A Walk in the Garden

Posted on September 17, 2021 by johnvic8

A Photo a Week Challenge: Gates and Fences

This week’s challenge from Nancy Merrill Photography is “Gates and Fences.”

Gates and fences can be important features in a garden. I would like to share a gate and a fence in gardens in the Charlotte area that I found to be quite lovely.

This gate is a welcoming invitation to enter a peaceful inner garden.

In this garden, the owner added arched windows to the fence. They don’t allow a view through the fence to the garden next door. Rather, the windows are fitted with mirrors. The reflections give the sensation that the garden extends past the fence. It is one of the most creative fences I have seen.

Please visit Nance at https://nadiamerrillphotography.wordpress.com/2021/09/14/a-photo-a-week-challenge-gates-and-fences/ to her take on the challenge.

Posted in Gardening, Photo Challenge, Things I See Around Town, Weekly Photo Challenge | Tagged fence, garden features, gates, photo a week, postaday | 6 Comments

A Photo a Week Challenge: Multiple Shapes

Posted on September 8, 2021 by johnvic8

Nancy Merrill’s weekly challenge is to share photos involving multiple shapes.

This photo of an heirloom peony is a good example of multiple shapes coming together to make a breathtakingly lovely flower. The peony was a gift from my Aunt Martha, who gave me a number of peonies that started in my family in my grandmother’s garden. Its name has long been forgotten.

There are three basic shapes that make up the blossom: large, almost flat petals on the edge, small ruffles around the center, which consists of a crinkly mass of smaller petals. And, of course, the next bud yet to open is a solid round ball.

I hope you will forgive the wee ant tasting some of the nectar on the peony bud.

Please visit Nancy at https://nadiamerrillphotography.wordpress.com/2021/09/07/a-photo-a-week-challenge-multiple-shapes/ to see her offering this week.

Posted in Gardening, Nature, Photo Challenge, Things I See Around Town, Weekly Photo Challenge | Tagged heirloom peony, peony, photo a week, postaday, shapes | 6 Comments

A Photo a Week Challenge: WATER

Posted on September 1, 2021 by johnvic8

WATER is the subject of Nancy Merrill’s photo challenge this week. I am pleased to offer two contrasting photographs of flowing water. One shows a peaceful trickle in a Charlotte garden water feature. The other is a mighty torrent in one of the world’s most famous falls.

Please visit Nancy at https://nadiamerrillphotography.wordpress.com/2021/08/31/a-photo-a-week-water/ to see her offering this week.

Posted in Gardening, Nature, Photo Challenge, Things I See Around Town, Weekly Photo Challenge | Tagged gardening, Niagara Falls, photo a week, postaday, water feature | 5 Comments

In a Vase on Monday: Loving Daughters

Posted on August 30, 2021 by johnvic8

No longer having a garden, I have not been able to participate in Cathy’s In a Vase on Monday meme. But my three sweet daughters have given my Arranger a monthly gift of flowers to brighten our apartment. The flowers come all the way from Colombia and arrive fresh at the beginning of each month. This month’s selection is particularly lovely, so I’m happy to share with you.

The Roses are special in this arrangement.

Please join Cathy at https://ramblinginthegarden.wordpress.com/2021/08/30/in-a-vase-on-monday-bejewelled/ to see her vase this week and that of others who participate in her challenge.

Posted in Gardening, In a Vase on Monday, Weekly Photo Challenge | Tagged Cathy, Colombia, In a Vase on Monday, Rambling in the Garden, roses | 15 Comments

A Photo a Week Challenge: PROPS

Posted on August 25, 2021 by johnvic8

Nancy Merrill is pushing the envelope this week with her challenge: share a photo of someone or something that needs PROPS to tell their story.

What would a great garden orchestra need but its props–its musical instruments, of course.

I am pleased to present a photo of The Phrog Philharmonia, performing in my last garden.

The Philharmonia artists include Phineas Phrog on sax, Pharris Phrog on trombone, Phrank Phrog on concert ukulele, and Phylo Phrog on the mini phrench horn. (The sleeping phrog is the manager, Philipi Phrog.) Please note that in front is that wonderful singing group, The Kitty Sisters–Milly, Lily, and Billie.

