Gardening from Stillestead

This afternoon, I worked in the garden preparing for the changing season.

I protected my hydrangea plants with chicken wire to prevent my

 chickens from damaging them by jumping on the delicate branches.

I replanted the bulbs the chickens scratched out of the soil.

Then, I spent some time tidying up the front porch to make room for the 

pile of firewood that we are planning to stack up next week. 

Then, 

I found and admired a crazy-looking caterpillar moving around the lawn.

It looked fake.

It resembled a creature that a 5-year-old would imagine in their mind.

It is a good thing for Google Lens; I figured out it was a 

White-marked tussock moth was first discovered in 1797, and the four white

toothbrush-like tufts on its back can cause allergic reactions.

We didn't experience that, thankfully.

We also learned that when it finally becomes a moth,

it's not very pretty or colorful, as his caterpillar self suggests.

Lottie and I enjoyed observing and watching this creature 

crawl around our hands and tickle our arms.