tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16966762191678584312023-11-16T02:29:55.266-05:00Green Place
Reflections on spirituality, nature and gardening.Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16932826147522119761noreply@blogger.comBlogger145125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1696676219167858431.post-10981144518346865372013-08-15T21:35:00.001-04:002013-08-15T21:35:53.313-04:00Everyday BeautyDespite my intellectual attraction to farming, it may be a good thing I don't live off the land. By mid-July, I struggle to maintain my enthusiasm for the garden. It hasn't even been hot this year, by North Carolina standards, but mosquitoes keep me indoors far more than I'd like. So I confess - I've slipped in my resolution to take one good backyard photograph daily. Still, here's 10 of my favorite photos from the last month.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxkm0OqBwVNS-Gq2Ycs8myP5WNdrK6FgxBtfxeZ5gyL6-e_9uKcxKGW2U7IqTaRjG10x0Pzl7kdCOeycibb1pVrnv14TDhgoBkVr3dKaNxKK9U88g7RRu1SzcUqk-kO3Z26Tx3Mi7jKLs/s1600/Backyard_POD_07-20_13_pepper_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxkm0OqBwVNS-Gq2Ycs8myP5WNdrK6FgxBtfxeZ5gyL6-e_9uKcxKGW2U7IqTaRjG10x0Pzl7kdCOeycibb1pVrnv14TDhgoBkVr3dKaNxKK9U88g7RRu1SzcUqk-kO3Z26Tx3Mi7jKLs/s320/Backyard_POD_07-20_13_pepper_blog.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chocolate pepper, just starting to ripen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi2a8NU5FHVtvP18feKAZVwW0OcBvTAO3vDPj_Z50BNIhw4T-CYcdfecg3naGvjqicrF7bu-AVpwUYnpcxakGDcoBy9wkqYgqEKpVke3ueyGSgdFAkt-Ng2HILzidd95VMDFnxIvNkndQ/s1600/Backyard_POD_08-01_2013_blog_coreopsis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi2a8NU5FHVtvP18feKAZVwW0OcBvTAO3vDPj_Z50BNIhw4T-CYcdfecg3naGvjqicrF7bu-AVpwUYnpcxakGDcoBy9wkqYgqEKpVke3ueyGSgdFAkt-Ng2HILzidd95VMDFnxIvNkndQ/s400/Backyard_POD_08-01_2013_blog_coreopsis.jpg" width="398" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coreopsis after the rain</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitwB2RPuPW6sUOIB3BRkAM4kTnqamuxnMk9rNU4SnbPQI8uKfEeP1jAV7pk3CDSBBU4KcYN8ZNg4-kPH03GaSbAPm5CZMnC0N9i97Lq8Pgoews0EJYgyc4rHvYTuG0OaoZO1eiQ3C0H1k/s1600/Backyard_POD_08-02_13_blog_coneflower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitwB2RPuPW6sUOIB3BRkAM4kTnqamuxnMk9rNU4SnbPQI8uKfEeP1jAV7pk3CDSBBU4KcYN8ZNg4-kPH03GaSbAPm5CZMnC0N9i97Lq8Pgoews0EJYgyc4rHvYTuG0OaoZO1eiQ3C0H1k/s400/Backyard_POD_08-02_13_blog_coneflower.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A coneflower rescued from the bunny, now potted <br />
and in the recovery ward on the front porch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2-m3iI7tveYx45KcsSbAQUGk0x313JImUHJnHgjUQQymxv7O1nl0s7uz23YBrsvlIVagMGEwsChNRPDto93YWyUr3hhSMRE1GT3Oj1-WMcO-zichKcdbDC0pNsKf-wJDxdspmEvr1JK0/s1600/Backyard_POD_08-03_2013_blog_bee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2-m3iI7tveYx45KcsSbAQUGk0x313JImUHJnHgjUQQymxv7O1nl0s7uz23YBrsvlIVagMGEwsChNRPDto93YWyUr3hhSMRE1GT3Oj1-WMcO-zichKcdbDC0pNsKf-wJDxdspmEvr1JK0/s400/Backyard_POD_08-03_2013_blog_bee.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bees adore butterfly weed (and pretty much everything else<br />
in the butterfly garden). </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbHQzwmXzPxIGoXD7kkGtKfyQ7oD_CbM0JO-0HM19zCDWtPLz5BTKCHdypWAvHfKPLdJEFuvphIMtGezOkZxFl_S9yh5LeNU2zPzpM1wCSj1NFH2oL_LlcZNY1s_a4huRXUzUt_sR4rD4/s1600/Backyard_POD_08_05_13_blog_pink_brandywine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbHQzwmXzPxIGoXD7kkGtKfyQ7oD_CbM0JO-0HM19zCDWtPLz5BTKCHdypWAvHfKPLdJEFuvphIMtGezOkZxFl_S9yh5LeNU2zPzpM1wCSj1NFH2oL_LlcZNY1s_a4huRXUzUt_sR4rD4/s400/Backyard_POD_08_05_13_blog_pink_brandywine.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the last brandywine pink heirloom tomatoes,<br />
calling for mozzarella.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDkSXmbDDfAycgOZH8X111idvLra13dUH8Pdnc4bLmfDBzd_44bjz_5X8eff_83rJuybqTPMom-qtmriYykerUeiTt9r3kg1OqpBpSTxh-J-ybptQgMuO8Sb9J4qfUHLcqXPGrp4U-IN4/s1600/Backyard_POD_08-04_13_blog_black_swallowtail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDkSXmbDDfAycgOZH8X111idvLra13dUH8Pdnc4bLmfDBzd_44bjz_5X8eff_83rJuybqTPMom-qtmriYykerUeiTt9r3kg1OqpBpSTxh-J-ybptQgMuO8Sb9J4qfUHLcqXPGrp4U-IN4/s400/Backyard_POD_08-04_13_blog_black_swallowtail.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally - a butterfly (black swallowtail) appeared in the butterfly garden!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCD0mVAsKDoGAOSFnVpdcv6dHuTPF6xWl1X4w3gy-cf5LIf1Odfs1GCZTkiflUuXpNUUHqdlrpMpdw4YIin8B0R4_3tmIEX7q505T1V0KzxotmSw6DNCDdLTqK-LOcLSIXsbjSviLWLD4/s1600/Backyard_POD_08-06_13_blog_orchid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCD0mVAsKDoGAOSFnVpdcv6dHuTPF6xWl1X4w3gy-cf5LIf1Odfs1GCZTkiflUuXpNUUHqdlrpMpdw4YIin8B0R4_3tmIEX7q505T1V0KzxotmSw6DNCDdLTqK-LOcLSIXsbjSviLWLD4/s400/Backyard_POD_08-06_13_blog_orchid.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My new orchid</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi9A_2PN2_XpqfE2MrsJS4R93A9VCRWQevUXN-SsBn4fB00truh7dncbxLRvZf7VjOziqoZm4kTUss6ytwdHE5GMJiZVyVAAQ9Ls_F9mm0xC9kv6NoP-cuxv5GLwigCaA8hwQYXDZOAoo/s1600/Backyard_POD_08-11_13_blog_magnolia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi9A_2PN2_XpqfE2MrsJS4R93A9VCRWQevUXN-SsBn4fB00truh7dncbxLRvZf7VjOziqoZm4kTUss6ytwdHE5GMJiZVyVAAQ9Ls_F9mm0xC9kv6NoP-cuxv5GLwigCaA8hwQYXDZOAoo/s400/Backyard_POD_08-11_13_blog_magnolia.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Magnolia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT5dxgXa0RKzbb3_9uCdbefWAsBIg95HUIM8yPp8j7eudBENyXePrUy9EWuO7UbCBSmktjUgyKFhX0sFGBrXHvn3cscWFIbCZ93Y_2FvFbO0f5cWUOMoTXN4DRi-fp76MOlejmtth1088/s1600/Backyard_POD_08-12_13_blog_zinnia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT5dxgXa0RKzbb3_9uCdbefWAsBIg95HUIM8yPp8j7eudBENyXePrUy9EWuO7UbCBSmktjUgyKFhX0sFGBrXHvn3cscWFIbCZ93Y_2FvFbO0f5cWUOMoTXN4DRi-fp76MOlejmtth1088/s400/Backyard_POD_08-12_13_blog_zinnia.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zinnia and friend in the late afternoon sun.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHzA8rufgvl0PBOzGEdi39OdYLzs56foVDKB5OLIWwADuRISfkVk2us0xRabwpHOl5riUky0nzvHCparv8-HcMwgoMyfR6V4ekm3OhNb2xYpvLXtp20saFHjqFGrniCVnqXTD6zM2jrwE/s1600/Backyard_POD_08-14_13_blog_buckeye.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHzA8rufgvl0PBOzGEdi39OdYLzs56foVDKB5OLIWwADuRISfkVk2us0xRabwpHOl5riUky0nzvHCparv8-HcMwgoMyfR6V4ekm3OhNb2xYpvLXtp20saFHjqFGrniCVnqXTD6zM2jrwE/s400/Backyard_POD_08-14_13_blog_buckeye.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common buckeye butterfly - a first sighting</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16932826147522119761noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1696676219167858431.post-62224484144585447702013-08-06T19:54:00.001-04:002013-08-06T19:56:13.918-04:00Gardening: Love Made Visible<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivrJlc_41izuQLe3Dvt7ehNMwDDYMVWEtya7jvhL9HXcuk0c-cnfYI5jOvlYlHO6OUUdyv73qIy9xyxJONUmAF6lA5G5aZUi5HK20QybG2abyBE3aKe6cRJLzptnfyhEh0PcmwlkF36XY/s1600/Backyard_POD_06-24_13_hydrangea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivrJlc_41izuQLe3Dvt7ehNMwDDYMVWEtya7jvhL9HXcuk0c-cnfYI5jOvlYlHO6OUUdyv73qIy9xyxJONUmAF6lA5G5aZUi5HK20QybG2abyBE3aKe6cRJLzptnfyhEh0PcmwlkF36XY/s400/Backyard_POD_06-24_13_hydrangea.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Gardening is “making love visible.” I had never thought of it that way before, but when I read that quote recently in an essay on faith, food and gardening, it struck me in my soul.<br />
<br />
Of course. That’s what has drawn me into the garden these past 12 years, digging, weeding, planting. But mostly what I have been doing is marveling at small miracles.<br />
<br />
In the garden, I only play a small supporting role in making love visible. God is the lead actor. I think I knew that at some deep level even before I was led back to my faith, in the years when I could not even bring myself to say the word “God.” In perhaps my second year as a gardener, I noticed an unusual plant growing and resisted the urge to pull it. By midsummer it was a six-foot tall datura with blooms of angelic white trumpets, perfectly positioned at the back of my new perennial bed.<br />
<br />
Since then I have always liked better the plants that seed themselves in unexpected places, almost always looking more beautiful than where I would have chosen to plant them. Each day these past weeks I look out my office window at a courtyard where a rainbow of zinnias seeded themselves in the gravel. Tiger swallowtail butterflies and other smaller butterflies I do not know dance there in the afternoon sun.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqnC2X0ST5BElKLGxs20otK2jbSumuZKEexh82g79Z8QTE8IJvKlFL-_l2tMrGysrc7jvWI4SOPQ-4laKejaIItaSe8DFjfe51mFxF0QlFElAzQ9OgXEPMZmVuZmCzhg4LHbBj4NQJNGw/s1600/Image-1-1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqnC2X0ST5BElKLGxs20otK2jbSumuZKEexh82g79Z8QTE8IJvKlFL-_l2tMrGysrc7jvWI4SOPQ-4laKejaIItaSe8DFjfe51mFxF0QlFElAzQ9OgXEPMZmVuZmCzhg4LHbBj4NQJNGw/s320/Image-1-1.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The landscapers used to poison this gravel with herbicides. Have they not yet found the zinnias? I prefer to think that even the landscape crew knows how to respond to graced beauty.<br />
<br />
Before I gardened, in the rare times I attended church, I could not understand most of the Biblical parables. I would quickly become irritated at agricultural references from ancient times that seemed to me to have no relevance to life today. I was cut off from the source of life, on many levels.<br />
<br />
But now, loving the miracle of the seed, how beautiful it is to read the following passage:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
“This is how it is with kingdom of God; it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land and would sleep and rise night and day and the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how. Of its own accord the land yields fruit, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear.” (Mark 4: 26-28)</blockquote>
</blockquote>
<br />
God is acting in the world now, performing small miracles, if only we have eyes to see. We don’t have to labor that hard. In fact, if we work too hard, if we try too hard to control and manicure the garden, we risk blighting the miracles.<br />
<br />
On my porch, a tropical sword fern now is in its second life. It appeared dead between January and June, as I expected because I left it outside over the winter. Yet one day after a period of heavy rains, I noticed small green fronds lifting out of the soil. I don’t know how many times I thought of dumping the pot in the compost, yet something in me refrained.<br />
<br />
When we try to control too much in the garden, we end up as agents of death. I think of all the pesticides sprayed by gardeners trying to protect their favorite plants from harm that instead disrupt the ecosystem. Bees are dying everywhere; monarch butterflies have been decimated. Yes, the causes are multiple and complex, but pesticides are a big part of the puzzle.<br />
<br />
One beauty of gardening, however, is it is nearly impossible to dwell on big unsolvable problems while digging in the soil. All that matters is the hole to be dug, the weed to pull, the vegetable to harvest, the flower to admire, the bird to enjoy. And the sun shines, and the rain comes, or doesn’t come. The seasons pass. Plants leaf out, flower, set seed, go dormant. Some thrive. Most grow slowly. A few die. The cycle continues. And almost all of it happens quietly, out of sight, untoiled for.<br />
<br />
Yes, gardening teaches faith.Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16932826147522119761noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1696676219167858431.post-75005612574634857252013-07-28T23:22:00.001-04:002013-07-28T23:26:16.576-04:00Manifestations at Sunset<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
