Sunflower
KiKi helping me hold down my reading chair
This video features the Black Swallowtail with guest appearances from the ever popular group known locally as the Skippers.
Here the star is the irrepressible Tiger Swallowtail with the usual suspects.
You may be able to click and enlarge the videos, then again when I tried it was beginning to pixelate.
My appetite is peaking as I begin the simple process.
Slices are dredged in cornmeal and a little flour with seasonings of salt, fresh ground pepper and today I added some sage. My heritage impels me to use white cornmeal, the preferred meal of southerners.
After sitting aside the slices to rest and absorb the coating I like to fry the tomatoes in a mix of butter and olive oil over a low flame till browned with a crisp coating and turned to do the same for the other side. The meat of the tomato will be cooked and just luscious.
I kept my father's work shoes that had spent many hours in gardens over the years and so even though I know nature will work her will on them, I've kept them in the yard at the foot of the steps. There were two of course, but Ruby the Great Dane carried one away never to be seen again.
The wild Blueberries are almost gone, but the tame bushes are giving us larger and somewhat sweeter berries now.
The best thing about gardens are all the visitors who come to visit and share the bounty that we don't happen to use. The Butterfly Bush is hosting a variety of insects, the flashiest being the butterflies. Here the Black Swallowtail is sharing the goodies with --.JPG)
these cute little Skippers who have arrived with about six other family members to spread around the bush and enjoy their harvest..JPG)
Close by was this lovely Tiger Swallowtail. Don't you agree with the author when he observed....JPG)
Sharing the bounty of nectar are bees and butterflies as they sample different flowers on the
Bee Balm ( Bergamot or Oswego tea) choosing to have their tea undiluted rather than the weak beverage the humans are inclined to sip..JPG)
A visit to the wild flowers shows a little fly is also busy collecting flower goodies and happily being a welcome pollinator..JPG)
Aren't these 'wild things' flashing a colorful face to entice the bugs and insects to come play with them.
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The Hosta are in full bloom and their trumpets or bells sway and wave in the light breeze that is a refreshing change from the hot humid days we have survived.
Here is a step back from the Sunflowers to show they are reaching a good height, not the 12 feet hoped for but looking stately and ready for a magnificent show when all the faces are turned to the sun.
Isn't this just the cutest face of a Sunflower, it reminds me of an Elf with huge ears and a cute pointed hat and a festive collar to frame its face. I kept expecting the petals to pop open and a little plant face speak to me of magical and curious things.
Here at last is what the faces will look like before the seeds begin to fully develop and the birds are called to feast..JPG)
Our three lovely Rose of Sharon bushes line the driveway and welcome all who come to visit. They will bloom continuously until frost..JPG)
With this close up of the Rose of Sharon I bid you Adieu and encourage you to .JPG)
The birds and I are keeping a close eye on the wild Blueberries. They are tiny, but oh so tasty.
The cultivated cousins are keeping a close pace and all the Blueberries may be ripe at about the same time.
Rhubarb Pies will have to wait a year or two, but we are patient.
This little green tomato is coming along just fine, thank you. I hope many more follow for lots of tomato sandwiches this summer.
Tea drinkers may find waiting for the roses to fade and the.JPG)
Rose Hips to ripen a bit tiresome, but worth the wait..JPG)
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Now this is really a garnish, but Mimosa smells delicious. I haven't a clue to what liquor is used to make a Mimosa, maybe someone will enlighten me..JPG)
I'm not aware of any culinary use for Lilies, but they are so pretty and smell so good, they fill up my senses just by being in my yard.
Generally I'm so enchanted I just look out the window and enjoy the sight of a shy neighbor strolling into view to see what salad greens we might have to share.
But this time I remembered to grab the camera and record the ramble around the house as we went from window to window.
Walnut leaves were tested and who knows if the tree will be visited again, I expect that depends on the palate of the deer and possibly on the scarcity of better choices.
This was out the front door and the deer spotted me and with a swift turn and a couple of good leaps was back in the woods and away from the unpredictable human stalking her from the human place.
Here in the light shade of the Dogwood tree these Geraniums are looking perky and happy.
The feathery Celosia and cousin the Cockcomb Celosia are surrounding the Vinca and are starting to show some growth. Also showing growth are the grasses and stray weed that have flourished in the rain and sun that will soon find me busy with the hoe.
The sunflowers are starting to form heads and are looking like they might reach their promised 8 to 12 feet.
The Lantana is always a favorite flower and attracts the bees, butterflies and humming birds.
Getting out of the direct sun I headed for the front porch and a picture of the sweet Wax Begonia. It is so much more comfortable here in the shade.
This succulent has been flowering since February in the Hobby Shop where it winters over.
We will bid a fond farewell with a glimpse of the wind tossed Mimosa Tree flowers. There is a breeze but with a heat index of around 100' it doesn't really refresh the spirit or the flesh right now.
and causes us to stop for a closer look or maybe start rambling conversation on the meaning of life as reflected by whatever caught our attention.
Here is an example of possible conversations, crossing a bridge, reading the clouds, the blue of the sky -- each filled with possibilities and metaphors.
Nothing stirs the imagination like a river, here the Cumberland River gives us flowing with the current, being adrift without an oar, river songs from childhood and on and on we could go.
I love this picture, it shows rain on the left and mist rising from little streams on the right. And a favorite story my father told my brother and me was his mother's story that these rolly hills in Kentucky and Tennessee were "Tater Hills". God had a bushel basket of potatoes (God size) and as he sculptured this part of the world he dumped that basket out and the potatoes rolled here and there and become hills of earth and hence the soft rolling little hills of our countryside.
Carved out of this mountainside of rock were two mines, we stopped and looked but saw no coal and it really doesn't look like a typical rock quarry, so we weren't sure for what reason these two openings were created. But, the possibilities were endless.
Part of the rock face here shows what I think is curious and that is the sheer stubborn nature of plant life. Trees are growing out of the rock and they can grow very large and the roots reach deep and secure. And yet, I can buy a sapling and with loving care plant it in a rich environment, watering and pampering it with loving aspirations and it will wilt and die. Who can explain the lure of freedom in natures heart.
For reasons of unknown origins we love Thistles and always ooh and aah when we see them along the roadsides and now is their time to shine.
Small Tennessee towns appeal to our small town hearts and we wanted to include the visual of the heart of a county seat with a peek at the courthouse spire and clock tower.
With a greatful heart for all who serve to protect our way of life I note here that tomorrow is Memorial Day and so I close with a southern tradition of decorating the graves with memorials of flowers and flags. Here it is often called Decoration Day.
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