Tag Archives: irises

How Green Was My Blog Post

Once again, I do not have much to post about but feel my habit of posting early in the morning is a good one.  I could go with a Monstrous Monday post, I suppose.  Or for something different, since it is St. Patrick’s Day, I could look for green pictures in my Media Library.  It might be fun.

I don’t think I’ve used this picture more than once.

Here is an green lawn.  Not bright green, but I took the picture in April.  We must give it a chance.

Look at all those buds!

Here is a greener view: my patch of irises from bulbs my Mom and Dad gave me.  That was a good year for them.  They have not been so prolific recently.  I am not a very good gardener.

They say it’s not easy being green.

I was looking for something other than plants that was green, so here is Shrek.  I never saw any of the movies, although I have seen scenes from them.

“I eat books!”

And here is a really fun green guy!  It is the book return at Ilion Free Public Library.  So I guess I have had a Monstrous Monday after all.

Full disclosure:  I began today in a depressed frame of mind, trying to find the wherewithal to improve myself and my life.  I stared for a few minutes at “Add New Post,” fearing I had nothing to say and not wanting to say it anyways.  And here I am, at the bottom of a post and feeling a bit better.  I do not feel I could take on the world but perhaps that I might be able to accomplish just a few things.  Maybe even something worth blogging about.  As always, I thank you for tuning in.

 

A Blooming Throwback Thursday

After another hot, steamy day, I settle down on my couch in front of a fan and hope to make my Thursday blog post.  I think a Throwback Thursday might be fun.  Only I fear I may repeat myself.  Then again, perhaps some readers did not see these pictures the first time or any of the times I threw back to them.  Or they may not mind a re-run.  I can only hope for the best.

Wow! Look at all the grass!

This picture is from June 2017.  Look how subdued the daisies are!  They are not marauders squeezing out the peonies and forget-me-nots.  And Frankentree looks quite small and manageable.

Don’t they look ruthless?

This is a picture from this year, a couple weeks ago when they were still blooming.  It is definitely time to cut down what is left.  I hope to have at it with the clippers this weekend.

Where or where did my irises go?

This is from June 2018.  Did I really have that many irises?  Apparently so.  I had none this year.  Perhaps my mother will thin hers out in the fall and I can get some more bulbs.  I do love irises.

Some more blooms that looked better in years past.

And here is my rhododendron in June 2019.  I had some blooms this year but not as many.  Branches from the pine tree behind it encroached on its space.  Something else to have at with the clippers or perhaps a hack saw.  Nothing like being a little bloodthirsty in my yard work.  There are some wild grapevines and pricker bushes that also need slaying.  It might make a good blog post.  As always, I hope you’ll stay tuned.

 

Flower Friday?

They smell nice too.

This is a bouquet I purchased from Houle Flower Farm in Little Falls.  I mean to do a whole post about them, and potentially an article for submission to Mohawk Valley Living magazine,  but that is for the future. Today is Lame Post Friday,  and I am drinking wine and relaxing myself.  However, I also took a couple more pictures of flowers, and perhaps they will improve my post.

Yay! Irises!

Regular readers may remember that I shared a picture of iris buds recently.   Imagine my delight when I saw that a couple had bloomed.  I hope to share pictures of other blossoms in coming days.

Steven and I spent some time on our deck, enjoying our Friday.  Steven admired our rhododendron.  Naturally I took a picture.

I find it impressive.

While I was out back photoing the rhododendron,  I noticed how invasive my chives had become.  I took another pic.

The purple flowers hold the seeds.

I love my chives, but I hope they do not choke out my Black-Eyed Susans, which also reside in this area.  Additionally,  I see a tree starting to grow.  I am inclined to let a tree grow,  since my existing trees may need to come down one day.  But is this the proper spot for a tree?  Am I the judge of these things?  I DON’T KNOW!!!

These questions are too deep for Lame Post Friday.  Let us just admire the flowers and look forward to the weekend.

