“We don't see things as they are, we see them as we are.”
Anaïs Nin
I love the quietness of Sunday mornings. There is very little traffic spoiling the birdsongs. This morning I went looking for whatever I normally overlook. Who knows what that is, because I usually overlook it. This could be an interesting exercise.
I believe that these thistles are one reason why we have goldfinches coming around lately. This one has not been feasted on yet. Look at the star-like design of the centre.
In the woods there is always more moisture. Good reason to plant more trees. I love the almost-round droplet of water on the stem of this jewelweed. How does it even hang on? Good surface tension happening, I guess.
We've been allowing nature to plant itself along the edges of our lawns. Today, for the first time, I paid attention to the poisonous berries of Solomon's Seal. Even paying attention to poison is a good thing. I love this plant's drooping swags of white flowers in the early spring. They give no hint that they will turn into these colourful and poisonous berries in mid summer.
Thistles are allowed on the very edges where no grandchild's tender feet or arms will be hurt by them. Look at the spacing on the spikes. So even and so methodical. Notice how the top spikes are a dark green/almost black, against a light green background and the bottom ones are a pale green against a darker green background. To get that transition from the top to the bottom is a challenge when painting something it.
Oh, and paying attention: do you see the inchworm? Our sponsor. Showing us how to take our time and really see.
Verbena Bonariensis remind me of the Eastern Townships in Quebec. We hope to visit there again soon. For now, I'll just look at these flowers and remember how wonderful it is there.
The sunflowers on the poorest soil are the tallest this year. These ones are just under ten feet tall. It's all about genetics, I think. They are probably closer to the Giant Russian seeds that we planted years ago. They self-seeded for the past few years. I'll just think of them as Giant Ukrainians.
Because Ukrainians are giants.
From Ukrainian to French - Rouge Vif d'Etampes - a heirloom plant. They seem happy growing at the foot of the sunflowers. I feel like a queen with such beauty in my garden.
I figured if I stayed outside long enough I might see a hummingbird. They've been coming around the Bergamot in the perennial garden lately. They also like the zinnias and these red whatever-they-ares. Can you spot the hummingbird? You'll need to put your glasses on. Not in focus, but still there.
We've found that diatomaceous earth, sprinkled on leaves, does a good job of keeping the Japanese Beetles away from our zinnias. Ted has used it on the grapevines and currents too with some success. It's edible. I am glad these zinnias had a chance to bloom to their full potential. Every flower deserves that, don't you think?
And, when that potential has been met, there still is beauty.
If you look closely for it.
If you look closely for it.
“People from a planet without flowers
would think we must be mad with joy the whole time
to have such things about us.”
Iris Murdoch
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