Does Everything Grow Better in My Neighbor's Yard?

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

ABC Wednesday - S for Shed!

We spent the past few days with our daughter, son-in-law, and their family. Mr. Shady and S.I.L. worked so hard!!! They created a shed, from the ground up! Yes, the basic shed has been built, but there is quite a bit of finish work to be done: shingles, painting the pressed wood, covering with siding, etc., etc.

But take a look for yourself!

Step-by-Step

Day One

Day Two

Day Three (working around rainfall)

Click image above to visit other posts in this meme!!

Good times!

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Abc Wednesday - Q

is for

Q is for Quiet

. . .(Shhhhhh) . . .

Oops! I think he spotted us!

(Baltimore Orioles enjoy a treat of orange halves and grape jelly)

ABC Wednesday features Q this week.

Click on these words to view other posts!

Enjoy your day!
SG
This post and photo are property of http://yardisgreen.blogspot.com

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Garden Bloggers' Muse Day

Visit Carolyn at Sweet Home and Garden Carolina. She began Garden Bloggers' Muse Day while living in Chicago.

I'm going to treat you to another of James Whitcomb Riley's poems. I recently purchased, at auction, a book co-authored by Riley and Bill Nye, published by Thompson & Thomas, Chicago, 1900.

A Hint of Spring

'Twas but a hint of Spring --- for still

The atmosphere was sharp and chill ---

Save where the genial sunshine smote

The shoulders of my overcoat,

And o'er the snow beneath my feet

Laid spectral fences down the street.

My shadow even seemed to be

Elate with some new buoyancy,

and bowed and bobbed in my advance

With trippingest extravagance,

And when a bird sang out somewhere,

It seemed to wheel with me, and stare.

(Eastern Phoebe in Dad's tree)

Above I heard a rasping stir ---

And on the roof the carpenter

Was perched, and prodding rusty leaves

From out the choked and dripping eaves ---

And some one, hammering about,

Was taking all the windows out.

Old scraps of shingles fell before

The noisy mansions' open door;

And wrangling children raked the yard,

And labored much, and laughed as hard

And fired the burning trash I smelt

And sniffed again --- so good I felt!

Once we pass through this most recent cold spell, we can surely expect Spring to remain true!

And doesn't it indeed feel GOOD? :-) SG

This post and photo within is property of www.yardisgreen.blogspot.com

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

ABC Wednesday -P stands for Peculiar!

ABC Wednesday Meme involves the weekly illustration of the alphabet; A to Z. Click on these words to view post by others.

It stands to reason that such a Phenomenon could be called Peculiar. Yet, in this case, one might describe the Performance of this Particular Plant as Particularistic!

In any case, the Plant under Perlustration is our sweet Trillium recurvatum . (Click these words to view information courtesy of Wikipedia.)

This Pluralistic-acting Plant has a fascinating history in my woodland backyard.

Beginning our "Partnership" in Spring 2007, this trillium was sporting 5 leaves and 5 flower Petals (as opposed to the customary three of each). I apologize that I do not have a photograph!!!

(You will also notice slight variations in the plant leaves and flower petals from year-to-year.)

In April 2008, it sprouted with 4 leaves and bore 4 flower Petals.

(left: beginning of month; right: end of month) Click on the photos to enlarge!

In April 2009, the plant's Performance included the Perfunctory 3 leaves and 3 Petals.

(left: end of April, right: first of May)

In April 2010, the plant's Pursuance brought forth 4 leaves and 4 flower Petals.

April 2011's Production included 4 leaves and 3 Petals.

Last year's (April 2012) aPPearance brought forward 3 leaves (and 3 petals - of which I didn't obtain a Photo).

The following Photos, were taken recently, documenting this year's growth . . .

Emergent - April 23, 2013 April 29, 2013

. . . looks like there's an addition to the "family!" I'm assuming it's the Parent Plant that has the four leaves and four flower Petals
(you can see the four divisions) and the "baby" has the exPected three of each. :-)

Happy Spring!
Shady (not-yet-in-the-shade) Gardener

This post and all photos are the property of http://yardisgreen.blogspot.com

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

ABC Wednesday - O; and Wildflower Wednesday

Click on these words to view other posts!

Also posting to Wildflower Wednesday

(Visit Gail at Clay and Limestone)

Open Mouth and Insert Foot!

I admit it! I'm guilty of asking and praying for rain!

We've had two years of very dry - drought conditions, and I just didn't want it to happen again!
Besides, there was just no moisture, last Fall, anywhere deep "down there!"

By all accounts, we've received between 6 to 7" of rain last week alone.
Yes, there was flooding.

But the grass has riz', early flowers are blooming (including the Dutchman's Breeches in the header photo),

and these grape hyacinths in the grass!

A Treat Ode
by James Whitcomb Riley

"Scurious-like," said the treetoad,
"I've twittered fer rain all day;
And I got up soon,
And hollered till noon ---
But the sun hit blazed away,
Till I jest clumb down in a crawfish-hole
Weary at heart, and sick at soul!

"Dozed away fer an hour,
And I tackled the thing agin;
And I sung, and sung,
Till I knowed my lung
Was jest about to give in;
and then, thinks I ef it don't rain now,
There're nothin' in singin' anyhow!

"Once in awhile some farmer
Would come a driven' past;
And he'd hear my cry,
And stop and sigh ---
Till I jest laid back, at last,
And I hollered rain till I thought my throat
Would bust wide open at ever' note!

"But I fetched her! --- O I fetched her! ---
'Cause a little while ago,
As I kindo' set
With one eye het,
And a-singing' soft and low,
A voice drapped down on my fevered brain
Sayin', 'Ef you'll jest hush I'll rain!' "

Hellebores, Daffodils and one Virginia Bluebell (at left)

Fritillaria meleagris

Trout Lily (also called Dog-toothed Violet, etc.)

Virginia Bluebells

I have my work cut out for me this Spring! Walkway, steps, water feature, reconfigure large flower bed,

add black dirt, add hardwood mulch, plantings, etc., etc.

Want to come help me???

:-) SG :-)

Post and photos property of http://yardisgreen.blogspot.com

Sunday, April 21, 2013

ABC Wednesday - N - Norm

Click on these words to view posts by others.

I was 2 years and 9 months old when my brother arrived "on the scene."

There was already a sister in-between...

I'm imagining this poem might have reflected my reaction to his birth. :-)

My Brother

by Marci Ridlon

My brother's worth about two cents,

As far as I can see.

I simply cannot understand

Why they would want a "he."

He spends a good part of his day

Asleep inside the crib,

And when he eats, he has to wear

A stupid baby bib.

He cannot walk (tho' Norm began at 9 mos.) and cannot talk

And cannot throw a ball.

In fact, he can't do anything ---

He's just no fun at all.

It would have been more sensible,

As far as I can see,

Instead of getting one like him

to get one just like me.

:-)

Actually, my brother was full of spunk and kept everyone on their toes! He was mechanically gifted (!), a very hard worker, enjoyed people and a good laugh (often providing the humor)!

My brother died last Thursday; 3 1/2 months after having been diagnosed with a rare, aggressive cancer. He will be sorely missed.