 

Revisiting Junes Past

This is a view I would like.

This is not my current view.  For one reason, the Hot Spot Salon and Spa is currently unable to offer pedicures.  I should really paint my own toenails.  But never mind that.  This is a Throwback Thursday Post.  I found the above picture in my Media Library under June 2019.  I find it inspirational.

Will they be as good this year?

And here is a picture from June 2018.  I hope my irises are as beautiful this year.  I may find out soon.

Ooh, a year of more pesto!

This is my basil container from June 2017.  I did not use that container this year.  Damn!  And I was so pleased with my basil!  But I suppose I must make do.

That is as far back as my Junes go.  I only started my Media Library in October of 2016.  But this is too short for a post.  Let me see what else I can come up with.

He loves me, he loves me not…

Here is a favorite picture from last June.  I know it is not the best thing to let things grow in the cracks of pavement, but I just have to admire the will to live of these plants.  And not just live, but spread beauty and joy.  I flash on Jeff Goldblum in the first Jurassic Park movie: “Life finds a way.”

I guess my blog finds a way, too, because I sat here disinclined to post anything till I thought of Throwback Thursday.  I hope to see you all again tomorrow for Lame Post Friday.

 

Throwback Thursday about Future Flowers

I have a dreadful case of Writer’s Blank, complicated by the type-it-in-backspace-it-out syndrome.  However, I think I can just about manage a Throwback Thursday Post.

Pretty!

This is discouraging.  The above picture is from May 2017.  In May 2020, my rhododendron has not a bloom to be seen.

I like these too!

Another flower I have not seen yet this year are my irises.  However, since this picture is from June 2017, I do not despair.

Please don’t eat the daisies.

We are also waiting for our daisies.  I’m seeing a lot of greenery for them, so I live in hope.

I LOVE my peonies!

Last year I did not get any peonies at all. I think something came along and ate the whole bush.  How greedy!  However, since I am known to hog down a lot of goodies myself, I suppose I should not criticize.

Pretty little blooms!

Here are my forget-me-nots, which look about like this now.  I previously said they were only out front this year, having inexplicably moved from the back yard.  However, today I noticed that they are also out back.  I am delighted to have these flowers spreading out and taking over my lawn.  I even dare to hope that they will obviate my need to mow, but that may take a few more years.

It is nice to look back on flowers past.  I look forward to more in the future.  I hope to visit the Flower Barn in Ilion to purchase some to plant.  I will certainly make a blog post about it when I so.

 

Cheery Pictures on Tired Tuesday

One of our talented local artists.

I thought I would open with a picture calculated to cheer myself up.  This was some neighborhood sidewalk art I took a picture of a week or more ago (regular readers know I rarely go back and check these things).  There was more artwork there recently, but it faded before I got out there with my Tablet.  I have been sitting here trying to psyche myself up for at least a Tired Tuesday post.  Sharing a picture finally got my mind moving.  Slowly, but any progress must be appreciated.

Another bit of cheer.

Here is a picture from last May, of a neighbourhood yard.  I hope to have a few tulips in my own front yard. I may purchase more bulbs to plant.  When do you plant tulip bulbs?  I’ll have to look that up.

I find this impressive.

This is our rhododendron in a previous year, just to share another picture of something I am looking forward to.  I guess this makes today’s post a Preview of Coming Attractions.

Irises are so graceful.

I also hope to see my irises again.  I really must plant more perennials.  Then I will have even more to look forward to in the future.  In any case, I have cheered myself up, and I hope I have done the same for you.

 

No Lawn Order Here

I have no good excuse to have a Tired Tuesday post,  and yet, here we are.  However,  I went out to my yard just now and took a few pictures.  Full disclosure: this is not a good lawn and garden year for Mohawk Valley Girl.  Still, one does what one can, and I do not despair of doing more as the summer wears on.  OK, sometimes I despair,  but let us not dwell on the negative.  On with the pictures and the post.

