Morning Glories In Round Rock

It's December--Oh my!

2009-12-09T20:37:00.000-08:00

We had grey drizzly weather most of last week, with the first hard freeze of the season. We were supposed to have gotten 1 1/2 inches of the white stuff last Thursday. The grands were so excited--with talk of an early release from school, and the expectation of actual snow. We waited and waited. Finally, around 12:30 we had about 10 minutes of flurries, and then the sun came out. They were so disappointed. But, their teachers all let them go outside to play and catch snowflakes on their tongues while it lasted. We have had grey drizzly weather off and on all weekend with lots of fog. Yesterday late afternoon, it cleared again, and I was able to get a shot of the sunset.

I know most can relate to the craziness of December that I am feeling. It seems after Thanksgiving, time speeds up, going faster and faster as the days become shorter and shorter. This week, we have had a wedding shower, a Christmas party, and an old friend stop in town for a visit. Thankfully there were several of us that worked on the shower together, but even so, I made 4 dozen cupcakes and two batches of truffles.

The Bride-to-Be's colors are called Truffle and Pool. I just had to make the truffles with a color name like that! I thought the cupcake turned out rather well with the little pearl dragees

I found to sprinkle on top.

We still have another Christmas party and then my mother will be flying in this weekend if her flight isn't canceled because of the weather.

I hope that I can find the time to stop even for just a moment to catch my breath once in awhile and enjoy a few more sunsets like I was able to do yesterday. I think what made me feel a little calmer, was getting out and planting the last of the bulbs that have been waiting patiently for me. I hope that you will be able to find quiet moments throughout your day to stop and breath--and enjoy the season.

November Butterflies

2009-11-29T14:45:00.000-08:00

Sitting, talking after dinner Thanksgiving Day...

What is Bo telling my son? Was he complaining that Dr. Shane said no more table scrapes and a limited amount of food is unfair? Yes, Bocephus has been put on a diet!

The butterflies were thick on the marigolds. I would like to say there were hundreds, but probably more like 20 - 30.

The Bees were out enjoying their Thanksgiving feast too.

TThe Copper Canyon Daisies are putting on their show of the season.

We had a lovely restful Thanksgiving Day with much to be thankful for...

Son is employed again after being laid off for 6 months...

Daughter has gotten a full-time teaching position, when other more qualified teachers are still looking for work...

Frisky is hale and hearty...

and most of all, my mother is recuperating from her heart scare. We still haven't gotten the last word from the specialist, but from what we have heard so far, everything is fine. She is planning on being here the 12Th of December to help with the Christmas festivities.

We have so much that we take for granted to be thankful for.

I am thankful for getting to know so many of you!

What are you most thankful for?

Frisky Cheats Death

2009-11-21T11:38:00.000-08:00

So much has happened within the last two weeks, I scarcely know where to begin. Forgive me if this post is disjointed, but it seems to be a jumble in my head, which I am sure will be somewhat confusing. I have been in the Quad Cities for the past week. My mother underwent an Angiogram. Thankfully, she did not need to have an Angioplasty done, but she developed complications from the procedure, which wouldn't close up and clots formed. The nurses had to apply constant pressure for twenty minutes at a time. They kept her overnight and did an ultrasound before releasing her. I stayed with her for a few days after to drive her around and also to try to keep her from overdoing too quickly. That proved to be my hardest challenge, but she seems to be doing well, and best of all, the doctor said she can still travel here to spend the Holidays as she usually does.

I am now officially obsessed with Rattlesnakes! Frisky was bitten two weeks ago on the weekend. It must of just happened when we first saw him with his face and head swollen. When we checked on him later, he had a huge knot about the size of a golf ball, right between the eyes. and was no longer able to sit up. Thanks to the wonderful staff at Round Rock Emergency Animal Clinic, he not only survived, but is showing no ill effects. The staff was amazed at how quickly he recovered and began eating that night!

He was weak and tired for a few days, but I think that was more from the pain killers they gave him than the actual bite. I think once the venom was out of his system, he bounced back very quickly. We did not treat him with the anti venom, but with antibiotics and pain killers along with fluids to help flush the venom out. It is a terrible decision to make, but the with a price tag of $1500.00, not including the other medications and critical care he received, we felt it was all we could do.

