Since we appear to live in a tropical climate now, I’ve added some tropicals to the mix–tropical hibiscus and mandevilla. They’ll eventually winter over in our future sunroom–until the climate changes to actual tropical. Coming soon…
For now, the ubiquitous, common, but uncommonly colorful sunflowers, morning glories, black-eyed susans, squash blossoms, okra, partridge pea, and my latest, comfrey flowers, rule the day.
We hopefully contributed to my son’s birthday by coming over and watching the kids while he got some work done. The kids and I made him cards, decorated with balloons and streamers, cleaned up the great room, and played in the pool. We added our blueberry and cherry pies to the excellent apple pie (we really do like pie) and cinnamon walnut babka D&V made. Eventually Avdi opened his presents, and we all had hotdogs and fixings by D&V, with ample pie for dessert.
My son has a lot on his plate (besides pie) right now, but I hope in some way we eased some of the load and made his day better. He works so hard to take care of his family and meet all his heavy obligations, and it’s clear they love him and are loved very much. I know I for one am savoring and storing up these days I’m able to spend with my son and Gkids for future, leaner times.
These are my fireworks. Much less noisy, smelly, and hot. For me the 4th is just the day before my son’s birthday, the real occasion. Also, I’m not into nazi military campaign parades at the taxpayers’ expense, while children are dying at the border. It’s hard to feel patriotic toward a country that allows such criminal injustice. That’s all I’m saying.
It’s like a greenhouse out there this morning, especially after an evening rain. Colors are exploding more than ever.
The first silk appeared on some corn. Mushrooms are multiplying, a good sign that the soil quality is improving with organic amendments.
Misu sits like a sphinx each morning, overseeing her queendom.
In keeping with the summer theme, I made this fresh watermelon, mango, and mint salad to cool things down.
It’s so hot here, you just stand outside for a few minutes and you’re pouring sweat. I have to restrict my gardening activities to minimal maintenance and snapping a few photos.
Misu stays hydrated any way she can, when not flopping in cool places. Even the raven family takes advantage of the bird bath (and veg garden), though they’re still too shy to sit for photos. They aren’t too shy to pull out all my veg markers, though. We watched them at it the other day. Tricksters.
Here are more sunflowers, morning glories, and the persistent first zinnia.
Despite the heat, the acreage must get mowed. I earned this watermelon margarita, made from scratch.
How is it I’ve been gardening for centuries, and never discovered the familiar but exotic-looking red okra? It may be an acquired taste, but the plant itself is so unique and ornamental, with its weird pods and pale yellow flowers. Likewise the lowly yet towering sunflowers, their golden faces open wide to the early morning sun. And we mustn’t forget the exotic garden cat, fiercely stalking the wild tomato. I’m learning to find the intrigue in garden variety life.
Yesterday I was so busy playing with the Gkids that I barely took pictures. It was an immersive swirl of blanket mountains, storytelling, painting toenails and pictures, hide-and-seek, outdoor lightsaber duels, conversations, etc. I feel like we’re getting closer as a family. I don’t get over there enough, so I try to make up for it when I’m able.
Here are more flowers, mostly at home.
How come we love the diversity of color in the flower world, but when it comes to humans, we’re all supposed to be a pale, drab whitish color? Boring and illogical. Give me a rainbow of life in all its forms any day.
Misu says give me a cool porch from which to survey my plant and animal queendom, and I’m good.
I had to post again because, hort nerd that I am, I’m all excited about my first veg harvest. These red okra and purple pole beans (heirlooms) are new for me. And all these little tomatoes are bonus freebies from last year’s compost. Vegetating is not all hard work!
It’s 90° with a heat index of 98°, and rising. TN weather is all extremes, no in-betweens. I can’t imagine slaving in pre-AC southern summers, or anywhere people don’t have that luxury today. Like these orchids, we prefer our heat in moderation.
The outdoor plant world, however, is soaking up the rays and loving it. I moved my newer potted sun natives to this kiddie pool, where they can bask in the sun with a little water. The larger ones are nearby in this bed for now. In late summer/early fall, they’ll all move to their permanent homes in the meadow.
One by one, the sunflowers are opening and reveling in sun, and coneflowers and others are welcoming pollinators. The tiny bee-like insect on the pink coneflower was a bright iridescent green.
