July 09

Look for it!


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November 03

Wordless Wednesday


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October 15

Garden Bloggers Bloom Day
Lots in bloom this month:

A red and a white salvia; chrysanthemums are ready to open:


Tithonia and plumbago:


Pink Muhly grass, fernleaf lavender and a red salvia:


(Clockwise from upper left) Bulbine, purple lantana, alyssum, cinnamon basil and Mexican mint marigold:


Salvia farinacea and red yucca:


Purple aster, Country Girl chrysanthemum (just starting) and bulbine:


Black & blue salvia (with Duranta berries behind):


Salvia leucantha, plumbago and a coneflower:


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September 15

Garden Bloggers Bloom Day
Onion chives.  I've had them for years, but this is the first time they've bloomed. Honey bee (in the insert) likes them, too!




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May 18

Mayfield Park
Finally made it over to Austin's Mayfield Park last weekend. Formerly a private residence, the charming old rambling bungalow is surrounded by live oaks on 22 acres at the edge of the ravine formed by the Colorado River.

There are two acres of shady gardens, lily ponds and stone walls & patios . . . 



. . . a dovecote,



. . . and best of all, peacocks everywhere!  Note the one on the roof:



It must be mating season because they were strutting around, displaying their tail feathers and screaming.





I wonder if they'd get along with cats . . .

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May 06

A rare sight
We don't get many mushrooms here in Texas, but after 9-1/2 inches of rain last month they've been sprouting everywhere.









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April 05

What's blooming . . .



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March 06

Madalene Hill



Madalene Hill
1913 - 2009

The driving force behind the gardens at Festival Hill in Round Top, Texas . . . with her daughter, Gwen Barclay, she authored the book Southern Herb Growing.

An extraordinary herbalist, generous with her time and knowledge. I'll miss her, as many others will I'm sure.

"Grow where you're planted," was her motto. She did.

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December 20

Happy Winter Holiday of Your Persuasion !



Oh Hungry Night  
To the tune of Oh Holy Night
(with apologies to the devout)

1.  (Allegretto)
     05:15
     The cats are sudd'nly gathering
     Through the screen of the kitchen door to peer.
     Long's been the day, with breakfast but a memory,
     Then She appears and their spirits start to soar.
     A thrill of hope the starving clutt'r rejoices,
     For yonder lies a new Purina can.

     (Chorus:  Sung as a caterwaul)                  
     Rising on our toes
     Oh hear our hungry voices
     Oh nighttime divine
     Oh night, time when cats are fed
     Oh night divine
     Oh night, time most feline

2.  (Agitato)
     Spurred by the sound of the can lid ripping open,
     A hiss, a swat, as each one claims his place.
     Oh! Here it comes, the crunchies & the good stuff!
     Tails quiver high for to signal readiness.
     Who will eat first? Anxiety increases
     As plates descend in synchronicity.

     Rising on our toes
     Oh hear our hungry voices
     Oh nighttime divine
     Oh night, time when cats are fed
     Oh night divine
     Oh night, time most feline

3.  (Adagio)
     Bellies now full and whiskers duly polished;
     Peace is restored, feline harmony pervades.
     Pairs settle down to do some mutual licking;
     Hairballs grow as ablutions proceed.
     Sweet purrs of calm in contented chorus rumble,
     While a few drift off 'nto an early evening nap.








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August 07

What am I selling?


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January 08

Hoping someone will . . .


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