Saturday was sort of magical. Almost at every turn, I saw a butterfly. It was a day of swallowtails. From the den window:
Flitting, floating, flying through the air while I was working in the garden.
At first I thought it was the same swallowtail I’d seen from the den window, but this one’s wing is torn. It seemed to have no effect on this beauty’s ability to fly.
Thank goodness. Because she was clearly hanging out with me. I thanked her for the visit.
My coneflowers have self-seeded. There’s a patch of them right by the maple, a hop, skip and a jump from a group that I did plant.
There are more and more in this little patch every year. And then there is this lone coneflower that sprung up in the dog corral a few years back.
Every year, I almost yank it because I think it must be one of the many weeds that grow alongside the chicken wire fence. In the space of time between summer and spring, I forget that it grows there. And every year, when I see this tenacious flower, I’m so grateful I didn’t.
This group, planted on the other side of the house, is giant in size and amazing in color.
I did not do one bit of retouching or enhancing. This is their true color.
If I was starting a garden and I was unsure as to the quality of my soil and I was strapped for money (wait, I am strapped for money!) I would plant coneflowers. They are extremely tolerant of all kinds of soil. They self-seed. They last a long time. They look beautifully cottage garden-y. And if you leave them intact at the end of the season, the birds will thank you as they snack on them throughout the winter.
Bees like them, too. What’s not to love?
On to another topic.
Because both Don and I have worked in the theater for years, plus lots and lots of television and film for Don, we’ve worked with a lot of well-known and in some cases, quite famous, people. It just goes with the territory. If I made a list of them all, I think you’d be quite impressed. But I won’t, because it’s no big deal. We’re used to it.
Do you remember the television series, Medium? We were big fans and never missed an episode. Both Patricia Arquette and Jake Weber, who played the two leads, had a natural, easy quality on the screen that was a testament to their formidable acting chops.
I had a little crush on Jake Weber. Husky voice, easy smile, good actor. Don’t worry, Don knew all about it.
Guess who was performing in a play at Williamstown? Yep. Jake Weber. Don got to know him and they had some good conversations. Jake’s play closed yesterday afternoon (he was excellent in it, according to none other than my husband) and when my phone made that little ‘ding!’ that means I have a message, look what I saw:
Oh boy. My crush and my husband. Together.
Don later informed me that he told Jake he had to take the picture because ‘my wife has a crush on you.’
So, even though I’m not easily impressed or awed by ‘famous’ actors, I must admit to a little swooning here. Never mind that Jake is about 15 years younger than me. Or that my adored husband is in the same frame.
They’re both smiling. At me!
I’m swooning.
Happy Monday.
Sweet, on both accounts. Your dh for requesting a photo because you have a crush on Jake and Jake for being such a gentlemen to honor the request! Happy swooning today!!
All I have to do is look at that picture….and I’m swooning!
What a fun post, Claudia. :-) And what a surprise that must have been!
As for the echinacea, I love it. I just wish my echinacea would spread as easily as the rudbekia does. The rudbekia is taking over! Love the flower and butterfly photos. How blessed we are to have such beauty around us and eyes to see it.
I am continually in awe of the beauty around me.
I just planted some this year. I love the look of them. You are right very cottage garden. Hope all is well. We have been so busy this summer.
Busy, Elaine! I’m just about to leave town again for 2 months. Don has been away, but is coming back on Saturday. Hope all is well with you too, my friend.
Your pictures are wonderful..amazing butterfly pics..I love coneflowers as well.Planted a couple and somebody is eating them..I suspect rabbits…In my old house most of them didn’t come back the next spring..We’ll see what happens here..Perennials are getting very expensive..
That’s why I’m glad I’m pretty much done with planting them. I didn’t have to add any perennials this year!
Lucky Lady!!!
I know, I know!
You know that butterfly is a spirit trying to communicate with you. Someone you have lost is trying to send a message to you. Stop and listen for a while and see if it comes to you:)
I’ve lost several people; grandparents, friends, students and my brother. I’m not sure who it is that’s trying to communicate. Saw a swallowtail again today!
You lucky girl!!!
xo Kris
Pretty gosh-darned lucky!
Cute boys.
Yes, they are!
Love the photos…all of them!
And congratulations to Don and those wonderful reviews. I’m glad you shared them with us. Unfortunately I won’t be in the Berkshires until the middle of August, so I’ll miss the play.
Each play only runs for about 12 or 13 days.
Nothing wrong with a little crush as long as the hubby knows and hey it got your this awesome photo!!! You know I love coneflowers and I’m going to have some around here for sure. They really are an awesome flower! Great photos and oh the butterflies! Happy Day Claudia!
Linda
Happy Day to you, Linda!
Claudia, you are indeed so lucky! I work in the floral wholesale industry. Right now, orange Coneflower centers are very popular in wedding work. They add a beautiful pop of color to bouquets. And I saw Liatris peeping up behind some of them. You have an awesome cutting garden!
