A cactus caught in contrast.

Still no rain, but I spent 2 hours with the hosepipe, watering the front and back, and was rewarded with this spectacular sunset.

Praying that sky will produce rain. We haven’t had any for days, there’s none in the long term forecast, plus we have a hosepipe ban. 

A tiny flower blooming on my chiropractor’s steps. Nature will always win.

The British Centurion tank, running full pelt around the track, only an hour from home. How cool is that?

I visited a sunflower field so early this morning, that many of the bees were still sleeping on the flowers.

A swallowtail on the hydrangea flowers.

My second spaghetti squash, considerably larger than the first, but will taste as equally delicious, I’m sure.

A terrible photo, but I didn’t want to get too close while taking the photo. I was shocked to see this, even though I kind of agree with it, but I should know better. Anything goes in Front Royal. It says, shoot your local pedophile.

22 Aug 2023

My glass collection in the kitchen window.

The bees love the Mexican sunflowers.

Tricksie Treat is the most ungracious cat ever, with never a thought for my welfare, only her own, with her food bowl being the only focus in her life.

The morning sun illuminating the dragonfly lamp in the lounge.

A bumblebee feeding from a compass flower.

Driving round the cemetery before locking the gates. The most excitement I had today.

I hadn’t been in the garden for a few days, so was amazed to see how much the loofah vines have grown, nearly hiding the hog panel arch.

Rosie Lee keeping an eye on me today.

The COVID has wiped me out so I was extremely grateful for the heavy downpour of rain today, I was worried about my plants. I shall pick the ripe tomatoes tomorrow.

Unable to do anything yesterday, and definitely not take a photo, thanks to my first time having COVID, which hit me like a train Sunday morning. So this is Br Bill from SNL, who we saw on a car outside the tavern where we had dinner.

An abandoned diner near Burlington, PA, that we found while urbexing in the nearby area.

I took this photo today, without realizing it, so it will be my photo of the day. I am on my way to the break room, passing through the production room, to get my first or second cup of coffee, a daily ritual, I always have 2 cups.

The bare naked ladies are popping up everywhere at the moment. These are in the cemetery. I think I’ll try to plant some myself this fall.

9 Aug 2023

Working from home today, and Malcolm decided to join me, but 5 minutes later, he’s sleeping on the job.

A sad day, burying a wonderful lady, who set me on the path towards native plant gardening. It was an informal but beautiful ceremony, and the rabbi had a brown butterfly sitting on his shoulder the whole time. I looked up the meaning of this, and it means ‘new beginnings’. Fly free over your native plant meadows Shari.

I got a lovely card, balloon, a cake with candles from an amazing local bakery, and we all had free lunch, my choice, which was from King Pollo. Not bad for having a birthday at work on a Monday.

An outstanding early Birthday lunch with Elliott, at a local Nepalese restaurant. We both had a bowl each of the Tandoori grill, and shared the rice and naan bread. Delicious, and happy to take leftovers home.

Muddy Girl, one of the monster trucks at the county fair tonight, driven by a middle aged woman. Yay! Full story later next week on the blog.

4 Aug 2023

This was the only photo I took all day. Up at 4am, very busy at work, rushed home to feed the cats and water the canoes and pots, then back out to pick up Carmen to watch Oppenheimer at the cinema. This was the 7/11 store near her house where I had to stop since she wanted another beer to finish off the evening.

A beautiful nasturtium after the rain. The flowers and leaves are delicious in a salad. 

Every time I’m in the garden I marvel at these tendrils on the luffa squash, so tightly sprung and thin, yet so strong.

I was very happy to see this chap, while watering the garden this afternoon. This is a native praying mantis, which I haven’t seen for a few years. I hope it stays and survives, managing to avoid being bird food.