So much to take pics and video of, it’s hard to keep ahead of it. Here’s a mish-mash of the past week.
huge wasp nest on eve from last summer (not sure if this is a repost or not)
St. John’s Wort in bloom
wild geranium
butterfly milkweed now in bloom
geraniums after the rain today
roses after the rain
sedum blooming
sedum between the rocks
tomatoes about to flower
Videos I’ve been uploading to YouTube:
And the final, surprise video. This is a cool solar-powered flame hot air balloon younger son and his wife bought me last year or the year before. Every dusk it flames to life. I truly love it.
Tao Talk 
I adore chamomile. So many colors in your garden! And those squirrels are too much. (K)
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Chamomile grows wild here and so does the St. John’s Wort, both great for sleepytime tea. Did you notice the chipmunk is fearless and the red (pine) squirrel is the meanest? So funny there is a pecking order even amongst squirrel species.
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I guess everything has its hierarchy.
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I love that hot air balloon…it’s really cool…. also love the squirrels…
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Glad you like the solar flames and those overgrown rats ;)
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LOL…I like them until they start chewing.
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:)
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Lovely photos
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Thanks, Glyn! They do as they please in the yard, and who am I to stop them.
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We are a dumpster rental company and that wasp nest reminded me of this time that a homeowner rented one of our dumpsters, knocked down a huge wasp nest, didn’t give us a heads up, and our techs got so many stings haha But it is really amazing how creatures so small can build such an elaborate nest.
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OMG that is just rotten to do to someone! I would never think of messing with one of those nests while it is inhabited. That said it’s the 3rd one so far in the yard in 12 years where I didn’t realize it was there and was active around them but never got attacked. All three times passed right by them with the rider also. I do think they get p*ssed if you try to destroy their homes. Live and let live as long as you live outside my house :) Yes it is amazing how they build their homes and it’s disposable at the end of the season!
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Your roses are amazing, and I’ll bet it smells so goo around there. – cute squirrels, and that hot air balloon flame is cool! :)
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Barbara, yes the roses are very fragrant. They were here when I moved in back in 2011 and this year they are going crazy with the heat. Glad you enjoyed the squirrels and the balloon flame.
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That solar balloon flame is very cool, Lisa. Great gift…lighting up the night!
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My sons are thoughtful when it comes to gifts.
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Very colorful flowers. Watching those squirrels is fun. We have them around my house as well. This year we’re also seeing more chipmunks (so cute!) and fireflies. Both were pretty much gone in recent years!
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Nature does seem to like to keep us entertained, or maybe trying to charm us into not abusing it?
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Let’s hope the charming works. When I was growing up in Germany, ladybugs and bumblebees were part of my childhood. Nowadays, you hardly see any.😟
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I’ve got some windchimes… and some decorations in my fron garden. I have to fix up a few that have been weathered. But it has been a tad to hot.
I did get my first cherry and black cherry tomatoes the other day. And I’ve been using some of my herbs in my salads and salad dressings. :)
Stay cool!
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Sounds like you’re enjoying your summer. The tomatoes have blossoms but no fruit yet. The prickly pear blossomed today! 2 blossoms, and one more getting ready. So geeked about it.
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I’ve gotten more herbs than (cherry) tomatoes. But it is all good. I’m not sure I’ve ever had prickly pear.
Good luck!
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I haven’t ever eaten prickly pear, lobe or fruit. I may have seen both at a produce department in GR.
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There is another odd fruit around here called a Pawpaw – I’ve seen it growing…but haven’t eaten that either! I think some things you have to be introduced to when you are young ;)
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I’ve heard of them and there is a PawPaw, MI. Agreed, but if these blossoms become fruit, I might try one :)
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There are many interesting fruits to try… I think there is one that is sort of mushy inside that tastes like chocolate pudding … Ah; “Black sapote, also known as chocolate pudding fruit, is a tropical fruit with a mushy, custard-like interior that tastes like chocolate pudding and has a similar consistency”… “Black sapote (Diospyros digyna) trees are native to Mexico and Central America, and are also grown in tropical and subtropical areas of Latin America, the Philippines, and North America. The Spanish introduced the fruit to the Caribbean and Asia, and the Maya and Aztecs spread it throughout Central America. Black sapote trees are also cultivated in Australia and other tropical countries as a minor crop.”
I think I saw that on a cooking show. You’ll have let us all know how your ‘fruit’ tastes :)
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So interesting! If I ever visit one of those places, I plan on trying one.
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Good luck!
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