Frisky is a feral cat we rescued as a kitten. I am convinced his strong will to live and tenacious spirit is what kept him alive. The vet said the fact that he was bitten on the nose, was in his favor, and if he had been bitten on a foot, he probably wouldn't have survived. My daughter researched on line as much as she could, and based her decision to not give the anti venom on reports, that it is not that effective in cats.

Needless to say, it has dampened my fervor to garden. I have literally left no stone unturned in the garden, and have found several snakes, but none were poisonous. Above is a Thailand Pepper that somehow grew in an Agave...try as I might to extract it, the sharp needles of the Agave have made it impossible.

This seems to be the only way I am able to view the Moonflower...I am too afraid to be out after dark now!

We have had some light frosts that have nipped the Morning Glories, but still blooms.

Not only do the sunny blooms of the Sunflower charm me, but the symmetry--the geometry of the seed heads amaze me.

Granddaughter Libby, first on left. First dance recital of the year. She has had to make the switch from gymnastics to dance after a back injury after nine years of gymnastic lessons.

Here we are, at the beginning of this jumbled mess of events--The San Antonio Botanical Garden tour I went on with the Austin Garden Bloggers.

I think this was my favorite display--the Children's Garden. They each made their scarecrows as individual as their garden plants.

The blossoms on this cactus looked just like little miniature pineapple.

I thought the cactus and desert gardens looked lovely in the midst of the Live Oaks.

The reflection of the Bald Cypress trees of east Texas in the water and the textures of the knobs of the Cypress tree roots at the water's edge was beautiful.

And here is the view of the Bald Cypress across the pond.

A lovely Dragonfly sculpture in the midst of the pond, which made me think of Becky.

I am in love with the Pink Muhly Grass. I bought four plants on this trip, which still haven't been planted yet.

This just looks like Texas to me.

A nice place to rest a minute before continuing on our tour.

I loved the playfulness of the sculpture both in subject and placements.

One of the dogs that greeted us at Madrones, a private nursery we visited, that opens by appointment only. I think the thing that struck me so strange, was our host at this nursery, commented on that he didn't feel the need to caution us on snakes as they were now all hibernating!
The very next day was when Frisky was bitten.

The Pomegranates were so beautiful--in shape and color.

There was so much more at the Botanical Gardens that I wanted to cover on a post, but so much has happened in a short amount of time, I feel I could never do justice to that wonderful trip. It was fun to get to meet some of the garden bloggers, and I hope

to have another opportunity to get to go on fun field trips with them again.

The Three Faces of Jacob's Coat and Some Very Confused Bees

2009-11-03T19:22:00.000-08:00

My picture taking abilities (or lack thereof) don't do justice to the lovely color of Jacobs Coat. I guess I could blame the camera--yeah, that's it--if I only had a better camera...

As a bud, it is yellow edged in a Tangerine Orange.

It turns to an orange blossom with a buttery yellow center.

Lastly, it becomes a pink blossom with white at the heart.

I'm not quite sure what these bees are doing. Are they tanking up before frost? Are they confused, thinking they are hummingbirds?

The feeder is right outside the back door, and there are so many bees buzzing about, I am afraid to let Loudon out until they settle down. They have been working on the feeder for two days now.

Fall Color

2009-10-26T16:11:00.000-07:00

The Mexican Marigold Mint is one of the stars of the garden right now.

The Marigolds are a big part of my Fall color, even though they have been blooming all summer.

Lots of little critters are busy collecting and harvesting, getting ready for winter.

This is the first year I have really had a lot of marigolds, and they have been worth it. I hope the seeds I have been saving are viable, because I love having them this time of year.

Aster with Purple Heart behind it.

Oh my! Looks like I need to do some dead-heading!

The Jacob's Coat is putting out more blooms now that we are enjoying cool weather and rain.

The birds have missed some berries on the Virginia Creeper.

I love the way it vines over the fence. I hope my neighbor feels the same way.

Our backyard backs up to 7 neighboring yards...One 'neighbor' in the corner has taken it upon herself to tear down anything that peeps over the fence! This is my last surviving Hummingbird Vine given to me by Nola at Alamo North.

