OK, I have to apologize in advance for posting these pictures, but as faithfully as I like to record my triumphs, I feel sometimes I need to remind my readers that it's not all glory in the garden.

My lupine this year were a little late to bloom and not as smashing as in years past, but in the end they did me proud...


The picture above was taken about two weeks ago.  Since then, the blossoms have been replaced by seedpods, which I usually just let drop so that they can reseed themselves.  But when I had a closer look at them today I found them absolutely infested with aphids...


These critters are teeny-tiny, mind you.  They have absolutely no interest in humans, either.  But as I tore out the infested plants and the bugs literally cascaded from the stalks, I couldn't help but get skeezed out.  I wanted to run away and jump in the shower.

You may recall I was having spider mite issues with my zinnia sprouts.  After a few rounds of insecticidal soap, most of the plants have pulled through, and I'm not seeing any more mites on them.  The aphid infestation came long enough after the lupine bloom, and was so total, the best course was just to hack the plants away.

But yeesh!  This is the stuff of nightmares, innit?  I mean, is there anyone who can see something like that and not have fever dreams of infestation all night? I just start itching thinking about it. 

Which is why I can't leave you with the squirms, now, can I? 

Let's think happy thoughts!  Like my new gardening hat?


Or... this is even better!  The roses have started blooming like mad all over the Fenway...

May you dream of roses tonight.