Friday

                                                            Still showing off in the garden.

Last night was one of those five-hour nights again.  They come and go at their own pace.  Thank goodness I had the afternoon today to catch up or add to or call it what you need to.  

            A long-lost Cardinal flower showed up this afternoon.  Well, that's when I noticed it.  

This morning was one of those cool mornings, much appreciated and enjoyed more than I anticipated. The patio was the spot and the yogurt was as good as ever with B Berries and nuts.  Add coffee and all was enjoyed.  I decided that pulling the garden cart was going to happen with clippers in hand. I added water in a few places to the list of gardens must haves.  The rain certainly has been sparce and there are places that really have felt the worst.  And while the water was running, I clipped some things that needed clipping just to uncover some areas.  It's called overgrown.

I know you've seen a T Swallowtail before but today it would seem the garden exploded with butterflies of all sizes.  I saw 3 T. Swallowtails at the same time.  Then 2 Monarchs came along and there were so many little butterflies on the short zinnias.  More than I could count. I suspect the flowers are drawing them in to the sweet nectar. 

                So many Susans all looking pretty special.  The daisies got a good clipping this morning.  

The walkers walked in and we had wonderful visits with Mr. and Mrs. from down the road.  We could talk forever.  They went on their way with a bag full of Basil and a couple of tomatoes, soon to ripen.  It was good visiting with them again.  Later this fall a few of the garden plants will move to their back yard.  Gina was over also and there was more talk about her yard.  There also is much that can happen and will happen, I'm sure of that.  Kathy joined us for a smidgen of time.  The sprinkler did its job and later today I need to pick up pills of stuff for the B Blues. 

    It might seem that this is my favorite color.  Any shade of orange I think makes the garden show up.

I made a stop at the drugstore.  Another stop was planned for Aldi's.  While there, a few days ago, the shelves were empty of cottage cheese.  Today, the refrigerator now has that option available for lunch.  But in between those two stops, I found an easy parking spot at Goodwill.  That's always a sign...I have declared...that something is there for me.  That is if the parking is easy.  And sure enough, there it was.  Two sheets came home with me that had burp written all over them. 

                                With any luck, a soon to be Swallowtail will be added to the family.  

Then came the feeling of eyes that just could not stay open.  I added an hour of sleep making a total of six only to have Doug wake me up telling me it was time to fold clothes.  Now what's the hurry.  Anyway, that's what I did.  I really have no reason to grumble about folding since Doug has washed clothes as his dad also did for years.  What a guy!   

        Another flower to add to the collection.  This time the chives are making their contribution.

Later in the day I did more dead heading.  I pulled some bunny nibbled State Fair zinnias that if left alone any longer will embarrass any good State Fair zinnias into hiding. None of the plants have any sign of buds let alone flowers. The roots look healthy, but they are not very pretty.  What a bummer for 2025. Whining is really out of place when one thinks of all the beautiful things that are found in all the gardens. 

          Eli at the sheep auction.  He added a little over 600.00 dollars 4-H money to his bank account!