Steven's Feline Friday: Elvis and the Roses

"Dogs have owners, cats have staff."

-Unknown

It's been a long time since I played a Feline Friday. I mean since Elvis and I played a Feline Friday. LOL. I have been so busy the last couple months, especially since Steven took his break. I haven't taken any new photos of Elvis since New Year's Eve! That is unusual for me, he is a very willing photographic subject, he really likes posing for me. :) He is a happy and cooperative cat, as I arrange things in an attempt to get just the perfect shot. Yesterday, however, we didn't rely on props for our photo session, in fact, it was a spontaneous opportunity that had presented itself. Elvis was a very content kitty in his daddy's arms. It was a little cold outside, so he was all ready for an afternoon cuddle. Actually, both Alan and Elvis was ready for some cuddle time. :)



Later, we all took a look at my rose garden. Elvis is none too happy with me for moving the roses this year from the little area by to the fence, to alongside the shed. He is very protective of them, and is happier when I don't move them. He is getting used to the idea though, and yesterday he went on his usual rounds to check on them with no looks of disapproval. He loves flowers so much. He is the best little garden gnome I have ever had. :)

Go see Steven to find out all the ins and outs of Feline Friday. You can find him here, and there.

-OndineMonet
"Elvis and Alan"
Berkeley, California
March 28, 2008
Afternoon

Round Robin Challenge: Backyard Photography

"In my garden, there is a large place for sentiment. My garden of flowers is also my garden of thoughts and dreams. The thoughts grow as freely as the flowers, and the dreams are as beautiful."

-Abram L. Urban

Finally, I get a chance to show off my autumn garden! In autumn! :) I started my garden a little later than usual this year, I don't know why, I think I was just taking my time, trying to decided if I really wanted one. I have complained enough about how challenging this year has been, so I won't go into detail, but all the crap was getting to me, and so, as a result, I could feel my drive to be creative slipping away with each day. Well, one day last June, in a mad attempt to break away from some of the issues I was going through, I just jumped in, feet first, and planted away. First I chose what corner of the yard to make my own, then I visited the store, and chose the seeds and plants, and then I made the vision come alive. I have one or two more touches to go, like the orange autumn lights, and then it will be complete. Pretty soon I will have to decide if I want to plant some bulbs for next spring, or if I want to just go with container pots again. I bet you can guess I am sitting on the fence a bit. Well, you will just have to stay tuned! :)

Bachelor Button

Pink Aster

Yellow Sunflower

Hot Pink Four O' Clock

Orange Cosmos

Yellow Cosmos and Skipper

A surprise visitor to my garden, a tomato plant from the neighbor's yard!

From Alan's garden; Variety Bell Peppers and Eggplant

Solid Black Sunflower

Burnt Orange/Red Sunflower

Nemesia

Violets

This Round Robin Challenge, was suggested by Tammie Jean, author of the blog, "Long Drives To Nowhere." Thank you Tammie Jean! :) Please be sure to drop by her blog, and say hello, then pay a visit to all the participating Robins, to view their entries as well. And remember Robins, we always need new suggestions for future Round Robin challenges, so please submit your ideas. Email your suggestions to Karen, Steven or myself, and who knows, we might choose your idea next!

Linking List

1. Steven... (sometimes photoblog)
POSTED!

2. Carly... Ellipsis
POSTED!

3. Tara... A Long Walk Home
POSTED!

4. Janet... Fond Of Photography
POSTED!

5. Suzanne R... New Suzanne R's Life
POSTED!

6. Vicki... Maraca
POSTED!

7. Gattina... Keyhole Pictures
POSTED!

8. Karen... Outpost Mavarin
POSTED!

9. Tammie... Long Drives to Nowhere
POSTED!

10. Julie... Julie's Web Journal
POSTED!

11. Teena... It's all about me!
POSTED!


-OndineMonet
Garden Photos
Autumn, 2007

Green Ice

"Flowers have spoken to me more than I can tell in written words. They are the hieroglyphics of angels, loved by all men for the beauty and their character, though few can decipher even fragments of their meaning."

-Lydia M. Child


OK, so I lied. LOL. I said I wasn't going to post any more photos of my garden until the autumn, when every thing should be in full glory bloom, but I have added a few things to the garden that I am thrilled with, so I thought I might do just one more entry to share my progress. :) I have added several more containers of flowers, the star of which is the Green Ice rose I purchased the other day at Home Depot. It is one of the most beautiful mini roses I have ever seen. Of the mini class, it is the largest, with nice full blooms, which are green on the outer petals, and a soft pink toward the middle. I was going to just grow the 6 types of minis I had purchased this year, and add a few more next year, but when I saw it other other day I was stunned. It is gorgeous. I literally smile every time I set out to the garden. :)

Watching these flowers grow has been so good for me. I am stressed about stuff that I have no real control over, like the war, and the fact that nearly 6 years after 9/11, we are not any safer then we were on 9/10. I think about what the next strike will be like, will it come on a day like the last one? A day when there isn't a cloud in the sky? Will it happen when I am in Golden Gate Park, relaxing in the fresh air? Will it happen like the last time, while I am asleep in my bed, sleeping peacefully? When all those overwhelming thoughts creep into my thoughts, I usually grab my CD player, and the gardening bucket I made, and go to my garden to sit among it's beauty. Sigh. It's good for my soul.

I also daydream about what I want to do for the garden next spring. I think I have picked out the roses I want for next season. I think I might buy some roses online next year, I found a couple nice sites, Nor'East Miniature Roses, and John's Miniature Roses. I know for sure I want to add some lavender roses, and maybe a couple white ones, but I am also considering the following colors...

1. Behold - yellow
2. Vista - deep lavender
3. White Chocolate - white
4. Sweet Revenge - orange
5. Snow Ruby - red/white

Right now, assuming all of my plants make it to autumn, my garden will consist of...

Columbine, mini roses, dark sunflowers, cosmos, poppies, dahlias, stock, a wildflower mix, four 'o clocks, butterfly flower, and campanula. It's going to be colorful, and by the time I get the scarecrow up, it should be an autumn extravaganza. Fingers crossed. I have had a few bumps along the way. Like when I found a rather round little robin feasting on my cosmos, just as it was coming in nice and full. Wacky bird. :) I have replanted, so we'll see. I have some guarded optimism for the cosmos. The latest touch was to put my Mylar dragonfly balloon on the fence, just to look over things when I can't make it out to the garden. As always with Fibromyalgia... some days are better then others, but that silly garden sure helps to lift my spirits. :)

I have had this song in my head all day, it's so pretty, enjoy!

Lose Your Way
By Sophie B. Hawkins

I have no confidence
And I can't see why I should
But I could do most anything for you
And you know I would

I try too hard, and then I give up way too easily
I'm the runner up inside of you, and your the winner inside of me

Lose your way
And I will follow
Here today
And here tomorrow
Like my freedom I know
I'll never let you go

I still wish on an even star
And I suppose I always will
Every child loses something a while can't fulfill
And when you cry I feel the sky burst open in my veins
If loving you makes a slave of me, then I'll spend my whole life in chains

Lose your way
And I will follow
Here today
And here tomorrow
Like my freedom I know
I'll never let you go
Walk the line
I'll walk beside you
Change your mind
Let your love decide you
It's the reason I know
You'll never let me go

Isn't that a beautiful song? :)

-OndineMonet
"Green Ice"
Berkeley, California
July 16, 2007
Afternoon