *knew* I'd be enjoying fat, juicy strawberries by the end of June. Right sentiment, wrong recipient. It was the BIRDS! Hey robins! Hey grackles and starlings! Eat worms! Catch bugs! Go grow your own strawberries, those were mine!

But eat them they did - one delicate little birdie nibble at a time. Fiends! I tossed netting over the berries. They pecked through the holes. I tried the mosquito net I used to put over the stroller when Cute Boyfriend was a babe. They PULLED IT OFF! In frustration, I covered the berries with old sheer curtains. When the beasts couldn't peck through it or pull it off, they stomped all my remaining berries to mush.War? No, I surrendered, retreating to my corner with my grid paper and a sharp #2 Dixon Ticonderoga and I planned my ultimate victory. Scott decided my plans weren't nearly grand enough, so after a trip to Home Depot and some quality time with a PVC cutter, he unveiled my new strawberry citadel. Ha! This year, birdies, the berries are MINE.