Finding Balance

What a crazy weekend here in Round Rock. Charley fell and hit her head at a friend's swimming pool. She had to be rushed to the hospital and required 4 stitches. She has a terrible headache, and seems pretty exhausted. The good thing that came out of it, Libby has been very solicitous of her sister, even carrying her to the bathroom, when Charley felt too weak to walk. I'm sure that lovin' feelin' won't last, but it's nice while it does! It seems it has been one thing after another lately, but I guess that is just life.It is getting too hot to be out in the heat of the day, but I have been stealing a few minutes in the morning and evening to sit in the garden and try to find my balance.

Another heirloom rose, Eutin.






The Hollyhocks are still so showy.

I probably have the only Hydrangea alive in Round Rock.

The birdbath dripped on the Caladiums, and looked beautiful, I thought.

The Gardenias are winding down, but will come back off and on throughout the summer, just not the profusion of flowers like the first bloom of Spring.

I thought the drop of nectar was beautiful on the Lilly.

School will be out for the summer this Friday. With it, I am hopeful we will all have a chance to relax and recover from the craziness of this Spring. Vacation Countdown: 33 days! WooHoo!

Armchair Review

I'm camped out in the recliner this weekend, recovering from an upper respiratory virus. I am on the mend, but it is a good excuse to not cook or clean, and play on the computer while watching TV--a kind of power recuperation. LOL! Here are some pictures I took before I felt too bad to garden.

Scratcher patrolling the front yard.

My volunteer Morning Glories are already peeking over the fence.

Chrissy is on Squirrel Patrol.


Bocephus recovering with a stick.

Frisky AKA Special K getting a drink.

We have had glorious weather here in Round Rock all week. Cool, crisp mornings warming in the afternoons gradually climbing everyday until it reached 90 Friday. Today dawned beautiful and sunny, and Charlotte and I sat outside, I with my coffee and Charley with her hot cocoa. We listened to the birds and watched the dogs nosing around. I felt a small twinge of guilt thinking of all the "things" I needed to be doing. This afternoon it clouded up and I sat in my throne--er--recliner and watched as a summer storm blew through. I absolutely adore a summer storm--watching it build and flow over the sky. Listening to the thunder roll across the sky and the sound of the rain hitting the window. There is nothing to compare to the fragrance of the rain as it cleanses the air and refreshes the soil. If I weren't under the weather, I would be out in it--along with Charley dancing in the rain.

Update

Just wanted to let everyone know their thoughts and prayers have done the trick! Bo is doing MUCH better, and has a lot more energy today. He is still too weak to go for walks, or to play with his sister, Chrissy. But I knew he was getting better when he started sifting through the office wastebasket for paper yesterday. Thank you all for your prayers, good thoughts, and concern.

One of my heirloom roses: Gruss an Aachen

Nola, these are the Glads you sent me last Fall. They bloomed about a month ago, and were beautiful.

Under The Weather

No, not me. Bocephus. He is so sick, I am quite worried about him. Wednesday I came home from work, and when I went to pet him, the side of his face was wet. On closer inspection, it was blood! I looked at it, cleaned it and put antibiotic ointment on it. He couldn't sleep that night--kept digging at the sore on his face. So as soon as I got the girls off to school the next day, I called the vet and took him in. Long story short, he has a nasty ear infection that went into the skin on the side of his face! I had never heard of such a thing, and of course feel like a horrible pet parent for not catching it sooner. He seemed to do better on the antibiotics late Friday and early Saturday, but has now taken a turn for the worse. He is very lethargic, and just looks so sad. His breathing seems to be labored when he climbs the stairs or goes outside. I am going to call the vet first thing tomorrow, and take him back in.



Please say a little prayer for him that he will be well soon. It is so much like having a child sick--I would much rather it be me than him!

Hi! My names Bocephus. Wanna play fetch?

Shhhhhh! Don't tell Tucker he's a cat. He thinks he is a dog, and that's a fine thing to be!

This was taken of me to supposedly show me "caught in the act". But I was framed I tell you! I am not naming names, but someone put the Sunday paper on the floor to lure me into doing it. I don't remember putting it in my mouth--I just woke up and it was scattered all around.

This was me when I was but a wee little pup. Handsome little guy, wasn't I? I'm not conceited--facts are facts, and my mom tells me I am handsome every day! I must say, it seems to be a consensus of everyone we meet!

April Showers Bring May Flowers

Toadstools? Mushrooms? You decide...I think I will just call them Fungi and leave it at that. Whatever you call it, we have had plenty of rain to encourage their growth.




This isn't really a bloom, but a new lobe on a Prickly Pear. This cactus was growing in the largest Live Oak on our property. Last year we had a crazy hailstorm that knocked it out of the tree, and I potted it up. It is very happy in it's new home and put out this new growth.

Chamomile and Lobelia. Lobelia is also called Indian Tobacco. Native Americans would smoke it for asthma. It has properties that are similar to nicotine. It is also called Puke Weed, for obvious reasons.

I planted Hollyhocks last Fall, but sadly no Outhouse yet to go with them.

My one purchase this Spring--a cheapy climbing rose from the grocery store. It's called Jacobs Coat because it changes colors as the blooms mature.

Mimosa

The gardenia blooms are smelling heavenly as you walk up to the front door. Charley picked some to take to her teacher today.

Yes, I have mums blooming. I am a lazy gardener and do not pinch off the buds. I found if I leave them, I have two nice blooming periods each year. Once in the Spring and again in the Fall.

I thought the Yarrow looked nice against the limestone.