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Adulting (v): to do grown-up things and hold responsibilities, such as, a 9-5 job, a mortgage/rent, a car payment, or anything else that makes one think of grown-ups. -- UrbanDicionary.com. Losing the battles of the garden but winning the war Julia Le Oakville Beaver news reporter 17 | Friday, August 5, 2016 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com T he war against my garden wages on -- and the weeds and wildlife are winning. That beautiful allium I grew from a bulb harvested from the Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital legacy site is no longer with us because a squirrel (or a pack of them) decided to gnaw at its base, bringing the vibrant purple flower to its demise. In the following days, lilies also went down, like a forest being clear-cut. The squirrels have no mercy. Pepper plants have been dug up whole from our vegetable garden, although the tomato, zucchini, squash and herbs, have been spared. Perhaps it's not even the squirrels, and the culprit is some other critter, in which case, I'm sorry squirrel, but not so sorry I'm blaming you (after all, I see how you taunt me as you dig a big hole in my planter of flowers). But here's the thing, squirrel. The joke is on you -- and all your little friends. That's right. We don't need your help killing our garden. We're already doing a great job of it -- all on our own. Just take a look at our grass that barely shows any trace of green. You can hear the straw-like texture crunch with every step you take. And the weeds... those darned weeds just keep multiplying. For every one I pull, another four pop up the very next day. And have you seen the clematis plant that was slowly making its way up our trellis? It gave up on us probably because we weren't watering it enough. I don't blame it. But in our defence, we were trying to let nature `do its thang.' For the record, our spirits -- the hubbie and I, that is -- aren't broken. After all, we get a pass for being newbies this year, right? We continue to attempt flipping through the stacks of old magazines and books a friend of mine gave us, listing tips and tricks on how to garden. see Squirrels on p.20 Birnie CurrentSAFE is in your neighbourhood performing electrical inspections Like your neighbours did and protect your home from an electrical fire. ARE YOU AT RISK? If you own an older home If your home has aluminum wiring If your home's had multiple homeowners and renovations These are the electrical hazards we find in homes like yours: Book a FREE ASSESSMENT COMPLETE BATHROOM, KITCHEN & LAUNDRY RENOVATIONS WHAT ARE SOME OF THE WARNING SIGNS OF AN ELECTRICAL HAZARD? Lights that flicker or dim Fuses blow / breakers trip Outlets and switches that are warm to the touch Light fixtures crackle or buzz Light bulbs burn out A burning plastic-y smell Visit ismyhomesafe.ca or call 1-855-569-1818 CO Book your FREE appointment today and receive a FREE CO alarm, that's a $50 value! We Supply · Custom Vanities · Counter Tops · Tubs · Faucets · Sinks · Toilets · Custom Shower Doors · Tiles And Much More Fully Licensed, Insured & 2 Year Workmanship Warranty 2666 Royal Windsor Drive, Unit 1D, Mississauga (at Winston Churchill) 905-823-2278 Hours: Tuesday to Friday 10 am - 5 pm, Saturday 10 am - 4 pm www.clarksonbathandtile.com C A N A D A ' S L A R G E S T R E G I O N A L M O N T H LY PA R E N T I N G P U B L I C AT I O N Tradyo Turns Your Clutter Into Cash. Chat Call orText IN THIS ISSUE Lifejacket Posted by MikeToolGuy $15 Love means having to say more than sorry Preparing the family Smile, you're on the dog for the arrival nanny cam of a new baby Visit www.Tradyo.com Buy and sell in your neighbourhood. Planning a party? Check out City Parent's new online party planner at cityparent.com + MUCH MORE Throw your own Olympic themed party