WHERE I GOT THE PICTURES PART 5

Of the five I worked on the other night, this is my favorite. It's a day lily called Siloam Little Fairy. We got a starter batch of lilies from a company called Oakes Day Lilies. They're located in Tennessee and have a website.

These were the flowers that had me skidding into work just in time last summer. Day lilies do last a day. Although some fade out faster than others. (this one fades) And by the time I get home from work the yard is in the shade. I began to feel like I should just take the camera with me when I went out te door. Anyway I was able to find just the perfect shade of pink to complement the bloom.

Of the six we got, two were past their blooming season for this year. I can hardly wait to find out what Strawberry Candy and Scarlet Lady look like.

WHERE I GOT THE FLOWERS PART 4

This one turned out so well. It's a dahlia-name unkown. It's one of the smaller varieties. Maybe three feet tall at best. Big dahlias, the ones that are a foot across are spectacular-in other peoples yards. Unfortunately, dinner plate size blooms mean huge stems, they sag and have to be staked. Also, you might as well hang out free lunch signs for the snails and slugs.

We've realized we have to take a kind of zen approach to gardening. Fortunately we couldn't afford to go all out when we did the switch from grass and it's a good thing, because some of these plants have gotten a lot bigger than we anticipated.

Anyway, this little beauty hangs out by the camellia by the driveway.

WHERE I GOT THE PICTURES 3

This is a Shasta Daisy. The original plants came from my grandmothers yard.

This is another tough puppy. Give 'em a little water and a lot of sun and they are very happy. In fact they get so happy they want to take over the flower bed. They do very nicely next to a fence where they can just do their thing.

Ok picture, I think I'll try a little yellow background next time. I mean what can you put with a white flower?

WHERE I GOT THE PICTURES 2

This is a black eyed susan. We got three plants summer before last and put them in at the end of the season.

This summer they came up as expected and just grew and grew and grew. I swear the end result was about three or four feet long, three feet or so high and at the top about three feet wide. They are tough, love the sun, and last FOREVER. In fact if you want to finally put 'em down, turn down the heat and bring on the rain.

Again, a candidate for note cards.

WHERE I GOT THE PICTURES 1

Sorry, I was so pumped the other night I popped the pictures into my journal, said whoopee, pretty cool, and went to bed.

Anyway, this is a purple cone flower. It's been knocking about the yard for several years. This is a plant that you can ignore and it still looks wonderful. We relocated it to the front yard last year and it's sitting smack in the middle of the lavender. I really like this side view for use on a note card or something like that.

PLAYING IN THE ADOBE SANDBOX AGAIN

I've been playing in the Photoshop sandbox again. I'm finally getting closer to what I've been "seeing" in my mind's eye.

HONORABLE MEN?

One of the kingdoms in Return of the King is called Rohan. Early in the film the king, Theoden, describes one of the characters as “an honorable man.” I get the impression that this is the highest complement for a person that Theoden can bestow. This has been bubbling around in my head since I first saw the film. I’ve composed a lot of journal entries in my head and haven’t been happy with any of them.

When was the last time did you hear anyone described as honorable and it wasn’t part of a title? As in the honorable judge Hector Smith. There have been many business and political leaders in the news over the past few years. Certain members of the past and current administrations, certain business leaders, people in the news and entertainment industries that have had many adjectives joined with their names. I’m not sure that honorable would apply to any of them.