Thursday, 12 March 2026

Mid March

This year I have found almost all the buds from our magnolia tree on the ground, we had only a few flowers and most of them are here, I have been reading up on any issues which would cause this, hubby thinks it the squirrels, we saw one came on the tree and broke another bud off and chewed it, blasted furry pest.


It is a real disappointment to see this beautiful tree bare, it was a young tree already in the garden when we moved here 17 years ago, we do keep it a small size, it was lopped almost two years ago, other trees in the area are full of pink blooms. The leaves always form after the blooms. 


 This is the third book I have read from this author, not my favourite plot, a dysfunctional fragmented family get together for nan's 80th birthday, what could go wrong. Book 22 read this year.


My daughter suggested I read this book, a new author to me, a brief affair and a pact to murder each others spouse, is it ever a good idea, even if you have a better plan. I could not put this book down, book 23 read this year.


Another great book, family is everything if you all get on, the story follows 4 different women, 2 sets of "mother and daughters", it unpicks lives lived and how not to meddle with others. Book 24 read this year.





It's been a nothing week, the weather reverting back cooler, we have seen some nice sunshine, we have both spent loads of time reading and listening to music, our smart speaker will play anything we like, normally from 70's and 80's.

Monday I deep cleaned our downstairs bathroom, I plan to deep clean a different room each week, I have already done our bedroom and en-suite, I also did more work on my 2025 blog book and some knitting on my blanket. Tuesday I worked in the greenhouse, sorting small plants into bigger pots, my peanuts looks to be growing, finger crossed I get them to plants. Soon I will have loads of plants to go outside, making space for seed trays. 

Wednesday I spent morning with daughter, she was feeling blue after a couple of hard days with George, who has been getting upset and not able to say why. For much of the time, as a single mum she is on her own, school is being really helpful, what we all require is him to take test for autism, daughter and I both believe he is showing many markers. Will and Molly both try to be good, but at 9 and almost 5, they are both still very young, we help as much as we can, daughter needs as much support as she can get, sadly her soon to be ex has moved to Europe and sees less of them, so no physical support. 

Today the rain is due with vengeance, it's cold for us, no sunshine, so a day inside, we have our boiler service due this morning, it's only a few years old so not expecting any issues, I will do an clean up stairs, then relaxing.

10 comments:

  1. Grey squirrels are a real pest in so many ways - not just nuts, but buds, bulbs and much more, and a real menace on bird feeders. I guess that they must be short of other food to have stripped your magnolia this year?

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  2. It could be the squirrels but then would the surrounding trees be suffering too?
    Sometimes it is a change in weather, but that would also impact the neighbouring trees, it could also be nutrient levels a bit awry and the tree ditching the energy taking buds to protect itself.
    I worked in my greenhouse yesterday and felt all 'gardeny' and 'outsidy' but today - not so much - the weather has definitely taken a turn for the worse!

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  3. Sorry to hear about your magnolia tree. We bought OH's mum one for her birthday, I hope she doesn't have the same problem. It's sad for your grandchildren that their father has moved much further away, and also for your daughter, who is left to bring them up virtually alone. It's good that you are there for them. I'm sure they appreciate it so much.

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  4. That's too bad about your magnolia. I also suspect squirrels. I've watched them pull flower buds off the neighbor's camellia and eat them. At this time of year, especially, they seem to nibble anything.

    That Brian O'Sullivan book sounds really good!

    I'm glad you're there to support your daughter and her family.

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  5. Such a shame about your magnolia ... yes, it may well be squirrels.

    All the best Jan

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  6. We have been lucky so far and the squirrels have not found the bird feeder. They make such a mess.

    God bless.

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  7. The squirrels find them a great source of food at this time - rich in nutrients and carbs etc you can try a spray of cayenne, vinegar and lemon juice diluted in water (spray as the buds appear on the tree) and mint is sometimes useful in repelling them. They take the seeds as well and of course, being greedy little things they take more than they need. Spray cayenne and vinegar on to the branches and tree to discourage them from visiting it. Thoroughly enjoy your blog, love how you support your daughter and her little family, best wishes, Elaine

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  8. It's disappointing when buds don't flower, for whatever reason.
    It's a shame that George may have to contend with autism as well as other issues. We are sure our youngest great-grandson is autistic - no diagnosis yet, but he's virtually non-verbal at three and a half, and requires one-to-one supervision all day long. It's exhausting for my granddaughter.

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  9. It's hard work being a single parent, your daughter is very lucky to have you both nearby to lend a hand

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