My newest Garden Buddy - what a cutie! Thanks Ray! 

Dear Alex - I pray you have found the peace which you were searching for so long. 

An Autumn Day

As the "days dwindle down to a precious few", I recall a time when death was not all around. This time last year I still was not aware that my brother Alex had passed away in August. And my mother was still alive, but the end would come fast with the winter's approach. I wait for a sign, something - anything from him...but I'll miss him most of all when autumn leaves start to fall....

ENCHANTED WOOD

From that enchanted wood,
Pooh came to share our childhood hours.
And as we strolled down wonder's lane...
His friendly paw held ours.

Now though we're grown and far away,
From those magic woods we roamed...
Pooh's laughter echoes in our hearts,
And his friendship calls us home.

- Author Unknown

 

For my True Blue - Happy Birthday! 

True Blue, Baby I Love You

True love
You’re the one I’m dreaming of
Your heart fits me like a glove
And I’m gonna be true blue baby I love you

"Glad" tidings, Birthday Boy!!!!

What a Difference a Day Makes 

Nature's First Green is Gold

Nature's first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf's a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.

By Robert Frost

Looking at my previous picture of my first Lavatera, I recall seeing it recently in the garden and thinking, "it's not quite as pink, not quite as vibrant a hue." And so it is with everything that is new, young, fresh and beautiful - "nature's first green" - it truly is gold - that first green in spring, so special and yet so fleeting. We are given a poignant reminder that life is brief, and we have to appreciate the beauty while we can, even though sometimes storm clouds obscure our vision, and there seem to be so many reasons we should not be happy. Seem to be.

Flower Screensaver by KrazyDad

For those of us who love flowers and gardening, we must have them everywhere around us - even on the computer screen. Check out the link below, which will take you to a free flower kaleidoscopic screensaver - just beautiful and mesmerizing! Explore the rest of this very talented and creative fellow's website, including a test version of Metascope - a fun and lovely program which creates mandalas out of online images...and more...go see!

KrazyDad - More Screensavers

Winter Sowing

Winter Sowing   This is the place you must go, if you love gardening and love trying something new. It works - it really really works - and I have a garden full of healthy, strong plants that were sown in the winter, sprouted when it was still cold, and thrived. Read the FAQ, and ask any question on the forum, as the folks there are just unbelievably friendly. But be warned - it is totally addictive!