In early spring I planted three or four packets of sunflower seeds, noting that in the past, these flowers attract hordes of squirrels. My solution would have been to cover the flowers with paper bags once they reached the height of their perfection.

Only two have sprouted. In one bed, I keep finding seeds that seem to have risen to the surface, and then fallen prey to something that likes the taste of what’s inside.

Could this be the work of the resident gnome? For readers who haven’t followed along, the mysterious happenings of the garden could not be explained any other way. I’m not talking garden statues here, but a real, live, grumpy and apparently voracious gnome who manages to keep out of sight.

Back to the bagged flowers: now you might want to ask, what’s the purpose of growing flowers only to cover them up with brown paper bags? Because then the squirrels can’t come along and dine as if they were rodent royalty, that’s why.