Happy Memorial Day

I was at a farm the other day and a lady described to me her trips to Europe with her daughter. One trip was to (am I going to term this right?) the Baltics, Romania, Bulgaria, that region. She talked about how their government had been overthrown but they were in limbo because no one knew who owned the land and no one knew what to do with it for themselves. They had been accustomed to their government telling them everything to do and when to do it.

As a result of this tyrrany, they owned no tractors, no equipment, not even lawn mowers! Everyone was locked in poverty, and lived on a twenty acre allotment still left over from a socialist/communist regime. They spend all their waking time figuring out where to get enough to eat. Out in their area where we would have lawns were pens for their horse, and their cow. All work, all the time. No freedoms still.

Every once and a while even I need a little wake up call as to how lucky we have it.

I honor the men and women that have and continue to serve our country.

I thought it would be nice to dedicate this picture of one of my English Roses, in the lawn I am lucky to have, on the farm I am lucky to own and live on, in the country where we are free to do as we wish and worship as we wish.

This is a David Austin English Rose. It has turned really dry and hot where I live, and it's very early for that, but this rose is so resilient. This is the end of the first flush of bloom for it. I love the vibrant red blooms and they smell sort of spicy I guess, is the way I would describe it.

Have a wonderful Memorial Day and week.

~JB was here.

Coleus Starts

This year I got a little rebellious about the high price of plants. Not that I have anything against the wonderful nurseries-I know that the labor for these things are intensive and inputs are high priced. But I decided to cultivate a little patience and start some of my own plants.

I planted some of the old standby coleus variety “Rainbow” and I think every seed sprouted. I love the colors, textures and shapes and they really brighten up the shady areas. And I'm so glad I planted the seeds….I mean seriously, what's cuter than a baby coleus plant?

I hope everyone is having a wonderful memorial day weekend. Take a moment to honor our servicemen and women with a silent, respectful reflection on the freedoms we have. ~JB was here.

Rainbow Sorbet (Even tho it sez.....Raspberry)

OK-Photo typo. But the idea is the same. I thought the colors were so varied and fun.

Reporting from the (Ozarks) Desert!

It's been two weeks since I've posted! I have tons of pictures and experiences over the last two weeks, but have just been crazy busy! It's funny how my day job gets in the way of my gardening fun. :) Anyway, it is very dry again here. Some experts say that the El Nino pattern we have seed will change to a La Nina pattern this summer and will give us cooler temps and more rain. I think I could handle that. Pictures and posts coming soon! ~JB was here.

Rainbow Sorbet Rose

I love this rose. I took a bunch of photos of it the other day when it was at the top of its game…..and I'll post more later. It really does look a little like a carton of all different kinds of sherbet blew up or got mixed together like so much confetti. I think I'll do a colour palette with it too, it's such a fun rose. There's lots of different colors on it during all the buds different stages of blooms. Orange, Pink, Yellow and variations thereof. A bonus is, once established, it's extremely easy care. I haven't done very much to it besides feed occasionally, and I did give in and stake it just now with the wind and rain we've had so it won't break down.

Thanks for dropping in if you stopped by. Have a great week!