Life was hectic for DB#1 and I, in regards to Mom, in 2021 and 2022. We could no longer keep her in her home with her increasingly demanding care. One day after we didn't come running to her beck and call, she requested to DB#1 to move in to independent living, and on June 24th she moved in. Of course she doesn't remember requesting it. 
The following May, Mom was moved to Assisted Living out of necessity. It started out as minimal care, but her needs have increased to date, and will continue to increase as time goes on. The gardens suffered from neglect. 
I didn't tend to the gardens, not deadheading and removing dead DL leaves, fill the bird baths, or feed the birds for two years. I did get some photos of DL blooms when I could.
Now things are more settled with Mom, and I am back out in the gardens full force. 
First things first, I had to launch a full assault war on Canada Thistle that has colonized on our property, during the past two years. So getting it under control was the first thing on the list. I found that a solution of bleach, water and a drop of dish soap in a spray bottle to be effective in this war. On stream setting and with the nozzle itself in physical contact of each cut weed stalk, I spray liberally for a systemic kill treatment. This way I should not have to dig up the running root that sits pretty far down in the ground. The physical contact of the spray bottle eliminates overspray on neighboring plants, and the solution runs down the stalk itself for good measure. 
It seems to be working. It will take a while to treat all of the colonies in the garden beds, but I'm happy with the results so far! 
I read that mowing on the regular will eventually kill the colonies in the lawn while I'm otherwise occupied. 
