Tuesday, May 30, 2023

Memorial Day 2023

 Remembering my Uncle Frank and Uncle Roy and Uncle Olin this memorial Day.


Jon and Tracy came up last weekend to help me celebrate during times when it's sometimes hard to put proper perspective on things.  Things pass. Duh! Clicking on photos will enlarge them.








There's a church, a little church way out in the country, on the way to dog school that I frequently pass and wonder about. Seeing it makes me think of seemingly simpler times in out history. It's just a small Presbyterian church that reminds me of similar churches from my childhood. The lilac is a perfect fit for this church.




On my trips through farm country in Michigan's Thumb I love watching seasons progress. There were several fields of amazing dandelion displays. The change from yellow fields to snow-like clouds of seed heads - amazing.








Sam aka Voodoo
Samur fra Ibuo Landi

Tryggur, Totty

Spring Vetchling, Pulmonaria

Spring Vetchling

Epimedium

Geranium


Wednesday, May 10, 2023

May Day (M'Aidez)

 Finally back in Michigan's Thumb ---

Clicking on photos will enlarge them.


Hummingbirds are here -




Daffodils have a long season with different ones always arriving: - 

On the plus side? Deer and rabbits usually avoid them and many have a very nice fragrance.










Be sure to let the leaves, grow and die naturally. They are making energy for next year's flowers.


I noticed roiling water on my two emerging islands - fish spawning I'm sure.



Omnipresent canines: - 

ABBA

ABBA

Watson

Watson

Sam

Sam

Tryggur

Totty

Primrose

Primrose

Lily of the Valley

Lily of the Valley

Bleeding Heart

Bleeding Heart

Bleeding Heart

Bleeding Heart

Vinca

Brunnera

Brunnera

Brunnera

Grape Hyacinth

Grape Hyacinth

Epimedium

Violets

Violets

Aretha Franklin Violet

Dancing Queen Amaryllis

Dancing Queen Amaryllis

I often plant and encourage plants that deer leave alone like Vinca, Lily of the Valley, etc. Yes, I realize they are not native and perhaps invasive (like dandelions? and phragmites?) but they discourage rabbits and deer. When I plant deer lettuce (aka Hosta) in among Vinca, deer and rabbits seem to leave the Hosta alone - maybe.


My grape hyacinths were disappointing in the past but, left alone, they've multiplied and have given me hope for the future.


Brunnera may also be shunned by deer and rabbits so I've added several varieties to the north garden. I hope that will also convince the deer and rabbits to leave stuff alone. Time will tell.