I did take note of a line of deep furry white-tailed large-hoofed rat prints in the wet soil of two of my rose beds, but beyond the resulting compaction of the soil and some nibbled daylilies, I didn't note any major damage. I will give them a free pass just this one time. I see no reason to get Odocoileus-cidal until they actually sample the foliage. You know, I've never looked up the genus/species of Virginia deer before. What kind of a name is "Odocoileus" anyway? According to one website, Odocoileus is from the Greek words odos (tooth) and koilos (hollow). White-tailed North American deer were given an unfortunate name, don't you think? It makes me almost feel sorry for them. Almost. Until they sample my garden.
My surprise of the morning occurred as a cosmic echo of my "Imposterous!" post of a few days ago. Gazing over my wet garden, I noticed, right in front of me and just next to the walkway, that my Northern Bayberry (Myrica pensylvanica) bush had bright pink blooms. Wait! Bright pink blooms? Bayberry blooms in small white almost inconspicuous flowers, and I grow it primarily in the event that "come the revolution"(as my father says), I'll be the only Kansan for miles with a source of candle wax. In this case, there was a 7 foot high volunteer Redbud growing at the edge of my 6 foot tall Bayberry and I've missed it entirely until now. Until it bloomed. It is going to be almost a shame to cut this brave and intrepid tree out, but it is in entirely the wrong place. Sorry, little tree.
