Some pictures from our property, taken a week ago. I’m sorry, the flowers are just so beautiful that I can’t call them weeds.
Why not call all blooming weeds like these wildflowers? Perhaps I’m lacking in knowledge about this particular form of flora and they are wildflowers. Whatever the answer, that’s what I’m naming them. They do indeed grow wild, all over the property. Their brilliantly colored flowers, as intricate as any other flowers that I’ve officially planted in my garden beds, provide a pop of color and beauty all over the edges of the property.
What’s not to love?
Well, after the most heavenly, perfect weather all weekend – a weekend where I was in rehearsal from 10 am to 7 pm – today, my day off, has dawned with dark ominous looking clouds. Now, that just doesn’t seem fair. I had plans to take a walk and sit in the park and generally laze around. I guess I can still laze around, but the other two items on my agenda might have to be shelved.
I do have to make a run to Trader Joe’s this morning. Three of us (the actors playing Lady Macbeth and Macbeth and I) share a car, so we always check in with each other as to who needs the car when. Lady M needs it around noon. Macbeth needs it later this evening. I’m more of an early riser, so I’m grabbing it this morning. Then I have to come back and write up notes for the actors. We had a run-through of the second act of Macbeth yesterday. Then I just might start quilting.
This week will be full of run-throughs for both plays as we move onstage starting Friday. That, by the way, is why I’m here so long this time around. We are doing two plays in repertory, which means that the rehearsal days are split in two. We rehearse one play in the morning and the other in the afternoon. That also means that two plays have to go through the tech and dress rehearsal process, as well as preview performances. It adds an extra three weeks onto my stay here.
I’m halfway through my time here. As I have no work on the docket after this job, I’m thinking I should enjoy every moment of my time here. Because, right now, I’m employed. That’s a good thing.
Happy Monday.
The orange flowers are lovely, Claudia. I did a quick search and I wonder if it might be Spotted Touch-Me-Not. That’s a new name to me and, apparently, refers to how the seeds explode everywhere when the blossom is touched. It seems hummingbirds like it, as well as other pollinators. I have no idea if I’m correct about this identification, but doesn’t it all sound much grander than calling it a weed?
Enjoy your Monday. It was storming here this morning; everything had been looking so dry.
-Karen
-Karen
I think you’re right! I just looked it up. Much prettier name!
I call them all wildflowers too:) and find that in some parts of the country what we call weeds they actually buy at nurseries and plant as flowers, so who knows. We are cloud covered here today too and I have laundry on the line. I hope the rain holds off long enough for them to dry. Thumbs up to being employed, so many are not these days and you have to be grateful that you are. Enjoy your day off:)
I will. I’m back from TJ’s and am settling in to do some blog reading. Then I’ll send out actor notes.
Hi Claudia and Happy Monday! Your wildflowers are gorgeous. The purple ones remind me of Loosetrife which we have growing in our bog area. This year it is taller than ever! some call it an invasive species, but we love it. The orange ones are gorgeous as well. It looked like it was going to storm here when I left for work, but now the sun is out. Caught up this morning on weekend blog reading and saw that you pinned your quilt — congratulations – it looks so pretty.
Actually, I think it IS Loosestrife. It grows all around my area and I love it, too. If it’s invasive, bring it on!
They are lovely and more so in their native country. But the purple ones here are highly invasive non-native plants that are pushing out the native plants needed by birds and butterflies and other critters. The top plant is purple loosestrife and it is taking over wetland areas in alarming rates. I immediately pull them out of my garden as they will take over and kill the native plants.
Hated to say anything but thought you should know.
I do know already, and so far it isn’t invading anything in my gardens. Or on the property. There are too many other native palnts that can hold their own on this property. It’s on the edge of the property where native plants and weeds abound. I haven’t found it to be invasive, even around the neighborhood. If it ever seems to be taking over, I’ll deal with it then!
Good to know Claudia as I wasn’t sure you knew what it was. I have only learned about it in the last few years. They are native to Ireland and are just so beautiful it is a shame that in many places they have caused issues.