I was SO delighted to see these!

I have two patches of irises.  I got the bulbs from my mother years ago (how the time flies when you’re middle-aged!).  The bigger ones, next to the garage, did not bloom this year.  However, I noticed a couple of these smaller blooms when I was attempting to mow last week.  As an aside, after my attempt at mowing, I posted on Facebook,  “I fought the lawn and the lawn won.”

I also took a close-up.

There is not much else in bloom currently.  There are still daisies,  but they don’t look any better than the last time I shared pictures of them.  At least the chives are flowering.

I LOVE chives!

I wanted to take one more picture,  so I got a shot of my spearmint.  I wish I had peppermint.   I include the picture as a cautionary tale.   Mint WILL try to take over your lawn.

It’s a Blooming Blog Post!

There! I feel better now!

I like flowers.  They make me feel better.  I was sitting here trying to begin my blog post, and I backspaced over several leads, erasing others while they were still in my head.  What IS my problem?  Oh, I don’t expect any of you to figure it out.  Just throw your hands in the air (like you don’t care), and enjoy  a few pictures of my yard.  The above is my front yard.  I do not remember what year the daisies showed up, but they are sure out of control now.  I love it.  I only hope they don’t overpower the peony bush

.

Come on, Peonies!

Astute readers may notice that I capitalized Peonies in the caption while I did not do so in the preceding paragraph.  That is because in the caption I am directly addressing the buds, so Peonies are like their names.  I guess they all have the same name (I just flashed on a Dr. Suess story about a certain Mrs. McCave, who had 23 sons and she named them all Dave).  I saw some other peonies in the neighborhood that bloomed (must try to run by them and take a sniff on tomorrow’s run), so I’m sure mine will be opening soon.

Hmmm…. It looks better in real life than it does in the picture, but you’ll have that.

Also under the heading Preview of Coming Attractions is our Rose of Sharon.  At least there is more green on it than previously.  My mother, who gave us the plant, told me we did not have to prune back the old branches or even pull off all the brown stuff.  At least, I think she told me that.  I’ll have to double check the next time I call.

Another plant that is better in person. Next time I’ll try to zoom in on them. If I can figure out how.

I do love forget-me-nots.  These just magically appeared near the rhododendron and spread a little more each year.  I would love to have a whole yard of flowers and never have to mow.  Maybe one day.

A little overshadowed by the pine tree, but beautiful blooms.

I think the rhododendron is lovely, too.  That is another one we did not plant.  It wasn’t looking so good until one year when I broke off a bunch of dead branches.  Who knew I could do something right in the garden?

I supposed I should have weeded before I took the picture, but I think you can see how beautiful they are.

This is the reason I was outside with my Tablet on Camera Mode: my irises, another gift from my mother.  She has had irises at her house for as long as I can remember, and periodically she has to thin them out.  Her iris bulbs have bloomed as far away as Arizona!

As these pictures show, I have not done much with my flowers except let them grow.  I hope to get outside tomorrow and do some weeding.  Maybe I could take some nice After pictures of neat, orderly flower beds.  That would be a change from Wrist to Forehead Sunday.  If it rains, I’ll probably watch monster movies.  It’s always nice to have a back-up plan.

 

If Only I Could Write a Blooming Blog Post

I ran today, thinking I would sneak in another running commentary.  It was a dull and boring run.  At least, for a while I enjoyed it quite a bit.  But I think it was only interesting to me as I was running it and it would not entertain anybody, least of all myself, to make a blog post about it.  Still, a blog post must be made (because I say it does, that’s why!). I am currently cooking, so I could do a cooking post. If only I were doing something more interesting than heating up leftovers.

If only I could bestir myself sufficiently to take the Tablet out to the yard.  At least one iris bloomed today.  I posted a picture of the buds the other day.  I think some readers would be pleased to be posted on current developments.  Just a moment first, to stir the pot on the stove and lower the heat under it.  And find the Tablet (as you may recall, I have a habit of misplacing it).

