The Incredible Hulk tames my garden.

Well, I got all the plants I wanted to save, out of the flower bed I am re-doing and then used the weed trimmer to get the rest under control. You should have seen me, I looked like the incredible hulk...I was covered from head to toe with green juice from the plants. The bed was finally dry..I thought....but the plants were holding on to all the water. Just as I was finished, a salesman for the cable company walked up the driveway. I thought ok..make me mad and I will really become the hulk (I hate having to deal with salesmen and telemarketers) But of course he commented how nice my yard looked and he enjoyed the fish in the pond...how could I be mad? I told him the boss (Mike) decides on TV issues. I don't watch that much TV myself. So he left me with a flyer to give to the boss and I was back to my being the swamp monster. I am just glad it is done. Now Mike can use the Round-up on what is left, then I can till and start planning the stone pathway. I can't wait to get all my plants back in the ground.

Bruce Banner: There are aspects of my personality that I can't control. And when I lose control, it's very dangerous to be around me.

My new toy!

This is what I purchased with my economic stimulus check. Thanks George, both for the check and for even needing it to save gas with all these high gas prices. (My brother John giving it a good clearning for me, thanks John.)

Born to RIDE!!!! HA HA

Planters filling out!!

Here are some pictures of planters that are out filling nicely.

He who is born with a silver spoon in his mouth is generally considered a fortunate person, but his good fortune is small compared to that of the happy mortal who enters this world with a passion for flowers in his soul. - Celia Thaxter

Our fish and pond flower bed are doing well.

The fish are doing well in the pond. They have grown over the winter. It's nice to see them feeding and enjoying slashin' in the waterfall.

A lily pad in bloom

More flowers around the pond.

Flowers are the sweetest things Godever made and forgot to put a soul into.- Henry Ward Beecher, Life Thoughts

Barkley and and his dog days afternoon.

Barkley meets a frozen doggie treat.

Oh this smells like peanut butter, yet it is icy cold.

I should sample it by licking it.

Oh enough licking..I am going for it.....OH no..BRAIN FREEZE!!!

All gone but I am left with an empty carton.

Now that is what I call a dogs day afternoon!!

Clematis in full bloom.

My Clematis is in full bloom. I planted two more against the garage last year. I want to try to fill up all my trellis's that I salvaged from what was left of my gazebo, that didn't fair to well against a thunderstorm and strong winds last year. I have a trumpet vine on one of them. It is slow starting each year, but once it starts it will cover one nicely. My goal is to hide the garage with green foliage and blooms.

Dark Purple

Pink one

It is at the edge of a petal that love waits. - William Carlos Williams

Row Row Row your boat!

We have enough rain in WI. Lucky for me its just the backyard that is a little flooded. For others its basements, cars, and even whole houses, like that in Lake Delton. On Monday it took only two hours to drain a 267 acre lake, that held more than 600 million gallons of water. Along with that it took whole houses and highways with it. I am sure everyone has seen the footage of the house being carried away with the water. It's hard to believe your dream house can be carried away with water in such a short time. The sad part is they don't have flood insurance, they don't even have the land any more to rebuilt on. It's all washed away. My heart and prayers goes out to those families.

Water is a good servant, but it is a cruel master.- John Bullein, 1562

Blue Iris

The Iris was named after the Goddess of the rainbow because of it's many colours.

Bearded Iris

Bearded Iris

Bearded iris, Iris germanica, is a hardy, long-lived perennial that require a minimum of maintenance. The flowers have six petals; three upright petals (called standards) and three hanging petals (called falls). A fuzzy line or beard runs down the middle of each fall. Flowers come in many colors including blue, pink, purple, reddish, white, yellow, and bi-colors. Most bearded iris flower in the spring (April to June depending on cultivar), but some of the new cultivars re-flower in the summer and fall. The second flower display is not as showy as the spring display but last into the fall. Many re-blooming iris are fragrant.
Bearded irises are classified into several types: miniature dwarf (height 8 inch or less, 1 to 2 inch diameter flowers), standard dwarf (height 8 to 15 inches), intermediate (height 16 to 27 inches), miniature tall (height 16 to 25 inches, small flowers), border (height 16 to 27 inches), and tall (height 28 to 38 inches). The shorter iris flower first, followed by the intermediate, and then the taller irises

Tomato Plants Find a Home

In between the raindrops, we had a rather nice day here. I got my tomato and cucumber plants in the ground. We are expecting rain again toight.

I planted a Beefsteak, Early Girl, Sweet Cluster, Husky Red Cherry, Martinao Roma (hybid) and a Bush Cucumber.

It's difficult to think anything but pleasant thoughtswhile eating a homegrown tomato.- Lewis Grizzard

Finished my Jam!

I finished 8 more pints of Rhubarb Jam
I tried the strawberry and raspberry flavors this time. 4 of each. I think that will be enough to last me till next season.

Everything your ever wanted to know about Rhubarb

Bird Bath Flower Bed filling in nicely!

This used to be two different flower beds. I decided to make it one big one. I really like the way it turned out. I still need to add some annuals this year, for that season long color.



The actual flower is the plant's highest fulfilment, and are not here exclusively for herbaria, county floras and plant geography: they are here first of all for delight. - John Ruskin
Two friends I found at a resale shop for a really good price found a new home playing for the birds in this new bed.

Blue Kool-Aid for our fish!!

What a wonderful weekend we had here. I moved some of my plants around and found them a new home. I decided this chair would greet my friends as they come up my driveway on the way to the back door.

Mike (my pool boy) filled the pond up and the leak is fixed. He cleaned it one more time. Hopefully our fish down the basement will see the light of day this week.

Mike added a blue dye to help prevent green algae. I think it makes it look like blue raspberry kool-aid. He said it should fade a little. I sure hope it does.

Man is not an aquatic animal, but from the time we stand in youthful wonder beside a Spring brook, till we sit in old age and watch the endless roll of the sea, we feel a strong kinship with the waters of this world.- Hal Borland