I love the warm afternoons, with lengthening shadows, that turn into the cool nights of Fall. They seem to stretch endlessly between frequent showers now. I find I lose myself to them gardening. Planting for next Spring, mulching, reworking beds. The holidays always catch me by surprise and I find myself rushing to do all the inside cleaning, cooking, and shopping at the last minute because I can't tear myself away from the garden a second sooner than I have to.

Another Milestone

2009-10-15T08:35:00.001-07:00

Another First

2009-10-01T20:52:00.001-07:00

Loudon's first haircut

A Time To Gather

2009-09-26T17:42:00.000-07:00

This is what the skies have looked like for much of the week. To me, it is a lovely sight after such a hot dry summer. The garden seems to be revived and renewed. The garden is filled with activity now. The calendar says it's Fall. Can cool Autumn weather be far behind?

I am sorry the quality of this picture is so bad, but the only way I could get a picture of the Hummers, was through the window at our breakfast nook. The Hummers have been emptying the feeders so quickly, I have had to refill them twice a day. We have counted 13 at the feeder at one time.

With the rain, the Lantana has put out new blooms.

As well as the Zinnias.

It seems all the bees have a renewed zeal for gathering food.

The roses have a new flush of blooms.

I just can't resist a pretty face!

Fat little guys with pollen sacs filled.

They are certainly finding plenty to gather on the Purple Heart.

RAIN, RATTLESNAKES, AND RUMINATIN'

2009-09-11T17:39:00.000-07:00

Rain! All day long rain. It has been a wonderful cloudy day with soft slow rain with periods of downpours. It always amazes me how green the grass gets with just one REAL rain. The grass had become for the most part, as golden as a wheat field. I knew it had gone dormant, but with the heat this year, I thought for sure the lawn was a goner. One thing is for sure, no one has complained about the rain today. Everyone is grateful for the break in the weather. It’s too early to say the drought is ended, but it has brought a new sense of hope that it could be!

I know you will think I am fixated on Rattlesnakes, but on our trip earlier in the week, this is what we saw at every rest stop we stopped at. Yikes! I checked out the restrooms very carefully before I used them! By the way--I found them much cleaner and a safer bet than Mickie D’s or DQ. When you travel the back roads of Texas they are pretty chancy as well as few and far between.

On our road trip, we went through so many little towns with great names that I started writing them down, which led to thinking of other names. We went through my personal favorite; Happy, Texas. We also went through Hail Center, which led Hubby to tell an ironic story of his family looking for cover in a hail storm in Hail Center. We also went through Rising Star, Early, Good Night, White Deer, Quanah, Sweetwater, and something I personally want: Wisdom. When you are driving through West Texas and the Panhandle, there isn’t much to look at or listen to. We always take plenty of CD’s , and even though we were jamming out on ZZ Top, we started a game of naming all the Texas towns we could think of that sparked our interest. Hubby thought of Pep, Smiley, Rainbow, Sunray, and his personal favorite: Bacon! I like Comfort, Sweet Home, Friendship, and Paradise. You’ll always be on the Sunny Side in Sunny Side, Texas! You can talk turkey in Turkey, Texas. Or, if you are hungry, how ‘bout Noodle, Oatmeal, Trout, Salty, or Rice? There’s Cut and Shoot, Gun Barrel, Muleshoe, Frognot, Bigfoot, Hogeye, Notrees, Kickapoo, Dimebox, Ding Dong, or Best, Texas. Oh! But that’s not the best--there is Veribest, Texas. Of course there is plenty of sun in Texas. There is Sun City, Sunrise, Sunset, and Sundown. You can go to Paris, London, Ireland, Dublin, Athens, or Egypt--and it doesn’t require a passport! You can get down to Earth, Texas, or venture further to Venus! And of course, it’s not just towns. There are great names for creeks. We passed Wanderer’s Creek, which made me think of Honey Bear Creek, close to where we live. That made me think of another creek called Woman Hollering Creek, which has interesting folklore attached to it…but that is another story…

What funny or unique towns do you have where you live?

Late Summer's White Blooms

2009-09-05T14:35:00.000-07:00

I am in love with the white blooms of late summer. At a time when the colorful zinnias are beginning to flag from the relentless heat, the front garden with it's all white theme, sparkles with the promise of cool mornings that are sure to come--soon, please!