I appreciate that you took the time to let me know. I didn’t know they are native to Ireland – how interesting! And I agree, they are very beautiful. But I’ll have to keep on eye on them, nonetheless! xoxo
I so agree with you on these so called “weeds”..I love seeing them grow around here..The orange ones are what they call Touch-Me-Nots as Karen said..but are also known as Jewelweed..I have lots of it here and I think it is so pretty..It is also medicinal..I make Jewelweed Salve every year..It is the best thing I have found to treat Poison Ivy or any poison..bug bites..scrapes, scratches, etc..You can also take a piece of the stem, break it open and rub the sap inside on the infected area..It is my favorite “weed”..
Oh my gosh, I didn’t know that it was medicinal. How do you make the salve, Nancy?
Claudia..instead of me trying to explain it all here is a link to the recipe I use..http://druidgarden.wordpress.com/2011/07/26/jewelweed-salve-for-bug-bites-burns-cuts-and-scrapes/ I really love this and I make a fresh batch every year!
Honestly, I overlook a weed, guess I don’t see it, and lo and behold, it’s turned into a wonderful wildflower! Who can argue with that? Not me, that’s for sure. Yours are so pretty. Call them what you will…they are unexpected surprises! ;)
They sure are, Donna.
Yes- I am glad you are employed right now, Claudia- That is a good thing. How great that you can share a car with someone(s). That surely helps to keep costs down. Hope you have a wonderful work week- xo Diana
It helps. Downtown Hartford has no supermarkets or anything, really, but a CVS. (And that isn’t open on Sunday!) So we really do need a car.
Being employed is definitely a wonderful thing. Your wildflowers are beautiful. Who cares what they are called when they provide such a feast for the eyes. Enjoy your day. xo Laura
Yep. I definitely appreciate being employed, Laura.
I have seriously thought about moving to wordpress… no one to contact when you have blogger issues…. but it just looks so complicated to move it over and I am so afraid of losing all the content I’ve placed on my blog over the past three/four years. I like the idea of having more design options a lot and no more blogger issues, but I am not computer savvy other than what I already know…lol… *sigh* what to do.
It can be complicated to make the move. There are people out there that you can pay and they will move your blog for you. There’s also a great book on how to do it. I know what you mean about Blogger issues. That’s why I finally left and I found I like WP so much better.
OmGosh! Such beautiful photos! I had great fun catching up with your blog! I am still unpacking and working on the yard at my new house but so glad to be here. Hugs, Kerrie
So glad you are where you want and need to be, Kerrie!
I believe that calling them wildflowers is a good idea. We live on a wild 5 acres and I have a ton of flowers here that are not fancy store bought kinds.. I love them all equally. It’s a good idea to appreciate where you are and what you’re doing in the moment. But I bet you’ll be glad to be home soon. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
I love them all equally too, Teresa!
Those flowers are so beautiful. I love any type of flower actually, the more spontaneous the more I love them. This morning, I went for a country walk and collected a whole bunch of berries of all colors and cute, small wild apples. I made fantastic arrangements, very country and very informal, so very “me” with them… and I love them more than any flower arrangement I could buy at the florists!! Oh, now thinking of buying lavender in white and pink too :) And definitely, you should start another quilt. I am making a granny square blanket right now, the perfect project for Autumn!
Big hugs,
xoxo
Big hugs to you, Monica. I’m starting on the hand quilting portion of a quilt that I put together last spring.
Finally – someone else who agrees with me! I refuse to think of dandelions as a weed….they are one of the coolest flowers God created…..I just love them!! And the bindweed that grows around here…..has sweet delicate little flowers.
I don’t think I could ever get rid of it so instead of seeing it as undesirable and troublesome, I’ll focus on it’s persistance and sweet flowers. Plus, my little man picks those flowers all day long and brings them to me. What a sweet gift!
Thanks for posting! Seems like there are enough of us that we could start a revolution!
I don’t call them weeds either!
Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
I read once that a weed is any plant growing where you don’t want it to grow. Therefore your beautiful wild blooms are not weeds. Enjoy beauty where you find it!