"The world is charged with the grandeur of God." - Gerard Manley Hopkins</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwVvNEWgh6iNZZciPMXAgkzyrHDsrAM7cnrvi9DJ0oxYfNAajYRf8t-aHzTcY8B3YTAmvAhBcCmJ5-a1qVkYkA63eRyrXQVPqTT4vdr49nqbtrI2rwiWSqFetxpix4-j7ZVB076MzgsHc/s1600/trinity1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwVvNEWgh6iNZZciPMXAgkzyrHDsrAM7cnrvi9DJ0oxYfNAajYRf8t-aHzTcY8B3YTAmvAhBcCmJ5-a1qVkYkA63eRyrXQVPqTT4vdr49nqbtrI2rwiWSqFetxpix4-j7ZVB076MzgsHc/s640/trinity1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy_-YLbuqW5QJC4hKfSQN0OkA0jlER1bu1UWEEH5zwHiSggnQB61Bo0xQq0QG7JLyw-Xah6mB3U4AxyOqKGOWSlzXh6i6He2gnoJQiqp_jlhEVw7gtnDPaipWUe8U2k2y07qIHs-vtWz0/s1600/trinity2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy_-YLbuqW5QJC4hKfSQN0OkA0jlER1bu1UWEEH5zwHiSggnQB61Bo0xQq0QG7JLyw-Xah6mB3U4AxyOqKGOWSlzXh6i6He2gnoJQiqp_jlhEVw7gtnDPaipWUe8U2k2y07qIHs-vtWz0/s640/trinity2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiaWq9WGBXEheIqHI895nSqtwPE_FEuSfpLZ6Kz-lNljO8Xye6ftIC73unPMFOQCeqKmjnPMMS0k2y57JEJGOTnMjfw40HEsa3EfqVWcGJ8dtkAXRjC9SaSsbStz9c8-tNKDzsWw60L6g/s1600/trinity3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiaWq9WGBXEheIqHI895nSqtwPE_FEuSfpLZ6Kz-lNljO8Xye6ftIC73unPMFOQCeqKmjnPMMS0k2y57JEJGOTnMjfw40HEsa3EfqVWcGJ8dtkAXRjC9SaSsbStz9c8-tNKDzsWw60L6g/s640/trinity3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3OCliFnLDxrzz2x4qCt8SBjQzMkcZdDdk-3UBZhocpEbXX6cN7PYBJE75t467dtv_YShsWSx69UkU4mG2Up4L20zvmWWp3ikbmeafXvF_csB5kYDvOO9K-6LT6L91Cp9inzZKx7hfNiE/s1600/trinity4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3OCliFnLDxrzz2x4qCt8SBjQzMkcZdDdk-3UBZhocpEbXX6cN7PYBJE75t467dtv_YShsWSx69UkU4mG2Up4L20zvmWWp3ikbmeafXvF_csB5kYDvOO9K-6LT6L91Cp9inzZKx7hfNiE/s640/trinity4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5B1UbBImGMS0iI6apGnmQw7nQ79O0dN_akMcanN_O7U55e5tKenkiAwnSxeOTSID1x6um8CIe2pb0rJDvau5x_F1KBWoTXSzS01hlRtnib44BCqy3Fwyb7_MvmUeF7_XE3RVTu8rpwi0/s1600/trinity5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5B1UbBImGMS0iI6apGnmQw7nQ79O0dN_akMcanN_O7U55e5tKenkiAwnSxeOTSID1x6um8CIe2pb0rJDvau5x_F1KBWoTXSzS01hlRtnib44BCqy3Fwyb7_MvmUeF7_XE3RVTu8rpwi0/s640/trinity5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Z8T5t6KhaGx1KtVXQqOJXyHN1Kho7xdIyUMF4FCv2yLd_BG2Z9LMRc3-6nIHmDvpjn4ShPadvdp_eHmVbeeROO92A9YeSLKwQ887Z_s7D6_7NiSsj4BKKiHHq_HeG43hziuAa8ihJps/s1600/trinity6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Z8T5t6KhaGx1KtVXQqOJXyHN1Kho7xdIyUMF4FCv2yLd_BG2Z9LMRc3-6nIHmDvpjn4ShPadvdp_eHmVbeeROO92A9YeSLKwQ887Z_s7D6_7NiSsj4BKKiHHq_HeG43hziuAa8ihJps/s640/trinity6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0uFbm9TGqG1FRvA7-ZlAgWFvjEdiwxdZux2k2zVV66E7Uuu6w23JX7XzDAWN4vetpUYCCv9n7uiPlzkXZlk8XSLtibghWvYMRXqqbxzZq2GaOqMqBdhK07iPS81E1nSgzUPDoQsRBTho/s1600/trinity7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0uFbm9TGqG1FRvA7-ZlAgWFvjEdiwxdZux2k2zVV66E7Uuu6w23JX7XzDAWN4vetpUYCCv9n7uiPlzkXZlk8XSLtibghWvYMRXqqbxzZq2GaOqMqBdhK07iPS81E1nSgzUPDoQsRBTho/s640/trinity7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZa7UpmjfJLVHnEtjSPW9rxmm2f3If8qU1fd3GAnBeR7k8QPdv50pBjoFd1ATj6omGULo7t2Rln7qtLKryishtDQoyaIkvX2NZ0MAVIxtxq-29A5IL95L8mqhDtzUGKgfvHi5c5Kq0FFM/s1600/trinity8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZa7UpmjfJLVHnEtjSPW9rxmm2f3If8qU1fd3GAnBeR7k8QPdv50pBjoFd1ATj6omGULo7t2Rln7qtLKryishtDQoyaIkvX2NZ0MAVIxtxq-29A5IL95L8mqhDtzUGKgfvHi5c5Kq0FFM/s640/trinity8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0WfIQI7vFtvKvrGNr2Q9WHFViEfKEnRfAmnLkhbN6776wkjy-xV6kVXY8CHJnTvLWMCbeCc10yH-kAtXydFPIENeFvfX1yJGROJi31vFTH0a096gMejhh0ZX-WgT-62sXUZRxnuDkqMk/s1600/trinity9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0WfIQI7vFtvKvrGNr2Q9WHFViEfKEnRfAmnLkhbN6776wkjy-xV6kVXY8CHJnTvLWMCbeCc10yH-kAtXydFPIENeFvfX1yJGROJi31vFTH0a096gMejhh0ZX-WgT-62sXUZRxnuDkqMk/s640/trinity9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDc_D4-eN7KIlBpkaQNnoc3gbTr9zPxm5al6dvlcH6TlWinqv9gwlbZa_cI5n4YZb2FY0ww058pse4nJVNbEJrsEau3CFBeJRQUq8lMYMtLcFgvQ-qHTRY4zXg067MIVfAgdjcD95EHek/s1600/trinity10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDc_D4-eN7KIlBpkaQNnoc3gbTr9zPxm5al6dvlcH6TlWinqv9gwlbZa_cI5n4YZb2FY0ww058pse4nJVNbEJrsEau3CFBeJRQUq8lMYMtLcFgvQ-qHTRY4zXg067MIVfAgdjcD95EHek/s640/trinity10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I took these photos on the last evening </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
of a staff retreat at Salter Path, N.C. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Transformation was the theme. </div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16932826147522119761noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1696676219167858431.post-31630761355785232372013-07-20T20:23:00.000-04:002013-07-20T20:23:43.133-04:00What's Peaking in Mid-July<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMgt7TkNg7ENkegBpIH7Pk-VfP7bm1CCNTpKowrqwkkzBdCLX7wFOye5rNvSm9TVrBZ507swQqNdnnKLk87DM7DE05aKh4PxOfg_U_BrOPEK3vK0W191UoZR_PKaFw5q6se3QFTwCuhiU/s1600/Backyard_POD_07-08_13_cherry_tom_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMgt7TkNg7ENkegBpIH7Pk-VfP7bm1CCNTpKowrqwkkzBdCLX7wFOye5rNvSm9TVrBZ507swQqNdnnKLk87DM7DE05aKh4PxOfg_U_BrOPEK3vK0W191UoZR_PKaFw5q6se3QFTwCuhiU/s400/Backyard_POD_07-08_13_cherry_tom_blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two cherry tomato plants (Sun Gold and Sweet Million) <br />are producing a bowlful per day. We've begun bartering them for eggs<br />with a neighbor.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-0UnABR3dU7GC-M-7z39iahm3TzKGm9XLj6-USxXiRtSOcvzPoimfU0I0uwJx-qYniJOxR_3CFLD3iie5qRZ6xnjjFQMf6JUG6SRNVGOfqUlpDaO111TbNHrdAsGKX-UvPS-IGQkx7OU/s1600/Backyard_POD_07-09_13_butterfly_gar_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-0UnABR3dU7GC-M-7z39iahm3TzKGm9XLj6-USxXiRtSOcvzPoimfU0I0uwJx-qYniJOxR_3CFLD3iie5qRZ6xnjjFQMf6JUG6SRNVGOfqUlpDaO111TbNHrdAsGKX-UvPS-IGQkx7OU/s400/Backyard_POD_07-09_13_butterfly_gar_blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The new butterfly garden looks lovely, <br />with a nameless salvia, crocosmia and coneflower, <br />but I've seen perhaps two butterflies there. Lots of bees, though. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxLdaQH_uWql1lLtTFTkqd7u5mCgncU4b4EJeRWY9MzM7pMOF64IgX56WDirxeN7oEbETCjgPw3TKKBKYMqERC5JN1tuxXUj6s7n6GWUfIEVMUQpw24DX1bDSY49OdK-p87PusLJNEIpU/s1600/Backyard_POD_07-10_13_cosmos_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxLdaQH_uWql1lLtTFTkqd7u5mCgncU4b4EJeRWY9MzM7pMOF64IgX56WDirxeN7oEbETCjgPw3TKKBKYMqERC5JN1tuxXUj6s7n6GWUfIEVMUQpw24DX1bDSY49OdK-p87PusLJNEIpU/s320/Backyard_POD_07-10_13_cosmos_blog.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cosmos in the parsley</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFm4V67h-hwpJfJv-ua5D6wQjMbmkUnwopvqUGYKNuFfxNZtP2XyAZyZF5EPju_UvHCTbjwBXG6SFcnXlA3OoMmGgV7g-KZeo0mb-AQaPpXDF98WsrW8R6sBa10kPAIPkBRqVHGg-TIt8/s1600/Backyard_POD_07-11_13_rain_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFm4V67h-hwpJfJv-ua5D6wQjMbmkUnwopvqUGYKNuFfxNZtP2XyAZyZF5EPju_UvHCTbjwBXG6SFcnXlA3OoMmGgV7g-KZeo0mb-AQaPpXDF98WsrW8R6sBa10kPAIPkBRqVHGg-TIt8/s400/Backyard_POD_07-11_13_rain_blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It rained nearly every afternoon for what seemed like weeks.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8TVQ1f-oujBgLQSU2tjheI9GCh6R3jTgproP-4qXMMPMko3j7GmqLGbdtz1TGXB599kLnsAojjuhT44hgmy11SNzYrQ-_uJprDZl9mwehLNDPW0MPttMHadZyOMWCKwCNBomhQUvgVpQ/s1600/Backyard_POD_07-12_2013_cuke_blog.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8TVQ1f-oujBgLQSU2tjheI9GCh6R3jTgproP-4qXMMPMko3j7GmqLGbdtz1TGXB599kLnsAojjuhT44hgmy11SNzYrQ-_uJprDZl9mwehLNDPW0MPttMHadZyOMWCKwCNBomhQUvgVpQ/s320/Backyard_POD_07-12_2013_cuke_blog.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cucumber trellised itself on the cherry tomato plant.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvvfdEQcM-ENNhBuu82O93Tse43XCQOrkvnDsFmM5LaMw6FHIxH4Jo-j4r6EFc8Z6XnZhYabSmScV4aZZrsY2HL0i-0OgW3Rrl5jCTMLAe-HG0giOKPIBdeeR-9l-S5YA67ex3yOE_Gaw/s1600/Backyard_POD_07-13_2013_thrasher_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvvfdEQcM-ENNhBuu82O93Tse43XCQOrkvnDsFmM5LaMw6FHIxH4Jo-j4r6EFc8Z6XnZhYabSmScV4aZZrsY2HL0i-0OgW3Rrl5jCTMLAe-HG0giOKPIBdeeR-9l-S5YA67ex3yOE_Gaw/s400/Backyard_POD_07-13_2013_thrasher_blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This brown thrasher spent several minutes rubbing its belly <br />and preening on the top of the Prius. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRvR8Buobkwds5GIsM02C3vBPuGuBThi0DcVnlDskYM-D0fXVzgyqa6zH47NzfBpoKNc5rj8BZh1rYGe3EKE58d4Qt2KaUhp5Vat3w-EBG__39CBJuET8oSvfTr7DYA4DkJQY1N1dPNuI/s1600/Backyard_POD_07-14_13_bunny_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRvR8Buobkwds5GIsM02C3vBPuGuBThi0DcVnlDskYM-D0fXVzgyqa6zH47NzfBpoKNc5rj8BZh1rYGe3EKE58d4Qt2KaUhp5Vat3w-EBG__39CBJuET8oSvfTr7DYA4DkJQY1N1dPNuI/s400/Backyard_POD_07-14_13_bunny_blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This bunny thinks he owns the garden. He's been eating coneflowers,<br />coreopsis and on the plus side, Johnson grass. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Lp_T1iSaBBpasHilCMrmIyR4bh85uQCnmsU_iozGwXubikbD4vmfTBEFUA9dOL5BHYw9E-We2DdrqCH94EfTClhXvOMBxgkU7C5t2oKEhZ4-A7ugRaUv63OA5JYU6Wz40o8kL9KZ10Y/s1600/Backyard_POD_07-15_13_crape_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Lp_T1iSaBBpasHilCMrmIyR4bh85uQCnmsU_iozGwXubikbD4vmfTBEFUA9dOL5BHYw9E-We2DdrqCH94EfTClhXvOMBxgkU7C5t2oKEhZ4-A7ugRaUv63OA5JYU6Wz40o8kL9KZ10Y/s400/Backyard_POD_07-15_13_crape_blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crepe myrtles are peaking.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguczImZsR2XzNe-c_0B5rdTJdU4XucYWMETLk1qFp5UIwdgxfUF3Fm1kOWo4AqSUbvSby-Y7v0LSJC5wtU9jLy5Dx6FyYbgfJrVna3W5060IzNfs4poP68Bom8eQPhhnzm_HsiXsL2prQ/s1600/Backyard_POD_07-16_13_butterfly_weed_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguczImZsR2XzNe-c_0B5rdTJdU4XucYWMETLk1qFp5UIwdgxfUF3Fm1kOWo4AqSUbvSby-Y7v0LSJC5wtU9jLy5Dx6FyYbgfJrVna3W5060IzNfs4poP68Bom8eQPhhnzm_HsiXsL2prQ/s400/Backyard_POD_07-16_13_butterfly_weed_blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A small milkweed bug on the butterfly weed.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjErzbousiNoGdW0LW1XCch9pJb-HdWiEyfwXeYsoQI-X4-SAmi3QEUWKT8lOak7nZl1Wq8bIm0nl21ucbjVJ2YistAe3uCDIRF-DM_0VuIx4nl2i3BMN22o7bnV76lWCkXr0DLDh0XyhU/s1600/Backyard_POD_07-17_13_crazy_coleus_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjErzbousiNoGdW0LW1XCch9pJb-HdWiEyfwXeYsoQI-X4-SAmi3QEUWKT8lOak7nZl1Wq8bIm0nl21ucbjVJ2YistAe3uCDIRF-DM_0VuIx4nl2i3BMN22o7bnV76lWCkXr0DLDh0XyhU/s400/Backyard_POD_07-17_13_crazy_coleus_blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I can't decide if this combination of two unusual kinds of coleus<br />and basket grass is creatively inspired or hideous. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16932826147522119761noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1696676219167858431.post-27157098723501936042013-07-10T20:13:00.000-04:002013-07-10T20:32:49.984-04:00Praying Mantis to Mystery Flower: 10 Days<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPWpQYkf7iGBKUy5FqW6Y0EhoN5eXE-V9x0adIAcYSZi4KjvTTNifFZ8lwU3BT2cnCmZrcc-Yj66d-VD2aB7atr2zw0f9pjFSlUW-o80jPf2wQ64i_I4OhW27lsLGmRR3zDfxEZsgZ-w4/s1600/Backyard_POD_06-28_13_mantis_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPWpQYkf7iGBKUy5FqW6Y0EhoN5eXE-V9x0adIAcYSZi4KjvTTNifFZ8lwU3BT2cnCmZrcc-Yj66d-VD2aB7atr2zw0f9pjFSlUW-o80jPf2wQ64i_I4OhW27lsLGmRR3zDfxEZsgZ-w4/s400/Backyard_POD_06-28_13_mantis_blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A praying mantis waits for prey on a nasturtium in the veggie garden.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeALc71y7sDawvP12UEF-mQYH9rzaAwG5Ug7wIhQi7JPEuHbYHsABjlYwpwR0_UPxUVlhG5a-IVPNpsiCR_LF6Nm8xbpW-Yiv8yF1YA-gvfy82XJReSCLP-nTntJ7X5VAwXwxfg3s-5DU/s1600/Backyard_POD_06-29_13_butterfly_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeALc71y7sDawvP12UEF-mQYH9rzaAwG5Ug7wIhQi7JPEuHbYHsABjlYwpwR0_UPxUVlhG5a-IVPNpsiCR_LF6Nm8xbpW-Yiv8yF1YA-gvfy82XJReSCLP-nTntJ7X5VAwXwxfg3s-5DU/s320/Backyard_POD_06-29_13_butterfly_blog.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm glad I photographed this butterfly<br />
because I haven't seen one since. Where are you, butterflies?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHymVG4VfxElE3oV9k2djtqlFIB2ikHKQpGRskv8gKGvvBnNIIe1kj86w1-7CICqaiOQtO4DZqANO7w_GrML0xLiCKUpndQKjr2fBEXBirWFRO9BmVxlqcUXN8ZcHac5uqj0Y-bEBmTQU/s1600/Backyard_POD_06-30_13_veggie_jungle_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHymVG4VfxElE3oV9k2djtqlFIB2ikHKQpGRskv8gKGvvBnNIIe1kj86w1-7CICqaiOQtO4DZqANO7w_GrML0xLiCKUpndQKjr2fBEXBirWFRO9BmVxlqcUXN8ZcHac5uqj0Y-bEBmTQU/s400/Backyard_POD_06-30_13_veggie_jungle_blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The veggie jungle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUSU5BDVWdZHhUqziJmgaCzR0RLLJWgUeCX_trWWI1_i6_-Zh0ijGaWW_GVTvfKN9aYt1n6d3xUstDXpy_c0_SpyvTXPGdyoCtybpqAea-pdgwqz4dA-0fHhpFT47BIhT0cYlezd_dLEQ/s1600/Backyard_POD_07-01_2013_bee_oregano_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUSU5BDVWdZHhUqziJmgaCzR0RLLJWgUeCX_trWWI1_i6_-Zh0ijGaWW_GVTvfKN9aYt1n6d3xUstDXpy_c0_SpyvTXPGdyoCtybpqAea-pdgwqz4dA-0fHhpFT47BIhT0cYlezd_dLEQ/s400/Backyard_POD_07-01_2013_bee_oregano_blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bees of different varieties are obsessed with the flowering oregano.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMscfegODaWLe4bRLKbYdF23SuQ0oZQ0awezMCyQmPj6wzSmIkRCyRKvkI6kUwXBrGf9aQ6XPkP5mi8MaH4hY8QG_3ToMhyphenhyphenen70Bg-aTxf2GNNo52_vODcHl7lv1RzDy_1MoXrXXd8u0c/s1600/Backyard_POD_07-02_13_hib_umbrella_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMscfegODaWLe4bRLKbYdF23SuQ0oZQ0awezMCyQmPj6wzSmIkRCyRKvkI6kUwXBrGf9aQ6XPkP5mi8MaH4hY8QG_3ToMhyphenhyphenen70Bg-aTxf2GNNo52_vODcHl7lv1RzDy_1MoXrXXd8u0c/s400/Backyard_POD_07-02_13_hib_umbrella_blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The red hibiscus flowers turn into umbrellas. Rain, rain, rain -<br />
we've been getting late day storms nearly every day.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_iSUcEv9bTjXk6IrmvtBKQLzUc6eeBRWupncy9x9B3yhZIVx_MD-Y7X79L3_lv8uRbhlfUIptJI-hze8tK95PUreOsVMio9ezWMN7UNHhbodOfLTADkMvMu7CkgGNU045f8VolEshjZo/s1600/Backyard_POD_07-03_2013_lily_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_iSUcEv9bTjXk6IrmvtBKQLzUc6eeBRWupncy9x9B3yhZIVx_MD-Y7X79L3_lv8uRbhlfUIptJI-hze8tK95PUreOsVMio9ezWMN7UNHhbodOfLTADkMvMu7CkgGNU045f8VolEshjZo/s400/Backyard_POD_07-03_2013_lily_blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daylilies remain stunning.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We took a spontaneous 24-hour trip to the beach at Salter Path, N.C., </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
