2010Rememberance Ride_0001.wmv

The tree which moves some to tears of joy
is in the eyes of others
only a green thing that stands in the way.

Some see nature all ridicule and deformity,

                                                      

And some, scarce see nature at all.

But to the eyes of the man of imagination,

nature is imagination itself.

~William Blake~

1799 The Letters

A new year, a new desire

I have this itch to start a butterfly garden this year. 
Things are changing.  Me along with them.  I have never been much on growing flowering plants. 
I've been researching host and nectar plants and thinking about where to place the garden. 
I grow most of my plants in containers but I'm thinkin' I might just do some digging on the property.  I know the landlord won't mind.  I figure a lot of the flowers will produce seed so I'll just collect seed and cuttings if we ever have to move.  Sounds like a plan to me.
I will also have to get used to things chewing on my plants.  I'm kinda wierd that way.  I think it's a casualty of my line of work.  Unless a client does such gardening, they usually want anything eating their plants, gone.

                                  

I was browsing butterfly stuff and ran across this video.  It got me misty.  I love motivational stuff.

So, it has been freezing here in SW FL.  I've been holed up for two days with the flu.  I finally got out to check my plants.

 I didn't even bring my orchids in!  BAD GIRL!
 My pentas and my coleus took a little hit from the cold.


But they should recover

Or not.

The Orchid Thief

I'm reading The Orchid Theif.  Great book.  I think what makes it so good for me is I live here and the places they talk about, I'm familiar with. 
I will admit I have come by quite a few of my orchids from OP's stock but John Laroche...he takes the cake.  Susan's portrayal of John Laroche is so seedy, I find him likeable.  I haven't finished the book yet, so my opinion of him may change. 

         

The book got me so curious I'll have to schedule a trip to Naples next summer to see if it blooms again.
 rare ghost orchid

Fog as thick as Pea Soup

It's a pea-souper out there!!!
I havent thought of that expression in soooo long.

Seems we're due for some cold.  Brrrr!  It was 70 degrees this AM.

No, really!  It is supposed to get cold.

I couldn't not stop to get a few pics.

I do love a foggy morning but it can be a little depressing.

So when I got home I had to go find something bloomin'.  This is one of my "ill-gotten" ground orchids.

Pretty little thing, Huh?

What a way to start the day

In the silence of misty dawn

warm breath collides with the autum chill

Worries and troubles fade
We are here.  At this moment

Creator and created

All is well

Thank You Veterans

I remember when I was a kid, the plastic poppies that were given out on VeteransDay.    When I was young I didn't know what they really meant.  I haven't thought of them in so long and as I was watching the news, I spotted one.

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses row on row

In Flanders Field, Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae

For those who gave their lives.
For those who lost thier loved ones.
To all who have sacraficed
                             Thank you

The 8th of November
~ Big & Rich ~