A Photo a Week Challenge: Summer Vacation 2020

Posted on May 1, 2020 by

This week’s Nadia Merrill photo challenge subject is “Summer Vacation 2020.” I’m not sure if we will able to make it to the beach again this summer, but we are hopeful. In keeping with Nadia’s direction, I am thinking about a wonderful place we visited some years ago in the New York mountains. 

Just imagine having a picnic alongside this falling stream.

Please visit Nadia at https://nadiamerrillphotography.wordpress.com/2020/04/30/a-photo-a-week-challenge-summer-vacation-2020/  to see her beautiful photos and those of others who join in the challenge this week.

Posted in Nature, Photo Challenge | Tagged | 4 Comments

Things I See Around Town: A Field of Buttercups

Posted on April 26, 2020 by

We are staying close to quarters here in our retirement community, but I do try to take a walk around the grounds each day, properly distancing, of course. A little exercise surely helps get through another day of stay-at-home.

In an area yet to be developed on our property, I walked into a field covered with cheerful bright yellow buttercups.

As I investigated more closely, I came upon several small, lovely, and colorful surprises.

I think the red flowers are poppies whose seeds escaped from a nearby garden, but who cares? They were a delightful exclamation point in the field of yellow and for certain brightened my day.

 

Posted in Gardening, Nature, Photo Challenge, Things I See Around Town | Tagged , , | 15 Comments

A Photo a Week Challenge: Just For Fun

Posted on April 23, 2020 by

This is just for fun.

Every garden needs music; this is the Phrog Philharmonia, featuring our singers The Three Kitty Sisters, Lily, Billie, and Millie.

Thanks to Nadia Merrill for hosting this meme. Please visit her at https://nadiamerrillphotography.wordpress.com/2020/04/23/a-photo-a-week-challenge-just-for-fun/   and see her contribution and that of others participating in this fun weekly challenge. 

This one was really fun.

Posted in Gardening, Photo Challenge, Things I See Around Town, Weekly Photo Challenge | Tagged , | 2 Comments

In a Vase on Monday: Scavenging

Posted on April 20, 2020 by

It’s hard to collect flowers for IAVOM when one has no garden. So I’m left to keep a keen eye out for potential items when I am walking the grounds during my daily exercise. Social distancing or no, garden or no, I can still scavenge. Today a few grasses growing wild along the edge of the parking lot caught my eye. In just a small area I found what I consider quite attractive grasses just before their seeds will ripen and spread around our community.

Here is what I put together for In a Vase on Monday:

Closeups of some of the grasses gives an eye to their rarely observed beauty.

I am delighted to join Cathy at Rambling in the Garden for this week’s vase. You will undoubtedly enjoy seeing her vase this week and all the others who follow her meme.  

Posted in Nature, Photo Challenge, Things I See Around Town | Tagged , , | 18 Comments

A Photo a Week Challenge: Peaceful Place

Posted on April 17, 2020 by

I am delighted to join in the weekly photo challenge guided by Nancy Merrill Photography. This week’s theme is Peaceful Place.

I always find peace in natural settings that combine water, stone and lots of greenery. During a garden tour in the horse country of Northern Virginia, I found this lovely pastoral scene. It represents for me the emitome of a “peaceful place.”

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Please visit https://nadiamerrillphotography.wordpress.com/2020/04/16/a-photo-a-week-challenge-peaceful-place/ to see what she and others are sharing about their “peaceful place” this week.

Posted in Gardening, Nature, Photo Challenge | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

In a Vase on Monday: ‘Miz America’ Blooms Again

Posted on April 13, 2020 by

It’s been a long time since I have been able to join Cathy at Rambling in the Garden to show a Vase on Monday. My “porch garden” has very little to offer these days, and we have not been able to replenish the pots due to our quarantine. One plant that is bursting forth with flowers right now is ‘Miz America’ mustard. In fact it is bolting as it recognizes that it’s time to make seed, and flowering is part of that process.

Please visit Cathy at Rambling in the Garden to see what she and so many others are bring in from their gardens.

 

 

Posted in Gardening, In a Vase on Monday, Nature, Things I See Around Town | Tagged | 10 Comments

Warm and Uplifting

Posted on March 29, 2020 by

Today is lovely. The sun is shining; it’s warm. It’s an SSSS kind of day (SSSS=short sleeve shirt and shorts). I was able to take a nice walk around the grounds of our retirement community, abiding by the current “social distancing” rules, of course.

For one raised in the south, I welcome the timeless signs of a southern spring: daffodils (or jonquils as my grandmother called them), dogwoods, and azaleas.

These are challenging times, especially for us “old folks,” trying to stay clear of the virus. Having to stay inside, somewhat isolated from our resident neighbors, is not fun. Have you ever heard of “cabin fever?” But a sure cure for the virus blahs is a walk in the sunshine, SSSS, listening to Tony Bennett and Peggy Lee on my headphones, and falling in love all over again with the sure signs of a southern spring.

To my readers, wherever you may be:  STAY SAFE

Posted in End of the Month View, Photo Challenge, Things I See Around Town | Tagged , , | 13 Comments

Its Here Already

Posted on March 21, 2020 by

Spring!

The evidence is everywhere. One of my neighbors has daffodils in bloom. Dogwoods are about to burst into their whiteness. I saw a crocus. Dandelions have already gone to seed. Another neighbor has azaleas blooming by her patio. Wow! Mid March and there are azaleas in bloom. Tiny new leaves on the bare trees are making their greenness visible.

Could this be a redbud, awakened from its winter slumber?

My Arranger and I are now living in a senior retirement community. With this virus thing touching all aspects of our life, we are focused on maintaining proper separation from our fellows. We’re not going anywhere (buying plants for the porch will have to wait). But that doesn’t mean I can’t take a walk around our grounds on a warm Saturday afternoon and get close to the spring newness I see around me. 

The pines are putting out their new needles, and the rain we had last night left puddles in spots, filled with yellow…pine pollen. Alas, it’s time to begin the daily dusting of the porch furniture.

There is uncertainty about the impact of the virus on our lives, but it is reassuring to know the cycle of life is continuing. A walk in the garden made my day.

Posted in Gardening, Nature, Photo Challenge, Things I See Around Town | Tagged , , | 16 Comments

Things I See Around Town: Criminal Activity?

Posted on February 22, 2020 by

Yesterday I came upon stark evidence that a heinous crime had been committed.

This is unquestionably a case of first degree Crape Murder. A dastardly deed. In plain view 0f the public. Brazen. Condoned by the “Landscape Committee.” Why they probably paid so-called outside “professionals” to do the dirty deed.

I am barely able to consider the pain and suffering these three sturdy examples of treehood had to endure. And closer examination of the evidence strongly suggests that this wasn’t the first time they had been treated to such harsh treatment.

What’s next? Surely they won’t have those handsome evergreens cut down into basketballs.

Posted in Gardening, Things I See Around Town | Tagged | 7 Comments

Things I See Around Town: Is Spring Coming?

Posted on February 11, 2020 by

Here we are approaching mid-February, and I spied a bit of color on cherry (?) trees in our neighborhood.

It’s not much, but a bit of pink on a drab, cloudy day is a real promise of what’s to come.

Let’s enjoy!

Posted in Gardening, Nature, Photo Challenge, Things I See Around Town | Tagged , | 1 Comment