Although the Gardenias don't put on their lavish show of masses of blossoms of Spring, one by one they bloom, showcasing their singular beauty and intoxicating aroma that will drift by as you walk to the front door.

The Chives emerge from their papery cocoon. Could any carefully arranged bouquet match it's artless beauty?

The tiny Blackfoot Daisy peaks shyly out from behind it's foliage.

And the ever-faithful Begonia never fails to please.

The white, as well as pale lavender, are my favorite shades of Crepe Myrtle.

Moving to the backyard side garden, the Morning Glories are still putting on a show in spite of droopy sad foliage.

My first attempt at capturing the image of a butterfly. It patiently rested while I tried to get a good shot, but after four, it said enough, and sailed away.

Under Sebastian's tree, the Liriope with it's pale lavender blooms edged in white are cool and refreshing.

The Lavender, dotted throughout all the beds, are starting another bloom cycle.

I feel I must apologize for being so reticent lately. It seems that summer just flew by after we got home from vacation. It felt as though I just turned around and it was time to start school shopping for the girls. Now that they are properly clothed and outfitted with school supplies, I have wanted to do nothing more than get my hands in the dirt again. The heat along with the threat of rattlesnakes has kept me indoors. We have been warned of snakes coming into the neighborhoods looking for water, and a few have been found in ours. I am so afraid of Loudon stepping on one without realizing, that I have decided to hibernate awhile longer. I have plenty to do inside, but I always start feeling a little scattered and unhappy when I can't get my hands in the dirt.

I have started my Fall cleaning since I am stuck inside. There is much to do, and I start feeling guilty getting on the computer. It does seem that gardening centers me and keeps me from obsessing about the house. I wouldn't be on the computer this weekend except I was forced! I am in a hotel room with a book and my computer! Hubby and I came up to the panhandle to a family reunion, and I "should" be there right now. On the way up yesterday, I started getting a scratchy throat, and by morning, I had lost my voice. I am running a fever, and the infection seems to have gone straight to my chest. If it is not strep throat, I am guessing the flu. I can't help but think this forced slow-down was what I needed to stop "doing" so much. Although achy and dizzy, I can't help but enjoy my forced vacation from life. Now I am off to see what all of you, my cyber friends have been up to since I have been away!

How To Survive The Summer Heat

2009-08-10T08:05:00.000-07:00

Snuggle up with a few close friends and a stack of good books.

The River

2009-08-05T20:26:00.000-07:00

I was born upon thy bank, river,

My blood flows in thy stream,

And thou meanderest forever

At the bottom of my dream

Henry David Thoreau,

Journals (1906), 1842 entry.

The face of the river, in time, became a wonderful book . . . which told its mind to me without reserve, delivering its most cherished secrets as clearly as if it had uttered them with a voice. And it was not a book to be read once and thrown aside, for it had a new story to tell every day.

Mark Twain,

Life on the Mississippi

I came where the river

Ran over stones;

My ears knew

An early joy.

And all the waters

Of all the streams

Sang in my veins

That summer day.

Theodore Roethke,

The Waking

Rivers flow.

The sea sings.

Oceans roar.

Tides rise

Who am I?

A small pebble on the grand shore;

Who am I?

To ask who I am.

Isn’t it enough to be?

Native American saying

Sometimes, if you stand on the bottom rail of a bridge

and lean over to watch the river slipping slowly away beneath you,

you will suddenly know everything there is to be known.

A. A. Milne,

Pooh's Little Instruction Book

Many a time have I merely closed my eyes at the end of yet another troublesome day

and soaked my bruised psyche in wild water,

rivers remembered and rivers imagined.

Rivers course through my dreams,

rivers cold and fast,

rivers well-known and rivers nameless,

rivers that seem like ribbons of blue water twisting through wide valleys,

narrow rivers folded in layers of darkening shadows,

rivers that have eroded down deep into the mountain's belly,

sculpted the land,

peeled back the planet's history

exposing the texture of time itself.

Harry Middleton,

Rivers of Memory

O river, river, never yet

Was half your glory sung;

And never skill of painter’s brush

Nor praise of poet’s tongue

Shall half reveal the majesty,

The charm, the primal grace

That clothe you and attend your ways

And shine from out your face.