Please visit Nancy at https://nadiamerrillphotography.wordpress.com/2021/08/24/a-photo-a-week-challenge-props-2/ to see her addition this week.

Posted in Gardening, Photo Challenge, Things I See Around Town, Weekly Photo Challenge | Tagged frogs, philharmonic, photo a week, postaday | 9 Comments

A Photo a Week Challenge: ATTITUDE

Posted on August 16, 2021 by johnvic8

Nancy Merrill has challenged us this week to share a subject showing off an “attitude.” Attitude, in this context, usually means something like, “Don’t mess with me. I have my opinion and that’s it.”

I think most folks will look for a person exhibiting such an attitude. I found a photo of a critter, standing in my garden, facing me down. This four-legged young lady definitely had an “attitude.” (I apologise for the screen between us; I had to take the shot when I could.)

Please visit Nancy at https://nadiamerrillphotography.wordpress.com/2021/08/16/a-photo-a-week-challenge-attitude-3/ to see her sweet subject.

Posted in Gardening, Nature, Photo Challenge, Things I See Around Town, Weekly Photo Challenge | Tagged deer, photo a week, postaday, wildlife. deer | 1 Comment

A Photo a Week Challenge: Natural Lighting

Posted on August 10, 2021 by johnvic8

The challenge this week from Nancy Merrill is to share a photograph taken with natural light.

During a visit to the Atlanta Botanic Garden several years ago, I was privileged to view a number of Chihuly masterpieces in the garden. This one in particular almost defies adjectives. At a minimum, they must be superlatives.

Please vist Nancy this week at https://nadiamerrillphotography.wordpress.com/2021/08/09/a-photo-a-week-challenge-natural-lighting/ to see her contribution and those of others who share in this weekly meme.

Posted in Gardening, Photo Challenge, Things I See Around Town, Uncategorized, Weekly Photo Challenge | Tagged Atlanta Botanic Garden, Chihuly, photo a week, postaday | 12 Comments

A Photo a Week Challenge: REFLECTION

Posted on July 27, 2021 by johnvic8

Nancy Merrill’s challenge this week is to share a photo that reflects the word “reflection.”

I had two choices, so decided to include them both.

This is a photo of a painting by Richard Estes, in the Atlanta Art Gallery. I love the way the artist has included reflections in the windows of the stores along the street.

“Supreme Hardware,” 1974. Oil and acrylic on canvas

A scene from a garden in Charlotte, NC. A sunny afternoon, with reflections in a pond.

Please visit Nancy at https://nadiamerrillphotography.wordpress.com/2021/07/26/a-photo-a-week-challenge-reflection-3/ to her reflection this week.

Posted in Gardening, Photo Challenge, Things I See Around Town, Weekly Photo Challenge | Tagged Atlanta Art Gallery, photo a week, postaday, Richard Estes, Supreme Hardware | 1 Comment

A Photo a Week Challenge: FROM THE SIDE

Posted on July 19, 2021 by johnvic8

Nancy Merrill has given us a real challenge this week: to view a subject from the side.

I saw this rooster casually reclining in garden bathtub at a recent Home and Gardening Show here in Charlotte. I hope this view from the side captures the intent of Nancy’s challenge and shows just how relaxing an afternoon scrub can be for a lonely rooster.

Please visit Nancy at https://nadiamerrillphotography.wordpress.com/2021/07/19/a-photo-a-week-challenge-from-the-side/ to see her offering this week.

Posted in Gardening, Photo Challenge, Things I See Around Town, Weekly Photo Challenge | Tagged photo a week, postaday, rooster, washtub | 5 Comments

A Photo a Week Challenge: REALLY BIG TOYS

Posted on July 8, 2021 by johnvic8

Nancy Merrill’s photo challenge this week could send me in several directions. My Dad’s big toys included antique automobiles. I loved his maroon Model A roadster, with rag top, rumble seat, and yellow wheels. Alas, that is ancient history now, so I remembered this photo I took of my wife in front of a REALLY BIG TOY.