Maybe if I would have stood on my head…

I guess it’s not the best picture, because the stem is kind of bent over.  Believe me, I know how it feels!  Perhaps I should put a tomato cage over it or something. Steven arrived home while I was taking the picture, and I was able to assure him that I TOLD the young man who mows the lawn not to mow down the daisies, as Steven had asked him to do.  You see, this nice young man who lives across the street offered to mow our lawn.  In addition to being quite busy and (on my part, at least) a little lazy, we were happy to encourage this example of young entrepreneurship.  The first time he did it, he did not mow the daisies in our front yard, which have become a little extensive this year.  Steven told him to mow them this time.  At the last minute, I reprieved them, though, because they were just too pretty.  Here is a picture.

He loves me, he loves me not…

In front of the daisies is a peony bush that magically appeared after we had sufficiently discouraged the wild day lilies.  I insisted it had been planted by my stalker, a statement that has yet to be disproved.  The peonies have not bloomed yet, but look how many buds:

It started as one lone stalk and blossom, and there’s a lesson for all of us.

The main problem with the daisies is that they hide the lilies of the valley, which are also multiplying exponentially.   However, I’m finding those blooms don’t show very well even without anything in front of the greenery.  I tried to get a picture.

If you look really close, you can just see a few bells.

I’ve picked a few lilies of the valley and brought them inside.  I used a shot glass for a vase, because they are so small (Steven collects shot glasses, although we rarely do a shot of anything).  I love the smell.  I tired to get a picture, but I fear they were backlit and do not show.

It’s frogs on either side of the flowers. Steven collects those, too.

We also have some daisies inside.  Steven put them in water with blue food coloring, at my suggestion.  I think they’re pretty.

Oh, yeah, he loves me.

So for not a running post and not a cooking post, I think this makes a pretty good flower post.  We’ll call it a win for Non-Sequitur Thursday.

 

Woo Hoo! They Grew!

I am resorting to pictures for this week’s Tired Tuesday post, but I went outside and took a few of my backyard.  My impetus for doing so is that the rhododendron is in full bloom and is lovely.  I was worried it would not last another day so wanted to take a picture.  Naturally I could not find the Tablet.  Steven and I searched almost all of the house except for the dining room chair it was sitting on.  Eventually I found it and was thankful it had not started raining again by that time.

An old boyfriend used to call me his “little rah-d’den-DRAHN”

The bush gets bigger every year and has since a few years ago when I broke off a couple dead branches.  I suppose there’s a metaphor for life there, but I really do not feel like figuring out what to prune off myself for improvement.  Having captured this picture, I moved on and snapped a few more shots.

That’s the neighbors’ pool and house in the background.

My mom gave me the Rose of Sharon in 2011.  After Steven accidentally mowed it down a couple of times, it started to grow bigger.  I’ll have to take another picture after it blooms.  If it ever does.  And speaking of wait till it blooms, here are a couple more shots of plants that are going to look better later.

I suppose I could have pulled some of the weeds first.

I got the Black-Eyed Susans from a sale at the Herkimer County Humane Society back in 2011.  The chives are, I think, from Tripple’s Produce in Schuyler, NY.  They were in my container garden some years ago (I forget when but prior to 2011).  After the season, I put them in the garden to see what would happen.  Woo-hoo, they grew! (Hey, that might be a good title for this post.)

Ooh, even more weeds over here.

The irises are from my Mom.  She’s had irises in her yard for as long as I can remember.  Periodically she thins out the bulbs.  This is the first time I had a yard to put any in.  There are more very year, so woo-hoo once again.

You can just about see all the other stuff in the background.

This last shot is another preview of coming attractions.  These are the plants I purchased at T & J’s Fruits and Vegetables in Herkimer on Sunday.  They will eventually be part of my container garden. I hope to share some pictures of that eventually.  When I’m not too tired to put them in the containers.  Happy Tuesday, everyone.