Frederick Oakes Sylvester,

Principia College

Reunions and Cemeteries

2009-07-22T14:38:00.000-07:00

Our first stop on vacation was a family reunion on my side of the family. It was so nice to connect with family I hadn't seen in years--since my grandmother died in 1986! So many have passed on, but those of us who were still here and able to get to the reunion had a wonderful time reconnecting. We spent the 4th of July touring all the old country cemeteries, several which were just family plots on old farms or country churches I had never visited before. I wish I had brought crayons and paper to do rubbings, as many stones were unreadable.

As we strolled through the cemeteries, I couldn't help but look up at the beautiful vistas of the Ozarks.

And check out the plantings in the cemeteries by others long gone themselves.

I loved to watch the hawks as they lazily glide through the air currents and circle the sky.

As we read the tombstones, it became apparent that we take for granted so much today. Many graves were of young mothers who died in childbirth.

And babies who did not survive their first year.

I wandered through these time capsules,

drawn to statuary that spoke louder than words ever could.

I love old trees, and there were many huge specimens that had been planted to remember loved ones.

The textures and patterns have a beauty all their own.

Sadly, some graves had no more than a rock to mark it's place

others, the stones were broken.

Even if those laid to rest cannot see the spot chosen for their burial, I found a peacefulness in visiting these spots so far from civilization.

At every country cemetery, a very necessary Outhouse.

The beauty of the countryside all around.

Amazing textures and colors all around.

Back at my cousin's house, we gathered to picnic, looks at old family pictures, tell stories, and reconnect.

The littlest one, making strawberry pies out of clover blossoms!

The older children playing volleyball.

Birthday's and anniversaries to celebrate, along with fireworks all around the countryside after dark, made this day memorable.

Fried Green Tomatoes

2009-06-30T15:37:00.000-07:00

...on the vine!

And now you know why growing tomatoes in Central Texas is so hard!

My best growing season for tomatoes is the fall. We usually have fresh tomatoes for Thanksgiving, and sometimes Christmas.

Alright all you flower detectives,
this came from a mix. I am thinking it is Mexican Hat. What do you think?

Gaillardia?

Now, I know what this is--a Sunflower on a bad hair day!

Ahhhh, just looking at this color makes me feel cooler.

And this is hot hot pink!

It has been SO hot here--okay, here is where YOU say, "How hot is it?" It's so hot the tomatoes are frying on the vine. It is so hot temps have been 103, 105, 107. I think the Weather Dude gets perverse pleasure telling us the heat index is 117. At these temps, it becomes a matter of which plants do I try to save. But yet, some plants seem to do quite well. The cacti, of course, the zinnias, the lantana. Even so, I hate to leave my gardens here as we take our annual trip north to see my family. We will be leaving Friday to make a family reunion near Branson, Missouri for the 4th of July (also our anniversary). We will then trek on up to the Quad Cities where my mother lives. We will spend most of July there. Mom, my sister, and I spend our days shopping (mostly looking), eating, getting mannies and peddies, and what ever else we can think of. I am hoping to help Mom with her weed issue that is getting her down. Hubby spends his days golfing, and we all meet to eat once again. Of course, we will be antiqueing all the way up there, all around the area, and then all the way back home! Hopefully the weather will be nice enough for some picnics. I know my brother will want to do a fish fry (I don't eat fish, but I will eat corn on the cob, potato salad, and baked beans). He has a cabin on the Wapsi in Iowa, and always has his freezers stocked with fish. We usually catch a few Music In The Park nights (which means pie and ice cream with coffee). We always have a grand time although I usually come home with more than I bargained for--several extra pounds. Sigh, no matter were I go, those nasty pounds always seem to find ME!

We look forward to getting away all year. It is usually much cooler there than here, and is almost painful to come back to the heat. By the time we get back, the roadsides are burned and bleached to a sand color by the sun. Even so, I already miss my home. The pups and cats start mourning our leaving when the suitcases come out, and Tucker usually tries to hide in one hoping to make his escape along with us. I will miss the next bloom cycle of the roses. The tomatoes will be done until September. Will the house sitters remember to feed the birds and make sure they have plenty of fresh water? I know they probably will, but I just can't think they will do it as well or as often as I would.