when we got the last room available at our favorite retreat center. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Swimming held by the waves and walking the beach is a prayer.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvTr57PlZDg0IgM84c9ZIs_HapoV_XH27C_6O0SsUNonhEvAZWQnc0rTdUPHo8l_XeBGqrPEj4YAH55YXAiMWtHGcyNYH3EUdwmuT4sMHsXmFC1QMGuzwL2iGQV9A_jYFsrXYP3hQrg0s/s1600/Backyard_POD_07-04_2013_beach_trinity_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvTr57PlZDg0IgM84c9ZIs_HapoV_XH27C_6O0SsUNonhEvAZWQnc0rTdUPHo8l_XeBGqrPEj4YAH55YXAiMWtHGcyNYH3EUdwmuT4sMHsXmFC1QMGuzwL2iGQV9A_jYFsrXYP3hQrg0s/s640/Backyard_POD_07-04_2013_beach_trinity_blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beach at sunset</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMfz1msC383JiS0yNwhSrT1RcLX5j_oWIRvBdS5Cjjuq45uh_kq8UWiyeThRGqyYFmsV7LRRDQmmka9Q8o9E2GFDHIF-V9S_O9XzY1EHxvVmgP7yZMGtLE13BXgdNlzCaW1QCtBStXBAw/s1600/Backyard_POD_07-05_2013_beach_dawn_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMfz1msC383JiS0yNwhSrT1RcLX5j_oWIRvBdS5Cjjuq45uh_kq8UWiyeThRGqyYFmsV7LRRDQmmka9Q8o9E2GFDHIF-V9S_O9XzY1EHxvVmgP7yZMGtLE13BXgdNlzCaW1QCtBStXBAw/s640/Backyard_POD_07-05_2013_beach_dawn_blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beach at sunrise</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHPFS1NgCLPwSQjxCteC-BBmRcFrEOAA63GINPrIhOrcOy75MRz4kyXhg6yrw_-5XLhtiAsxcuyhpuGnqKl9hztHfPbXZn8sQ-_QrcTy6D90a7S6QcefbRFv1qP7U5LPy4Y2vyY9EcYyM/s1600/Backyard_POD_07-06_2013_blackberries_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHPFS1NgCLPwSQjxCteC-BBmRcFrEOAA63GINPrIhOrcOy75MRz4kyXhg6yrw_-5XLhtiAsxcuyhpuGnqKl9hztHfPbXZn8sQ-_QrcTy6D90a7S6QcefbRFv1qP7U5LPy4Y2vyY9EcYyM/s400/Backyard_POD_07-06_2013_blackberries_blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blackberry picking</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3vjgd58F69GNmJuH23k7CW5Zr3Q7iP2pYygQV8uxdCfgpRI9aZW8c_pFeyevJ8r-sOSk1ZRd00FXKeEGPSHajia3oOgX55uIOoliPfghDecaqc1YAQ7z_2R79dFqT22vTD2WlvoKK5NQ/s1600/Backyard_POD_07-07_2013_mystery_flower_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3vjgd58F69GNmJuH23k7CW5Zr3Q7iP2pYygQV8uxdCfgpRI9aZW8c_pFeyevJ8r-sOSk1ZRd00FXKeEGPSHajia3oOgX55uIOoliPfghDecaqc1YAQ7z_2R79dFqT22vTD2WlvoKK5NQ/s400/Backyard_POD_07-07_2013_mystery_flower_blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A mystery flower emerges from a tall plant with iris-like leaves.<br />
Can you identify it?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16932826147522119761noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1696676219167858431.post-44705739662911017582013-06-29T23:08:00.002-04:002013-06-29T23:13:44.685-04:00Summer Drama<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLdRnBes0yhzTAzeEWLN-LFl4FbkEIGqnOiEymsDkj_jXyGxb8KbjNqNWJerRLOeS80iubF4N1uHvwhzCpVm-42kAH4dQHyVKy8MvyiLudYqJlB1lXfGFrTG36xPO86tbxYEAuFjcafOo/s1600/Backyard_POD_06-18_13_yellow_lilies_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLdRnBes0yhzTAzeEWLN-LFl4FbkEIGqnOiEymsDkj_jXyGxb8KbjNqNWJerRLOeS80iubF4N1uHvwhzCpVm-42kAH4dQHyVKy8MvyiLudYqJlB1lXfGFrTG36xPO86tbxYEAuFjcafOo/s400/Backyard_POD_06-18_13_yellow_lilies_blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I thank an unknown former gardener<br />
for planting dozens of these fragrant happy daylilies.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoGinmz3KK3tBPmnT_aLn5izAqiMFcUSnZGs2hSlEvYk5jFqM_Pkf8zCuPcEQNg2QBakOkSI0xVry2m0g40y4roZJCbxw4hiS34jOm5jv-30lNEEzARZOZASZW_04QFWV1qubAt8CeG8U/s1600/photo-5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoGinmz3KK3tBPmnT_aLn5izAqiMFcUSnZGs2hSlEvYk5jFqM_Pkf8zCuPcEQNg2QBakOkSI0xVry2m0g40y4roZJCbxw4hiS34jOm5jv-30lNEEzARZOZASZW_04QFWV1qubAt8CeG8U/s320/photo-5.JPG" width="294" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A raw swiss chard salad with decorative edible nasturtiums.<br />
Young chard is not that bitter and raw greens <br />
are said to be more nutritious.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcSELuhi5wMVCno4yGAY6PvC6UI7W9Diwo7562T9bWHhMXkbjc_TwKdGZvAStcUSIFTB2c8O0nOic1L6dRf-zXNv0RrLxDC1iQkA_L1Nhgq1wWD8AazA3Hcm6JJe7PzTLobNMdj1RAzjY/s1600/Backyard_POD_06-20_2013_pinklily_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcSELuhi5wMVCno4yGAY6PvC6UI7W9Diwo7562T9bWHhMXkbjc_TwKdGZvAStcUSIFTB2c8O0nOic1L6dRf-zXNv0RrLxDC1iQkA_L1Nhgq1wWD8AazA3Hcm6JJe7PzTLobNMdj1RAzjY/s400/Backyard_POD_06-20_2013_pinklily_blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An indescribable pink lily</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRF-ilvKVtvtU3tO-pAVff7uJXJhPf1VLgzmyGOcR0sQEGQKQSGsqAIE-LIE-N_3lv7_48FEBh6GTtQvwUac15JfVO2kSEdPY6X4bDeqQH-645RKoFFSv0RgSY4bSjwafZRS7e37qZlFM/s1600/Backyard_POD_06-21_13_titmouse_fledgling_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRF-ilvKVtvtU3tO-pAVff7uJXJhPf1VLgzmyGOcR0sQEGQKQSGsqAIE-LIE-N_3lv7_48FEBh6GTtQvwUac15JfVO2kSEdPY6X4bDeqQH-645RKoFFSv0RgSY4bSjwafZRS7e37qZlFM/s400/Backyard_POD_06-21_13_titmouse_fledgling_blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Titmouse fledglings splashed in the bird bath. <br />
This one then basked in the sun on the roof of the shed.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRRe96f_470eVfYfAq9VAIQ-ggEbIEhpYFFrow-51uVSVxSebQz_fnsFNmP8EO2Y6Oe1-Jd31GClzIpIDdVvfS_64M0AlkqMQYG82lC3YO8qM12nu2QZJV3vRKcro-fl7sy9dDP2vzasA/s1600/Backyard_POD_06-22_13_fern_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRRe96f_470eVfYfAq9VAIQ-ggEbIEhpYFFrow-51uVSVxSebQz_fnsFNmP8EO2Y6Oe1-Jd31GClzIpIDdVvfS_64M0AlkqMQYG82lC3YO8qM12nu2QZJV3vRKcro-fl7sy9dDP2vzasA/s400/Backyard_POD_06-22_13_fern_blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The surprise of new life after months in which this sword fern,<br />
left outside all winter, appeared dead. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg440pGukkM7ED83B-B0J7j1l9fSg4wxfT3AZmZW6wMkngfw7bz_LFGM0tPVWOgQmPHsGRbyjw99WR12voQYwNgPAa8vYgPcf2tG8DSLii2pfxOxKV64H9cP2l6lJBwyqCzu2VbdAiYjpo/s1600/Backyard_POD_06-23_2013_cherry_tomato_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg440pGukkM7ED83B-B0J7j1l9fSg4wxfT3AZmZW6wMkngfw7bz_LFGM0tPVWOgQmPHsGRbyjw99WR12voQYwNgPAa8vYgPcf2tG8DSLii2pfxOxKV64H9cP2l6lJBwyqCzu2VbdAiYjpo/s400/Backyard_POD_06-23_2013_cherry_tomato_blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First sungold cherry tomato of the season</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1KnAr4d9pBF5-owK9ozh23F9J-glPjq6tpeO8ijL8AOoigpE2DeoYVYbjdUE_NOSz7Isbq18bRPTA68MSCDfQfweVRJqsK_QpeBTTHdJHYNk3_9IuiMqvZDOvGET-EQsLN3oLCEC-jNc/s1600/Backyard_POD_06-24_13_hydrangea_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1KnAr4d9pBF5-owK9ozh23F9J-glPjq6tpeO8ijL8AOoigpE2DeoYVYbjdUE_NOSz7Isbq18bRPTA68MSCDfQfweVRJqsK_QpeBTTHdJHYNk3_9IuiMqvZDOvGET-EQsLN3oLCEC-jNc/s400/Backyard_POD_06-24_13_hydrangea_blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hydrangea after rain. I am developing a preference <br />
for the varied shades of pinkish purplish blue flowers<br />
that emerge in the absence of acid fertilizer. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEwVzQlYfACRymr3qJSTvb8g96_FxKIizBJjz7Yq5zr61xfoBcy8xCppCenIXHOgwHUM1HteX30cjJDHbSca8xIxSzUfudjyt5BvU9DmVxN-254Dqpx_VGrYCzI7CsSHIq9KdkOFWiF8o/s1600/Backyard_POD_06-25_13_first_hibiscus_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEwVzQlYfACRymr3qJSTvb8g96_FxKIizBJjz7Yq5zr61xfoBcy8xCppCenIXHOgwHUM1HteX30cjJDHbSca8xIxSzUfudjyt5BvU9DmVxN-254Dqpx_VGrYCzI7CsSHIq9KdkOFWiF8o/s400/Backyard_POD_06-25_13_first_hibiscus_blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A hibiscus with blooms bigger than my hand drapes over the driveway.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAjV4gmqHMgV4Y866bgRkkuc_B0OqncpLKntc2BSsDPQQgxxkSYDtevHAJLMry_WUerQ-LWKm9FggVc3n4RO9a4pn29L5Yy1i-QWm2xowF1tYWm-pcFylaCjZbGKy3J8EBYhhPW1nrhaI/s1600/Backyard_POD_06-26_13_storm_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAjV4gmqHMgV4Y866bgRkkuc_B0OqncpLKntc2BSsDPQQgxxkSYDtevHAJLMry_WUerQ-LWKm9FggVc3n4RO9a4pn29L5Yy1i-QWm2xowF1tYWm-pcFylaCjZbGKy3J8EBYhhPW1nrhaI/s400/Backyard_POD_06-26_13_storm_blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We've been having frequent late afternoon thunderstorms,<br />
and I'm rarely having to water the garden. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqn3_I4ii3fXvsaCjgMFKMrm8PxZL2OUr0MF9YiYgETYEVNKCQzdEeRzNUvzBviQylkna61zbgmlp3hPZ1tmoCs-sH6n_nuGgNF94C1eAJDVwL0UHWBzY-x8yhKEjQeIKQvZIbr7eggF4/s1600/Backyard_POD_06-27_13_tomato_toppled_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqn3_I4ii3fXvsaCjgMFKMrm8PxZL2OUr0MF9YiYgETYEVNKCQzdEeRzNUvzBviQylkna61zbgmlp3hPZ1tmoCs-sH6n_nuGgNF94C1eAJDVwL0UHWBzY-x8yhKEjQeIKQvZIbr7eggF4/s400/Backyard_POD_06-27_13_tomato_toppled_blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I came home from work to find this top-heavy heirloom tomato plant<br />
collapsed, breaking the stake. Miraculously, its stems were not broken<br />
and my husband was able to prop it up and restake it. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16932826147522119761noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1696676219167858431.post-59944448236228047202013-06-19T21:42:00.000-04:002013-06-19T21:42:03.410-04:00Southern Beauties - with a Maine Interlude<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJVpuDWhZLV58VMPi0lTwy6QOLtu6kw0HHyp93oCwnPuVl6GrWIKPxqh3hWNo0ViEj_-XJ1G24DDki-LXYqGh3R9ru7IXNV1n-1qyX6JFcnZnIhUeKGRAPx7Yce4EKXrOYJajy6hdskkU/s1600/Backyard_POD_06-08_13_bee_gardenia_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJVpuDWhZLV58VMPi0lTwy6QOLtu6kw0HHyp93oCwnPuVl6GrWIKPxqh3hWNo0ViEj_-XJ1G24DDki-LXYqGh3R9ru7IXNV1n-1qyX6JFcnZnIhUeKGRAPx7Yce4EKXrOYJajy6hdskkU/s400/Backyard_POD_06-08_13_bee_gardenia_blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Imagine being a honeybee crawling on a fragrant gardenia. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw32hYIyQlRHgGRRzNLXhK07QWF6n4lBGbjsG9uOq3yZq9Bt9OCDohJoP-CczB_fTllxYhmr_Co6YaLKvWCOa-YTm3gU0wfkXr78NEwdmHoZxU9AkMVGvBYS0jooHuEp_5NdqR3dzM_gE/s1600/Backyard_POD_06-09_13_gardenia_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw32hYIyQlRHgGRRzNLXhK07QWF6n4lBGbjsG9uOq3yZq9Bt9OCDohJoP-CczB_fTllxYhmr_Co6YaLKvWCOa-YTm3gU0wfkXr78NEwdmHoZxU9AkMVGvBYS0jooHuEp_5NdqR3dzM_gE/s400/Backyard_POD_06-09_13_gardenia_blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gardenia fireworks - the shrub exploded into bloom almost overnight. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Here we have a dramatic transition of subject, from the closeup views of a quarter-acre suburban garden to ....</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
the wild beauty of a rural Maine island in Casco Bay. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I slightly expanded the definition of backyard photos while in Maine. The bay with its changes in tides and winds and weather and sun draws me to it inexorably. It teaches me things </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
that I cannot articulate. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I try with the camera to evoke the mysterious beauty. I fail, of course, but I do not care. Life is happening according to rhythms that we cannot fathom or capture. Somehow that is a relief, a prayer.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
But I am drawn to share the beautiful, and here's a bit of what I saw. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi82g3yUM-E2HPNIE3CbyYNb3j7BwlhaWgDwmd42kFnxhnOlHui7_TXFSMRMlCI7eUd5Sfkn523La0-C9-aAx0c75fWXktr4RD0zzLKD_XNQCYST2vwlepMvl0hteN84srBMZiUOK55wtc/s1600/Backyard_POD_06-10_13_cheb_capps_house_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi82g3yUM-E2HPNIE3CbyYNb3j7BwlhaWgDwmd42kFnxhnOlHui7_TXFSMRMlCI7eUd5Sfkn523La0-C9-aAx0c75fWXktr4RD0zzLKD_XNQCYST2vwlepMvl0hteN84srBMZiUOK55wtc/s400/Backyard_POD_06-10_13_cheb_capps_house_blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view from the walk to the stairs leading down to the beach. <br />This is one of the oldest cottages on the East End of the island.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2RSwdRnjrFIbWGZ5FhTFAbNMsdd9Z4kn6psyslwypvWR-4o8iOErULvhU11g8oZV8lVbCrXTjioLZNIcIvbPAU1oFyMKFQeFO3Zj283IZ_5ACY_Pdgq1hjQpGqseapSPHLiuoXqBEmoY/s1600/Backyard_POD_06-11_13_cheb_view_from_porch_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2RSwdRnjrFIbWGZ5FhTFAbNMsdd9Z4kn6psyslwypvWR-4o8iOErULvhU11g8oZV8lVbCrXTjioLZNIcIvbPAU1oFyMKFQeFO3Zj283IZ_5ACY_Pdgq1hjQpGqseapSPHLiuoXqBEmoY/s400/Backyard_POD_06-11_13_cheb_view_from_porch_blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The evening sun lights up the bay, seen from the porch of our cottage. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0VnRPPF73LvsH4tUF9fWAkgU7PvtMAYVHdzQmRiDN1Hh58QNOaA8KY4uWLMn8F0sp_Cbp8nGZoVJonRMRzHE9cPERtar6p8IYA8zNcsdlAMmAlPAEhxAlE6EP8SJekuuSZYzHBGf1aj8/s1600/Backyard_POD_06-12_13_cheb_point_hightide_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0VnRPPF73LvsH4tUF9fWAkgU7PvtMAYVHdzQmRiDN1Hh58QNOaA8KY4uWLMn8F0sp_Cbp8nGZoVJonRMRzHE9cPERtar6p8IYA8zNcsdlAMmAlPAEhxAlE6EP8SJekuuSZYzHBGf1aj8/s400/Backyard_POD_06-12_13_cheb_point_hightide_blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">High tide breaks on the ledge at the point. <br />How many hours (days) have I spent on this point I cannot say. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQPD7KJ9MmTYJuEAm0-gn8-0YIwff2mKbFijuHmvQEk4I8IzHqRzz-M-hP-_KkHdIe3VZFei9k8uPijIWBi_8l6gyYWSx3kJvo-ydSiKukoTsJUII8Nqb5IpDLA1ju7FqBSBdh6djS5iU/s1600/Backyard_POD_06-13_13_lobster_trap_sunset_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQPD7KJ9MmTYJuEAm0-gn8-0YIwff2mKbFijuHmvQEk4I8IzHqRzz-M-hP-_KkHdIe3VZFei9k8uPijIWBi_8l6gyYWSx3kJvo-ydSiKukoTsJUII8Nqb5IpDLA1ju7FqBSBdh6djS5iU/s400/Backyard_POD_06-13_13_lobster_trap_sunset_blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset at the wharf as seen through a lobster trap. <br />Lobstermen were just beginning to put in their traps for the summer. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeEadSVHl6ZsWkjFYuVXT5u9cCOsQ8X26eCBMxmZFSK_ikhUYqZ5Krc6QI4rztHPbcHlV7Me7z1xHK9xUbkX-Hie7GPHa8cybadf-IjG4oM8tg-RTaVvjR-jc4Ao3eizL1HjAxESGcpK8/s1600/Backyard_POD_06_14_13_cheb_twilight_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeEadSVHl6ZsWkjFYuVXT5u9cCOsQ8X26eCBMxmZFSK_ikhUYqZ5Krc6QI4rztHPbcHlV7Me7z1xHK9xUbkX-Hie7GPHa8cybadf-IjG4oM8tg-RTaVvjR-jc4Ao3eizL1HjAxESGcpK8/s400/Backyard_POD_06_14_13_cheb_twilight_blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Twilight and eider ducks with their babies on the bay near the point. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXkxM5UPENsU36AE-1BJTdrNAauxJGrtYZjzuV2epAN8spwGiwohBQxJ1_z3wiSehl2XB2MSF1qNAQJAw27tNUxSvguexTroUxdSdfdbIiwvm6R9tPYYAn4W7Yz1cAn0CWXf7MIPmhang/s1600/Backyard_POD_06-15_13_cheb_axel_hambeach_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXkxM5UPENsU36AE-1BJTdrNAauxJGrtYZjzuV2epAN8spwGiwohBQxJ1_z3wiSehl2XB2MSF1qNAQJAw27tNUxSvguexTroUxdSdfdbIiwvm6R9tPYYAn4W7Yz1cAn0CWXf7MIPmhang/s400/Backyard_POD_06-15_13_cheb_axel_hambeach_blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beach at low tide. The rockweed has a beauty of its own, <br />and is home to all sorts of sea life. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjohfDoxhPKjdCgiJQ1wFAqeFGYdAs5E2WFbsZtgt7Salg0U3Eg01p6DyDd34ujoS1wY2clg71doUvvZnYXqxkE3NsIDE6NvJtPWS7K9Bx4iJQr-SUvfl69HrKxC0Jk-ODWI1AERk3G04/s1600/Backyard_POD_06-16_13_phoebe_fledgling_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjohfDoxhPKjdCgiJQ1wFAqeFGYdAs5E2WFbsZtgt7Salg0U3Eg01p6DyDd34ujoS1wY2clg71doUvvZnYXqxkE3NsIDE6NvJtPWS7K9Bx4iJQr-SUvfl69HrKxC0Jk-ODWI1AERk3G04/s320/Backyard_POD_06-16_13_phoebe_fledgling_blog.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eastern phoebes nested on the rafter of the front porch. <br />This phoebe alit in a lilac bush not long after fledging. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
