In better taste than the typical... "water out of a boy" fountains."I still have a full deck; I just shuffle slower now." ~ Author Unknown
A minute ago the sun was shining and the large expanse of red and yellow and green on the radar had passed us by... again... and was headed off the eastern shore and into the ocean. I posted this picture with the title "A Fish Out of Water Or Water Out Of A Fish", but then something in the back of my mind kept saying... "you have already done this, you have already done this". I replied to myself, "No I don't think so. The picture didn't have an "x" under it and I always put an "x" under the picture when I use it, to avoid the double post." At this point, you know my day is falling into disarray when the best conversation I have had and second only to the one I had with the dog, is a conversation with myself. Well, my mind was right. I was wrong, sort of. I do have a previous post with the title... "A Fish Out Of Water" and it is a picture of this fountain... but at a different angle. So there... I was half right or half baked or half something. I still like this fountain and the patina and the old world look. I wish it were in my garden, but alas, it is too big... so I settle for the smaller, solar fountain with the "look" of bronze.
At this point, I was going to go take a picture of my bubbling little fountain sitting in the middle of the flower beds with the surrounding daylily and lantana; but, in the space of time I have typed this, the skies are dark and on the radar a blossoming patch of red and yellow and green has appeared just to our south and west and the sound of thunder is approaching. Alas, my little bubbling fountain does not bubble in this situation and I hear the rain on the roof.... so this will just have to do for my Watery Wednesday. Wow! It is really coming down out there... of course. I watered the plants yesterday!
(end of post)
Columbine bud...keeping me guessing.
(Click pictures to enlarge) "Wisdom is oftentimes nearer when we stoop than when we soar."
~ William Wordsworth, 1798
Usually I try not to mix too many different memes into one post, but I have quite a bit to do today and if I can squeeze it in, I would love to visit the new butterfly outdoor garden and the indoor butterfly house at our botanical garden here in Norfolk. So, for my Mellow Yellow entry I have this beautiful yellow and white columbine that I just cannot get away from. What is it about this flower that intrigues me so? I haven't yet decided, but it grabs my attention, whether at the local nursery, in my cousin's yard, at the highly groomed and polished botanical gardens or in my own flowerbed. Its angles and curves never fail to surprise and it has that amazing shape that morphs constantly. Some flowers are plain and boring before they open and broadcast their beauty for only a short time, then wilt and die. Columbine, on the other hand, teases the spectator before blooming with its lovely green bud.. and throughout the process.. never gives the full hint of the final product. Columbine keeps you guessing!
..Until the final reveal, yellow and white columbine.
"To analyze the charms of flowers is like dissecting music; it is one of those things which it is far better to enjoy, than to attempt to fully understand." ~ Henry T. Tuckerman
But the final reveal is definitely worth the wait!
Plumbago auriculata,leadwort or skyflower.
Brooklyn Botanical Gardens 
"In the hope of reaching the moon men fail to see the flowers that blossom at their feet." ~ Albert Schweitzer
I understand that these are best grown in Florida and perhaps that is why they flourished in the hot houses of the Brooklyn Botanical Garden. It is probably not feasible to yearn for these blooms here in Virginia... but we can hope. I am looking for a lovely vine to train up over a trellis that will attach to the new sunroom addition. My dream is to have wisteria for spring, but also to incorporate something that will give us color for the summer months as well. Who knows? My research is not yet complete.. nor is construction....I can only dream at this point.
So, for Mellow Yellow and Blue Monday as well as Macro Monday... enjoy!
(end of post)
Jenkins Fountain, Brooklyn Botanical Garden
(Click picture to enlarge) "A kind heart is a fountain of gladness, making everything in its vicinity freshen into smiles." ~ Washington Irving (1783 - 1859)
This is a simple but elegant fountain near the lily pools at the Brooklyn Botanical Garden. Four fish furnish the water falls into a round pool below. This fountain has been in place since 1930 and you can see the wonderful signs of age gracing the Indiana limestone and bronze piece; the green and brown stains of previous algae and the wonderful teal patina on the sculpted bronze fish. The water drops into a 24 foot pool below and adds musical sound effects to the hum of dancing dragonflies and the floating lotus and lilies in the larger lily pools on either side of the fountain. Flower and vine covered arches overhang several small benches along the walkway and here you can find refuge from the sun.
This was one of my favorite areas of the garden... and a memory I cherish. It is my Watery Wednesday post.
(end of post)
