Flowers & Fluff

As unhappy as I am that it's only in the 60s and I turned on the furnace this morning to get the chill off the house, I'm glad it's not in the 80s so the a/c isn't running and sucking in the Cottonwood fluff. There's gobs of it in the gutters and on the edges of the lawns. However they're talking about 80s tomorrow and then a return to the high 60s. It's difficult to know what to put on for the day.

 

While the charcoal was starting this afternoon I went out to take pictures of the flowers that are blooming. First because it's closest to the door is the Bleeding Heart. I love looking out to see these sprays of blooms from the kitchen window.

 

The yellow Irises are still in bloom. I'm amazed that they still are but they're looking a little worn out so I don't expect them to be around for much longer.

 

And the French Irises are still out there giving their all. I don't expect them to stick around much longer either so I'm taking their picture when I can.

 

The first Stella d'Oro lily has bloomed! I wasn't expecting to see it but then I noticed this flower hiding in the leaves and there are stalks with buds on them all down the line. More to come!

 

I'm not sure what this is--Salvia or Sage? But I like the tall stalks of flowers. There are three plants, the only three plants of the ones the landscaper planted two years ago that survive. I was royally peeved that the asked-for red, orange, and yellow flowers didn't show up but blue and purple did. I'm just as happy that the blue ones didn't make it. I'm semi-okay with the purple ones.

 

The House Finches glommed onto the jelly and orange half this morning. This pair of them made a long visit feasting on the sweet, fruity goodness. An Oriole visited today too but still no Hummingbirds, dang it.

 

I grilled the six boneless chicken breasts this afternoon and had the first of twelve servings for supper tonight. I don't think my two-pound bag of broccoli cuts will make it so I'll be forced to seek other veggies. I'll survive.

 

Before I started painting today's watercolor I pulled up my latest manuscript and started rereading from page one. I'd paint a step, then go read some chapters while the paint dried, then go back and add paint, read more, paint more. You get the picture. It didn't turn out too badly. I like the sunset reflection in the water.

 

And after a little walk I made time to draw a gratitude journal page. But I forgot to put the walk on there and I'm grateful that I keep pushing myself to go walk because even though it isn't far, it's something.

 

If you're a regular reader you know that Aunt B or Aunt Barb comments every day. Well, she had a little heart event yesterday and is in the hospital. So if you're the praying sort, say a little prayer for her. If you aren't, send healing thoughts. Please and thank you. 

--Barbara