I probably won't be able to post while away. I will have Internet connection while at hotels, but when we get to my mother's there will be no wireless connection. Unless I find a coffee shop that will let me connect for free, I won't be able to visit all of you. I'm going to miss you! See y'all next month, and happy 4Th!

Odds and Ends and Happy Blog-iversary

2009-06-20T14:27:00.000-07:00

It doesn't seem possible that it could be a year since I started posting, but it is! So much has happened during this year. I was reminded of the Skunk Incident yesterday (http://round-rock-morning-glories.blogspot.com/2008/08/dogs-skunks-nothing-good.html ). The dogs and I were outside and we all smelled a skunk at the same time. We lifted our noses and sniffed. We turned and looked at one another as if to say, "Oh no! Not again!"

Remember my picture of the cactus lobe developing a couple of weeks ago? This is that same lobe! Look at the little baby needles. They look like rubber nibs, but soon they will be lethal needles.
The heat has settled in to stay. Most of the blooms have faded for awhile, but the cosmos doesn't seem to be fazed one bit.

"Alright men, huddle round. If we band together, we can take out every squash, melon, and tomato plant in this garden--maybe the world! Wa-ha-ha-ha (my version of an evil laugh)" I have never seen squash bugs congregated together like this. Needless to say, they were killed in action soon after this picture was taken. Nobody touches my tomatoes and lives...unless it is the Tomato Thief that I posted about last year http://round-rock-morning-glories.blogspot.com/2008/06/wanted-tomato-thief.html .

I am sure some of you can relate, but there have been many times this past year when I have felt I just did not have the time to devote to a blog. I have contemplated closing it down because of the time I devote to it. But, I have made so many friends that I never would have had the pleasure to have met had I not begun posting last June. I do feel that we are friends just as surely as if we had met somewhere. I think about Beckie every time I see a dragonfly. I think about Monica every time I hear a frog! ;-) I can hear her now trying to analyze that one! I think about Cheryl every time I see a bee or an insect that I can't identify. I think about Shy Songbird , or Marnie from Lilacs and Roses when I see a bird I am not sure of. I think of Debbie in CA and Cielo when I see something beautiful that makes me stop and appreciate it. I think of Wendy for thoughtful introspection, and I think of Nola every time I smell the 4 O'clock she sent the seeds of last fall. The list goes on and on! I feel like my life is better for having known you and that keeps me blogging even when life gets so hectic it takes me away from my computer for days. Forgive me if I am not always timely in reading or leaving comments on your blogs. Forgive me if I didn't list your name. You can see all the many people that I follow on my blog roll. That's a lot!!! Thank you for being a part of my life, and here's hoping we will all be blogging and getting to know one another even better in the years to come!

Block Party, Blooms, and Hail Storms

2009-06-16T21:37:00.000-07:00

We had a neighborhood block party to celebrate the end of school, the beginning of summer, and well, just having an excuse to drag out the grills, block off the cul-de-sac and eat, laugh, and play.

Can you see Frisky's tail and paw? He's always trying to get in the picture. What a ham!

I can't remember if this Daylily is Stella de Oro. I love the lemony yellow color.

Can you see the interesting little red and black insect on the Chamomile?

I love the cool blue green of sage.

The front walkway was littered with leaves and small branches the morning after a hail storm slammed through. It was moving so fast, I thought it was going to go right over us. Boy, was I wrong! Thankfully we didn't have any major damage, but will have to have the cars repaired for hail damage.

Summer Comes

2009-06-04T16:33:00.000-07:00

Summer Comes

The Little darling Spring has run away

The sunshine grew too hot for her to stay

She kissed her sister, Summer,and she said

"When I am gone, you must be queen instead"

Now reigns the Lady Summer,

round whose feet

A thousand fairies flock

with blossoms sweet.

by Robert Louis Stevenson

Heavenly Blue Morning Glories lives up to it's name.

Lavender "Provence"

Salvia

Hydrangea

Chamomile

Baby Cactus being born

Marigold and friend

Zinnia

I bought this Blue Agave at a Yard Sale this Spring

(7 for $5.00!!!)

Cosmos

The first of the tomatoes!

My first ever really good Bee pic!

