It Was Just Too Tempting!

As M3 and I were finishing breakfast yesterday the girls headed outside for some fun in the sun before it got too hot.  As I looked outside to check on them I gently asked, ‘Um M3, Is the palm tree supposed to look like that?’  The girls were gently holding one of the frawns which was partially laying on the ground.  Being a palm tree newbie, I just figured palm trees did that.  Umm….nope.  Unfortunately this little frawn that was drooping down over the path proved a little too temping and when it was tugged it broke.

We contemplated cutting it at the break but decided to Google it and see if we could find a way to fix it.  We couldn’t find anything a bout large palm trees but we did find instructions for small, indoor palm trees so decided to use the same recommended solution, just on a larger scale.

We got the ladder from the garage as well as some electrical tape and the surgery began.  My job was to lift the limb with a broom (sorry – still in nightgown)  so that M3 could secure it in place using the electrical tape.

After securing it we gave it a good water and we’ll see what happens when M3 and TubaDad remove the electrical tape in a few weeks.  We’re hoping it survives but if it doesn’t, it sure won’t be for lack of trying!

Before we went inside, M3 gave another branch a little trim to help discourage the same thing from happening.

Here’s hoping for a great recovery!

Oh no! We have visitors! **UPDATED**

If you know me, you know I’m not a pet person. I have nothing against pets, they’re just not for me. I’ve always lived a very busy life and have felt it’s not fair to have a pet that I have no time for.

That being said, Hannah and I came home last Thursday to find a mommy cat and her 3 kittens had taken up residence in our courtyard. I guess we’re not the only ones who realized it was a beautiful, private, quiet place to hang out. I’ve watched the mother and she makes her way in and out under the neighbour’s deck and they come up through the hole in my deck around my lilac tree and air conditioner.

I would never hurt them but I’m looking for suggestions as to how I can discourage this mother (Siamese) and her kittens from living here and encourage them to leave? I’m going to call animal control tomorrow and see what they say as I have no idea where the mother lives. I want our deck to be a safe place for Hannah to play and I’m not thinking the cat would be too willing to share it with us.

Until they find a new home, Hannah’s enjoying watching them through the screen door.

Kitten anyone???

**UPDATE**

It's now Saturday night and I think my little family has moved on to greener pastures and warm milk. I'm not a cat person so did not make any effort to get to know them.

One thing that was recommended to me was to put egg shells where the cats were entering my property. I'm lucky that the only access to my deck for the cats was up through the deck around my lilac tree. I put the egg shells there on Tuesday morning and have not seen the cat or kittens since.

Hopefully they've found a wonderful new home with a family who loves them.