In the miracle of modern airplane travel, I was transported reluctantly back to North Carolina. The lilies (not eaten by deer) and beginning to peak were a consolation. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif0-Y_kuB9P8AMwPlLJg2VjRhtWdxFBGKdaZRdSgMxbPUvHVqW3VC0ERwdKGNRB5BvsF6u6gzSlw4YZ7I953tYqkqDw2KCyBXvTvxFW8lGd5Kt-OyFz2r64kSbUu-ZPoC_1wVzPwm-kVQ/s1600/Backyard_POD_06-17_13_lily_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif0-Y_kuB9P8AMwPlLJg2VjRhtWdxFBGKdaZRdSgMxbPUvHVqW3VC0ERwdKGNRB5BvsF6u6gzSlw4YZ7I953tYqkqDw2KCyBXvTvxFW8lGd5Kt-OyFz2r64kSbUu-ZPoC_1wVzPwm-kVQ/s400/Backyard_POD_06-17_13_lily_blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This post is the fourth in a series of "10 Days" posts featuring daily photographs from my backyard.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16932826147522119761noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1696676219167858431.post-67196870910596352012013-06-08T20:33:00.002-04:002013-06-08T21:43:31.275-04:00Summer Blooms and More: 10 Days<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWyYrJKj9I_qF6KrPDYXwST0Xl45B3p2R2SOcK1bzL_-Sva0phvhmYdKpj-5XX2SkaM0yg9EI3_MwLCSpRlmvo1RecYyTNWcZy0Z89GvGb3xV5RHpPSExcPdLfXhNix4enidR4tZWxLtg/s1600/Backyard_POD_05-29_13_cardinal_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWyYrJKj9I_qF6KrPDYXwST0Xl45B3p2R2SOcK1bzL_-Sva0phvhmYdKpj-5XX2SkaM0yg9EI3_MwLCSpRlmvo1RecYyTNWcZy0Z89GvGb3xV5RHpPSExcPdLfXhNix4enidR4tZWxLtg/s400/Backyard_POD_05-29_13_cardinal_blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr. Cardinal</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiunyo0KWEX7DgVGBlu51RXtFJ7PMQXvEHgoN7wbpTMdjhO4PDhvl5xWLrE7-i1BTohqUrvqNCghQDTV0QD8j6AHPzbdfeaRORrU5T-PZKPJkf9Q9y5vXQZq3SUB-JiN7HBFIduPCOi-h8/s1600/Backyard_POD_05-30_13_nasturtium_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiunyo0KWEX7DgVGBlu51RXtFJ7PMQXvEHgoN7wbpTMdjhO4PDhvl5xWLrE7-i1BTohqUrvqNCghQDTV0QD8j6AHPzbdfeaRORrU5T-PZKPJkf9Q9y5vXQZq3SUB-JiN7HBFIduPCOi-h8/s400/Backyard_POD_05-30_13_nasturtium_blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nasturtiums are beautiful and edible.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Wp8Q6mjWIqcOBTtx8jrkw45yFf8lK23BKLpwwC7hyIxd45FxCqGXYeKqri4DFdKz7KCpSuajOJZY6L8ZRGPVz-Yod8mw5S0ouho7kHCpm5ZJNzo17_5t1_GIBd3ONY0ICJaPf-eAqiY/s1600/Backyard_POD_05-31_03_towhee_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Wp8Q6mjWIqcOBTtx8jrkw45yFf8lK23BKLpwwC7hyIxd45FxCqGXYeKqri4DFdKz7KCpSuajOJZY6L8ZRGPVz-Yod8mw5S0ouho7kHCpm5ZJNzo17_5t1_GIBd3ONY0ICJaPf-eAqiY/s400/Backyard_POD_05-31_03_towhee_blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The female towhee, well camouflaged</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjec5rChSvVM-0yxg0yxaQ09NgE30xoJXPQGYEBSsRqxwr_5DGPJI5ewMv7JsGop3TEPRLn_SIDx9XIMq1DtIqvGR9_UiwETw0y3OpgOD43RcBKlXF8yUe_iDyJjS93tH7BrCg7s2T5ELA/s1600/Backyard_POD_06-01_13_bunny_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjec5rChSvVM-0yxg0yxaQ09NgE30xoJXPQGYEBSsRqxwr_5DGPJI5ewMv7JsGop3TEPRLn_SIDx9XIMq1DtIqvGR9_UiwETw0y3OpgOD43RcBKlXF8yUe_iDyJjS93tH7BrCg7s2T5ELA/s400/Backyard_POD_06-01_13_bunny_blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A baby bunny I didn't have the heart to scare out of the garden</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6asa4C3saWrno1VJ8_67AIVSycsMQM42G2IE4m5jT2mYF5nH3rmIsDL8T0jsmqdWQ3KVIcpThjGMPcGNscf0Ml7haqgFbTgztxzWi_WYoZs5fqPfDfLg2bZPvTBHopQe9Us0IU-lrCYQ/s1600/Backyard_POD_06-02_13_gardenia_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6asa4C3saWrno1VJ8_67AIVSycsMQM42G2IE4m5jT2mYF5nH3rmIsDL8T0jsmqdWQ3KVIcpThjGMPcGNscf0Ml7haqgFbTgztxzWi_WYoZs5fqPfDfLg2bZPvTBHopQe9Us0IU-lrCYQ/s400/Backyard_POD_06-02_13_gardenia_blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This past week the gardenia exploded with blooms, so many that I don't feel guilty at all about cutting them and bringing them indoors. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcNKnrgTrkSSc98BDmvHM27r_TwJzlJ3dUZdeCeLj-IHd52zlVxf1OPHoFk73XB0qO03EW8vVYmuX5oRfeBR_DC1JuLMYjuXXtxI1lm5KbQB9Jg2y5yDd9iRfjhBMRpEUirjdj2tLMRg8/s1600/Backyard_POD_06-03_13_beanflowers_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcNKnrgTrkSSc98BDmvHM27r_TwJzlJ3dUZdeCeLj-IHd52zlVxf1OPHoFk73XB0qO03EW8vVYmuX5oRfeBR_DC1JuLMYjuXXtxI1lm5KbQB9Jg2y5yDd9iRfjhBMRpEUirjdj2tLMRg8/s400/Backyard_POD_06-03_13_beanflowers_blog.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bean flowers in their tiny perfection</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN3tHJs535ULshw-3sywAJA0x1cps4cqfIyLSSsLhVDmCZrsxM19ZneWZUL0Co44C5flZMRiQzxf3lbnQxdauYb0MeEgjDPT9UbvGcYrNyAexhmEisxCNsQ_NsAeDz9n9PZOHMxpgg56I/s1600/Backyard_POD_06-04_13_squashflower_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN3tHJs535ULshw-3sywAJA0x1cps4cqfIyLSSsLhVDmCZrsxM19ZneWZUL0Co44C5flZMRiQzxf3lbnQxdauYb0MeEgjDPT9UbvGcYrNyAexhmEisxCNsQ_NsAeDz9n9PZOHMxpgg56I/s400/Backyard_POD_06-04_13_squashflower_blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I didn't know squash flowers were so lovely.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV9Mcvsu1jkyEmuVI6CAYw2e66M1k6CoEAmk3m3czPbG_FG6FNml2GYDkG02ne5DEaDhEVvhybyGvSiEMSEM-IeoQkqbr2J2cAN5fRDxtp9f31_nlF8qAFzxy_Euq9NjG_aljEhkoiq8M/s1600/Backyard_POD_06-05-13_oakleaf_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV9Mcvsu1jkyEmuVI6CAYw2e66M1k6CoEAmk3m3czPbG_FG6FNml2GYDkG02ne5DEaDhEVvhybyGvSiEMSEM-IeoQkqbr2J2cAN5fRDxtp9f31_nlF8qAFzxy_Euq9NjG_aljEhkoiq8M/s400/Backyard_POD_06-05-13_oakleaf_blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The new oakleaf hydrangea "Ellen Huff" seems happy near the foundation.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZTKI-cWdIRHuubgSJ569HssofJurfswtnZD7P-Vu85D_BWewekpsvt3A94W23TfQgTFC3MPI_OBYA9eNK-OEpuY1KQIkFK0f0QwVsvhgjloyuDmrty4fE1RWm0kVo9oj6ZPCxB79kZ_c/s1600/Backyard_POD_06-06-13_lily_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZTKI-cWdIRHuubgSJ569HssofJurfswtnZD7P-Vu85D_BWewekpsvt3A94W23TfQgTFC3MPI_OBYA9eNK-OEpuY1KQIkFK0f0QwVsvhgjloyuDmrty4fE1RWm0kVo9oj6ZPCxB79kZ_c/s400/Backyard_POD_06-06-13_lily_blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first lily to bloom in the garden this year. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWWNvNdcc6-kNs6ZROWvzq-tPn01Pt_KZUjtzm0Tzy2fmgyfdlC4fFn4EF2VyKoq5iDlFELGhX9lkC-oLoklGHU9rLvLfrIM-oSdRkV5JCjxpBzm-wFUY7kYEtuUMmlbmY2QDkHePmrgM/s1600/Backyard_POD_06-07_13_rain_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWWNvNdcc6-kNs6ZROWvzq-tPn01Pt_KZUjtzm0Tzy2fmgyfdlC4fFn4EF2VyKoq5iDlFELGhX9lkC-oLoklGHU9rLvLfrIM-oSdRkV5JCjxpBzm-wFUY7kYEtuUMmlbmY2QDkHePmrgM/s400/Backyard_POD_06-07_13_rain_blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tropical Storm Andrea dumped 4.5 inches of rain. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16932826147522119761noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1696676219167858431.post-75951160984850849182013-06-02T21:02:00.000-04:002013-06-02T21:04:23.693-04:00Just Before Summer: 10 Days in Photos<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Here's a look at 10 days in the garden in mid- to late May.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Ah, this was before the lettuce bolted and we still had kale.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoQB-WVLX3e1PbE4tZIozosrpmJUNBtjQIre_HSkT_HGe8o4SObn3YDYtQZ0Uk6D9zlHskJs_BRYQPsh-kXODx0BpKF1IXA_F6Dda-GPWEbQx7Kp-ksXChrLaT6vWt2MuNeal5dylLJoc/s1600/Backyard_POD_05-19_13_veggarden_blog_use.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoQB-WVLX3e1PbE4tZIozosrpmJUNBtjQIre_HSkT_HGe8o4SObn3YDYtQZ0Uk6D9zlHskJs_BRYQPsh-kXODx0BpKF1IXA_F6Dda-GPWEbQx7Kp-ksXChrLaT6vWt2MuNeal5dylLJoc/s400/Backyard_POD_05-19_13_veggarden_blog_use.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I saw the rabbit as I walked to my car to go to work. So far, it has stayed away from the veggie boxes. Could it be true that nasturtiums really do repel rabbits? Or does a mix of fragrant herbs confuse the bunny's sense of smell? We have rue, oregano, thyme, basil, dill, sage, parsley, cilantro, catnip, and probably more that I'm forgetting. I feel a superstitious sense that as I write this the bunny is out there munching...</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbyUuGk06asW1GCF33XZYlgIykFG6Bcnsw0HVvImAsHS_ImOxeZwpKwXxV_Pj1yQGWg8e7a1LWrED60_jZR6dxwcfvW2P9vQoKSHRNQUa4wXOGMrbzSp1_9IeygGsRe1w7kQF45Xyg2I0/s1600/Backyard_POD_05-20_13_bunny_orig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbyUuGk06asW1GCF33XZYlgIykFG6Bcnsw0HVvImAsHS_ImOxeZwpKwXxV_Pj1yQGWg8e7a1LWrED60_jZR6dxwcfvW2P9vQoKSHRNQUa4wXOGMrbzSp1_9IeygGsRe1w7kQF45Xyg2I0/s400/Backyard_POD_05-20_13_bunny_orig.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The peony flower's life span is short. The peonies are done, a bedraggled mass of tattered pinkish white petals turning brown. But how beautiful to watch them unfold. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigRbMTBBmTRoMYcd_vl765RZtW34L7LigD3MibFAU-k7PyItA4ectmctIKYSsV0knCT1qkFVjKmDhWvyB8wV07gf9akLJ9i9x6bRgju8_RN33UMYK5fnUgG89RXIW97EImuF9Iqt6PEgc/s1600/Backyard_POD_05-21_13_peony_blog_use.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigRbMTBBmTRoMYcd_vl765RZtW34L7LigD3MibFAU-k7PyItA4ectmctIKYSsV0knCT1qkFVjKmDhWvyB8wV07gf9akLJ9i9x6bRgju8_RN33UMYK5fnUgG89RXIW97EImuF9Iqt6PEgc/s400/Backyard_POD_05-21_13_peony_blog_use.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Birds are peeping everywhere in the yard. For days, every time I walked in the backyard I heard rustlings and flutterings in the bushes as a group of four tiny Carolina wrens moved about. This little one is too young to have tail feathers. Adorable!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpHmYMBY0l4qvkjjGnBSBQYDQtYYzhEmVfryeD36-Y6gSEPezvDt4vmCLx7MnFWIwhsuCZiRqWfjOFINxB5w2e-d241Uy7CwUn7Pfx7zt8u6sNXXDfjDAkKv1lzLi8Mv1P-7dIsjn9r3U/s1600/Backyard_POD_05-22_13_wren_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpHmYMBY0l4qvkjjGnBSBQYDQtYYzhEmVfryeD36-Y6gSEPezvDt4vmCLx7MnFWIwhsuCZiRqWfjOFINxB5w2e-d241Uy7CwUn7Pfx7zt8u6sNXXDfjDAkKv1lzLi8Mv1P-7dIsjn9r3U/s400/Backyard_POD_05-22_13_wren_blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
This is an unknown but very tall rose bush (more than 8 feet high) with lovely translucent pink flowers.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8S_yiHlM27PwcogFNlkzS8AxSgAbQcstuLmD33w1gGgo4R8ht5non5e3ot43WsWlOotO6PGeRKt_bXKSlJwBlDEshwz1iGLzBM6j7cNYmbKXcZHl55w8yvDg1Jb0oNfKtjmXq706Grk0/s1600/Backyard_POD_05-23_13_pinkrose_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8S_yiHlM27PwcogFNlkzS8AxSgAbQcstuLmD33w1gGgo4R8ht5non5e3ot43WsWlOotO6PGeRKt_bXKSlJwBlDEshwz1iGLzBM6j7cNYmbKXcZHl55w8yvDg1Jb0oNfKtjmXq706Grk0/s400/Backyard_POD_05-23_13_pinkrose_blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The cherry tomato plants were the first to begin flowering. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz0B7bXuMvYfkmC7laG3XF1TUTkt9nyVRUdsad0P8-cVfzGQWyDfGPUu4SQez8pzTQ7S2w_SIxl7bNfMhiYG_6UseTzdfip135qdK8q4jQWdYybXbUNncZ_wkEng6n_bJRwn2ZaaYQ3jo/s1600/Backyard_POD_05-24_13_tomatoflower_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz0B7bXuMvYfkmC7laG3XF1TUTkt9nyVRUdsad0P8-cVfzGQWyDfGPUu4SQez8pzTQ7S2w_SIxl7bNfMhiYG_6UseTzdfip135qdK8q4jQWdYybXbUNncZ_wkEng6n_bJRwn2ZaaYQ3jo/s400/Backyard_POD_05-24_13_tomatoflower_blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A view of the side yard. In early spring, we took out a deck that took up much of the yard, including the sunniest spot, where the veggie boxes are now. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW6bq7bXEjXykk9J1ey0mmoG2dHiqF0WGsO2As_MVsJcyqaA3vPoX3GwSmuvLLM-0EvDZ1COjhyCn3RwTvMY_WP1FrRRIKcXtYXgNe5MDQCk28goOIEwgTzTgRiqaGFnhyHIvJot-UzJg/s1600/Backyard_POD_05-25_13_sideyard_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW6bq7bXEjXykk9J1ey0mmoG2dHiqF0WGsO2As_MVsJcyqaA3vPoX3GwSmuvLLM-0EvDZ1COjhyCn3RwTvMY_WP1FrRRIKcXtYXgNe5MDQCk28goOIEwgTzTgRiqaGFnhyHIvJot-UzJg/s400/Backyard_POD_05-25_13_sideyard_blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The star jasmine is growing well off the front porch. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsoMeJuk3oNmXWBFZAGaPrA38X4d0vTgo1e8ISYgYghKJKTrUOR7vJu19QYWVlFEiww_WXd1dVZioE5V6eCDxXN-fWQmJwpYx6MchSDrlp77V4ONWCSJA2yPIIzKArUTo3zY3cPTvxKc8/s1600/Backyard_POD_05-26_13_jasmine_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsoMeJuk3oNmXWBFZAGaPrA38X4d0vTgo1e8ISYgYghKJKTrUOR7vJu19QYWVlFEiww_WXd1dVZioE5V6eCDxXN-fWQmJwpYx6MchSDrlp77V4ONWCSJA2yPIIzKArUTo3zY3cPTvxKc8/s400/Backyard_POD_05-26_13_jasmine_blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The white-breasted nuthatch is one of the most common birds seen at our feeder. Today I saw a juvenile nuthatch sit on top of the pole with its mouth open and the parent feed it with seeds.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCOOKY68_C2xa1Gq6rdqpAJfsryGIhiAyrRHBoX9hWcg4GGFwk3l7eaargCbeaZYhyphenhyphenoJFWTP-ezg7B8SppsPgy3Km2P3advZtJUpA_4Tl1C8ex-vVUzkfXcrTtpV3HoimoAYSO6qKsFNQ/s1600/Backyard_POD_05-27_13_nuthatch_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCOOKY68_C2xa1Gq6rdqpAJfsryGIhiAyrRHBoX9hWcg4GGFwk3l7eaargCbeaZYhyphenhyphenoJFWTP-ezg7B8SppsPgy3Km2P3advZtJUpA_4Tl1C8ex-vVUzkfXcrTtpV3HoimoAYSO6qKsFNQ/s400/Backyard_POD_05-27_13_nuthatch_blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A fading but still beautiful rose. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFa6HE-YQNIJ55-HWRMvuK044k1zT5HRFIOEm0UvKS9S10-JUgQRKrvMJeGAMoYJWeewLz3CdYZ6nKVhoyqCH22RWvQt-enFLD93twtB3oZhS7A0NV0NEP8w1bsMRnnvbTyZJtiSE7rrU/s1600/Backyard_POD_05-28_13_rose_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFa6HE-YQNIJ55-HWRMvuK044k1zT5HRFIOEm0UvKS9S10-JUgQRKrvMJeGAMoYJWeewLz3CdYZ6nKVhoyqCH22RWvQt-enFLD93twtB3oZhS7A0NV0NEP8w1bsMRnnvbTyZJtiSE7rrU/s400/Backyard_POD_05-28_13_rose_blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I am continuing to take daily photos in the garden. Please visit again in a few days for the next set of 10!</div>
