Photo of the week

I'm taking an online watercolor pencil workshop with Cathy Johnson and this is a drawing of a hosta bud from my side yard for that class. I've left room for a flower from the plant when it opens....if the deer don't eat them all. I noticed yesterday that those critters had eaten almost ALL the buds off the hostas that line my front walk and left their footprints in evidence. I hope they don't find these in the side yard.

This is my trumpet flower I just realized had begun to bloom. They're pretty and grow wild here along the roadsides, but Roy planted some next to a trellis out back to attract the hummingbirds.

Finally, here's that little bluebird adolescent rascal that has joined my nesting pair in the backyard. Apparently this one is from their first nesting of the season and I think you can see the spotting on his/her shoulders and breast. He/she comes almost everyday and has taken to annoying Mama while she's sitting on her eggs, and gets summarily chased away by an angry Mama!

Award from Michelle

I've just received this lovely award from Michelle, thank you, dear girl! My list of seven things I can't live without....or that I wouldn't like to live without... are as follows:
1. My husband of many years
2. My children and grandchildren
3. My friends
4. Good health
5. A peaceful home life
6. Living in the US
7. And finally, a creative spirit
I should describe these as things I am completely and honestly grateful for.

I'll work on the list of people to forward this award to.....more later.
Thanks again, Michelle

Photo of the Week

I've wanted a hibiscus for years, but somehow never thought to get one. This one caught my eye at the garden center when I went to get plants for my deck pots and I just couldn't resist. It will reside on the deck for the summer so I can see it up close for awhile. I love these things.
And then, as you can see below, the bluebirds held their ground after the chickadees left and finally were able to start building their own nest in "their" house. There is a great supply of dry pine needles in my neighbors yard and it was fun to watch the female work her little tail feathers off carting great beakfuls of needles into the tiny portal for days on end. She built a beautiful nest while her beau sat on the perch and watched, lazy critter. Now she seems to be depositing eggs each day, but not until he comes and checks out the yard and the nest to see if it's safe for her. I guess he's good for something!
They seem to have brought along an adolescent fledgling from an earlier brood. This little guy (he's actually as big as the adults now) still has the baby speckles on his breast and he sticks very close to one or the other of his parents while he's here. He's feeding himself, however, and should be going off on his own soon. I haven't been able to get a good photo of him/her yet.

They Grow up Too Fast

Another of my lovely granddaughters has become a beautiful young lady, and is graduating from high school this month. Here, as you can see, she is properly dressed and coiffed for her senior prom...just beautiful!
There aren't words to describe what pleasure these grandchildren bring to me. From babyhood to young adults, I've been overwhelmingly proud of them, every step of the way. We're all hoping that this graduation doesn't suffer the downpour that her sister's did, drenching all the graduates, the band, and the faculty as well, not to mention the spectators! But I wouldn't have missed it for the world......