A Summer Rose

Rock Rugosa Rose

The hardy rock rugosa rose* holds my heart since I was 8 years. Vacationing on Cape Cod, I saw them in a patch of neglected landscape. As I was weeding, I discovered there had been a circular garden there with a hand painted sign in the middle, Rexham Beach.

I look on the map to see if the garden is still there. Things changed so much, I can't tell where the cottage is with the garden across the street.
 


*A comment reveals the correct name is Rugosa Rose. Thank you Ivy

Reflection Monday, August 2023

 

Hourtide
Oil, 24 x 30.2 inches
Edward Henry Potthast
1857 ~ 1927

Discovery.

Searching for a beach towel painting or illustration online, I happen upon a Wikiart.org listing for the American Impressionist, E.H. Potthast.
I am surprised because I have looked there many times over the years, and found very little American beach paintings.

You get use to the same places, the same sources. While that may work for food shopping, ice cream and coffee, it may not work for subjects you often want to learn about.


Lazing Around, Optical Illusions & YouTube Burnout

A Bitten Petunia

 As it happens in summer, I've been lazing around doing much of nothing much the last few days. A sort of unannounced blog break (during which I lost 4 pounds...yay me). 

The other day we had thunderstorms roll through for over 12 hours. The video I took of the storms south of here, (so far away you didn't hear the thunder) is too large for the photo editing program I have install, (Irfanview), to extract the frames. I downloaded another program. But, when I open it, all it is for is to edit photographs, if I could find where I import them to the program. Ugh.

There is a very nice frame of a tall curly lightening bolt. It took forever to even upload the video. I will keep trying.

Petunias. They are being eaten by something at night. I don't know what it is. And, I'm not sure I want to go out during peak mosquito hours to find out even with bug spray on. Anyway, I look at the photo and find it difficult to focus on the flower. The eaten away places look like petals to me.

I've watched just about every episode of the UK archaeology shows, Time Team, and Time Team Classics. There are a few episodes I've watched twice. I've also watched the host, Tony Robinson's walking programs. Salvage Hunters is no longer live streaming on the Quest Channel. I've seen just about all those episodes that are available on YouTube. The same goes for the fine art painting series that I like. Thus, YouTube burnout has a grip on me, for now.


What strikes Your Fancy?


Sometimes, something will strike your fancy. You don't need to figure out why or understand anything other than you like what you see.

For creative types, our fancy is always open for a new experience. 

I have the feeling that the photo posted here is one of those mysterious sights that strikes my fancy.

I don't need to know why. Yet, I have been analyzing how the reflection on my patio window of me sitting under my chair umbrella, intrigues me. 

I can't see myself even though I know I am there.

Simple funny stuff for a summer afternoon

In Comparison

Bosc Pear

     The Bosc pear (photo) cost $1.74 US dollars.

     In comparison, one slice of cake with icing costs in this area of Vermont, $1.99 US dollars. A ready made sandwich about $5.99 US dollars. A one scoop hard ice cream cone costs over $3.00 US dollars.
     Fresh, (as they can be), fruits are a bargain. Plus, they are healthier than a lot of foods we pay a lot more for. 
     I'd rather lean heavy on fresh produce and cut back on other not as healthy foods to have a better balance in my food budget. 

     How are food prices where you live?

Mr Bixby Hanging Out

Mr Bixby Among the Flowers

The petunias were ragged when I moved them. A few days later, they perked up. 
The planter is a rusty galvanized tin stack section from a long gone factory (lamp shades?) that was, (I've been told), in downtown Vergennes. Dismantled, parts were dumped in the woods at my (deceased) parent's property before they moved to Vermont in the 1960s. 
Mother gave me the piece for a sculpture project. It will be moving on to a love one's home. I will be redoing my tiny garden to fewer annuals. 

Rain is the forecast. Thus far today, clouds, sunshine and cooler. It feels nice to sit outdoors again.

Wishing All Y'all a Good Week!

Aristarchus on Earth's Moon

Moon Waxing Gibbous
29 July 2023, 8:58 PM EDT
87% illuminated
Vergennes, Vermont

The next full Moon is 1 August at 2:31 PM EDT, the Sturgeon Moon.

Note on the center edge left a tiny white dot, on zoom appears to be a crater. I believe that is Aristarchus, a 40 KM (25 mile) diameter crater.


 

Farewell July 2023


 July 2023 has been a month of oh no not again rainy weather. A lovely four weeks in many ways, the soggy humid days bring adjust to it skill to the forefront. 

Can we mind it when we are blessed with being here to participate, witness Nature, flora and fauna readily moving to the rhythm of life? Sure we can! Humans are the best at being grumpy more than any other species, even cats. The excessive rainfalls that result in flooding gives us cause to reach peak grumpy.

August, I am praying is summery, more outdoors weather than inside playing cards or watching reels. I plan to revel in those 31 days like it is 1964 (except it won't be at the New Jersey sh0re)!

Week 30, Day 209 of July 2023

Metal decorative  ornaments for the garden add whimsy to the landscape.  

Have a whimsical weekend!

Have a cucumber & radish salad
Draw an old radio
Read about atmospheric circulation
Make up a word for grumpy
Bake a blueberry cobbler
Design a bird bath



Finding the Cosmos

Cosmos Drying In Sunshine

Did you know that some computer systems have a main Pictures, and a User Pictures? I didn't. I save multiple versions of the drying in the sun cosmos for a drawing. The picture didn't show up in  my regular Picture file. A hunting I did go. 
Ask me how I got there? Well, I clicked on This PC > Windows (C:) > Users > Libraries.

I became interested in flowers drying on the stem circa 2010 when an abundance of irises bought online finally bloomed. Dry irises are beautiful. Cosmos are also lovely when the sun is hot enough to give them a chance to dance.
Sitting on your deck daydreaming, things can capture your imagination. Drawing is a good brain exercise.




Wednesday With a Few Words

The variegated petunias are showing more patches of white with a few that are full on white and purple.
I moved plants around yesterday to put more in the soil. Some stay where they are, some move.

A day of rest from the exercise bike has been nice. Weeding is good to get back to. I'll do more as little by little is good for the muscles, and gets me outdoors more. Almost 2 days of sunshine feels fantastic. 

August soon. Can you believe it!? I'm still stuck thinking about June's Midsummer.

P.S. Wordle in 3 today 😎