Clematis on the Railing

One of my goals for the year was to have lots of vines on the iron railings on my steps and porches.  Here is one cluster of clematis that is doing very well.  Another goal just didn't work out - at least not yet.  I wanted to sand and paint the railings but the clematis took over so quickly that I didn't get the painting done.  There is still a chance for the fall.

There is so much yard work to be done that I don't quite know what to do with myself.  Do I work outside or do I quilt?  And then there is jury duty.  I usually don't have to go in, but it's always lurking in the background.  Five more weeks.  One thing is sure:  the house work isn't getting done.

This weekend I did get half my mulch spread and half the flowers planted.  And, I got a long string of solar fairy lights for the ugly fence at the back of  yard.  It's just one length of fence that I'm thinking was put in years ago before there were houses behind mine.  It really doesn't serve any purpose.  A couple of years ago I started a bed across the back with ornamental grasses beside that fence and every year I expand a little.  It's starting to look better, and those fairy lights blink on and off like fire flies.

It could be worse.  In one of the neighboring communities the front yards are tiny and long ago the trend must have been to put cyclone fence around the little yards.  I noticed a sign that there are city grants available to have those fences removed.