Cricket Makes Compost Cakes

Before                                           Our wonderful Cricket now.

One of the smaller fairies to join my garden community is named Cricket. She keeps the garden tidy. Cricket likes to fly around the garden gathering plant debris. She makes neat little piles by layering dead plant material and soil. When I see a pile, I dig a hole next to it about 10 inches deep by 10 inches wide. Cricket returns to fill the hole and create a small hill of plant waste. When I see a the little mound encircled with sticks and stones, fresh flowers petals and a bit of fairy dust on the top, I know she has moved on to the next one.  I call these fancy compost piles "Cricket Cakes." Over the next few weeks the piles slowly decay and become sweet compost. Cricket thinks of herself as a self taught chef of plant food.

Cricket Cakes can be found around the garden.

Cricket and I have been working many longs hours to tidy up the garden. The gardener that lived here before me had a more natural and untouched style of gardening. I love that gardening is such an individual thing. No two gardeners are completely on the same page. We each have our own style and that's the way it should be! The gardener before me had a large compost bin in the corner of the garden. Thank you! I used this to fill my new raised garden beds that Twigs and I just completed.

As I strive to make this MY garden, the fairies are working along side me. I am a very blessed woman!

A New Fairy Arrives

Tomma Tillo

I was resting quietly after a long day of working in the garden, ( I refer to my entire yard as "the garden"). My chaise lounge was even more comfortable than I remember. My eyes were closed and the stillness of the evening was very relaxing. I began to hear a fairy near me. I did not give it much thought since the fairies are always buzzing here and there in the garden. I started to realize it was not going away and it seemed to be very close. Then the sound stopped and at the same time I felt something land on my chest. I slowly opened one eye. Looking  back at me was a tiny little man fairy? I have only met gal fairies. With both eyes opened I said "Hello, I'm Linda and you are in my garden."

He responded "Hello to you too! I know who you are. Fairies everywhere are talking about the lady who moved into this old house and has made a fairy welcome garden." He had my undivided attention now. I started to sit up and I said "Really? Do tell me what you have heard about Linda Lu." He explained news travels fast in the fairy realm when a human is fairy friendly. Everyone is talking about the Sisterhood of the Seven Gypsy Fairies and wondering if there is room for more fairies in your garden.

My mind started to race. I should think about this. If I say yes, will my garden turn into a Fairy Woodstock? If I say no, will I regret turning them away? The truth is, I adore the sisterhood of the seven fairies living here. Building a fairy safe community would be wonderful for all us.

"There could possibly be room for more fairies" I said. The little fairy spun up in the air, landed back on my chest, removed his acorn cap and bowed. "Allow me to introduce myself" he said "I am Tomma Tillo and I am pleased to make your acquaintance!" He made me smile. He was quite dramatic. "I can help you" he said. "Do I need help?" I responded. "There is a rumor going on that you are growing poison ivy" said Tomma. "Oh, that" I said. I also explained its not that I am growing it, it came with the house. I am trying to banish it and for now, stay away from it. "Yes, yes, yes, I need help with that evil weed."

We chatted for a while. I really started to like spending time with Tomma. I think he will fit in nicely. I told him he was welcome to search the garden for a spot to make his home. I also asked him to be respectful of the area in and around the camp where the sisterhood lived. He assured me that there was no need to be concerned since he stopped at the camp before finding me. He wanted to make sure all of the ladies of the garden would welcome him.

I have come to learn when the fairies want something, the air is filled with determination and perseverance. You can feel a tingle or charge in the air. The fairies are up to something!