Update

Power was restored to our house and the others on our lane this morning at 9 am.  The crews making the repairs came from Toronto, Canada!  I thanked them profusely.

I'm writing this from the library because the internet & cable are still down.  No word on those repairs.  Our land line phone also has major static issues but hopefully Verizon can fix that when they come tomorrow.

I'll be heading home after my haircut appointment and will fill the rest of the day doing laundry.

STORM!

The derecho storm hit us between 10:30 and 11:30 pm last Friday night.  Immediately we lost power and cable/internet.  Phone service went out the next day but has since been restored.  Other utilities will not be so quick.  Fortunately we have a generator so we have well water, power to the freezer and refrigerator and the ability to cook.  No AC though and the temps have been really hot.

Today I'm at the library to check emails and post this.

Damage to trees was horrible.  We lost tops to countless tulip poplar trees but fortunately for us none landed on the house.  We had one dead tree across the steepest part of the driveway which had to be cut apart by Dan and Sarah with minimal assistance from me since I've been limited in how much I can lift by my surgery.  The grassy areas and flower beds are littered with small branches again from mostly the poplars.

We will survive.

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.