When I look at her face, I see a cat with an old soul. Maybe it was her rocky start in life, but of all the cats who've ever shared our home, her face has to be the wisest I've seen.
She's so unlike this guy who seems never to have known a fearful moment in his entire life.
Yes, and I'm ruggedly handsome too. Wouldn't you agree?
Before leaving home yesterday morning, I needed to get out and water things. It was another hot April day, and things seem to be in the second round when it comes to blooming. The wisteria is finally open and beautiful. It makes the front door an inviting place.
The bleeding heart has been blooming for a while, but it was kind of inundated with the little dwarf Japanese maple behind it. I cut the branches back on the maple, and now the bleeding heart can show its stuff.
I noticed for the first time yesterday that flowers are appearing on this ground cover. It looks like lobelia, but it isn't. It has a different leaf, almost like a succulent, and I can never remember the name of it. It begins to bloom about the time the heather starts to die off, and in time, it will be a mass of these little blue blossoms, about the diameter of a dime. They've been hard for us to grow, more dying off than actually thriving. When we can get one to grow, it takes off and goes crazy. This one covers a circular piece of ground approximately eight feet in diameter now...started from a little tiny plant. The bees love it.
Also, the azaleas are starting to open. They've been threatening for at least a week, and the warm weather seems to be encouraging them to open up and show off.
After disparaging our frustratingly slow-growing dogwood a few days ago, its blossoms have grown in size and number, and it's giving us its first good year. The tree is still small as far as dogwoods go, but it's making progress.
It was so nice yesterday evening that I made a big salad and we ate dinner outside. It was absolutely thrilling when I noticed some butterflies sitting very still on the lilac. I jumped up and ran over to take a picture with the Like That Garden app, which identifies butterflies in addition to the flowers.
It spread its wings nicely so I could get a really good picture.
The app told me to use my finger to draw a circle around the butterfly to crop it for identification. Cool. (I like it when my electronic devices make things easy for me.) It identified this guy as Vanessa Atalanta.
You have no idea how stoked I get when I find an app that actually does something useful. Or maybe you do.
It's still warm today, and so the kitties were let out as soon as the sun cracked the horizon. They weren't out long before I noticed Smitty sitting on the woodbox outside the window, looking in. I thought Maggie must have come inside. Sure enough. I found her sitting under the dining room table.
When she noticed Smitty, she ran to the window.
Mag-geeeee, come outside!
I need someone to help me harrass the squirrels. Just listen to them over there scrounging around under the junipers. I can't do it alone, Maggie...I neeeeeeeed you!
Okay, well if you're not going to come outside, then maybe I'll just sit here and make faces at you. Come and get me, Maggie. Here...this is you, Maggie. Yeah, go look in the mirror...see if I'm right!
No, I'm not...I'm making faces at the squirrels.
Yes, things are still pretty much status quo between these two. Frenemies most of the time. Smitty seems to enjoy her company, especially when they're outside. Occasionally, he gets his back up and his tail fluffed out and gives chase, but I think that's just the nature of his little beast.
This morning I moved the hoop on my embroidery again. It's getting close to being finishing. Time to start drawing out the next Hocuspocusville block.
As I've been writing this, I've been waiting for a wine shipment to arrive. In Oregon someone 21 or older needs to sign for it, and so I have to be here when it arrives. I was hoping the guy would show up early. It's probably the last nice day before the rain returns, and so I'm wanting to get out for a walk. Just now, he showed up, and so walking is the next thing on my agenda. After that, sewing.
I didn't want to finish without showing you this, however. One of the things I needed to do in my running around yesterday was to pick up more bird seed. The Backyard Bird Shop sells all sorts of yard art, gifts for the home, jewelry, and lots of stuff for the birds of the family. Yesterday, I noticed this sign hanging behind the cash register, and I was very tempted to buy it. I might still go back for it.
A nice sentiment, and with our 41st wedding anniversary just around the corner, I kind of think we need this.
9 comments:
Just love your fabulous photos - so pleasant to see the butterflies as it will be a time for them here. Heck the only flowers out are the dandelions. Moe has been out on his 'walk-about' since early morn and Bella is getting anxious that the buggar isn't home yet (so she can box his ears).
I love that blue creeping plant I have some its called Lithodora I think
Maggie does have those old soul eyes, but they're much less distrustful, she looks so healthy now too. We have tons of butterflies right now, I think all of the rain we had started them a little early. I can't believe you didn't buy that sign, maybe you're planning a quilt like it? I may be.
I see someone beat me to it....Lithodora (Lithospermum) is your blue flower.
Another lovely garden post.....I think the blue flowers is Lithodora....I think it is commonly known as Blue Heaven or something. Love the dogwood...I will have to keep an eye out for that one. I also like the photo of the butterfly on the lilac with the blue sky in the background.....that sky is as blue as Maggie's eyes!
You have such a lovely garden. And I love that sign -- definitely go back for it (unless you decide to make a quilt of it instead. :)
Nice app (on butterflies). I know that one by the common name of Red Admiral. Maggie has gorgeous eyes.
No butterflies here yet, but lots of bees. You got some great shots.
Gosh! I almost missed this post - that would have been tragic!!
Does your garden app know trees too? Although I've looked up a lot of them at work, my brain hasn't made the connection from Mr. Google pics and real life trees. I'm marginally better with the plants we're using. I think my favorite is Nana Nandina - aka "Heavenly Bamboo". Why it's called that I have no idea. Not only is it not a bamboo, to me it doesn't even remotely look like one! Oh well.
The Wisteria at the front door is fabulous! It's been a while since I seen one in person, do they have any aroma?
Great pics, as usual, of Smitty & Maggie. I agree that Maggie does seem an old soul.
Glad you made it through all that - 5 bags full!! - grocery shopping. And I didn't see anything on the news about any one being murdered, so you must have gotten your celebratory M&Ms. :)
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