Bees, Bees, and a Wedding Celebration Too

Lightening bugs!! We have not yet talked about lightening bugs this season!! What is there to say, you ask? Watching a lightening bug floating around in front, or just out of reach is magical is what I have to say. A joy to behold is another. I sure hope you have the opportunity to watch them sometime in your lifetime because it really is lovely.

Speaking of bugs, it has been bee season in these parts. Because I now have so many flowers, bees have taken notice, although I was saying to Bruce that they seem to be ignoring the clover in the lawn which is not what we expected. Remember how we practiced "no mow May" when we first got here and Mr. Vespasian thought we didn't have a mower. For those new to this blog, Mr. V is the previous owner who drove by with frequency in our first year in the house on Campbell Street. I will tell you who loves clover and that is the bunnies when they show up. They are also fond of my plants that are relegated to the "not good enough" to display area.

For the record though, I do have more flowers to display than ever before in my lifetime. How crazy is that? Are you interested in what's in bloom? I hope so because here is a list of current beauties.

• The David Austin roses have had their second flush of flowers, not tons, but they seem to be established which is the first step in having lots of blooms.
• Autumn Sage
• Yellow petunias
• Double lavender petunias
• Deep purple petunias
• Orange daylilies
• Impatiens
• Salmon-colored verbena
• Zinnias ,both ones that I purchased and ones that I started from seed. You can well imagine which are my favorite.
• Geraniums
• Lavender
• Purple salvia
• Deep pink dianthus
• Scarlet bee balm
• Yellow lantana
• Hydrangea
• Rose of Sharon
• A few I cannot remember! 
• Duh....the sunflower I grew from seed opened on the first day of summer!!

Unreal, right? I have been busy taking photos of said flowers with bees in action. We might just as well start with the Rose of Sharon tree that is laden with buds and bees.

Here's the problem though. The tree is ancient and we knew it was not going to last much longer in spite of the fact that it has hundreds of buds ready to delight both myself and the bees. Bruce had shored it up with a stick,

A heavy overnight rain did the smaller branch in and Bruce had to cut it up and throw the flowers away. It was painful to watch, and even more painful for Bruce to have to saw it up using a limb saw!

More shoring and hopefully it will last until the remaining blooms have blossomed. :( 

There will be quite the void left. 

The color is just so beautiful. We have a light pink one as well as a medium pink bush about 8' tall that should last for some time. Let's hope so because the annual show has been highly anticipated by this blogger.

In a similar color family, this is Autumn Sage, a plant that I had never heard of but is doing well on the front porch. Cute, isn't it?

Friends did you see this in the evening sky last week?

Of course there is the crescent moon, Venus, and way below is another celestial body that I cannot remember, but I read about them aligning, and hoped I could see it for myself. Lots of people are keen on a full moon and there's nothing wrong with that, but for me, a crescent moon looks pretty awesome. 

Back to the bees... Kew Garden rose.

This beauty is one of the ones I cannot remember the name of, but I've got two to show. 

Do you see what I see? Probably not because not only am I seeing it bigger as I type on my computer, but I saw it in person! The damage has been done by an evil bug in the center of the bloom and that is a Japanese beetle that once I saw it, I removed it asap. A day or so later, this pretty one was  being visited by a bee,

and I had high hopes, but darn if a beetle didn't work it's way inside the bud in the next day or two. Boo hiss!

Here's one of the ones I cannot remember the name of.

Super fun, right? I have not photographed the geraniums yet, but after buying them half price, which most everything I buy is, they are just getting settled and multiple blooms are in my future!

Here is the last I will say about bees and that is we just discovered that carpenter bees have found our outdoor stairs off of the back porch.

Rather than pollen that would be sawdust you are seeing!! We bought one of those bee traps at the farmer's market on Saturday, so here's hoping that we can diminish the damage. Two round holes have already been drilled by this bee. 

Bruce worked until late Friday afternoon as did about six other guys and they finished the parsonage with a sense of the satisfaction of a job well done. A quick shower, and we were off to the Hearn's for the rehearsal dinner for the second wedding of the summer. The girl with the pretty smile is the bride, Emma, whose sister was married a month earlier.

Julie did another beautiful job of making sure everything was lovely. I was very envious of the vegetable garden down below.

I have learned a lot about a vegetable garden this season, but Harry has learned even more in a lifetime of growing plants of all kinds. Full sun and good soil are key. I think my soil is pretty good, but my sun is marginal at best. Not going to keep me from trying though! 

Eddie, Julie and Jamie's dad ,being helped up to his little house on the property.

Their home and property were fantastic for the first wedding as was the second one at the Crown, a restaurant in nearby Brasstown, that overlooks the Folk School property. The artistry in everything was so special.

Julie takes ordinary things and turns them into something that is extraordinary.

There was plenty of rain during the week leading up to the wedding, but thankfully it was nowhere to be found on Saturday afternoon.

