The little cutting of Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus), given to me about 4 years ago by my friend Noble, is blooming. And there are a heck of a lot of buds on the plant. Actually, it had two blooms last year which finally emerged and were promptly eaten by deer. Hence, this protective cage. I’m so thrilled to see these gorgeous flowers!
I have another cutting in that patch of garden, but it’s slow growing. I expect to see blooms in the next year or two.
Everything seems to be in bloom as I mentioned the other day. It’s truly glorious out there. We’re due for some rain and storms later this afternoon. But at this moment, you’d never know it.
The robins are still in the nest, but they’re awfully squirmy! Wings are frequently flexed, little faces peek over the edge of the nest looking at the world they’ll explore when they leave the nest. We keep a close eye on the nest – well actually, I keep a close eye on the nest. Don checks in, but I am the obsessive one. I report back to Don.
The latest painting is almost finished. I expect to finish it today or tomorrow. It’s been a challenge, to say the least! There are certain elements I can recreate in the painting, but some are still just beyond my skill level – or maybe knowledge level is a better term. I love learning as I go and I do think each painting is a bit better than the last.
After a frustrating week waiting to hear from Apple about my laptop, I got a text message yesterday saying the repair was finished and that it would be shipped FedEx. It looks like I’ll get it sometime tomorrow. Hurrah! It’s been difficult writing this blog without it. I’ve had to download pictures via the iPad, though I can’t use my usual photo editing program. After I download them, I start a draft post with the photo, then save it, and sign out. Then I sign in on Don’s laptop, where I write the actual post. Don has been incredibly generous with his laptop, but I try not to use it for long because he uses it in his recording work. That’s why I often don’t reply to comments until the next day, when I’m just finished writing my post.
Anyway. I miss it. I need it. And it’s on the way.
Stay safe.
Happy Sunday.
Beautiful flowers. The deer eat almost everything here but I keep thinking I’ll find some things they don’t like. I just realized its Aug 1st how did that happen. The days fly by. The Grands go back to school on Wed. Masked thank goodness but we are praying that they are able to remain in the classroom this year. Still the numbers are rising as so many refused the vaccine. Don’t get me started. Mom and I are back to staying home and while we never went to many stores now we won’t go at all. Trying to stay positive and read, create and not go stir crazy. I just got my first Apple Laptop and can’t work it after years of a chromebook. Slow learning curve but I’ll get it. Hugs!
It’s so maddening that we have to do this because of idiots who won’t get vaccinated. It makes me very angry.
You’ll love your Apple laptop! I know there’s a learning curve, but they’re much more intuitive and user-friendly!
Stay safe, Linda.
I hope your Rose of Sharon is in a good place. I had some that self seeded way too close to the house and you couldn’t kill that thing to save your soul. Cutting down only made it branch out more! They’re beautiful though, in the right place. I really need one up here. Maybe I’ll spread some seeds around! They are awfully pretty.
I finished yet another cat portrait that I love and a scene from Martha’s Vineyard that just didn’t work. Well, win a few, lose a few.
Cold and gloomy here and it was raining a little earlier. A good day to hunker down with Donna Leon. I finished my puzzle — two pieces are missing, possibly when I dumped part of it on the floor accidentally. I was able to rescue most intact and I thought I got all the pieces but apparently not. It’s all old movie posters and it’s a pretty wonderful image, worth keeping up for a bit to admire before taking it down. The bookstore up north has some wonderful puzzles and it’s all I can do to keep myself from getting something I know is far beyond my puzzle skill set! Although the vintage flower labels are calling to me. My cousin had a Broadway puzzle at his cottage he said I could take but the caricatures are so off that I’m pretty sure I’d get seriously frustrated trying. We’ll see! They should have just used the posters, like the movie ones. Can you imagine a puzzle with the original posters of Dolly, Mame, Follies, Company, Gypsy, Forum, Oklahoma and on and on? I need to hunt!
Yes, it’s away from the house in the Chicken wire fence garden.
I’d love a Broadway poster puzzle! If you find one, let me know!
Stay safe, Jeanie.
Lovely to see the Rose of Sharon. My mother loved the Depression glass pattern of “Rose ‘o Sharon” (that’s what she called it anyway; was the pink glass). She wasn’t of the internet age, so was always looking to pick up a piece or two at the thrift shops, garage/yard sales, etc.
My neighbor has one growing wild outside her fence. Every time I walked by it – for years – I thought I should buy one. Then Noble gave me two cuttings and here we go! I have one. And it has four blooms on it this morning.
Stay safe, Vicki.
Your Rose of Sharon is gorgeous…beautiful coloring. I ventured into Hibiscus land myself this year. Purchased Summer in Paradise this year, and it started to bloom about a week ago. I’m photographing each bloom as it appears…such a nerd! But, I’m enthralled with it. So far, no deer….but I did spray it earlier in the season. Not taking any chances.
Enjoy your evening! ;)
If you’re a nerd, so am I! I’m just about to go outside and take picture of the two new blooms that opened this morning!
Stay safe, Donna.
Thank you for keeping your posts going with all the extra work it’s causing you, Claudia. The new painting sounds interesting, can’t wait to see it.
Quietish day today, I went for a mini walk up the lane as I haven’t left the house for three weeks, not much let up with my sciatica but I can only walk around my small house so many times. I hope I can return to work the week after next if the pain isn’t at previous levels.
Even though it’s 1st August, there’s a definite feeling of Autumn in the air.
I’m so sorry you’re still suffering from sciatica, Dee Dee. Sending healing thoughts your way. I’ve had it once or twice and it was painful.
Stay safe!
beautiful flowers!
and good news that your laptop is on its way back to you. thanks for taking time and effort to post anyway, then doing even more to post without your laptop. and thanks to don for helping make it possible.
just now home after nine hours with some members of my family. went for a walk, a very long and pretty drive, had lunch and dinner and time to sit, visit and just be together. with the way covid has been and is going, i sure don’t take such time together for granted.
about a week ago, someone told me that i didn’t need to wear a mask … that i was wearing shoes and socks and that would keep me from getting covid-19. at first i thought she was joking and asked if she was teasing or making fun of me. nope … she was serious. unfortunately, i have to work with her. after all this time … unbelievable. inexcusable. sad and scary.
hope you all are safe and have a good night.
also that you will share photos of your latest painting and book purchases. thank you. :)
kathy in iowa
I can’t believe your co-worker said that. Such ignorance and a willful disregard for the facts!
Stay safe, Kathy.
not a co-worker … but she said it.
boggles my mind and i am angry that (more than 17 months into this awful mess) anyone could be so recklessly uninformed about it.
kathy in iowa
xo