The wind finally died down late last Friday I think and when it did the humidity came back with a vengeance. Had to turn the AC on for two days...in April. Lots of sweating while I did whatever I did out in the yard. Mostly I started watering since...no wind to speak of, moving the sprinkler every 45 minutes or so. Everything mostly got a good dousing. I woke Monday to cooler and drier air so thank the powers that be for that.
So, watering, digging up sprouting pecan trees, poison ivy, wild grape vine, and briar; swept the deck of the oak tree blooms, tossed some zinnia and pink cosmos seeds some of which are already sprouting, moved all but one of the plumerias in pots to their summer locations which involved sinking the pots of the biggest with a tendency to fall over in the wind but still have to plant the two biggest ones that go directly in the ground, pruned off the dead branches of the spirea which is struggling. I'm sure there were other small tasks over the last three days. The one plumeria in a pot that didn't get moved is being donated to the garden club plant sale. I was told it was white when I bought the small thing but it turned out to be pink and I don't need another pink one. I can make pink ones all day long since their branches are easily rooted.
After doing some maintenance on my ingrown toenail a few days ago and again Sunday night and really painful and tender, I finally called the doctor's office Monday and I have an appointment this Friday to get it taken care of. Am and am not looking forward to that. I'll be glad to have it taken care of but not looking forward to the process.
Aaaand Tuesday the wind was back and a bit chilly. Tuesday is my grocery shop day but it's being put off while we wait for our new credit cards. Last month's bill showed four bogus charges and further review showed one of them repeating for the past couple of months. None of the charges were extreme, ranging from $8 to $30 some odd and all connected to Amazon. Third or fourth time over the years we've had to get new cards.
I didn't do much of anything yesterday, finished my book, just wasn't feeling that great, a little afib and upset stomach but by evening it had all settled down and I feel fine today. Currently overcast and still very windy. I think I'll work on the sketches today.
So just a couple more pictures of the wildflowers around (though I wish I could get a picture of the medians between the north/south sides of the highway because they are filled with evening primrose from dark pink to almost white)
Indian paintbrush
Queen Anne's lace and clasping leaved coneflowers
and stuff in the yard
and a few encounters with the local wildlife.
baby praying mantis
She has blue eyes!
Minnie enjoying the sun on the deck
Minnie reminds me of my Wall-E in his prime. He was all white but would strike that same pose. I miss him. The flowers are making me jealous! The trees here are finally budding and I am anxious to see what Spring looks like here. I do have dandelions down the side of the ravine and some huge bumblebees buzzing around. Not as beautiful as your wild flowers.
ReplyDeleteShe usually has her front paws crossed, so ladylike.
DeleteTexas does have the most beautiful fields. I remember the bluebonnets when I lived there. Yes, I did not like the humidity.
ReplyDeleteI meant to comment on your illness. Keep an eye on all symptoms these days. The world is a crazy place.
ReplyDeleteDid you have an ablation? Can;'t remember. Dennis is facing this and his A Fib is wonky crazy!
ReplyDeleteYour photos are lovely, , the fancy frog and fancy spider are adorable. If there is anything to love about texass it is you and the land.
I had an ablation for flutter in my right atria. Have not had the one for afib in my left atria. The medication mostly keeps it under control but I do still have occasional episodes that last from a few hours to maybe most of a day. Today I'm fine. You might remember last fall I had about 4 - 6 weeks of near constant episodes and was about to agree to the afib ablation when it stopped. I'm sure Dennis will come through fine. The whole idea of the procedure freaks me out though.
DeleteThat was a strikingly beautiful spider. I finally went walking this morning and paid for it in spades. David had to come get me because the pain in my back was so great that I my legs cramped up. But it was a lovely spot I was stuck in, a sea of Blue Bonnets and Indian Paintbrush. It was so breathtaking even David had to sit with me and just admire the beauty.
ReplyDeleteFlowers and insects, two favorites of mine. I can hardly imagine being too warm outside. But by July I'll be denying that!
ReplyDeleteThe winds are blowing like crazy here as I type this. Today's biggest gust so far is 26 mph. It's been windy and rainy for days. I'm glad you had a respite there.
ReplyDeleteThe flowers and critters there are delightful. I love seeing what's growing there, and what's hopping and crawling around. And Minnie is adorable.
I hope all goes well at your doctor appointment on Friday.
We just keep having the BEST weather! I am loving it so much. I'm about to go out and do some gardening.
ReplyDeleteI wish we had wildflowers like yours. They are just so gorgeous.
These carpets of wild flowers are stunning. I hope the toe gets fixed easily and without too much bloody pain.
ReplyDeleteThat's a remarkable spider! I love the field of Indian paintbrush. What a bummer about your credit cards! Wonder how someone stole your info?
ReplyDeleteThere's no telling. It's used it to buy groceries and gas and online purchases. If I had to guess, I'd say paying for gas at the pump.
DeleteYou have done so much work in your yard and it is nice to see that your hard work is paying off in lovely blooms. We had a tiny bit of snow this week but my daffodils and grape hyacinths are still going strong. I won't plant any annuals until after May 15th - that was my Mom's rule and I stick to it! Good luck with the foot doctor!
ReplyDeleteLook at that tomato!
ReplyDeleteIt's occurring to me this morning that you excel at taking care of what needs taking care of in all areas of your life. You work hard and rest when necessary, getting medical help when needed. It is a joy to see the beauty in your world.
ReplyDeleteLoved seeing the jumping spider! In 2001, when R was undergoing chemotherapy for throat cancer at a VA hospital in Northern California, I would talk with him on the phone from here in Washington State. One day while we were talking, he told me that he was looking at a spider with turquoise eyes. I thought he was hallucinating and I was concerned. With some googling, I found a photo of a jumping spider and had to laugh at myself for jumping to conclusions. Coincidentally, yesterday was the 14th anniversary of his death in the VA hospital. There is some synchronicity in the fact that you posted a photo of a jumping spider on the anniversary of his death. He would have loved your garden, all your photos, your art work. He was an artist. He liked to grow things. He took care of everything but himself. I wish he were alive to see your blog with me.
Love all the flowers & critters - especially that last one :)
ReplyDeleteI think Minnie is imitating the lions on the front deck steps!
ReplyDeleteMinnie knows what's what.
ReplyDeleteHighway 71 south of El Campo's always been a good place to see Queen Anne's lace and coneflowers; I'd best get my sweet self moving! I have exactly one photo of a spider just like yours; I found him on a prickly pear on the Willow City loop outside Fredericksburg. Sometimes I worry about myself. I never know where my car keys are, but I can remember where I found a spider three years ago. Priorities, I suppose.
ReplyDeleteI went through a few months of my credit card being hacked multiple times. It always was used for $1-5 purchases at Sunoco stations. I have no idea what was the cause, but after the local gas station I use most put in new pumps that let you just tap your card, the problems stopped. I suspect a skimmer had been installed, but they said "No," and there was no real way to sort it out. Anyway, knock wood, it's been months since I had a problem. A friend said it might have been a stolen database that was the cause. Life in the modern world.
The flowers and the wildlife are spectacular. I was in Texas a few times years ago after Lady Bird Johnson initiated the programme to beautify the highway medians and edges with wildflowers and it was spectacular. It almost made it worthwhile to get stuck in slow traffic!
ReplyDeleteYour blog is always such a treat to read--love all the flowers! Thanks! It's my birthday and I consider this a gift!
ReplyDelete