<br />Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16932826147522119761noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1696676219167858431.post-10710484312730608742013-05-18T21:20:00.001-04:002013-05-18T21:21:05.694-04:0010 Days in May<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The last week has been all about the bluebirds. I wake up each morning happy to hear the peeping of the babies in the box outside the bedroom window. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtpZlTQtx1C1ZYqiyLTNyEVMDM26YDdC_iMAYwO5vtfrdF7NAVKnjB_ZXO24I6qAf8yynV6MNcFtlX8a-_aWatGBciyaLlEpFU-ikyyw9ZKcbx_DoL2a0MUePCjYxF5OkLSMNR-BnGCTY/s1600/Backyard_POD_05-09_13_bluebird_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtpZlTQtx1C1ZYqiyLTNyEVMDM26YDdC_iMAYwO5vtfrdF7NAVKnjB_ZXO24I6qAf8yynV6MNcFtlX8a-_aWatGBciyaLlEpFU-ikyyw9ZKcbx_DoL2a0MUePCjYxF5OkLSMNR-BnGCTY/s400/Backyard_POD_05-09_13_bluebird_blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Most of the irises at our new house are shades of purple, blue and white, but this yellow one was a cheerful surprise in the morning sun.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLpJYwi1P-EJuO5XMy0EL-Z5xQImYU1cTmUbOG27_JF9o4Zd69vqiSafqrSYFyLj1vCpQrSoWUnBVA4-igAlUg4k007ZpRySzO1tr0L3FdMvhTh6CJsGTWuDbk6PcLIfM80mo5tGfwNZM/s1600/Backyard_POD_05-10_13_blog1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLpJYwi1P-EJuO5XMy0EL-Z5xQImYU1cTmUbOG27_JF9o4Zd69vqiSafqrSYFyLj1vCpQrSoWUnBVA4-igAlUg4k007ZpRySzO1tr0L3FdMvhTh6CJsGTWuDbk6PcLIfM80mo5tGfwNZM/s400/Backyard_POD_05-10_13_blog1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Sitting on the front porch, I saw awkward flutterings and a fledgling alight on the roof, then in the holly. I believe it is a young finch, as I saw the parent finches nearby. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyg3VHxVAbmtSoEq2df1No6hbdHd-9mHF9ZksAZIQYvgp5T-97bA39GrQz-676Zb3FunHaT6RpB_jObbx2IsGm9E5WZJksSzkCorG8xFYHJJHXjHi2Ry6b2381dBPKaHY9MGOUVd7FpDs/s1600/Backyard_POD_05-11_13_babyfinch_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyg3VHxVAbmtSoEq2df1No6hbdHd-9mHF9ZksAZIQYvgp5T-97bA39GrQz-676Zb3FunHaT6RpB_jObbx2IsGm9E5WZJksSzkCorG8xFYHJJHXjHi2Ry6b2381dBPKaHY9MGOUVd7FpDs/s400/Backyard_POD_05-11_13_babyfinch_blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I nearly cut down this rose bush last fall during one of my pruning frenzies. The cane was ungainly and leaning awkwardly, I thought, on an azalea. Ha! I am often glad when I overcome my ideas about how things should look in the garden.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLVAIMMi__e47zIklTh_IdFx59STocq6X5nRtGNSa4ZWaRnMJhaCpnb_r_is3IQy4H5BHPcw241L9-hmA0jrVhBcfXwfPtKxGD56utT3zYnncjqrpoFouANrBYQpGgdHlh-RFuSNYIyyo/s1600/Backyard_POD_05-12_13_rose_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLVAIMMi__e47zIklTh_IdFx59STocq6X5nRtGNSa4ZWaRnMJhaCpnb_r_is3IQy4H5BHPcw241L9-hmA0jrVhBcfXwfPtKxGD56utT3zYnncjqrpoFouANrBYQpGgdHlh-RFuSNYIyyo/s400/Backyard_POD_05-12_13_rose_blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Swiss chard is growing well and I expect will be our only greens in the garden soon if the heat continues. Lettuce is still a near-daily treat. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7w6JfODz1iypw4hV5cgFzs5Ft0BNntnkh4W5lAZRM-nBFTshCGXpYSGbuF43WrIKk9UN_q2TBozq3FOlD7Ofjedh4agqE1pyWrVlGW7kyAxav9oNYPTheDn4dVVNYUsoZ6EhRQf8jqsc/s1600/Backyard_POD_05-13_13_chard_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7w6JfODz1iypw4hV5cgFzs5Ft0BNntnkh4W5lAZRM-nBFTshCGXpYSGbuF43WrIKk9UN_q2TBozq3FOlD7Ofjedh4agqE1pyWrVlGW7kyAxav9oNYPTheDn4dVVNYUsoZ6EhRQf8jqsc/s400/Backyard_POD_05-13_13_chard_blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Carpenter bees (I think) have been busy pollinating the hollies. I have been very glad to see them, given the bee crisis. The tomato plants are beginning to flower, and they will need pollinators.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4DHsyaR8IHvT3JZ8gHNSZ-z_gXoKXHbcGhs_FTkYsWhIIexsiWqryK2Inr5fZXFi4XG5R4H0bHy4LdNPNRyc8uzP63nsoX1SzRKoUqucS-UOliyeGxcoFbWALqyhEYrElsQqypYqvsGc/s1600/Backyard_POD_05-14_13_bee_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4DHsyaR8IHvT3JZ8gHNSZ-z_gXoKXHbcGhs_FTkYsWhIIexsiWqryK2Inr5fZXFi4XG5R4H0bHy4LdNPNRyc8uzP63nsoX1SzRKoUqucS-UOliyeGxcoFbWALqyhEYrElsQqypYqvsGc/s400/Backyard_POD_05-14_13_bee_blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This iris takes my words away. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUxlkezLy19u8yxCMSaxqpcame1LCHaVMJpkp-1iRHlAZq0_zomeQB-CVsvLwp-Ls83vxP7I1HQlm9zerLKeMCdmclovcvaetBrTVdzxvONJ_GkQo1MChyDRSoEKx-X_WsQeW6hny5jCo/s1600/Backyard_POD_05-15_13_iris_blog1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUxlkezLy19u8yxCMSaxqpcame1LCHaVMJpkp-1iRHlAZq0_zomeQB-CVsvLwp-Ls83vxP7I1HQlm9zerLKeMCdmclovcvaetBrTVdzxvONJ_GkQo1MChyDRSoEKx-X_WsQeW6hny5jCo/s400/Backyard_POD_05-15_13_iris_blog1.jpg" width="398" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
My husband set up the tripod on a chest in the bedroom to capture bluebird photos.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhotFQG0rqVY3Ra1-uIMa9cFe-y0GtmKmQRYT22yhhnqaBLXrRlEU8to07leCpu1_2U0dAfEYe0yLOoSjCzFdmfVatLJWSuEmGbSlsyq6Ef6_IQLlNpyDDrqIyuvMko3pFuwsn6EZ3CWOo/s1600/Backyard_POD_05-16_13_bluebirds_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhotFQG0rqVY3Ra1-uIMa9cFe-y0GtmKmQRYT22yhhnqaBLXrRlEU8to07leCpu1_2U0dAfEYe0yLOoSjCzFdmfVatLJWSuEmGbSlsyq6Ef6_IQLlNpyDDrqIyuvMko3pFuwsn6EZ3CWOo/s400/Backyard_POD_05-16_13_bluebirds_blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The babies are getting active in the box and beginning to poke their heads out. Each day, I hate to leave the house because I want to see them fledge. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg58IABryKpP7mzqnbvk77Z6sKf-JGRAYrbF0SsqaKEufuoYYKyPr6EasXr_mOYSB2BJrhO5VMjlY2nj4YyECmIFKQYhAV5xSozi9J7AOEg3dcU2hURA910vCftYyNUIbflufwIecKIxJA/s1600/Backyard_POD_05-17_13_bluebird_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg58IABryKpP7mzqnbvk77Z6sKf-JGRAYrbF0SsqaKEufuoYYKyPr6EasXr_mOYSB2BJrhO5VMjlY2nj4YyECmIFKQYhAV5xSozi9J7AOEg3dcU2hURA910vCftYyNUIbflufwIecKIxJA/s400/Backyard_POD_05-17_13_bluebird_blog.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A rose bush that I hacked to the ground produced one perfect rose. It smells like a rose should.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI1W9jDWuPkQG5fZKuG6ghlj1USWt_4gUyTy0PWs49AvqdTY82J5_Jv_djONVXeICl8QTsvfAFonbsszoYWF2f_vqzxfQYBOWGTWYJJU8vXaJP5Oa2_k-tTPLXAIgrYv4AAmlOiI4Ggng/s1600/Backyard_POD_05-18_13_rose_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI1W9jDWuPkQG5fZKuG6ghlj1USWt_4gUyTy0PWs49AvqdTY82J5_Jv_djONVXeICl8QTsvfAFonbsszoYWF2f_vqzxfQYBOWGTWYJJU8vXaJP5Oa2_k-tTPLXAIgrYv4AAmlOiI4Ggng/s400/Backyard_POD_05-18_13_rose_blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16932826147522119761noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1696676219167858431.post-22759687620865351102013-05-10T20:52:00.001-04:002013-05-13T21:51:19.563-04:00Iris and Beech<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Irises abound at my new house. Eggplant purple, various combinations of purple and white, and pale blue irises have emerged over the past two weeks. Some of the stems topple under their own weight and then I cut them and bring them in the house or to work, where I get to admire them all day on my desk. The latest beauty to emerge is this yellow iris. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Last night it was a bud. This morning it glowed in the sun. By the time I returned in late afternoon, it had fallen amidst the verbenas. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnk0PINEDcgq4pKxi_UqQyNo3dUrTMWG0qOySjnjT-nWW9O39x5pd5U_4ViTEVy9OcyuZeZto5Lc4cALLPoWNRbV7XJXoIKTfkqe5NMhPiDwwMggiaRU5YeG26j0Dg253WKwNbFPn-C-g/s1600/Backyard_photo_of_day_05-10_13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnk0PINEDcgq4pKxi_UqQyNo3dUrTMWG0qOySjnjT-nWW9O39x5pd5U_4ViTEVy9OcyuZeZto5Lc4cALLPoWNRbV7XJXoIKTfkqe5NMhPiDwwMggiaRU5YeG26j0Dg253WKwNbFPn-C-g/s400/Backyard_photo_of_day_05-10_13.jpg" style="border:4px solid #000000;"width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I finally hiked to the natural area where you are supposed to have a permit (shh) to see the stand of old beeches. I walked carefully through periodic patches of poison ivy to the secret beeches. I found this one, half of which has a rotten heart yet still bears fresh green leaves. I lay under it for awhile, happy, and watched the water of Reedy Creek flow. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmxQpnKR53FcWoiTCrAF76ELMv6DsMCy04292DcpBVnLwRa8O1-KgdV9NTHKn7DmflJ3T5vlBjEJ9Pe8Vd1S6pwkfxCQO5bcfGi0KD0riWjYz2j6KMWXxQR3qnLmh0M9ZNRZBSmzpZqMI/s1600/Woods_photo_of_day_05-10_13_secret_beech.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmxQpnKR53FcWoiTCrAF76ELMv6DsMCy04292DcpBVnLwRa8O1-KgdV9NTHKn7DmflJ3T5vlBjEJ9Pe8Vd1S6pwkfxCQO5bcfGi0KD0riWjYz2j6KMWXxQR3qnLmh0M9ZNRZBSmzpZqMI/s400/Woods_photo_of_day_05-10_13_secret_beech.jpg" style="border:4px solid #000000;"width="265" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16932826147522119761noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1696676219167858431.post-16388679592946492052013-04-05T12:36:00.001-04:002013-04-05T12:36:40.847-04:00Blessing Cups<div style="text-align: center;">
For days the refrain has been singing in my head: "The blessing cup is a communion ..."</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The emerging dogwood flowers are blessing cups of raindrops.</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5zvexTJ3Fqm5Lx2ewEMAcuqAiqWdHOXLzCa9pdzLVhmjFCwQCzEJ5ig-xS48y-32GIlG4D-NkgaHy-E1is1wXjWQPrDiXE75o0e3bGUC9eTZuoNsDPaZDuq3vHqUvYTmFGSwSAG_lyzs/s1600/DSC_0036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5zvexTJ3Fqm5Lx2ewEMAcuqAiqWdHOXLzCa9pdzLVhmjFCwQCzEJ5ig-xS48y-32GIlG4D-NkgaHy-E1is1wXjWQPrDiXE75o0e3bGUC9eTZuoNsDPaZDuq3vHqUvYTmFGSwSAG_lyzs/s400/DSC_0036.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emerging dogwood flowers<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjllCDqwPP8KgXDjOhfOKJDXz6CzWDKbKpW-lkPrh5w5aQEoTYm1vTZhsjwmIiGtwPOKWtUik4nWU6Ikd03hIlkvtY-6GQlBsK1f8mqRbiOkeO0jPVT16xhFR0JKv9NQLX6slihm8rTbB8/s1600/DSC_0052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjllCDqwPP8KgXDjOhfOKJDXz6CzWDKbKpW-lkPrh5w5aQEoTYm1vTZhsjwmIiGtwPOKWtUik4nWU6Ikd03hIlkvtY-6GQlBsK1f8mqRbiOkeO0jPVT16xhFR0JKv9NQLX6slihm8rTbB8/s400/DSC_0052.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purple buds of the redbud<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3s2ZAPBAirtW82ur5oMZ84wMbmwOOAntIU8p5uT1y52pSqlzwakAZiav_v_nADiOvWtdPGYa3_vh1YgSF9q47V_IGRvQB_1mHBku7Cm4Z8qBLBaDtrIzkNVt7qrmR_p_GtKrBtTYZmZk/s1600/DSC_0042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3s2ZAPBAirtW82ur5oMZ84wMbmwOOAntIU8p5uT1y52pSqlzwakAZiav_v_nADiOvWtdPGYa3_vh1YgSF9q47V_IGRvQB_1mHBku7Cm4Z8qBLBaDtrIzkNVt7qrmR_p_GtKrBtTYZmZk/s400/DSC_0042.JPG" width="398" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Camellia, perhaps "April Rose"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgct1m4ucp9j5R8qmeUQeS6RlD5FrJ8L-ghEtj8gZKMDpzzeWJJ3QF3_iU7GLcue3u5PJ7UUNE5rU73F1Y_5EBoqlbcaJXtPiEulPh5FT9CI78XBluRmDp6EyifLaTOYDYg6z7LiMCLayg/s1600/DSC_0047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgct1m4ucp9j5R8qmeUQeS6RlD5FrJ8L-ghEtj8gZKMDpzzeWJJ3QF3_iU7GLcue3u5PJ7UUNE5rU73F1Y_5EBoqlbcaJXtPiEulPh5FT9CI78XBluRmDp6EyifLaTOYDYg6z7LiMCLayg/s400/DSC_0047.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lettuce mix</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMBdgrwy8HzbY19rrTlfBdtKCdcE0wU1eKUDhG3hzTdx31Htc1wcf_mjxOr1xWd3IksVJk49bU_15H8TY9nFZ_P_fpQyvu3Zqa8e_yGMxlbcxAXEB2v4DzlixC9U7iZPpJh1kUZDOoH0Y/s1600/DSC_0049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMBdgrwy8HzbY19rrTlfBdtKCdcE0wU1eKUDhG3hzTdx31Htc1wcf_mjxOr1xWd3IksVJk49bU_15H8TY9nFZ_P_fpQyvu3Zqa8e_yGMxlbcxAXEB2v4DzlixC9U7iZPpJh1kUZDOoH0Y/s400/DSC_0049.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Redbud</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Enjoy the gifts showered around you. Happy spring!</div>
<br />Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16932826147522119761noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1696676219167858431.post-34911383665743462752013-04-01T20:25:00.004-04:002013-04-01T20:33:34.248-04:00Spring Comes to the Garden<div style="text-align: center;">
I returned from a family visit to Florida and over the Easter weekend it became spring. The forsythia bushes in my new garden are gorgeous - and the prolonged cold meant a long season of color.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-0VgkzFMfZPmhsqa4EpGiccVMch9FLGoSmxtnuFSMO3faS25yEm4nsufpvyoheBAxphvYgMHHL88ByOwAkioAWCOZKXXUoNPOkq6oiUNKFJcRTIuVUejhHrqTStgC82AudgQLBuTn-G0/s1600/DSC_0043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-0VgkzFMfZPmhsqa4EpGiccVMch9FLGoSmxtnuFSMO3faS25yEm4nsufpvyoheBAxphvYgMHHL88ByOwAkioAWCOZKXXUoNPOkq6oiUNKFJcRTIuVUejhHrqTStgC82AudgQLBuTn-G0/s400/DSC_0043.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Phlox mixed with daffodils and irises spills over the curb. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGm-Lr_mUa2UQ_q7nIdFNICNUVc1b5LuW2JSi7HasrBVEDEyNzxukxY2-IA_xHcfBelHXkRFGcnvdUiD37gvQI5Lb5FJVpvGWj2hcCbtPB05gmEc6nxaVrtA6_c9Vnrqpnh1kMh20WkYo/s1600/DSC_0049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGm-Lr_mUa2UQ_q7nIdFNICNUVc1b5LuW2JSi7HasrBVEDEyNzxukxY2-IA_xHcfBelHXkRFGcnvdUiD37gvQI5Lb5FJVpvGWj2hcCbtPB05gmEc6nxaVrtA6_c9Vnrqpnh1kMh20WkYo/s400/DSC_0049.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
