I'm Plantsitting

Somehow I've not felt "finished" with gardening this year. The count stood at 11 indoor plants, after having brought everything indoors a few months ago (has it only been barely 3 months?). But before our friends Marty and Denny left for Arizona, they brought three plants for me to "sit" during their absence. (!) Yea! :-)

And here they are. Easy to care for, too (also a "yea" moment!).

Their Christmas cactus continues to have many buds. And the Norfolk Island Pine is such a healthy fellow. (There are a few brown tips... I'm thinking it didn't enjoy its ride to my house, as it was a VERY cold day, in the midst of several very cold days.)

The little bird below sits on the rim of the Pine above. The Pothos is in the cutest house ever!

I needed to share these photos. Hopefully M & D can tell they're still healthy! Perhaps you caught a glimpse of my year-round bird-tree on the right side of this last photo. I'll share about that in a later post.

You might want to come back tomorrow to see what else I've brought home this past 1 1/2 weeks! (Only slightly shady!) ;-)

"The Things That Are More Excellent"

These photos were taken between 5:09 - 5:11 p.m. on January 9, 2008.

It's amazing how quickly the sunset fades... but wasn't it gorgeous?
During seasons when leaves are on the trees, we don't get to enjoy them this way!





"In faultless rhythm the ocean rolls,
A rapturous silence thrills the skies;
And on this earth are lovely souls,
That softly look with aidful eyes.
Though dark, O God, Thy course and track,
I think Thou must at least have meant
That nought which lives should wholly lack
The things that are more excellent.

exerpt from "The Things That Are More Excellent"
from The Poems of William Watson.

There's no business like Snow Business...

What a Show we had this afternoon!
I was supposed to tutor, but I dropped my little student off with her mom and said,
"Sorry! We'll meet next Tuesday! I'm headed home!"
I'm glad I made that decision, as
Huge Flakes Splattered on my windshield.
The road was slick.
I stopped for the mail, hopped out of the car, and took this photo!
By the time I'd returned to my seat, I'd accumulated a layer of snow. ;-)
(Don't forget, our snow had only just melted away.)
(taken at 4:00 p.m.)
This was taken out the basement window... through the screen.
Back upstairs, my dog wanted to be outdoors for a second.
Normally the brown house is visible.It's now 5:00 p.m.
I've returned to the basement.
Can you find the cardinal next to the tray feeder?Our broken tree branches are on the north side of the driveway.
So... who's the little guy out by the street sign?
This was taken at nearly 7:00 p.m.
I had to take this photo.
I'd passed by the living room and noticed this lovely sight
out the front door. :-)Not shady. Just dark. ;-)

Some Favorites from 2008

Some gardeners have been lamenting Winter weather and already wishing for Spring. I somewhat lament the weather (fortunate that I am that I don't have to travel unless I really want or need to!), but I'm not wanting to rush this season. This is when I do "indoor things" such as sewing, quilting, drawing and a lot of obligatory activities with regard to the Iowa Reading Association.

But, today. Today is quite a different story. It's been so WARM (the current temperature is 54 degrees F)! Wow. Our many inches of snow are nearly gone, leaving the birdbaths full. ;-)

This photo was taken Jan. 3.

This photo was taken 5 minutes ago, Jan. 6.

It FEELS like Spring outdoors. So, in honor of (but not really being ready for) Spring, here are a few of my favorite photos from last Summer. These are not in any particular order.

Black Swallowtail Caterpillar on parsley, taken Oct. 2, 2007

Common Water Hyacinthh (E. crassipes) taken Oct. 4, 2007

Daylily (species unknown) with a katydid nymph, taken July 16, 2007

'David' Phlox, taken July 21, 2007

Strawberry Candy daylily, taken July 21, 2007

A Question Mark on the hummingbird feeder, taken Sept. 30, 2007

The "inside view" of the same butterfly, taken the same day.

'Lightning Strikes' Tricytrus (Toad Lily), taken October 2, 2007

Wasn't that fun? And, now I guess, I'll pull myself away from the computer and do "something constructive," like sewing some more doll dresses! ;-)

2008 - A Year of Surprises!

I firmly believe that this year is going to be a Great One! Not only do I believe it's a year of Possibility and Promise, but it's begun as A Year of Pleasant Surprises!! :-)

I must tell you that I only just joined Project Feederwatch... a little late. My thoughts, as I submitted my first two-day bird sighting results the evening before, were that I could probably list all the different varieties I'd be submitting each week "by heart." I could only hope that perhaps the numbers of each would increase. (They seem to be.)

So... yesterday morning (Thurs., January 3), as I walked by the basement window, I glanced out at the bird feeder "station." That in itself is not unusual. However, what I saw out there Was! I did a double-take. Actually, I think it was a triple-take! ;-)

I saw an Eastern Rufous-sided Towhee! It IS a Year of Pleasant Surprises!!! I have Never seen one before. An illustration of the bird was on the poster that I'd been sent. I went from basement to upstairs in a breath and was holding my Peterson's guide before my next breath had been taken! (That's fast, folks!)

I had seen the male. As I stood before the window, it flew from the feeder to the yew just next to the window. The birdbook tells me it likes wooded areas (which we have) and brushy areas... we have that, as well.

Here's a great site, gardenauthor, I know you will enjoy! Once you leave this page, click on the title for the homepage to enjoy the other postings! The bird song is supposed to sound like "Drink your teeee." (A fact I was delighted to read, as I'm a tea drinker!)

Of course, I didn't have my camera, so you'll have to take my word for it. Please.

I may be the "Shady Gardener," but I always tell the truth! :-)

Welcoming 2008!

... a year of possibilities and promise (and a lot of fun in the meantime!)!

Looking through the windshield at a 4-lane divided highway... on the way home early afternoon, Monday, January 31, 2007. A little bleak. A little slow-going.

I was struck by the fact that we can't always know what lies ahead... sometimes the "going" is easier than at other times, but there's always a way through it.

Sometimes it takes a little help from friends who can provide a way through. Sometimes you don't even have to go through it at all. Sometimes there's a way OVER it! :-)








photo on left: backsides of both.
photo on right: backside of one and frontside of one.



In this case, "Santa" brought a pair of snowshoes to the hubby of the house who has had a deep-seated longing for them for years. I'm not sure "Santa" knew "he" had picked the right Winter for this gift, however! ;-)

Christmas Celebrations

For those of you who are interested, check out "Making Memories" and "The Grandkids."