Attack of the Catnip (Part 2: Redemption)

If you're a follower of this blog, (So far I count one, thanks mom) you know that I recently vented about my ever spreading catnip plant. While I don't regret what I've said (The plant continues to be a pain) I'm not giving you the whole story. After returning home from a weekend away from the garden, I've discovered evidence of what may soon become the silver lining around my dark cloud of a mint problem.

Upon inspection of my neglected garden (My roommate apparently didn't get my message to water it) I found everything in fairly good condition. The strawberries were continuing to thrive, the lavender is sending out roots and the catnip had hundreds of beautiful purple flowers. As I was inspecting said flowers, I discovered what looked to be a flattened out bed and some cat hair. It appeared that my prolific mint had attracted one of the neighborhood kitties! At first I was a little upset. After all, it's my garden and I don't want to share it with a mangy alley cat who's just going to lie in the sun getting high of my catnip, before taking a dump as he leaves. (Oh, I found 'evidence' of this as well, rolled around in the dirt it looked kind of like Almond Roca but I digress...) Upon further reflection however, I think my anger was misguided. Cats after all, are highly adaptable predators, widely known to prey on birds and small rodents. Hence, if I could attract a cat or two, I would have a natural defense against the strawberry (and tomato) robbing squirrels and earthworm grabbing birds. Essentially (and please allow my abstract analogy) it's like buying your crazy uncle Rufus a 12 pack of Natty-Ice to sit in a lawn chair and watch your freshly poured cement driveway cure. Sure, he'll be piss drunk when you get home and your leftover BBQ chicken will be completely gone but at least your driveway won't have all of the neighbor kids' names written in it. (Along with any curse words they can misspell) All in all, a fair trade.

So Mr. Catnip, I apologize for my harsh appraisal earlier. I failed to see the obvious benefits you could have. Yes, you spread like fire in a windstorm and threaten my vegetable beds with your very existence but you attract potentially valuable guard dogs (or rather cats) to my precious garden. May your aroma attract the most vicious squirrel killing cat possible. I will gladly clean up his smelly presents in return for a healthy fruit harvest.