wildflowers A new septic tank and laterals tore up the front yard of the Lake house last fall. Using a pollinator mix of 44 varieties, I sowed a large part of the yard in wildflowers this spring. I'm pleased with the results. Thought for the Day: May your life be like a wildflower, growing freely … Continue reading Wildflowers
Rosenborg Castle, Copenahgen The Rosenborg Castle was originally built as a summer home for the Danish royal family in 1606. Subsequent expansions, completed in 1624, brought it to its present size. Royal heirlooms are on display inside; e.g. King Christian IV's crown, King Christian III's jewel- encrusted sword, and the Danish Crown Jewels. Thought for … Continue reading Danish Castle
Clematis The clematis bush that provided such vibrant color in late spring (see here) now looks like this. This is the seed pod for future generations of clematis. Even though the plant is well beyond its prime this time of year, I still see unique beauty in it. Thought for the Day: The best and … Continue reading Clematis Left-Overs
Light Painting Looking for ways to beat the oppressive heat? Try light painting in your basement. Set your camera on a tripod. Turn off all the lights and block any light coming in the windows. Using various exposure times, use LED pen lights to paint your subject. Experiment with various light sources and exposure times. … Continue reading Light Painting
Hollyhock Flower Close up of a single hollyhock flower. This was taken from the patch shown in an earlier post. Thought for the Day: The more one meditates upon good thoughts, the better will be one's world and the world at large. Confucious
Tubing Mid-July. Daily temps in triple digits. No better time to go tubing! Thought for the Day: It’s a smile, it’s a kiss, it’s a sip of wine … it’s summertime!Kenny Chesney
Mud Volley Ball The Beat Breast Cancer Mud Volleyball Tournament is Pink Bandana’s signature event and major fund raiser for the organization. For the tenth straight year it was held in Prague, Nebraska. Over 100 teams participated. So much fun! Thought for the Day: It always seems impossible, until it's done.Nelson Mandela
6 lb. catfish As instructed by his uncle, the 9 year old was out of bed at 0700 to check the trot lines they had set the night before. The tension on his line turned out to be a 5-6 lb. catfish. Getting the fish over the gunwales was a struggle, but what a thrill! … Continue reading Whopper!
Gaillardia This flower has been blooming in my pollinator garden for about three weeks now. I believe this is some variety of Gaillardia, but it's totally different in color and size from the "Blanket Flower" I have. This reaches 2' in height, where the Blanket Flower is only about 6". Coloring on the Blanket Flower … Continue reading Gaillardia
Cedar Creek, NE The volunteer fire department of Cedar Creek, NE. always leads the Fourth of July parade. The route is the same every year: the road that encircles the four lakes, with cornfields on the right and spectators on the left. Everyone is welcome to join the parade; anything that rolls: bicycles, golf carts, … Continue reading Americana
Jackson Hole, WY It's amazing how close you can get to wild animals ... when they're statues. Thought for the Day: You cannot depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focusMark Twain
Breakfast is Served The pelicans were very active at mid-morning at the Wildlife Safari near Ashland, NE. Thought for the Day: A wonderful bird is a pelican,His bill will hold more than his belican.He can take in his beakFood enough for a week;But I'm damned if I see how the helican.Dixon Lanier Merritt
Garden Path Somewhat rare today, Hollyhocks were common during the Victorian era, symbolizing ambition and vigor. Hopefully, they will attract hummingbirds and butterflies. They are doing very well this year on both sides of our garden path. Thought for the Day: All the flowers of tomorrow are in the seeds of today.Indian Proverb
Milkweed Believe it or not, this is National Pollinator Week. What will they think of next!? My Common Milkweed, host plant for the Monarch butterfly, are going gang busters this year. They are hearty and robust with huge flower heads. I gave up trying to cultivate them; now I just let them come up where … Continue reading Milkweed
Hot Potatoe Hats off to the inventor of Slo-Pitch softball. The game can be played by all skill levels at any age, a 7-inning game is completed in an hour, injuries are few and most leagues are just for fun. No uniforms required. Thought for the Day: Baseball is ninety percent mental and the other … Continue reading Slo-Pitch
Winter - 2021 Today's temperature will read in triple digits. Predicted to be at least 104, it will definitely break the record for June 17th in Omaha, NE. If you don't like the heat, just think about last winter when the temperature never got above zero in three days. Less than four months ago, February … Continue reading Triple Digits
Fetch! I had the treat of watching my son's two dogs this weekend while he was out of town. Buddy and Scout are Australian Cattle Dogs, commonly called "red heelers". They are rugged sturdy dogs, agile and very athletic. No quit in these dogs; they will fetch all day long! Thought for the Day: Once … Continue reading Fetch
3 weeks old The Bison calf kept close to its mother, and both were in the middle of the herd. The herd's constant movement allowed occasional glimpses of the calf, but typically it was lying down in the tall vegetation. With a little patience I was able to get this shot from the safety of … Continue reading Bison Calf
Peony Petals Peonies are early bloomers, generally around mid-May. They are popular flowers for decorating graves on Memorial Day. By early June the plants have lost their vigor. The stems are sagging from the heavy blooms, the petals are wilting and falling everywhere. What now? Leave it to an 8-year old. Toss them in the … Continue reading Peony Shower
While my son-in-law works hard to clean the roof and gutters of debris, his #2 son takes a shower in the cascading "helicopter" seeds of the Maple tree. Uggh! Sure glad that job is done. Thought for the Day: All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.English Proverb
