Angel

So, the cosmos decided to give me another birthday present this year: I just got news that Angel is dead – found by the side of the road. She never went out onto the road, she was always in the garden. Lately she was getting more and more affectionate – and we had a routine, after my bath, she’d hop out of her basket and cuddle with me. We never know when it’s going to be the last time. Last year at this time, Timmy was alive, but fading fast - a sudden illness, and was gone the day before the 29th, my birthday. Then Chesney in May. Three have now gone – in one year. Angel appeared as tiny kitten that fit in the palm of my hand - on my birthday - all those years ago. She would not, could not, ever be held - affection was on her own terms - when she chose.

Sometimes it seems like life is just one long misery. Teaches me to have the blues for no good reason...

Fading of the green...into blue

[What is it? Answer further down...]

While I do love the fall with its cooler, more humane temperatures and glowing foliage, I also get the blues big-time knowing what is waiting just around the corner. I hate not being able to dine in the solarium as it's too cold - the increasing darkening of the days - the fading blooms on even the stalwart rudbeckias and such. Today is the last day of summer, as the Autumn Equinox teams up with the full moon to officially end the season tomorrow. And of course all summer I have half expected to see Chesney wander back into the garden; his sudden disappearance in May certainly cast a shade of sadness over the summer.

But, we have had lots of good times: cat visitors, cat adventures, long evening dinners out on the porch, chilled rose wine at weekend brunches, and of course flowers, lots of flowers:


Answer: Water bead on Elephant Ear (Colocasia esculenta) - don't you just love that?!




Droopy and healf-dead all winter inside, Abutilon, or Flowering Maple, explodes with delicate blooms by mid-summer and continues until frost...

Tigridia, or Mexican Shellflower: a gorgeous but annoying flower as it can only be seen early in the day as I leave the house in haste on my way to work. I take a quick photo, because by the time I get back, it has already closed. Good grief, even the Daylily has the decency to remain open until I get home! I don't think I'll grow it again until I retire - so I can see it all day :)

More to come....