Crepe Myrtle

Finding Balance

2009-05-30T14:17:00.001-07:00

What a crazy weekend here in Round Rock. Charley fell and hit her head at a friend's swimming pool. She had to be rushed to the hospital and required 4 stitches. She has a terrible headache, and seems pretty exhausted. The good thing that came out of it, Libby has been very solicitous of her sister, even carrying her to the bathroom, when Charley felt too weak to walk. I'm sure that lovin' feelin' won't last, but it's nice while it does! It seems it has been one thing after another lately, but I guess that is just life.It is getting too hot to be out in the heat of the day, but I have been stealing a few minutes in the morning and evening to sit in the garden and try to find my balance.

Another heirloom rose, Eutin.

The Hollyhocks are still so showy.

I probably have the only Hydrangea alive in Round Rock.

The birdbath dripped on the Caladiums, and looked beautiful, I thought.

The Gardenias are winding down, but will come back off and on throughout the summer, just not the profusion of flowers like the first bloom of Spring.

I thought the drop of nectar was beautiful on the Lilly.

School will be out for the summer this Friday. With it, I am hopeful we will all have a chance to relax and recover from the craziness of this Spring. Vacation Countdown: 33 days! WooHoo!

Armchair Review

2009-05-23T17:07:00.000-07:00

I'm camped out in the recliner this weekend, recovering from an upper respiratory virus. I am on the mend, but it is a good excuse to not cook or clean, and play on the computer while watching TV--a kind of power recuperation. LOL! Here are some pictures I took before I felt too bad to garden.

Scratcher patrolling the front yard.

My volunteer Morning Glories are already peeking over the fence.

Chrissy is on Squirrel Patrol.

Bocephus recovering with a stick.

Frisky AKA Special K getting a drink.

We have had glorious weather here in Round Rock all week. Cool, crisp mornings warming in the afternoons gradually climbing everyday until it reached 90 Friday. Today dawned beautiful and sunny, and Charlotte and I sat outside, I with my coffee and Charley with her hot cocoa. We listened to the birds and watched the dogs nosing around. I felt a small twinge of guilt thinking of all the "things" I needed to be doing. This afternoon it clouded up and I sat in my throne--er--recliner and watched as a summer storm blew through. I absolutely adore a summer storm--watching it build and flow over the sky. Listening to the thunder roll across the sky and the sound of the rain hitting the window. There is nothing to compare to the fragrance of the rain as it cleanses the air and refreshes the soil. If I weren't under the weather, I would be out in it--along with Charley dancing in the rain.

Update

2009-05-20T20:04:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to let everyone know their thoughts and prayers have done the trick! Bo is doing MUCH better, and has a lot more energy today. He is still too weak to go for walks, or to play with his sister, Chrissy. But I knew he was getting better when he started sifting through the office wastebasket for paper yesterday. Thank you all for your prayers, good thoughts, and concern.

One of my heirloom roses: Gruss an Aachen

Nola, these are the Glads you sent me last Fall. They bloomed about a month ago, and were beautiful.

Under The Weather

2009-05-17T20:06:00.000-07:00

No, not me. Bocephus. He is so sick, I am quite worried about him. Wednesday I came home from work, and when I went to pet him, the side of his face was wet. On closer inspection, it was blood! I looked at it, cleaned it and put antibiotic ointment on it. He couldn't sleep that night--kept digging at the sore on his face. So as soon as I got the girls off to school the next day, I called the vet and took him in. Long story short, he has a nasty ear infection that went into the skin on the side of his face! I had never heard of such a thing, and of course feel like a horrible pet parent for not catching it sooner. He seemed to do better on the antibiotics late Friday and early Saturday, but has now taken a turn for the worse. He is very lethargic, and just looks so sad. His breathing seems to be labored when he climbs the stairs or goes outside. I am going to call the vet first thing tomorrow, and take him back in.

Please say a little prayer for him that he will be well soon. It is so much like having a child sick--I would much rather it be me than him!

Hi! My names Bocephus. Wanna play fetch?

Shhhhhh! Don't tell Tucker he's a cat. He thinks he is a dog, and that's a fine thing to be!

