Life with cats, and other things…
0842/17th November 2025 Most of the leaves are gone but how beautiful is the autumn sky? . And its muted light? Not everyone will agree, I know. . Even I would prefer it didn't get dark quite so early. And these days I am more bothered than usual by the cold, though not nearly as … Continue reading Shedding the armor
0800/27th October 2025 The 27th saw us on the way to an early appointment in Salem. As we passed a pair of lakes I tried to capture an image of mist rising off the water, but even standing still I'm not sure I could have met the challenge. Shame, as it's a lovely sight. . … Continue reading Frosty mornings
0735/26th October 2025 October 26th brought - among other things - another hard frost that furnished a post script for my earlier mention of late-blooming flowers and several other images. . While perhaps I'm not yet ready for cold weather, frosty mornings are so beautiful. . Stark, maybe, but aesthetically pleasing - to me anyway. … Continue reading Post script
With more frosty nights in the forecast, it seems inevitable that some late bloomers will meet their end and possibly the resident insect in the calendula? . It is identified as a North American tarnished plant bug which reportedly overwinters in leaf litter, so perhaps its outlook is not so dire. Feeling regretful that the … Continue reading Hearts and flowers
17th October 2025 A few days ago a hard frost announced the arrival of the cold season. Then yesterday it was much more like summer again, with a high temperature of 69F/21C. . This gave a lonely calendula the chance to thrive for a few days. Amazingly it had survived the frost. I didn't even … Continue reading Survivors
https://www.flickr.com/photos/202932404@N06/54716458253/in/album-72177720328309895 Yaddo Gardens, Saratoga Springs. 11th August 2025 With afternoon appointments three days in a row at the end of this week, I can't say I was terribly excited with the idea of an outing yesterday morning. However our neighbour having told Grant about these gardens, he seemed keen to go and the flowers wouldn't … Continue reading Yaddo
0630/6th August 2025 . Loveliness in its purest form. A simple morning glory. . It's how they seem to me. To me this is perfection. I have no need for intricate shapes or garish colours. . The delicacy of this flower, the subtlety of its colour - sensuous. Such pleasure can be gained from a … Continue reading Morning glory
0849/5th August 2025 . "Next time we're in Salem, we should go up to the art park and look for butterflies." ...said I, as we headed down the road. . Considering the smoke, I hadn't actually meant today, but Grant is a man of action! Offer a vague suggestion and he will turn it into … Continue reading Don’t get too close
3rd August 2025 . "Look guys, it's those people again." . Taking the scenic route to Greenwich, we waved at various friends and rounding a corner came upon a fawn that lifted its head to stare a us. . Here and there we paused to view the flora as well. Field thistle. . Purple loosestrife … Continue reading Joe Pye
1811/26th July 2025 . Outside the bank this morning, at last I got a photo of hostas. . They are a lovely shape and colour, but my early attempt to grow some in Washington State was discouraged as my plants were swiftly devoured by voracious slugs. Perhaps New York slugs are less aggressive. They are … Continue reading Weed