Emma and Dan live outside of Detroit as does his family who are from Macedonia, an ancient country with a complicated history, but one thing you may remember is it was swallowed up by Yugoslavia at one time and gained independence in 1991. I did not know much about all this before I began writing,  but I'm thinking that Daniel's family probably emigrated during the war for independence. Don't quote me on that! I do know that there is a good deal of Macedonians in Michigan, so there's that.

His mother brought some of their customs to the wedding including these crowns and the ropes. Now I know why Harry had to excuse himself for a while Friday evening as he prepared for the ceremony.

Harry included all elements, as well as the bread, all of which symbolizes something.

His mother was so excited it was a joy to watch her. The little girl was pretty excited to.

What a joyful occasion. it was. I thought I had the video part sorted out but I think I was wrong. But you get the jist.

Dancing with handkerchiefs was a thing, as was a roasted pig. Who knew that having never seen a roasted pig before, that we would see two this summer? It is one more Macedonian tradition.

Then again, we have not attended two weddings in a month before, so that could sure be part of it. Eddie, the girl's grandfather is getting up in years and I believe they wanted to make sure that he was part of the celebration. Julie's twin, Jamie and the mother of the brides, along with their dad. 

Both of us were horrified to learn that on the Sunday, following the wedding, Eddie had a fall and had to be hospitalized for a few days. We were so worried ,but he has returned to his little house for now, so we will breathe a little easier until his upcoming 87th birthday.

I hope you are still with me because on Sunday afternoon we returned to the scene of the baptism to gather rocks.

Not that big of rocks, of course,  but ones to use as a border to our new little flower spot. The clear, crisp water was delightful on a warm summer (!!!) afternoon. I will admit to having never paid much attention to the first day of summer before we came here, because it already felt like summer for months. Anyway, wearing my water shoes I cooled off.

The amount of rocks in a mountain river bed is innumerable. We put them out like this. 

And I will close with the happy couple standing in the water, happy as clams. Oh wait, there are not clams in a river are there? Maybe.

Your friend,

Gail 

The Mayor Visits the Market...and other news.

Let's begin June 2015 with a blog post, shall we?

My friend Sue and I had a visit the other day, actually we met in front of the "owl houses." She'd been by our home to drop off an adorable carved wooden owl she'd bought for me at the thrift store. Super cute. Actually, she'd left it by the driveway, and didn't tell me what she'd left. I had to wait until I returned from her home where she has the most incredible display of passion flowers. Engulfing a neighbor's huge shrub they continue about twenty five feet on her fence.

Not only are they beautiful, but fragrant too! After a good visit, I rode home, and much to my delight, I discovered this little cutie.

She finds the darndest things at the thrift store...sort of like a second sense that I don't possess. :)

Earlier in the week Bruce sent me an email asking for a Friday night date to see this show. And you might just be wondering why he sent this invitation via email? Or so you should. Anyway, turns out the people who put this show together are the same art consultants that he will be working with for his Earl's projects. So, because he got it via email, I did as well. Now that we have that all sorted out.....

Before the show we went back to The Strand on Mills Avenue for supper. Not only was it delicious, but "Leave it to Beaver" was playing on the television!! Man I loved that show!

The vibe there is just great, and if you're the friendly type, you might just meet some interesting folks like we did. First, the two teenage children of the owners, who explained, a little sadly, I might add, that their parents were at the restaurant ALL of the time. With the attention to detail shown, it is no wonder. As well, the owners of The Car Bar were seated adjacent to us at the bar. Big deal right? The shop is nearby on Orange Avenue, and they have been in business for 37 years, which in Orlando is practically a record. Furthermore, and this is the most unbelievable part, somehow the woman got around to telling me that their daughter is a model and that she is the Carl's Jr. girl. If you are like me, you did not know who she was, but after the woman showed me her photo on the phone, followed by answering my questions about her body, as in, she is not enhanced, I checked her out on Google when we got home. Oh my goodness!! Some amongst you may find it interesting that she dropped out of Boone High School to pursue this "career."

So, the show is in a very, very ORANGE building on Mills Avenue--you seriously can't miss it. This is what we saw:

Coincidentally, on Wednesday while B was out of town, I did a binge reading session with the latest book by Haruki Murakami, the greatest living Japanese author, giving me good conversation fodder. The book sold a million copies in Japan the day it was released, so I felt pretty sure he'd read it. And, although Kenji Nakayama has lived in America for 10 years, he had.

A lovely, humble young man.

If you're squeamish, quickly move past the next image which we discovered in the yard while mowing.

An eagle nearby, perhaps? So, so glad B was home to pick it up!!!

The mayor came to the market on Sunday. Mind you, it was not to visit with the vendors or anything, instead, he was shooting a campaign video which really creeps me out, as he has not been to the market in say, five years, or so.

See that horrible, phony smile? Remarkably, the cameraman was our next door neighbor Ely!!!

You might note his left leg? As a 16 year old, he had bone cancer, necessitating removal. Around the neighborhood he wears a steel stick prosthesis, so I was surprised to see this model, which must be his working leg. As to the market report--very slow sales, and an early closing due to purported weather problems, which did not materialize, but I was glad to go home just the same!!