This was taken of me to supposedly show me "caught in the act". But I was framed I tell you! I am not naming names, but someone put the Sunday paper on the floor to lure me into doing it. I don't remember putting it in my mouth--I just woke up and it was scattered all around.

This was me when I was but a wee little pup. Handsome little guy, wasn't I? I'm not conceited--facts are facts, and my mom tells me I am handsome every day! I must say, it seems to be a consensus of everyone we meet!

April Showers Bring May Flowers

2009-05-07T20:01:00.001-07:00

Toadstools? Mushrooms? You decide...I think I will just call them Fungi and leave it at that. Whatever you call it, we have had plenty of rain to encourage their growth.

This isn't really a bloom, but a new lobe on a Prickly Pear. This cactus was growing in the largest Live Oak on our property. Last year we had a crazy hailstorm that knocked it out of the tree, and I potted it up. It is very happy in it's new home and put out this new growth.

Chamomile and Lobelia. Lobelia is also called Indian Tobacco. Native Americans would smoke it for asthma. It has properties that are similar to nicotine. It is also called Puke Weed, for obvious reasons.

I planted Hollyhocks last Fall, but sadly no Outhouse yet to go with them.

My one purchase this Spring--a cheapy climbing rose from the grocery store. It's called Jacobs Coat because it changes colors as the blooms mature.

Mimosa

The gardenia blooms are smelling heavenly as you walk up to the front door. Charley picked some to take to her teacher today.

Yes, I have mums blooming. I am a lazy gardener and do not pinch off the buds. I found if I leave them, I have two nice blooming periods each year. Once in the Spring and again in the Fall.

I thought the Yarrow looked nice against the limestone.

I'm Back!

2009-04-27T20:29:00.000-07:00

Life can be so strange sometimes. We have been planning a trip to see Hubby's family for months. Days before we left, we got a call from his brother saying he had lost his job, but everything was going to be all right. Let me back up to explain. His family has all migrated to Arkansas after the death of his father two years ago from Mesothelioma, a cancer caused from exposure to asbestos beginning during his time spent in the Navy during WWII. After his death, his mother moved closer to Hubby's sister and her husband, who teaches at a University in Arkansas. Younger brother moved his family there also. Taking care of their mother is uppermost in the minds and hearts of Hubby and his siblings. Younger brother also felt the small town atmosphere of a University town would be a wonderful place to raise his two young sons.

A day before we left, we got another call from brother's wife, saying he was not well. He was suffering from a depression brought on by the closing of the company and loss of his job.

When we arrive, we find he has been hospitalized. We were able to go visit him while there. As I said before, life can take some strange twists and turns that we would never dream.

It was so shocking to see the pain in his eyes as he sat in that hospital waiting room. To listen to him talk of his feelings of worthlessness, and inability to be the strong husband, father, and son that he felt he needed to be, was heart-wrenching.

He told us of his inability to function, and the indecision of not knowing which way to turn--not even knowing which foot to use to start walking. Knowing that it could be Hubby, or me, or one of the children that was suffering so.

Depression knows no bounds. It is no respecter of persons. For it to strike so swiftly and completely was shocking to us. I don't want you to think this post is without hope. Just as I have posted pictures of the renewal of Spring in the blossoms of Azaleas and Dogwood that we saw on our trip--or even the humble Red Clover on the roadsides of Arkansas, hope springs eternal in our hearts as we lift our brother/in-law up. That is what family is all about. When one is too tired to go on, not knowing which foot to put in front of the other, family is there to lend an arm to lean on, a shoulder to cry on, an ear to listen. We all feel so strongly, that he must take this path to find true health and happiness that wouldn't otherwise be possible.

The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

Bluebonnets

2009-04-14T14:12:00.001-07:00

We went to Houston for the weekend. On the way, especially between Brenham and Hempstead, were fields of bluebonnets that were amazing! My pictures don't do justice to the vivid purple-blue hues. I tried to get pictures of fields that were more remote. Some of the fields that had the densest blooms, were filled with people taking pictures. What alarmed me, was the amount of people sitting in the fields with Longhorns grazing along side of them! I wonder what the Ranchers thought--I wonder what the Longhorns thought!

Happy Easter

2009-04-09T21:21:00.001-07:00

This little bunny has hopped by to wish everyone a very happy Easter.