One of the two hellebores I took with me from my old house. I'm counting on this hellebore to be the parent of many children.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi25tC9ohGOQEhTnMleJBSQBz47KjhiS22i8IpMjaXzCLZEpPCgSbUeyXH_Cbt7XZhIaMwwGTGnlS2DDLIWGlRQKZbScrwOMB17nyVFpbBNL9xiid5c0TBAeg15XSeOwKGr1nqUUBBC78U/s1600/DSC_0047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi25tC9ohGOQEhTnMleJBSQBz47KjhiS22i8IpMjaXzCLZEpPCgSbUeyXH_Cbt7XZhIaMwwGTGnlS2DDLIWGlRQKZbScrwOMB17nyVFpbBNL9xiid5c0TBAeg15XSeOwKGr1nqUUBBC78U/s400/DSC_0047.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A stunning 20-foot tall camellia flanks the entry gate into the side yard. It had buds for many months before it bloomed, but it has been worth the wait. I love the surprises of a new garden!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSum_TJTmmn0ezsYCQ5cnAXB3CH2xdPjdx5amDDt7qHcYrh5scrGX_51qk5q8LJh-84Fv-WlEDnkfo7TxrMe9042HeRJsGEdo3F9pPiT0aQ34eaTriLiKwMNno1MMEGRveLHHj3ewLbmo/s1600/DSC_0054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSum_TJTmmn0ezsYCQ5cnAXB3CH2xdPjdx5amDDt7qHcYrh5scrGX_51qk5q8LJh-84Fv-WlEDnkfo7TxrMe9042HeRJsGEdo3F9pPiT0aQ34eaTriLiKwMNno1MMEGRveLHHj3ewLbmo/s400/DSC_0054.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
On Easter my husband and I visited the JC Raulston Arboretum. I'd like to grow this lovely daffodil ('Pink Pride') below. The daffodils in our yard had a lovely run of bloom, but they're done. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCLj7EX-lyjaODhwCfyrmNTQWZWVq8l5D5wBkARsrnSfxugjXsCC1PoqoCrky5o07xlPAWTa99lFIDek-RcYnowORmGs9wXl4_YwTY-klpKy4ydrCk0jDGYmDSHiEi4bUZZE9KRwXPmBw/s1600/DSC_0078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCLj7EX-lyjaODhwCfyrmNTQWZWVq8l5D5wBkARsrnSfxugjXsCC1PoqoCrky5o07xlPAWTa99lFIDek-RcYnowORmGs9wXl4_YwTY-klpKy4ydrCk0jDGYmDSHiEi4bUZZE9KRwXPmBw/s400/DSC_0078.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
One of the many magnolias in bloom at the Arboretum. I believe this is Magnolia stellata 'Rosea Jane Platt.' Too bad we don't have room for more trees!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF-A5EX_MmXObDV6sgnMCReDmTsa709NKpL7PF_bSgE_TLx7cZNSgXj9annOrJ9m2FRxYiNYW2wwMeOlfngunE2W_HTeO4qa8338CLdwMqbR28ZEJEQW-sBINurtTLtlLnaPuIvHe1aos/s1600/DSC_0097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF-A5EX_MmXObDV6sgnMCReDmTsa709NKpL7PF_bSgE_TLx7cZNSgXj9annOrJ9m2FRxYiNYW2wwMeOlfngunE2W_HTeO4qa8338CLdwMqbR28ZEJEQW-sBINurtTLtlLnaPuIvHe1aos/s400/DSC_0097.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The emerging foliage of a Japanese maple. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiND6BLFSAUbHop-jgQWHXef3KjhgPKwt5cIYa7SvSwGMob_KXeJIUhTWwpjlKCMv34SECFyW52RLN57FzCyuElTm7uOngc5oiZ6O52yhzBOxXtQAG3Ox52EYOa6l41GuqwiXN0x-CDpmc/s1600/DSC_0061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiND6BLFSAUbHop-jgQWHXef3KjhgPKwt5cIYa7SvSwGMob_KXeJIUhTWwpjlKCMv34SECFyW52RLN57FzCyuElTm7uOngc5oiZ6O52yhzBOxXtQAG3Ox52EYOa6l41GuqwiXN0x-CDpmc/s400/DSC_0061.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Spring tree colors may be prettier than autumn's. This is the view across the street.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwrQjELkTRvRr030v-Gf624TcFEwOWtwmBHnAahWjYMyTLa5cGNX9UKXjEc42whp53jNTpOdl7KvmnKh7MtyNfZVflXOaQkaeePucB9moRMxVnslC4t0h5HnabuhHb9fooU62qaKlAfIM/s1600/DSC_0106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwrQjELkTRvRr030v-Gf624TcFEwOWtwmBHnAahWjYMyTLa5cGNX9UKXjEc42whp53jNTpOdl7KvmnKh7MtyNfZVflXOaQkaeePucB9moRMxVnslC4t0h5HnabuhHb9fooU62qaKlAfIM/s400/DSC_0106.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I'm still working on finding a balance between work, time in the garden, photography and blogging. I may experiment with simpler blog posts or set a weekly deadline and post something more substantial once a week. Either way, I want to continue to share and learn from the garden blogging community. I miss you all!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16932826147522119761noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1696676219167858431.post-87597890660043933912013-02-10T21:21:00.002-05:002013-02-10T21:28:45.434-05:00Of Daffodils, a Concrete Bench, Courage and Grace<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoAlc94-I_R6nKLiZ8DDe10-m1syz1tjsmSFM_3IZcS_DpzLKXJqJKvFhgkieNcE0ONOm6O5aqI4edNlwqmEuBENpN0iZ6e4nx76TCa1AD4loWzqeTB5eKgQBR0NmYgdu7Q7562GabGwI/s1600/DSC_0043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoAlc94-I_R6nKLiZ8DDe10-m1syz1tjsmSFM_3IZcS_DpzLKXJqJKvFhgkieNcE0ONOm6O5aqI4edNlwqmEuBENpN0iZ6e4nx76TCa1AD4loWzqeTB5eKgQBR0NmYgdu7Q7562GabGwI/s400/DSC_0043.JPG" style="border: 2px solid #000000;" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Early daffodils, most likely "Ice Follies"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
In the last week or so, the early daffodils have been blooming. Daffodils look rather fragile, with their delicate nodding petals and soft spears of green leaves. But one week in January, I discovered a secret. </div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5bue1NNok3xLSxRZg7qD-TjgbQ41TBxR_XAZvUpaDLBRhvwOCDf_gccBMQ_b7DzqHAi6sWRHru0BMpBVvxePTL77WOzxPlqowe49DYWahNaW8lyn61mMCmObmXfcjuX8UIOVNraZGOiA/s1600/DSC_0040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5bue1NNok3xLSxRZg7qD-TjgbQ41TBxR_XAZvUpaDLBRhvwOCDf_gccBMQ_b7DzqHAi6sWRHru0BMpBVvxePTL77WOzxPlqowe49DYWahNaW8lyn61mMCmObmXfcjuX8UIOVNraZGOiA/s400/DSC_0040.JPG" style="border: 2px solid #000000;" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Note part of concrete bench at top right.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My husband and I moved the concrete bench (see top right in the photo above). This bench is so heavy that both of us can barely lift the top for a few seconds, so we moved it in stages. Lift top slab. Lean against tree. Move one concrete pedestal. Move other concrete pedestal.<br />
<br />
To my astonishment, under the second pedestal, yellow growing tips of daffodil leaves were poking through the soil.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibwvvp0X-rCTnOkIWdVo-2B0ssybKVCa4mZenGj9qf8lSW-FqBNlg3x0a0drlCLipytr41KGJ8yivut8XnnCSy5fncjMSVg6b-0AYVSJdXlP_ontSKWx4y27PuJr5zEhud8lfudcbk66A/s1600/DSC_0046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibwvvp0X-rCTnOkIWdVo-2B0ssybKVCa4mZenGj9qf8lSW-FqBNlg3x0a0drlCLipytr41KGJ8yivut8XnnCSy5fncjMSVg6b-0AYVSJdXlP_ontSKWx4y27PuJr5zEhud8lfudcbk66A/s400/DSC_0046.JPG" style="border: 2px solid #000000;" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daffodils that were under the bench. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
Weeks later, I keep returning to reflect on the life force of these daffodils, at the energy with which they grew up through the earth. They could not feel the sun's warmth or see the light as they grew, but instinctively, blindly, courageously the plants grew, cell by cell. Their desire to be in the sun, to become the flowers they were meant to be, overcame the weight of a concrete bench.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I seek the courage of these daffodils, the energy, the love and the trust with which they grew despite heavy odds against them. How wonderful in this case to be the witness - and the accidental agent - of a small miracle. I think now of God's grace as the removal of an unmovable bench. My job is to keep growing without fear. </div>
<br /></div>
Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16932826147522119761noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1696676219167858431.post-56031723252848188502013-02-03T20:56:00.000-05:002013-02-04T10:37:37.846-05:00A Gift of Robins<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0glN7eMevBCmQXZrO12DfKjDR_V9z4ntZrMfVMvYahcqbVOcZIzUO7yLeZxZmz0Vhoaz40Fn05eSCjgalPHEmwG3dIDpWYoTfEyky7ESaiElL5zDymoxb-_R-wpSfZ3K3NpV1DW9c7eU/s1600/DSC_0084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0glN7eMevBCmQXZrO12DfKjDR_V9z4ntZrMfVMvYahcqbVOcZIzUO7yLeZxZmz0Vhoaz40Fn05eSCjgalPHEmwG3dIDpWYoTfEyky7ESaiElL5zDymoxb-_R-wpSfZ3K3NpV1DW9c7eU/s400/DSC_0084.JPG" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
The days are getting longer and the morning's birdsong louder. I am returning to myself after months of clouded overwork. Today I saw the most beautiful sight I've seen for quite some time. Dozens of robins flew in and out of the hollies just outside the window, eating berries, perching on bare branches and drinking from the birdbath. I took photos, then put aside the camera and watched for a long time.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN22LdaC3fi3wGPGxsrw06dDsN9Crq8DQelBc-pesJo6ODUA6qcWoM6Ic3I8YVFUxIOCm6kG-04O7PHyQhtM2ahU-Mc6LBYtJnveRhHQoGCUclJ8r7e4BpqRmlAxvFAjsIA4xUcsM7tVQ/s1600/DSC_0124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN22LdaC3fi3wGPGxsrw06dDsN9Crq8DQelBc-pesJo6ODUA6qcWoM6Ic3I8YVFUxIOCm6kG-04O7PHyQhtM2ahU-Mc6LBYtJnveRhHQoGCUclJ8r7e4BpqRmlAxvFAjsIA4xUcsM7tVQ/s400/DSC_0124.JPG" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHI0pYIwruRCaFJ9ippNAuxnDJlv2fNxTENGmRGwNmrX8kskGMZl7GUpteFwwPjROf8xktAqviSiQb7ZmutTjMOTUqQeHsL9215P6_XKhy3jlpTYeJDj5Ud19PV98PaHU8oGjpeFkL2bs/s1600/DSC_0086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHI0pYIwruRCaFJ9ippNAuxnDJlv2fNxTENGmRGwNmrX8kskGMZl7GUpteFwwPjROf8xktAqviSiQb7ZmutTjMOTUqQeHsL9215P6_XKhy3jlpTYeJDj5Ud19PV98PaHU8oGjpeFkL2bs/s400/DSC_0086.JPG" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I've been praying for the grace of inner silence, to stop the endless videotape of thoughts about what happened yesterday and speculations about what's going to happen tomorrow. The robins, shimmering in the hollies as they fluttered their wings to balance while reaching for berries and flew from branch to branch, brought that silence.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7iBb5z38ob0Io8w3YeC3qK9rrFzIDR03Q0LIWEOWdlqkSxRbqE6P-XNk5S5jeYMord3ZdUeW8NxluOmu19z9_Y9i8i3uXbxp6Q7K-sOhBUujwqgKdmFfmCiGsVaIluIMYKxjF1TtIYsk/s1600/DSC_0121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7iBb5z38ob0Io8w3YeC3qK9rrFzIDR03Q0LIWEOWdlqkSxRbqE6P-XNk5S5jeYMord3ZdUeW8NxluOmu19z9_Y9i8i3uXbxp6Q7K-sOhBUujwqgKdmFfmCiGsVaIluIMYKxjF1TtIYsk/s400/DSC_0121.JPG" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
As I continued to contemplate the robins, a bird with a black mask and yellow-tipped tail appeared out of nowhere. A cedar waxwing! I haven't seen one since childhood in Michigan, I think. The red markings on the wings match the holly berries. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNyT9qdVodhHg0BQpGBC4tboqVQnyLLnHOxbmQPqqP6u8rVEIxZ7miZIAMeHFin5W0le2HU38v00t-o4p5Qrt9SCQ143LPpPSomu_uOUdWaWmn_y5ndKsjqJ0WUMKoVHqe_C6ZBULwqxw/s1600/DSC_0130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNyT9qdVodhHg0BQpGBC4tboqVQnyLLnHOxbmQPqqP6u8rVEIxZ7miZIAMeHFin5W0le2HU38v00t-o4p5Qrt9SCQ143LPpPSomu_uOUdWaWmn_y5ndKsjqJ0WUMKoVHqe_C6ZBULwqxw/s400/DSC_0130.JPG" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
At work at the church this fall and early winter, I became lost in administration and words. Paper words, electronic words. For months, I failed even to fill the feeder outside my office window. I also failed to feed myself, with time in nature and the garden, time in stillness and observation of the life around me. But the days are getting longer, and I am returning to the feast. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA6t-67Q6xcmwtEcqc45mzat2sgt_oE_oydMCfpKvdn5f-reLFBakO2JqF9Fx2vZDYlXeCgc8CskNICk82adBbIr5NOAnABYkaq8fqv-2tq3V_EDR_oIeMXqZKCPQJw0597n3wA8M-dTs/s1600/DSC_0132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA6t-67Q6xcmwtEcqc45mzat2sgt_oE_oydMCfpKvdn5f-reLFBakO2JqF9Fx2vZDYlXeCgc8CskNICk82adBbIr5NOAnABYkaq8fqv-2tq3V_EDR_oIeMXqZKCPQJw0597n3wA8M-dTs/s400/DSC_0132.JPG" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16932826147522119761noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1696676219167858431.post-10588954897750148552012-09-11T18:58:00.000-04:002012-09-12T13:08:51.944-04:00Maine Island: Variations on a Scene<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The island in Casco Bay where my husband's family cottage sits has many moods. I have been coming here for 14 years as summer slides into fall. The slanting light becomes more beautiful each day as the equinox approaches.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Each familiar scene never looks the same twice. Always something is different - the light, the wind, the clouds, the vantage point, the tides that rise and ebb 10 feet every 13 hours. Here are a few favorite photos from the last three years of the East End point. This is the view we see when walking a couple of hundred feet to the stairs that lead to the beach. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After a rainstorm, the late afternoon sun strikes the white birches that line the shore.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWq40datmln-5f5uOJgWhKXvxA8EhkqeeO2XOuZvIRmQqSXL3pPMLLn9UJo2qy0YWP3lSM_5p_bVudLn7A0aYXVdFs09GarRqWb9j3lfmplQ5gruJ2mNhQBXAjzEFTGohiM5TSzzjnjbc/s1600/DSC_0100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWq40datmln-5f5uOJgWhKXvxA8EhkqeeO2XOuZvIRmQqSXL3pPMLLn9UJo2qy0YWP3lSM_5p_bVudLn7A0aYXVdFs09GarRqWb9j3lfmplQ5gruJ2mNhQBXAjzEFTGohiM5TSzzjnjbc/s640/DSC_0100.JPG" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Wind from the northwest brings low dramatic clouds and rockweed is exposed as the tide goes out. