This is What …

… Memorial Day is all about.

Lest we forget …
there are way too many of these headstones to remind us of all those who have fallen.

One Whole Year

When my family and friends lived near me, it was easy to grab someone by the arm, drag that person over to a flower border and say, “Look at this!” The people who came to our house in Illinois knew that a walk around the garden might well be part of the visit and many of them enjoyed seeing the changing floral scene.
For the past 12 months, thanks to Blogspot, I’ve been able to do the same thing on a larger scale, posting a photo and saying “Look at this!” to other gardeners around the world. We can enjoy conversations, and if they're also bloggers, I can have the pleasure of visiting their gardens. I’ve even met some Austin garden bloggers in person, and feel as if I know many more of you. You’ve been so kind and generous with your comments, have touched my heart with the Mousie nominations, and you even let me sing and play the piano.
Thank you all for a wonderful year!

My first post on June 7, .. had a photo of the Blue River II Hibiscus, but in .. those buds are not even allowing a glimpse of their white petals. Another large white flower carries fewer blooms on its branches, but has the advantage of fragrance, and it graces the page today. There were five Magnolia blossoms, from bud to blown on the ‘Little Gem’ tree this morning.
Tomorrow should bring a story about passalong daylilies – and that will be my last post for a couple of weeks. My mom has been recovering from surgery and she's doing well, thank heavens. At this point it looks like I can be useful in person, and I’m heading up to Chicagoland to be with Mom and the Illinois family. My mother’s home is an internet-free zone, so I’ll catch up with you when I get back - Philo is keeping the camera, ready to take photos of what is happening here in Austin garden while I'm gone. Happy June Gardening to everyone!

Our Condo Reveal - With Guest Room

It's built into the lease that we have a cleaning woman come in twice a month. yesterday was the first time, and since the place shined so well, thought I would take the chance to show off the place...



Living area... Couch, Love seat and chair with ottoman.



Dining room table 4 chairs



Entertainment center... complete with lending library (newest book was 10 years old), a few DVD's and VHS tapes. I think people just left em). We do have cable TV, so I get my fix of Morning Joe while I do my post).



Master bedroom (looks a little like Marcia Brady decorated)



Master bath withRalphLauren towels.



Guest room (plenty of room for you)



You even will have your own bathroom



But when you visit, I get the room with the stuffed iguanas on the wall.

It's not home, but it certainly is better than a hotel for 6 months.

And plenty of room for company

2014 Calendar

Doing final proofing of the 2014 Bicycle Trails Calendar. The files will be sent to the printer later this week.

Calendar pages measure 9" X 12" and includes January 2015. All photos were taken while riding my bicycles. Post processing was done using HRD Darkroon 2 Pro and Photoshop Elements.

If you are interested in a copy of the calendar -I will have them available for sales at $15 (add $1.05 Iowa tax if applicable). Mail orders, please add $3 shipping.

Scenes from dry woods

No time.


We'll talk later.
Maybe by then the Mockingbird will have tired of taunting me, repeating midnight tales of Scarlet Tanagers.
-----
Turtle shell.
Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum). My husband calls these Germamiums, partly (I believe) because he knows I think it's cute.
Morel mushroom.

Edinburgh 19 - Toulouse 14

Time to work off all those deep-fried calories with a game of rugby. Edinburgh played Toulouse at Murrayfield on Saturday, turning in a gratifying win after a desperate season for Scottish rugby in the European Six Nations tournament. Toulouse is in white, which I have never understood as a colour in which to play rugby.

Photos are courtesy of my daughter, who kindly responded to my text plea for some blog fodder.




Instead of cheerleaders before the game, American style, spectators were offered a furry thing in a kilt. I imagine it must have been nicely cosy inside that costume.



The view from my daughter's seat in the stands. My son was also at the match in a different part of the stadium. By dint of some extreme waving they managed to locate each other across the pitch. Family ties, eh?

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Hope you're wearin' something green!