Raindrops......

......I had intended to have this a Wordless Wednesday post but was having computer problems and couldn't get it done. It can still be wordless (almost). There is not much need for words for these pictures, all made this week......

Agapanthus/Lily of the Nile

Kale

Tibouchina

Ducher rose

Lots of rain does not mean the garden cannot be enjoyed. There are daily pleasures to relish in. But, it is beginning to look like a jungle here!

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"No individual raindrop ever considers itself responsible for the flood."

"May the raindrop fall lightly on your brow. May the soft winds freshen your spirit. May sunshine brighten your heart. May the burdens of the day rest lightly upon you and may God enfold you in the mantle of His love."

Banner Waves of Pride......

........I have always been proud of my country, what she stands for and provides for the people.....

Love the flag and what it represents.

These three are in a flower pot down near the sidewalk.

There was a time when my house (the big one before this one) was loaded with Americana. I don't decorate with much of it now except to display a few things on patriotic holidays. This is just a piece of fabric draped over the old Pennsylvania Dutch bench on the porch.

I have used this as a tablecloth in other years.

Another item from years ago, this wreath I assembled, using wooden letters, a framed picture and Uncle Sam.  I didn't paint the letters, someone else did a great job hand painting those, but I did paint the dowel stick Uncle Sam. 

On the wall above the bench is a new purchase - this "sweet land of liberty" plaque. I had no intention of adding anything new but really liked this very inexpensive piece from Old Time Pottery. I already had the wide burlap ribbon just waiting for a special use. Don't be surprised if you see it show up at Christmas, too.

Just one picture from inside.  This old picture hangs by the backdoor in my sitting room. I am sorry for the crooked photo but, I took it from an angle to not have a flash reflection. 

From now on I want to keep a flag showing somewhere outside at all times. I am proud of five neighbors with flags proudly flying, in sight from my house.

I have been so disturbed at what has happened to my country in the last few years with very destructive fundamental changes and want to end with these quotes: 

"Of all the supervised conditions for life offered man those under the constitution have proved the best.  Wherefore, be sure when you start modifying, corrupting or abrogating it".

"Those who won our independence believed liberty to be the secret of happiness and courage to be the secret of liberty".

One more thought from me: there is one higher office than president over our great country and He should reign supreme.

   

Inside and Cool............

........Considering the rain, the heat and the mosquitoes, I have been staying inside most of the time.  And, since it has been a long time since I showed anything much from the inside, today is the day.........

First, the little half table in my sitting room with it's summer adornment.  There is really nothing new here and some of you have seen it before but this is the summer arrangement.

Right above the table is the little boy blowing bubbles picture.

I don't like taking inside pictures because the lighting is so difficult.

There is a lot on the table for it's size but these things look o.k. crowded together.

Now, in the kitchen this two-tier stand is new. It's half off price from Hobby Lobby made it a reasonable purchase.

I like it for holding fruit and vegetables.

My little grape tomatoes that I grew.

And, when I don't have fruit, these old stemware dishes......

I think these are from the fifties although the glass part looks like depression glass. I am not sure of the age period.

On the top tier is some of my tea time things.

Also new is this small oval dish.  I love it's size and the bird and chirp.

That gives you just a glimpse of what is going on inside this summer. 

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Where are you hanging out through the hot weather?

Summer Solstice and the Old Chair.......

...........What better way to spend part of the first day of summer than down by the mossy bench with the old white chair........

.........and nothing goes better with the old chair than this lacy umbrella. The umbrella brings to mind great memories of a visit to San Francisco. I got it in China town there. Although I would not want to live there I loved touring that city and staying at the Ritz on Nob Hill.

Near the chair is hanging this Live, Laugh, and Love can.  I put a few cut flowers in it for this first summer morning.

And what better motto than these three words for this occasion.

A book on old roses, my old copy of "Christy", a pair of vintage gloves and a frosty glass of lime water.

It is such a peaceful spot in my early morning garden.

With all our rain lately the wooden slats of the bench are just covered with moss and even some resurrection fern. I left the pine cone just where it had landed.

I chose Christy to be a part of the chair scene this time because my daughter and son-in-law are in the Great Smoky mountains this week and visited Cades Cove the setting of Christy - one of my all time favorite books. My mother came from near this area and would have been thirteen when the story takes place. Mom had a Cherokee Indian grandma a little way back in her lineage.  

Another thing that made up this vignette is this vintage looking, ribbon embroidered, bag. Another gift from my niece who gave me the garden welcome sign which was shown in the last post. She really spoiled me while she was here.

I love this little scene so much that I ended up taking 89 photos! Which is foolish because I only deleted ten and do you know how hard it is to pick just a few out of that many!!! I needed the drink of good lime water.

I hope you are enjoying your first day of summer living, laughing and loving. Now, I'm going to get started on re-reading Christy.

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Gems of June........

Due to a lot of very hot, rainy days my garden activity has slowed down. The garden, however, has not. It looks like a jungle out there!  I go out early in the day and work just enough to keep it as neat as possible and to enjoy the changes. There is always something to see that puts a special sparkle in every day.

I am seeing butterflies on a regular basis.

It's always amazing  how the brown, dead looking resurrection fern perks up in the rainy season.

Some of you have seen this pot with my little watchman hoping for a sign of new life. Well, just look what we saw early one morning a couple of weeks ago!  After months of waiting and watching - a new little leaf had appeared. Seeing this was definitely a gem for the morning.

It has been sitting in this area near my back porch door.  It appears to be a very slow grower. I think I will move it now to a spot where it will get a little more sun.

Some of the rains have included some high wind gusts and I have had a lot of debris to pick up, including small branches covered with lichen and some air plants.  They usually break when they hit the ground. I have saved a little pile. I suppose not many gardeners would call this a gem pile but, I like it.

This more recent picture shows a little growth in the new leaf. I am disappointed that the dots have faded. The dots are what I liked about the bush where the two leaves came from.

In the meantime, this dotted plant caught my eye in the grocery store, of all places. I have never seen this before and couldn't resist getting one. It is sitting in the dry creek bed and is doing good so far. It has an embossed look and the edges are ruffled.

Another new garden gem brought to me by my visiting niece and nephew. I love it here near the blue-eyed grass and caladiums. It looks right at home in my garden.

What a surprise this was. After years of being in the ground without blooming this is what I saw when I walked out one morning,

They are such a pretty shade of pink, almost salmon.

The stokes asters started blooming last week.

And last, one more vine of gloriosa lily is blooming.

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I am wondering what this week will bring.

Linked to Fishtail Cottage Garden Party