Lavender

Lavender - San Juan Island In temperate climates all over the world, you will find Lavender. Its history dates back to the Romans who used it in bathwater. Its versatility comes from 47 different varieties used in flower gardens, cooking, cosmentics and therapeutic oils. There are lavender fields within a short drive of my home …

Prairie Flower

Mystery Flower I found this flower blooming in mid summer in a pasture near Niobrara, NE. It looked at home among the tall prairie grass, rolling hills and cattle. Can you identify it? Please let me know. Thought for the Day: It is the sweet, simple things of life that are the real ones after …

Clematis Left-Overs

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 …

Milkweed

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 …

RUKM!?

Christmas Cactus As a silhouette, this would look like a Canadian or Snow Goose taking flight. But, it's not. It's a beautiful flower, somewhat magnified. This is a Christmas Cactus, blooming in our sunroom just two days ago. Christmas Cactus? A little late isn't it, or is it eight months early? This particular plant has …

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Summer Flower Thought for the Day: The measure of a man is what he does with power.Plato

Friendship Patio

Reminders The Friendship Patio is a roofless three-wall "shelter" near the flower garden in Comstock, Nebraska. It is what's left of the original electric generation plant built in the 1930's. A few donated chairs, some scattered toys and the remains of a stove and refrigerator is what welcomes visitors to the patio today. Thought for …

Comstock City Park

Comstock City Park The city park of Comstock, NE does not look like the typical small town city park. It's about the same size, one city block, with large shade trees, but that's where the similarity ends. There are no picnic tables, no swimming pool, no bandstand or anything else to accommodate large gatherings. With …

New England Aster

Bee on Aster The New England Aster is beautiful, but patience is required to see it. It doesn't bloom until October. With the exception of the Mum, most every other flower in the garden has lost its bloom. I like the Aster because it attracts the bees, probably their last easy meal for awhile. The …

Winter Color

Any kind of foliage is a welcome sight this time of year, even in pictures. I found this flower among the tall wild grasses in a sandy Florida beach. I rediscovered it among my photo archives of winter vacations. It will have to do for this cold February day in Nebraska. Thought for the Day: …

Iris Bed

There is a new neighbor on the block.  He moved in last fall, and owns a schnauzer that he walks daily.  I know this because the schnauzer is frequently spotted relieving himself in my wife's flower bed. While annoying, I told myself, "Fuhgetta Bout It!".  It's just payback for the times my dog has relieved herself …