Random Wonderings

"Happiness is like a butterfly which, when pursued, is always

beyond our grasp, but, if you will sit down quietly, may

alight upon you."

-- Nathaniel Hawthorne

 First hibiscus bloom.

 What makes this hydrangea multi-colored?

 Who planted this sunflower in the front flower bed?

 A volunteer, but what is it?  Here's the fruit.

 Here are the leaves.  Any suggestions?

 Cucumbers

 When will these tomatoes ripen?

 Thank you Betsy for Tennesse for sending these sempervivum (hens & chicks).

Almost Wordless Wednesday - Japanese Lanterns

I have always been enamored with Japanese lanterns.  I have one small one that I bring out each Spring and put into a new spot depending upon my whim that year.  When Fall comes I put it away because I'm afraid the cold weather will make it crumble.  This year the lantern is nestled amongst the ferns, heucheras and hostas in the glen garden. And as the season progresses it blends more and more into its surroundings.

 

 But my lantern is miniscule compared to these I spied in the Japanese Garden at Butchart Gardens in Victoria, Canada.

 

Harvest?

It has been a rough 10 days.  My mom was hospitalized on the 16th with heart failure - first time - at age 93.  She's okay, but there were only three of the 6 of us available to stay with her, and my schedule was the most flexible up until discharge day when I had to prepare for my outpatient surgery that had been on the calendar for months.  That happened last Thursday.  Now comes recovery - slower than I ever anticipated and hard not to get out to the garden to do stuff which I've learned I can't without paying for it.  Today I've had a morning and an afternoon nap; that's shows what stamina I have and I haven't done much of anything.

Vegetable gardening is out though tonight Sarah is to plant the eggplants I picked up last Wednesday as an impulse purchase at Southern States. I'll supervise the planting.

 I've walked through the vegetable beds a couple of times and did manage to pull some carrots which we enjoyed steamed with store bought broccoli.


Sarah picked blueberries sporadically but only handfuls and from one bush only.  The other 5 are different and not ripening as fast.

She also picked this lovely jalapeno pepper and is deciding what to make with it.

 Before surgery I pulled out all the garlic (no photo) and its curing in the garage.

See other harvest at Daphne's Dandelions.

 There are some new faces in the flower gardens among the daylilies.  At least I can enjoy looking at them and the other flowers though I can't do the tasks that need doing to keep the gardens looking their best.  I'll get back to that before I know it.

Wordless Wednesday - Flowers Keep Blooming Despite What Life Throws at You!