January 13th 2003..
A New Year in the life of the Muse from Port Melbourne.As I start my meanderings I look from my front room window where my Computer is onto the Garden City Reserve which is dry dry dry the colour of hay after harvesting.The trees look stressed and I fear we will losemany of them esp the older wattles and the newly planted elms,gums poplars which have been in only for 2 seasons.We are told the grass will come back but it is hard to believe.when you walk across it the crackling is quite loud.
Yesterday on Station Pier the Greek population had a celebration of music and dancing .So colourful and the brightness of their costume was a sight to see.Music wafted across the parklands for most of the day and when the north winds blew smoke from the fires in the country drifted in as well making it quite an eerie scene.
I walked on Murphys Reserve with the dogs yesterday and noticed that the Community Gardens which are nestled behind the Soccer ground were looking a little wilted possibly due to the water restrictions and also perhaps because they cut the branches from very old trees that once covered the garden area,perhaps to let in the sunlight ,but one wonders if this was a wise idea
This is the first time I can remember loosing trees,bushes and some plants in my garden .I was wondering if it is perhaps because I have planted new varieties to give it a more cottage feel.I did look at salt tolerant varieties of blues and grey greens but I notice that the ground covers were the first to die The native bottle brush ,the roses,hop bushes hibiscus protea and even the hydrangea are all surviving and seem not to be affected by the dryness.
. I have a lemon tree in my back garden ,planted by my Father Albert in 1936 to celebrate my birth.It has over the years been the most beautiful citrus one could ever want.I have nursed as one might a child and as it bears fruit every year after my caring ,fertilising trimming pruning spraying with detergent it continues to bear masses of fruit.The lemons are a little mishapen but still sweet to the taste ,at present I am giving it 2 monthly feeds around the outside branches of blood and bone watered well in and it seems to be responding and is not showing any signs of distress.I cannot bear to think of it dying and refuse to even contemplate its demise.I cannot say the same for a very large Irish Strawberry Tree my Mother Jessie planted some 20 years ago which today is showing signs of stress due to lack of rain although I feed it and water it well twice weekly.Iwill have to wait and see.
All for now ,with a forecast of 37o all windows and blinds are closed and the house is very cool and pleasant.and the dogs lie stretched out under my feet quite contented..They are spoilt ..Lois.
