Almost Easter Pale Purple

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Nope, have no idea what they are. But they are pretty and one of my fav colors, purple.  Taken March 28, 2011 Jacksonville Arboretum & Gardens, Jacksonville, Florida.

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Gaillardia

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Love the bold colors, found blooming at the Jacksonville Arboretum and Garden on Mach 28, 2011.

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When The Wind Blows, The Cradle Will Rock

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Wisteria

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Carolina or Green Anole

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While in the Weeks Bay area with friends Donna and John, Donna and I spent about 10 minutes shooting the anole and a pelican.

Above, the male of the species, the pink/red dewlap is intended to attract a mate.  You can read more about them at this Wikipedia page.   I realize this photo is out of focus, that dewlap was only in view for a few seconds at a time.  I felt lucky to get this not so good photo.




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Bramble Berries

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Back in early March I brought you the bramble flowers.  Now we have flowers and we have berries, green, red and almost black.  I left these for the birds to eat, they reside on a very steep ditch, filled with water, and who knows what that water hides.  Yep, the birds can have them.

Lyre-leaved Sage (Salvia lyrata)

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Taken in the Weeks Bay area of Baldwin County Alabama.  The flowers were about 1 inch long, they grow on 2-3 foot tall flower stalks.  The color here is not what my eye saw, they had more blue, where the photo looks almost white.  They were very hard to photograph at all, as it was quite windy and they were dancing for Mother Nature's wind brat.




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Blue-Eyed Grass, Grass With Something Extra

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This first photo was taken in the beautiful garden of an Alabama Master Gardener, Carma.  She graciously allowed us to photograph her garden in late March.  Her entire garden was enchanting.  Below is a large planting of blue-eyed grass planted as edging to one of her many flower beds.  I find that these little babies just tickle my fancy, these small, blue flowers atop the grass like foliage.

Out in the "wild", along some back roads of Baldwin County we found this blue-eyed grass growing.  They did not grow this thick in the wild, where the water was more limited.  Mother Nature showing off her finest, the detail in this small flower is marvelous.  (Can you tell I was taken with blue-eyed grass?)

They are small perennials, only 4-12" tall, with leaves to 1/8" wide. The flower is about 3/4" wide.


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Wisteria and the Toadstool

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Sipping at the Azalea

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The azaleas are past prime here in Gulf Shores, but before all the blooms fell off I found a few bushes that had respectable shows.  Guess who else found a flower or two - -

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The Renegade Pink - - Surprise

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Long row of white azalea bushes, fully in bloom:

So, what is this, found hiding on the opposite side of this row?

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Commonly Known as the Bottlebrush, Anything But Common

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Picnic Table Hidey Hole, Who's In There?

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Mr. G at Ft. Morgan, A Neutral Day, A VERY Good Thing

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As many of my readers know, Mr. G, aka Gallagher, is suffering from pre-heart and pre-renal conditions and has been since November of 2009.  At that time Dr. Lorrie gave him 12 to 18 months.  Mr. G has far surpassed his prognosis for which we are seriously thankful.  He loves his meds (cause they are surrounded by a small hunk of peanut butter) and in fact, if he does not get that PB at 5 and 9 sharp each evening there is HE&# to pay.  He will NOT shush until that PB is served up.

Several of my blogging friends are facing health issues with their fur kids as well.  One of them, in a private email discussion, made a comment that has had me thinking for weeks.  She said, when asked how all were doing, something to the effect that, we know what is coming, we feel that we are in neutral.  How profound is that?

Neutral.  A perfect description of living with a fur kid with a terminal situation.  OK, all of us will pass, the fur kids to the Rainbow Bridge or where ever your personal beliefs say.  Some dread hearing the words from your fur kids vet, I know it was not a stellar day in our lives.

But, if you have ever had the misfortune to come home and unexpectedly find a fur kid gone, with no warning, you too will realize that the neutral time gives you a special time to spend with a fur kid who has been diagnosed terminal.  Time for some extra tail wags, puppy kisses, walks, hugs, quiet time, just together time.

I have come to value our neutral time, more and more each day.  Each day truly is a blessing.

Here is Mr. G on a recent afternoon ride out to Ft. Morgan in the new ride/truck.  His tail almost wagged off at greeting the humans waiting for the ferry to cross to Dauphin Island.  We did not cross, just got out and walked around and visited people.  He loves people.

Sharing some special neutral time:

*  Dedicated to Jennifer and Sarah.

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When I Grow Up, I Wanna Be - - A Pine Tree, Alabama Style

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I thought up this clever title, started typing it into Blogger editing and up popped the same title, "When I Grow Up, I  Wanna Be - - A Pine Tree"  That post was from when we visited the Grand Canyon a year ago.  Since it was such a great title (ROTFLOL) I decided to use it again, only this wanna be is from Gulf Shores Alabama.

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Azaelas, In Full Bloom, Gulf Shores, Alabama

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Let the Buds Spring Forth

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Tree/brush bordering our campsite in Gulf State Park, not identified.

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