COLORS FROM THE GARDEN

Rains are back.........let's hope it's short lived.  Although in talking to a friend of mine who lives in Arkansas, there is a drought that sounds like it's lasted for a couple of years.  They've had to take a number of trees down and more to come.  I lived in the California foothills in the 70's when one of their drought seemed endless. 

Norm and I lived about 10 years down there.  I loved that area........first time I was able to live close to nature, have a garden....both flower and veggie, had my share of trying out various animals and the only think that got eaten were the eggs.  Everything else died of old age while I practiced 'living off the land" not-so-well.  8-)  Happy memories, though, with close friendships forged.  One of those was my sister-in-law, Terry.  She taught this green girl a lot back then.......how to bake pies, can and pickle, garden, the names of all kinds of plants and the different animals and birds we had living around. A love of the land and appreciation of nature in all her many splendors.  The changing of seasons were more pronounced there and we even had to sort of rescue them from flood waters when their lake and stream got clogged up by debris.  Another time her husband, Ed, my brother-in-law, lost his barn and workshop to a fire.  Very scary happenings when you live in the woods.  And there was the nearby wildfire, so called The 49-er Fire.  There and  many other areas in northern California so burnt that the air was thick with soot and smoke from Sacramento all the way up into Oregon.  We had to drive with our car lights on for mile upon mile...  Devastation........but 'Earth Abides' and the green returns.  Terry was a bit of a surrogate mother to me during those years......not that we saw eye to eye on everything.  But I did learn a lot from her and appreciate all that was shared.  She died last week at the age of 92 or 93...........A very full life up to the very end.......in spite of her age and an increasingly bad heart.  So.......bon-voyage, Terry.  I know you're having a wonderful reunion with so all those you loved and loved in you return.  Terry loved her flowers and was a true master gardener.   So, I'm dedicating these flower photos to her.............

The top photo is of my Siberian wallflower........love those blues and purples! 

 This pink pretty is just a small portion of my weigelia.........Pretty spectacular this year.  It still is although more blossoms are disappearing. 
And last but not least is one of my Icelandic poppies. The actual color is much, much brighter.  Very bright!!

I just got a new software photo editing........I haven't downloaded it yet but I'm sure there are many trials and experimenting in my future

Memorial Day is just about here........Hoping you all have a great weekend.  If you're traveling do it safely............and a prayer or two of rememberance for all our fallen warriors.  Much of what we have to be thankful for is because of their sacrifice......

MAN VS JAY

 I clicked this photo of Norm through the window today.........He's waging another spring war, this year it's not the squirrel, it's the stellar blue jays.  He feeds the finch, grosbeak, chickadee and towhee, among a few others..........the jays come in and bully all the others to take off.  They jump up and take big mouthfulls of the suet, wasting a lot of it.  Norm is a product of the dreaded Great Depression......waste not, want not.  The jays don't play by the rules.  So, its war and so far the birds are winning.  They seem psychic.  Paper waving through the window while sitting in the chair doesn't work anymore.  As soon as he stands up and moves forward, they're gone.  There have been times when he even makes it out the door, tip-toeing ever so quietly, gun in hand, our stealthy hero of the little feathers.  They spy him through both windows and off they go.......or he's convinced that they read his intentions.  I think they're playing with him.  Norm has devised all kinds of extensions, sticky stuff, and little blockades and so far the jays have still outsmarted him.  So, this photo is of our determined warrior, sitting in wait and hoping the jays won't notice him sitting there with the big-boom stick.  Unfortunately, the jays are still laughing.

This street sign is one that Norm has wanted me to take a photo of for a long time.  We finally stopped and I snapped this past week.  This road is a side road off Seven-Devils Rd. on the back way to Charleston.  It's sort of an ironic combination, don't you think??   This might be something he can work with in his battle with the jays.  8-)

Hasn't it been great to see the sun these past few days?  I hope the wind will die down a bit and it should be perfect.  I've gotten some gardening done but there's always more.  There seem to be more blooms this year......maybe because of all the rain.  I'm not complaining......in fact the perfect weather is a couple of days of sun.....then a bit of rain and back to sun. 

A neighbor of ours reported last year a fairly large pack of raccoons on the prowl....even during the day.  That's so not good!  And they're reappearing.  Norm has noticed that one or more have been traipsing through his newly planted vegetable garden.  Another threat of a war??

Still trying to sell our futon if anyone is interested.  Plantation style......$75.  Give me a call if interested.  Or leave a message under 'comments'

Wishing everyone a happy and sunny week.......or what's left of it.  And have a great weekend!!