Around the house here, I found this kind of interesting:

Hummingbirds have no interest in this feeder, however, the bees sure are enjoying it! On the bird front, they are super plentiful of late.

Saturdays, after finishing the lawn, I fill this feeder to the brim, and by the following Saturday it is empty. Plus, I have a second one this big!

In case you are wondering, the capacity is around five pounds!! Much to my surprise, while looking through the kitchen window, I saw a papa cardinal, and what I figured were two adolescents. Taken through the screen, it is soft but cute.

Honestly, I was shocked because the nest in the Lady Palms appeared to have been abandoned, with no babies in sight. Woo hoo!

Finally, the owl siblings hanging out together...

We sure could use some of that Texas rain about now. May was super dry and although it is clouding up as I type, I suspect it will pass us by.

Only time will tell,
Gail

Peanut Butter and More

It seems like there is a story about peanut butter everywhere I look! Matt posted this book review about peanut butter on fb, and then last weekend, as I watched the game, I went through my magazines including Bon Appetit which listed the best every day ingredients to use. I was astonished to discover that Skippy was their peanut butter of choice which I have NEVER even tasted. See review above to learn about the big three peanut butter brands, Jiff (my current favorite), Peter Pan (my former favorite), and the winner takes all brand, Skippy. NPR posted that Europeans don't like peanut butter. Well, I knew that because Angela despises peanut butter. As the article states, she finds it very weird.

Have I ever told you that Bruce likes peanut butter and pickled jalapeno sandwiches? Before you get all in a huff, consider African cuisine which uses a spicy peanut base. Bill, on the other hand, used to love his sandwiches with peanut butter and M & M's. Me, I'm strictly a peanut butter and jelly girl. How about you? What's your favorite way to eat peanut butter?

While we're on the subject of food, get a load of this: Woo hoo! Read this! Okay, I've been doing this long enough to know that some readers, no matter how much I try to cajole them, will not bother clicking on a link. If you insist on that same behavior today, you will miss an outstanding review of the new Seasons 52 in Century City, built by yours truly's husband, in the Huffington Post. With all the time I've spent alone while he's been making it happen, I like to hear/read all the accolades I can!

Enough about peanut butter--let's go back to Leu Gardens for a moment, shall we?

When I began selling photographs, I wrongly assumed that others would be just as interested in unusual flowers as I was. Didn't work. Buyers like what they know, and something like the above photo stays in the basket forever, no matter how interesting it may be. Daisies--my baskets are filled with various daisy photos because, by golly, that's what the people want, and that's what I will gladly give them!

Of course, occasionally, if the color is just right, they will pick something unknown. Purple, that's a winner for lots of folks, however, as it turns out, I don't have that much in purple. These little purple guys sure are cute:

The rose garden was in full bloom, filling the air with both fragrance and beauty, with a variety of colors. And then I show you only pink? Go figure...

Because it was a free admission day, there were all kinds of visitors--the usual onslaught of mothers and their little ones, as well as some groups, one of which seemed to be adults with some mental disabilities. As I was walking along, this woman asked me to take her picture and so I did.

The woman in the background is smiling because only a few minutes before, using her camera, I took her photograph with her son. I know there have been reports about the decline in the bee population, but from what I saw while taking photographs of flowers, there is no shortage at Leu Gardens.

Bees were swarming like mad while I was taking those photos of the daisy tree--seriously, people rarely realize how some photographers put their well being on the back burner when trying to get just the right shot!

Try as I might, this is the best I could do with these mushrooms on a stump:

Isn't the world an amazing place? If I get excited about this, imagine what I would be like if I saw, say, one of the Seven Wonders of the World!

We haven't visited any homes decorated for Christmas in the last few posts, so why don't we now? Long time readers may remember a time when Angela and I visited Ed---she, under duress, me out of my insane curiosity. While driving down Ferncreek by his house on Monday, a sign in his front window caught my eye:

No surprise there.

On a street near his home, I saw this home which warned of a bad dog, however, apparently he is in the  Christmas spirit and looks pretty placid to me.

I mean with Mr. and Mrs. Santa looking on--who wouldn't be good?

I know this is completely off topic but I came across this great piece about Jimmy C, a street artist whose work we were fortunate enough to see while in London last summer.

The article, which includes a great video, explains how he went about creating a Usain Bolt piece on the streets of Hackney Wick, the area where the London Games were held. I call street art, the "new modern art" because it is fresh and frequently challenging. I am so happy that we are getting a little taste of it with the utility box project currently ongoing. Here's a box on the corner of Michigan and Delaney.

Nice job Danny Rock!

Perhaps you've noticed that I'm posting at night, something I rarely do. I spent the better part of today shopping and wrapping, trying to be super ready before the family comes home. Only two more weeks until Matt and Tom arrive! A smart woman would say she's too busy to take photographs and blog around Christmas, but I've never been accused of being too bright...