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC-u3-EhN77ib8IJ5-Cegn8jzBmkKNDe-x-L1fJA29bl3d6zpcbb69mWZMTBrwNulJWj3A6Aq1BtB4Yzy3hRxnMd3Yh6AhwoIq9jVOJ_gi5kJLI7aSqaoICy3Nngtio39jwMf7Rg58PCE/s1600/DSC_0096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC-u3-EhN77ib8IJ5-Cegn8jzBmkKNDe-x-L1fJA29bl3d6zpcbb69mWZMTBrwNulJWj3A6Aq1BtB4Yzy3hRxnMd3Yh6AhwoIq9jVOJ_gi5kJLI7aSqaoICy3Nngtio39jwMf7Rg58PCE/s640/DSC_0096.JPG" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This view of the East End was taken from halfway down the beach.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyr70lUHv3bsqK3KO7Jh9UiaMKDYFB89A_A0-vhhFV-CW-k3Rm__oJXNTmiSuPPF9bBhu_QPzVb5KSHK5Otg0_1mJMW0wZFNJndGdAvPFzSD2ile-0HkRfiwCVDu_FXCHhpNxRaWG0sN8/s1600/100_3801.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyr70lUHv3bsqK3KO7Jh9UiaMKDYFB89A_A0-vhhFV-CW-k3Rm__oJXNTmiSuPPF9bBhu_QPzVb5KSHK5Otg0_1mJMW0wZFNJndGdAvPFzSD2ile-0HkRfiwCVDu_FXCHhpNxRaWG0sN8/s640/100_3801.JPG" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A different kind of calm from the photo above. The scene is ethereal at dawn. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0bNhv6ugPdLcbUgMUa5ww6lmg9vnFFUJLPsAJc8WU-dizzKWzkaeIabKP-wILtGjqgizrzknFH046B-yOwaegy4TIn0eWZIS77_h0vaOC5WFLFcMC29cfAjLi167NiZQaeYYM4AljYIo/s1600/DSC01857.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0bNhv6ugPdLcbUgMUa5ww6lmg9vnFFUJLPsAJc8WU-dizzKWzkaeIabKP-wILtGjqgizrzknFH046B-yOwaegy4TIn0eWZIS77_h0vaOC5WFLFcMC29cfAjLi167NiZQaeYYM4AljYIo/s640/DSC01857.JPG" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Inviting in the late afternoon.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxNb33fFEEfhqDA9YpU0IsRbCsos5XVawAFcILlCtWH4vfnTT634smfhGaFcKzSwDX6fj4cOdinOJcMFpsqlqDJv-uUd7tM68QuoUdPnFizgvWvyt9e8rbzvaAgCJAwQjC0bssGhOgKRs/s1600/DSC_0055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxNb33fFEEfhqDA9YpU0IsRbCsos5XVawAFcILlCtWH4vfnTT634smfhGaFcKzSwDX6fj4cOdinOJcMFpsqlqDJv-uUd7tM68QuoUdPnFizgvWvyt9e8rbzvaAgCJAwQjC0bssGhOgKRs/s640/DSC_0055.JPG" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Violent, yet exhilarating, during tropical storm Irene.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrBQY6QfZqpOc3WVYoaq0V-h9XISs4M3o9O1HS0oUMQYMpr3b9CKTBHsL0k5NvivppXz_sMJ77Y5cbxHlROaKd4Q50xwwEcmWAqQ8KuXSChVhWeUM5IEqZ2ilPElI3AEzF5kQ7rUJdMvo/s1600/DSC02076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrBQY6QfZqpOc3WVYoaq0V-h9XISs4M3o9O1HS0oUMQYMpr3b9CKTBHsL0k5NvivppXz_sMJ77Y5cbxHlROaKd4Q50xwwEcmWAqQ8KuXSChVhWeUM5IEqZ2ilPElI3AEzF5kQ7rUJdMvo/s640/DSC02076.JPG" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Cold and lonely when the sun goes behind a cloud.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-c2edqy92h8nhY1ttBgP385rTx1ci_n3-TSde9CvBLIOP6PqFPd4tze8bDECxb9oo8huf9eIVMKgphudk2fzAqNXhT3970HAAzlEdcvgueCAhXLJwdx3DuXoO9_IlBKb2HxKSYwIzNBc/s1600/DSC_0046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-c2edqy92h8nhY1ttBgP385rTx1ci_n3-TSde9CvBLIOP6PqFPd4tze8bDECxb9oo8huf9eIVMKgphudk2fzAqNXhT3970HAAzlEdcvgueCAhXLJwdx3DuXoO9_IlBKb2HxKSYwIzNBc/s640/DSC_0046.JPG" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Tonight we'll sit on the point that looks toward the East End and watch the stars. It was here that God began to find me. </div>
<br />
<br />Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16932826147522119761noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1696676219167858431.post-16450164723416865442012-09-02T20:40:00.001-04:002012-09-02T20:52:51.404-04:00Lessons Learned: Summer 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A few random lessons from a summer in which too much time was spent hiding from heat and mosquitoes:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
1. It's almost impossible for me to take a good photo of a crape myrtle. Perhaps because they bloom in July and August when the sun is most glaring? Or because the tiny flowerets that make up their large panicles (I am most likely misusing botanical terms but am in a hurry because I'm packing for Maine) don't like to be focused on? </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I have 15 crape myrtles on my new property - too many, perhaps? They may be the dominant tree in my jungle, with dogwoods and Japanese maples close behind.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ0KzdsPLxwJHcmzMr7hHc_CEPDHGGNg5ZEUzrlAC6WBetJp8WhHqEzaw4kx9Bzjbhyphenhyphen44mGMm9LuufEow6syRu5VzePfTspNpMgSQ-P6TzltMgE2FMlkvI-DuWRunPL2yYZyiL2Z2-UrU/s1600/DSC_0007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ0KzdsPLxwJHcmzMr7hHc_CEPDHGGNg5ZEUzrlAC6WBetJp8WhHqEzaw4kx9Bzjbhyphenhyphen44mGMm9LuufEow6syRu5VzePfTspNpMgSQ-P6TzltMgE2FMlkvI-DuWRunPL2yYZyiL2Z2-UrU/s400/DSC_0007.jpg" style="border: 2px solid #000000;" width="265" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
2. Hibiscus is a gorgeous plant for containers. I didn't have enough sun at the old house to grow them. I bought a hibiscus tree with yellowing bottom leaves at a big box store for $6.99 and it has flowered non-stop all summer, attracting hummingbirds. I have spent much time entranced by the delicate silky slightly ruffled petals and the perfect flowers that bloom for just one day.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2-EW_qlscDVospPI4NBEs61E-0cT3oQS98qJmtVW8nbdaEZnz6AFDLdyCcgBwYyFWK9fEUTkGLdnAYl2-1o-Tgna6J8hkWTWKSozLZ_BLwFe0pq5dGqJIsepC3AVjH4ecc67YRh942Ro/s1600/DSC_0026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2-EW_qlscDVospPI4NBEs61E-0cT3oQS98qJmtVW8nbdaEZnz6AFDLdyCcgBwYyFWK9fEUTkGLdnAYl2-1o-Tgna6J8hkWTWKSozLZ_BLwFe0pq5dGqJIsepC3AVjH4ecc67YRh942Ro/s400/DSC_0026.JPG" style="border: 2px solid #000000;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Squirrels have been eating the hibiscus lately, gnawing off the leaves and buds. I never have seen squirrels attack a plant before - dig up plants and dig around plants, yes, but not eating them. Finally, I saw some references on the Internet to squirrels chewing off hibiscus leaves to get moisture.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1V4bzgxReERD-FE6npXqIz6WTNArROOx1OCHtvCilNpAaJpn4y6Y7DkdYOBC_x0hYSg0C2UdkIsC6bidAuwHpkbrR0QctY_FWFGxVf42VLp5xgz_AhRenmQ8G_2RhekIJpta7Ufpc2iU/s1600/DSC_0028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1V4bzgxReERD-FE6npXqIz6WTNArROOx1OCHtvCilNpAaJpn4y6Y7DkdYOBC_x0hYSg0C2UdkIsC6bidAuwHpkbrR0QctY_FWFGxVf42VLp5xgz_AhRenmQ8G_2RhekIJpta7Ufpc2iU/s320/DSC_0028.JPG" style="border: 2px solid #000000;" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
3. Wild garlic is quite difficult to eradicate. Despite a couple of rounds of hoeing, it keeps coming back. I didn't see any wild garlic in the beds when we looked at the house before buying it. In fact, all the areas in the garden beds that are now infested with weeds were bare. I suspect Roundup was used. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Bees love the small flowers, though.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRM1ZgGKzSl_Ed8NfynAai3whSxI1iA9ovDdOFybsh8vOUGuTZQbEhk5oNRlXeo3_XC8NBwpuSEE9mZgDH8ktHOYCovNBXbrvGw4K5i7fOQgKu7bOqkbHLPmydD1ZZKYiu_NHlpQYjJEE/s1600/DSC_0031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRM1ZgGKzSl_Ed8NfynAai3whSxI1iA9ovDdOFybsh8vOUGuTZQbEhk5oNRlXeo3_XC8NBwpuSEE9mZgDH8ktHOYCovNBXbrvGw4K5i7fOQgKu7bOqkbHLPmydD1ZZKYiu_NHlpQYjJEE/s320/DSC_0031.JPG" style="border: 2px solid #000000;" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
4. Be grateful for rain. In a summer when much of the country experienced record droughts, North Carolina had regular rains. During July and August, I rarely had to supply supplemental water. Just as things were beginning to dry out, another thunderstorm rolled through today.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRJgFM0g5jESYKK9_WOxUAJU6YkEwUX4N0OJD0RozQHR_X-AeAV_50RHsSJ81ilXKU35tCXLaudDjPw2hsr5gbpoGw9NzruP4ebiI8cBoSgtR1vXcMN3toMOykY3vB_frQmz4FKcC2SMA/s1600/DSC_0040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRJgFM0g5jESYKK9_WOxUAJU6YkEwUX4N0OJD0RozQHR_X-AeAV_50RHsSJ81ilXKU35tCXLaudDjPw2hsr5gbpoGw9NzruP4ebiI8cBoSgtR1vXcMN3toMOykY3vB_frQmz4FKcC2SMA/s400/DSC_0040.JPG" style="border: 2px solid #000000;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUOKdTqOdPuONfpkP_RlcQ-C7yFADk_ctzuc26iZzl7uVh3QpcItBShb42S6zKGXZCN8whl-Tm0FO9OnlZ7um69GlLd3Z-DGutf20v2bk3m7PASFMNn5aaAwrR20GTWcpBOwDkIfSBZXw/s1600/DSC_0041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUOKdTqOdPuONfpkP_RlcQ-C7yFADk_ctzuc26iZzl7uVh3QpcItBShb42S6zKGXZCN8whl-Tm0FO9OnlZ7um69GlLd3Z-DGutf20v2bk3m7PASFMNn5aaAwrR20GTWcpBOwDkIfSBZXw/s400/DSC_0041.JPG" style="border: 2px solid #000000;" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
5. The combination of heat and mosquitoes is too much for this gardener. There will be mosquitoes in Maine, but at least I can protect myself from them with jeans and sweatshirts. I miss gardening terribly in July and August - it somehow seems wrong to a former Michigan girl to be trapped inside in the summer. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm linking to Beth at Plant Postings for her meme on <a href="http://plantpostings.blogspot.com/2012/09/garden-lessons-learned-summer-2012.html">Garden Lessons Learned: Summer 2012.</a> </div>
<br />Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16932826147522119761noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1696676219167858431.post-30417126870332533512012-08-25T15:21:00.000-04:002012-08-25T15:21:27.622-04:00Silent Saturday: Sadness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZOKS7I6VZQ_LkYVuQ2sHyZlC2ltETuL2sDBpm5ogPxuNSJv2UmuH-I3MS8alV6rfztjHPcKsqF5JEjnjXtKeJ_hPOuZRe2ugzKKMIJE6F9hRQ25t3AbNqTrsyz96g6yaMehRq4UwOzTE/s1600/DSC_0044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img 400="400" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZOKS7I6VZQ_LkYVuQ2sHyZlC2ltETuL2sDBpm5ogPxuNSJv2UmuH-I3MS8alV6rfztjHPcKsqF5JEjnjXtKeJ_hPOuZRe2ugzKKMIJE6F9hRQ25t3AbNqTrsyz96g6yaMehRq4UwOzTE/s400/DSC_0044.JPG" style="border: 2px solid #000000;" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgENMODw0a7-pFk3D40qfGRF938RhmP15rVtn4nfMbUz4e7MV3ks6am4RF6ikbAtdnT-XxhiKcW3NQ9GNR9BMRcq6nCLWmMh-5cLwoeV3FcNcW57gO7PITYQEOJaKBxILS1jJ45P0KuQ2w/s1600/DSC_0026_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img 400="400" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgENMODw0a7-pFk3D40qfGRF938RhmP15rVtn4nfMbUz4e7MV3ks6am4RF6ikbAtdnT-XxhiKcW3NQ9GNR9BMRcq6nCLWmMh-5cLwoeV3FcNcW57gO7PITYQEOJaKBxILS1jJ45P0KuQ2w/s400/DSC_0026_2.JPG" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 2px; border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 2px; border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 2px; border-top-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 2px;" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil-PomE5lPI6tHhdbnsObs42RNb26q8O9wLqBpFPcL73vvTjo8i_isBCjD0wYTBucB2IpjyUkDpO9BPZBj0Uo7q6D2j_bqb4lyr1SfIkAeTC1g-LhnS6ZUZD4k-KkPV5zIxj2m6IXZGfU/s1600/DSC_0051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img 266="266" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil-PomE5lPI6tHhdbnsObs42RNb26q8O9wLqBpFPcL73vvTjo8i_isBCjD0wYTBucB2IpjyUkDpO9BPZBj0Uo7q6D2j_bqb4lyr1SfIkAeTC1g-LhnS6ZUZD4k-KkPV5zIxj2m6IXZGfU/s400/DSC_0051.JPG" style="border: 2px solid #000000;" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
"But listen to me; for one moment, </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
quit being sad. Hear blessings</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
dropping their blossoms </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
around you. God."</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>~ Rumi</i></div>
<br />Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16932826147522119761noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1696676219167858431.post-81573280008581303462012-08-08T21:22:00.000-04:002012-08-08T21:25:21.376-04:00A Day's Beginning and End<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A mystery hibiscus along the driveway has leapt into bloom. It called me back into the house to get my camera and take photos before leaving for work. The blooms are as big as my hand. The red is spectacular - deep and clear and happy.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkPNXuRPHQfGsIqDNRv8Oew9rWpd2RwSE1NAb1mwrbFF879k_-Q1X2CTyqoYai3bN2eIrYeRaqFEPoBEVwiKV0VCeiVYHCWuVZNNos3QDWFIdbPyOiuoUET_w69f9yIXfBB7WxSxZlgIU/s1600/DSC_0001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkPNXuRPHQfGsIqDNRv8Oew9rWpd2RwSE1NAb1mwrbFF879k_-Q1X2CTyqoYai3bN2eIrYeRaqFEPoBEVwiKV0VCeiVYHCWuVZNNos3QDWFIdbPyOiuoUET_w69f9yIXfBB7WxSxZlgIU/s640/DSC_0001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
At the end of the day, a wicked thunderstorm moved through, assaulting the earth with wind and rain. I was trapped at the exit of the gym for 15 minutes with a small crowd, watching the angry torrents and thinking of extreme weather, global warming and apocalypse. </div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
By the time I reached home, a magical yellow light infused the sky. Hummingbirds flew at the level of treetops in the golden light.</div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF2vGPvIFXg2dzTwaxMwxxrwi80PTNiwsm8MAZPU8Z4QX3zFjDf2DOTkP7few_RVySXQTSl4JWrrItXPmTECUvDjUjXU-fLjEYU60UDpd4IFrY39f3vARvWWgyBEXY-89s4pZtKkU_CGU/s1600/DSC_0010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF2vGPvIFXg2dzTwaxMwxxrwi80PTNiwsm8MAZPU8Z4QX3zFjDf2DOTkP7few_RVySXQTSl4JWrrItXPmTECUvDjUjXU-fLjEYU60UDpd4IFrY39f3vARvWWgyBEXY-89s4pZtKkU_CGU/s640/DSC_0010.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Grace.</div>
<br />Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16932826147522119761noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1696676219167858431.post-65351635069510922612012-08-03T10:25:00.003-04:002012-08-03T10:26:28.325-04:00Sun's Rays<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF_iyRINPD5M1SrEjXK4WxHEF1pJP_r55n2_IB8NWDYpxbdCeaRyXKAxyWHP7eEpP0xmp89iFaVRiTmWx3DnvdK44iDmaBxrG99FkPc3v4jOvGFVYC87rjtS6Za7WAYEtP4rzhGWAX9Qc/s1600/IMG_0272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF_iyRINPD5M1SrEjXK4WxHEF1pJP_r55n2_IB8NWDYpxbdCeaRyXKAxyWHP7eEpP0xmp89iFaVRiTmWx3DnvdK44iDmaBxrG99FkPc3v4jOvGFVYC87rjtS6Za7WAYEtP4rzhGWAX9Qc/s640/IMG_0272.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emerald Isle, N.C. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I've been in a bit of a dark place lately, waiting for the sun to break in. </div>