I do! The liatris is just about to burst into full bloom. It has multiplied, as well. I planted it two years ago.
Good Afternoon Claudia, I love flowers which self seed and which pop up in the most unexpected places. Most of the flowers in my garden are self seeders and at the moment I am waiting for the Foxglove seeds to dry so I can shake them around the garden to increase my supply for next year. I will have to wait a year before they flower, but that is alright as next year, the flowers which dried last year, will be ready for flowering. The Cone flowers are so vibrant and such a lovely surprise for you each year.
I remember watching the tv programme Medium, when I lived in Cyprus. We were able to receive Dubai television and Medium was a popular programme. Both Jake and Don look very comfortable together.
How wonderful to capture photographs of the butterflies and to be able to watch them from your room, such a treat.
Enjoy your day.
Best Wishes
Daphne
I saw another swallowtail butterfly today, dining on the coneflowers and the butterfly bush.
That hubby of yours…..what a guy! How fun to find that photo. I have always liked Jake too. I was a Medium watcher and thought he was a good “bad guy” in Meet Joe Black.
I really miss that show!
You know, a little swooning now and then doesn’t hurt! Nice of Don to take the pic! ;)
He’s a good guy, that Don!
Hi Claudia~~~I’m convinced I need coneflowers to be my garden:0). Definitely on the list to plant. They look lovely & cottagey is exactly the right description. Butterflies are sweet aren’t they! Growing up in Illinois the monarch butterflies were my favorite. They were very abundant because the milkweed they love grew like crazy in our area. Don’t see many butterflies of any kind where I live now ( high country of Arizona ) but day trips to Hannigan’s meadow satisfies the longing. Your day is extra special with the photo of your two favorite guys! How fun is that!!
Have a lovely day~~~
XO, Linda
We have monarchs around here, too. I’ve only seen one so far, but I have tons of milkweed on the property, so here’s hoping I see more!
Claudia!..You hussy!!..lol..I was a big fan of that show too..he is a cutie isn’t he..How nice of him and Don to send you a picture..I have been thinking of adding cone-flowers too..they come in such wonderful colors now..I have even seen a bright green ones in a catalog I got in the mail..
What can I say? I have two cuties smiling at me!
Oh, Claudia – that’s awesome! I also used to watch Medium all the time – I loved that show!! Awesome photo!
Donna
Don’t you wish it was still on? It was so well done.
Jake did have a sexy voice in the show! And boy was he patient! Your coneflowers are so pretty. They won’t grow in my garden, too much shade. We do have sunny areas away from the house but then the lawn mower would probably get them. We must have other things that butterflies like though as we have many. You just have to stop and watch them when they’re around, don’t you? A little miracle flying close.
They are indeed miracles, Dewena.
I loved the character that Jake played in Medium! I definitely thought he was a husband among husbands! So nice that your husband is a great guy, too.
He was such a good father in that series – I loved the daughters, too.
Hi! I watched Medium and loved it. And I envy your flowers. Here is Winter, and it´s raining. For the last two days I could´nt go to the garden. I miss some sun.
And in the winter time here, I will be envying your summer!
How fun to get that picture! Love all those Cone Flowers Claudia. One of my good friends back in FL used to have so many of them in her garden and she said exactly what you said about their versatility and resilience. The flutterbies are just so pretty. Great pictures. Ann
Thank you, Ann!
Coneflowers are going on my ‘must plant’ list for the new gardens next spring :) My mom had them every year as did her mom. :)
How neat to see your ‘idol’ smiling back at you! Fun! My only claim to fame is that my brother is the booking agent for Mumford and Sons :)
Well, that’s cool! I’m not into Mumford and Sons, but I know they are very popular! Do you get to go to concerts?
Oh so cute – your fabulous Don AND your crush Jake together……….and smiling like two best friends just for you!!!!
Coneflowers, beautiful, and where the heck diid mine disappear to? If they’re really so easy to propagate I don’t know why mine didn’t…………..they left town several years back after two seasons, I will have to start over with new plants. Did you start from plants or seeds Claudia?
Hugs – Mary
Gorgeous photos – and I’m not just talking about the handsome men, lol! Never watched Medium…I’m very out of the loop when it comes to TV shows. I rarely watch TV.
Your garden looks great! I know what you mean about missing home. When I travel, after 2 weeks, I miss home terribly. Two months is a long……time! It wouldn’t be so bad if Don and Scout could come visit you. Once you are immmersed in your work it should be okay. I think it’s adorable that you have a little crush Jake Weber. I loved the show medium! He was great on that show. I had no idea about his chaotic childhood as a rock and roll kid travelling all over the globe with unstable parents. I guess that why he craves stability in his life now. Two great actors your fabulous hubby Don and your cute little crush on Jake.
I can see why you were swooning in the garden and out!