<br />Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16932826147522119761noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1696676219167858431.post-57753886127164412742012-07-11T20:04:00.000-04:002012-07-11T20:04:49.260-04:00Garden Gates<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I have always liked garden gates. At my new house, I have four that enclose the side yards on both sides of the house. They give the garden the feel of a secret garden, which I have longed for since childhood when I read English novels that described enclosed and neglected old gardens. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Below is the deck immediately outside the kitchen door. We may eventually pull out this deck and replace it with kitchen garden beds, because this is the sunniest spot in the yard.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0dMNFrqt2zVLOfUL9j8ds3cvddX2p5enyegn1LAe9OWbUeEEbkKnOIvZ3LxVhqOXXjN_SdDKog4LwEh9zxQOLVCRO4y2eKdNUMNyX2iAyFaELFr7uyhwP7PH0P-3utkuNiDSQJ1kbHZI/s1600/DSC_0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0dMNFrqt2zVLOfUL9j8ds3cvddX2p5enyegn1LAe9OWbUeEEbkKnOIvZ3LxVhqOXXjN_SdDKog4LwEh9zxQOLVCRO4y2eKdNUMNyX2iAyFaELFr7uyhwP7PH0P-3utkuNiDSQJ1kbHZI/s400/DSC_0002.JPG" style="border: 2px solid #000000;" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm inheriting the structure of a garden made many years ago. One owner lived here for 16 years until about 10 years ago. The perennial beds have been neglected, and I assume many have died, though dozens of daylilies and irises remain. I'll have to wait until next year to see them in bloom. Many saplings have seeded themselves in to the wrong places. But I love the mature "bones" of the garden, much of which is evergreen. An azalea, large boxwood and what I presume is euonymous flank the gate leading into the front garden.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjscUH1FS-sBXcVD8jdyHqm7NVUPcwCQmM_HtAkZzKUmJiDK7d1ybwZqpYjvuKBySs_R6lizLjLRxEtD3G_USL-jaG5SheJPeYRzK2wB8iwax6pHkW24Gunw1JshbL74o3Rdhr8V3Qoe4k/s1600/DSC_0003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjscUH1FS-sBXcVD8jdyHqm7NVUPcwCQmM_HtAkZzKUmJiDK7d1ybwZqpYjvuKBySs_R6lizLjLRxEtD3G_USL-jaG5SheJPeYRzK2wB8iwax6pHkW24Gunw1JshbL74o3Rdhr8V3Qoe4k/s400/DSC_0003.JPG" style="border: 2px solid #000000;" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here is the view looking in the other direction, toward the back yard. We've been able to place the bird feeder quite close to our kitchen and office window. It took the birds a couple of days to find the feeder, but they now flock to it in larger numbers than I ever saw at the old house.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm0wMK4ArV73IVMKIeYP5V4HJIuqv25gj33j7TG4zVJH9V0K2O_bT7t4X3epY2XrdnRxyFIf3f_mOBxnsT1UNQR_IGrxg1USBr0rr4DhhPcFPwujEFu2_7yuaO08fnZ6YPzZQrjDxLcMs/s1600/DSC_0008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm0wMK4ArV73IVMKIeYP5V4HJIuqv25gj33j7TG4zVJH9V0K2O_bT7t4X3epY2XrdnRxyFIf3f_mOBxnsT1UNQR_IGrxg1USBr0rr4DhhPcFPwujEFu2_7yuaO08fnZ6YPzZQrjDxLcMs/s400/DSC_0008.JPG" style="border: 2px solid #000000;" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here is a gate leading from the back garden into the shady garden on the other side of the house. I'm not sure I'd ever seen a variegated holly before, but now I have one. We also have many mature dogwoods. I haven't yet been able to identify the low-growing, spreading shrub under the dogwood and many other trees on our property. One guess is leucothoe?</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWKNCpy6764d0pwp7LC4JWljSSAbyLrt0CNg09_0W_RP6WYof3t3SfVFi5K4pEGUUn0gIrrqJX_cSwW1CCHCHJwK99S_plgMVVC9lO5RW16C6UphznWe8YsCGnQuZnAurHLA9WxA0yw_o/s1600/DSC_0011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWKNCpy6764d0pwp7LC4JWljSSAbyLrt0CNg09_0W_RP6WYof3t3SfVFi5K4pEGUUn0gIrrqJX_cSwW1CCHCHJwK99S_plgMVVC9lO5RW16C6UphznWe8YsCGnQuZnAurHLA9WxA0yw_o/s400/DSC_0011.JPG" style="border: 2px solid #000000;" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It's fun having a new garden to explore. A bit strange, though, to have to get acquainted with an entirely new property. I came to know the soils and sun patterns so well at the old place. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I have not seen any bluebirds yet, so I put a photo of my former friend the bluebird on the header, as seen on the day before moving day. (Sadly, the movers seemed to have scared the bluebirds, and this was my last sighting.)</div>
<br />Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16932826147522119761noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1696676219167858431.post-44814782692213135852012-06-29T20:41:00.001-04:002012-06-29T20:41:47.597-04:00New BackyardA mover commented today while carrying a bench to the new backyard, "How did you find another nature preserve?" <br />
<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmtzbdkqGHe_YbSYronXX9xrYPv3V1ncr-n4hJG_Cx-sJpRYKo3D1vm790Glgvbe9HeSphP8CBGxcKOGo47ufhH9iJpCXY8Jp04ukq3ViPaZmsjNpvDNShNfnAbhiMZ_dadqIFHNabI84/s640/blogger-image--1322143611.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmtzbdkqGHe_YbSYronXX9xrYPv3V1ncr-n4hJG_Cx-sJpRYKo3D1vm790Glgvbe9HeSphP8CBGxcKOGo47ufhH9iJpCXY8Jp04ukq3ViPaZmsjNpvDNShNfnAbhiMZ_dadqIFHNabI84/s640/blogger-image--1322143611.jpg" /></a></div>Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16932826147522119761noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1696676219167858431.post-36779748093730754262012-06-26T08:22:00.000-04:002012-06-26T08:28:44.235-04:00Saying Goodbye to a Garden<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAh9sgYOpu8w6ddsPFvjwruyfeSuR53kgdA13nOmou3x2lICFjtH5tlxtUHnyRdzH3h6B9bIC7clggdeVfEdCGxf1qoZbvAq-zdZ65Pyv3ZUh9rPXXEg6SFJbkBmNIZuauPuITGOcfvI8/s1600/DSC_0225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAh9sgYOpu8w6ddsPFvjwruyfeSuR53kgdA13nOmou3x2lICFjtH5tlxtUHnyRdzH3h6B9bIC7clggdeVfEdCGxf1qoZbvAq-zdZ65Pyv3ZUh9rPXXEg6SFJbkBmNIZuauPuITGOcfvI8/s400/DSC_0225.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
It's been a week of lasts. Last visit to the Carrboro Farmer's Market on a Saturday morning. Last watering of plants in the garden. Last sitting on a bench in the backyard watching birds. Last walks on familiar routes, where I saw deer and red-shouldered hawks. One block from my house, I heard a rustling in the trees along the road. I stopped, waited and a doe emerged, then two tiny fawns, covered in white spots. The doe stood still, looking right at me. I looked back. One fawn and then the other ran to their mother and began nursing.<br />
<br />
Later, behind the deer fence, I dug up favorite plants. I felt a slight sense of guilt, even though these are my plants. But the letter of the contract on the house sale says that all plants in the ground are considered part of the property. Shh... Who's to know three or four dozen plants are moving with me? In fact, they're already resting under a pine tree at the new house, where the seller kindly offered to water them.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTaUvM2z5lJZ3vxEtSTFPNJjH_WuRN-dqD2sljuc1CO7AG50b1LR0II08ur4DsLfQgDkfRrKqZtRaiNvChdMh6S6KX-A3R2MPBKB0tpTxNUs1TMQ4s2YiGbPcGMTBlu1Z16lRv6tyb6c8/s1600/DSC_0003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTaUvM2z5lJZ3vxEtSTFPNJjH_WuRN-dqD2sljuc1CO7AG50b1LR0II08ur4DsLfQgDkfRrKqZtRaiNvChdMh6S6KX-A3R2MPBKB0tpTxNUs1TMQ4s2YiGbPcGMTBlu1Z16lRv6tyb6c8/s400/DSC_0003.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I took my favorites. Young shrubs that have not yet bloomed - two native azaleas, one pinxterbloom and one 'Clyo Red.' A Clethra alnifolia 'Hummingbird,' an Ilex sentinel holly, my only surviving blueberry bush. Two Christmas ferns, a few heucheras of purple and green variegated and limegreen foliage, hellebores, a spreading tiarella, three canna lilies ('Bengal Tiger') and a maidenhair fern. Japanese roof lilies, green 'n gold, and monarda, all of which will spread to become sizable patches. There must have been more - I dug for hours and filled two cars with plants, but I am not thinking clearly after days of packing.<br />
<br />
More than 30 plants fit in a compact Prius.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjON1Fb0nMrNLVWQt2B0Jr3Gf43DJ7c51QBCao8lUzKaSYW-MWQOjGaP9Bn5Hvd0SRX9OXtVFHWJ3mESG9xgE-BSI8NSTuSOqqS8q_HFYV0rwcrZWoGL1M5raVB-xVo2op7TcVSbFQKNw0/s1600/DSC_0007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjON1Fb0nMrNLVWQt2B0Jr3Gf43DJ7c51QBCao8lUzKaSYW-MWQOjGaP9Bn5Hvd0SRX9OXtVFHWJ3mESG9xgE-BSI8NSTuSOqqS8q_HFYV0rwcrZWoGL1M5raVB-xVo2op7TcVSbFQKNw0/s400/DSC_0007.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I wish I could move the bluebirds with me. I believe the eggs hatched the other day. The male bluebird has been hovering around the box, proudly perching on the box top with fat green caterpillars and later a yellow moth. The bluebird then would fly to a favorite dead branch, eat his meal and return to the box, sometimes disappearing inside. This morning the male kept anxiously peering at the hole after the female went inside with an insect.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAKlTnHiGuaMo-r3-EP5U712PkE2LkpHhojL1g-WEUYfYERosT_NaKxR7ugjcuRlFgjO0WQpnfH064-frmNA38a-94G_Lewm2qIMlTWqcLkPU6pUyAdWQisNvVI9Aajk6Ma1wvLosyT64/s1600/DSC_0019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAKlTnHiGuaMo-r3-EP5U712PkE2LkpHhojL1g-WEUYfYERosT_NaKxR7ugjcuRlFgjO0WQpnfH064-frmNA38a-94G_Lewm2qIMlTWqcLkPU6pUyAdWQisNvVI9Aajk6Ma1wvLosyT64/s320/DSC_0019.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Then he disappeared inside the box. I'll miss the bluebirds. I hope bluebirds come live at our house in Raleigh. </div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16932826147522119761noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1696676219167858431.post-86619343475409864772012-06-19T10:04:00.004-04:002012-06-19T10:05:49.745-04:00Brown Pelican Says...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I try to keep my appreciation of nature separate from politics, but sometimes a cause calls. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrxyfSnqne5DSvkFZo5Mf2v0NSwFJ6_BeZCe0b4iJvjLjiDVXNMuO0cgt_ry3Nk2Fpt8GCmFT1Vn7PQAw_B63AMe_Y0S7iBN44xIwBtXUKVhaeCQrtCDFrsodfpBnSuHUxrs4-qRXW0Mo/s1600/pelican_tweet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrxyfSnqne5DSvkFZo5Mf2v0NSwFJ6_BeZCe0b4iJvjLjiDVXNMuO0cgt_ry3Nk2Fpt8GCmFT1Vn7PQAw_B63AMe_Y0S7iBN44xIwBtXUKVhaeCQrtCDFrsodfpBnSuHUxrs4-qRXW0Mo/s400/pelican_tweet.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
If our climate keeps warming at such a rapid pace, the barrier island where I saw this pelican will be underwater. </div>Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16932826147522119761noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1696676219167858431.post-47744507582550562852012-06-05T21:06:00.003-04:002012-06-05T21:08:04.861-04:00Carolina Wrens' New Home<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Fortunately, there is no reason to decide which is my favorite bird - bluebirds or Carolina wrens. Both are nesting within feet of the front of the house. The wrens began home-building one day last week when the impatiens in the hanging basket grew tall enough to conceal a nest.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuArJs32z4QRzcPCitdUd8Kt5XmpP_bh2ZVsmwWLGDuY0yaQxRxcM2vpGgm1-affAKHd86CcuGaj_1yLc3piM_EoKCs2rZoYgPyUULkMcpPabgOyrJWDblvArkGadxJ7_9AIquFE3yImE/s1600/DSC_0250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuArJs32z4QRzcPCitdUd8Kt5XmpP_bh2ZVsmwWLGDuY0yaQxRxcM2vpGgm1-affAKHd86CcuGaj_1yLc3piM_EoKCs2rZoYgPyUULkMcpPabgOyrJWDblvArkGadxJ7_9AIquFE3yImE/s400/DSC_0250.JPG" style="border: 2px solid #000000;" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Wrens love to hop. One lands on the deck railing and looks up to the flower basket before taking a leap upward.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1I_jnVr3UGFhTTAQTBFjvvfc3FO3Jnz3MN-l5zpNBW6hyphenhypheno-9-Bo6RQTAvYuQTIcfcjIb-4-u8a6xPIcyk78snA4fm9lC8uPBvEzanMzclbhZaWOhKkfDvcYkDmMRI2Ysomx0uN4aD-44/s1600/DSC_0265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1I_jnVr3UGFhTTAQTBFjvvfc3FO3Jnz3MN-l5zpNBW6hyphenhypheno-9-Bo6RQTAvYuQTIcfcjIb-4-u8a6xPIcyk78snA4fm9lC8uPBvEzanMzclbhZaWOhKkfDvcYkDmMRI2Ysomx0uN4aD-44/s400/DSC_0265.JPG" style="border: 2px solid #000000;" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The nest is fairly obvious (note messy-looking leaf pile) from inside the house, but is well-concealed from the other three sides. The wrens first excavated a hole in the dirt, then brought old, soft leaves to line the nest. It has a side entrance, from which the wren below is exiting.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxAM0FVPoohv82mHLr-bXST2lnFXhpHv6x7oPxGIWYBEPlBA7_Dtu17F4vrGMkmRorVpSfi_AiODTZ7iGZnjKzA6D6qI2fubIR8tdp1J2ekR8QMmn0gWWl3CjqXOlkokZraJUAG4noafw/s1600/DSC_0263.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxAM0FVPoohv82mHLr-bXST2lnFXhpHv6x7oPxGIWYBEPlBA7_Dtu17F4vrGMkmRorVpSfi_AiODTZ7iGZnjKzA6D6qI2fubIR8tdp1J2ekR8QMmn0gWWl3CjqXOlkokZraJUAG4noafw/s400/DSC_0263.JPG" style="border: 2px solid #000000;" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I presume the mother is sitting on her eggs as I speak. I've been working too much to monitor the nest closely. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The wrens built their home as we prepare to leave ours. We're moving at the end of the month. I think I envy the birds their lack of possessions. No need for complicated logistics and expensive movers. Select a pot of flowers, move some leaves, and in one day - new home. </div>
<br />
<br />Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16932826147522119761noreply@blogger.com9