Relax.  It’s more of the lovely blossoms that abound around our country home.

We call this waxy leafed ground cover myrtle.  I believe our British cousins call it periwinkle.  This blossom has faded from its peak.  Nevertheless, I am fond of this plant.  I don’t know why, but it makes me feel comfortable.

Peony is another favorite.  We had several of these around the house where I grew up.  I usually see ants on this one, but they seemed to be absent this day.  Could they be camera shy?

This grows beside the neighbor’s fence.  At least she is smart enough to stay away from where I mow.  Not that I’d want to cut this one down.

The rhododendron grows a few feet from the well head.  When we first moved here (11 years ago), there was an azalea growing very close to this.  Evidently, they were placed there temporarily.  Several plants around here placed that way.  Unfortunately, the man who first owned this house died unexpectedly.  He was planning to start a nursery at this location.  It was also unfortunate that by the time we arrived (third owners), the two plants were intertwined.  As you can see, the rhododendron is now “king of the hill.”

Or maybe I should say queen of the hill?  Here’s wishing you a great week.  (Not a grate weak.)

Yesterday, I showed you some of Sylvia’s roses.  Today, it is time for the iris to show her beauty.

Iris is sometimes a bit shy, but isn’t she lovely?

I particularly like the colors of this variety.

The yellow iris is particularly shy.  Perhaps she is trying to protect the precious moisture.  (Silly girl didn’t know it was going to rain today.)

Iris up close.  I hope she doesn’t mind.

Don’t you love the rich color of the Japanese iris?  This one is smaller and more delicate than the other varieties.  In case you are wondering, I only resized this shot.  The rich color is exactly what the camera (and my eyes) saw.

These are just some of the flowers that grace our surroundings here on Secondary Roads.  Beyond the flower gardens, more beauty abounds.  More about that soon.  I promise . . .

Today I went out, camera in hand, to check our flower gardens.  Sylvia has put a lot of work into making them look their best.  Her efforts have paid off.  One of the things that she has added has been roses.  They are looking good just now as you can see in these photos.

Kitty is now napping on my desk top.  He looks so peaceful . . .  Doesn’t an afternoon nap sound like a good idea?  That’s what I thought too.

Yesterday, was hot!  It was also time to mow the lawn.  This summer cold is still sapping energy, but time, tide and long grass wait for no man.  With an assist from my faithful helper, John, I went out to do the job.

Did I mention the day was hot?  Being outside was therapy.  The heat helped my aching muscles and it helped cook those nasty cold bugs.  Okay!  It was a good day.

I love spending time outside.  Perhaps I should say investing instead of spending time outside.  Unlike politicians whose “investments” appear to be pouring currency down the sink, time invested outside has a very positive return.

The dandelion blossoms are mostly gone.  I counted only two in the approximately 5 acres that I mow.  There were two others that were white balls in the seed stage.  They were so dominant just a short while ago.  Now, they have fled.  Makes one think, doesn’t it?

Clover is now in blossom.  So is indian paintbrush and the small yellow flowers that can be found in the same area.  A couple varieties of iris now adorn the flower beds.

After the mowing was complete, I retreated to the comfort of my recliner.  Midnight hopped up to greet me, but soon found his way back to the cooler air at carpet level.  What a smart cat he is.

Was it a dream or a fantasy drawn from my own fevered brain?  I let you decide.

I walked by Sylvia’s recliner where Midnight appeared to be sleeping with his head beside her ankle.  I looked down at him and said, “You are sure one lazy boy.”

Twisting his head slightly, Midnight opened one eye and replied, “Not lazy–energy efficient.  When we play run and chase, who runs and who chases?”

He had me.  There was nothing more that I could say.  So I shut my mouth and walked away.

Perhaps it is this cold that lingers with me.  I’m still feeling achy and congested.  It can depart from me anytime–sooner is better.

Midnight joins me in wishing you a great week.

He protects his home and family from all dangers!

Here are more pictures that Sylvia took at the Memorial Day parade on Monday.  Yesterday, you saw some of the people that were in the parade.  Not all the people in the parade were walking marching.  Consider the vehicles.

Doesn’t this one horsepower ponypower cart look like fun?  It was the only vehicle of the kind entered in the parade.

This antique boasts a bit more power.  This car was also unique, being the only antique car in the parade.  Wouldn’t you like to go for a ride in this?

The fire trucks bring up the rear.  Perhaps they are at the back so that they can break away and respond in case of need.  I remember seeing that happen one year in the town where I grew up.

In the observance of Memorial Day, we remind ourselves of and teach our children about the price of living in a free land.

I grew up in Small Town, USA.  A fence bordered two sides of our property.  Cow pasture lay on the other side of the fence.  I like small towns.  There is a charm to that way of life.

Monday was Memorial Day.  In small towns across our land, veterans were honored for their service–particularly those who paid the ultimate price.

Around here that honor means a parade and a ceremony at the cemetery.  Here are some pictures that Sylvia took of people in the parade.

Veterans lead the parade as is fitting.  It is their day and the day to honor their comrades in arms.  Conflict is not glorified.  Respect is given to those whose sacrifices defended home and country.  Do you stand, hand over heart, when the flag goes by?

Unlike the veterans, the scouts aren’t all in step with each other.  Nevertheless, it isn’t anything at all like trying to herd cats.  The boys show their respect for the day and for their community.

No parade is complete with a marching band.  The local High School band plays that role well.  I thrill to the sounds of drums and brass.  I feel transported back to my days in the marching band, but that was long ago and far away.  Or is it really?

I hope you enjoy Sylvia’s pictures.  Tomorrow, I’ll show you some of the vehicles from the parade.

I’m talking about this season of the year as spring morphs into summer.  The days are getting significantly longer at this latitude.  The air is warmer.  Life’s cycle continues.

I like mowing our five-plus acre lawn.  Fresh air and sunshine are a tonic

I like watching the birds of summer–especially the swallows as they swoop around me going for the bugs that the tractor and mower kick up.

I like seeing indian paint brush growing in the lawn.  In the flower garden, iris are blooming and hostas are displaying their beauty.

I like the warmth this season brings.  It helps with the aches and pains.

I like having daylight until nearly bed time.  That is good!

Unfortunately, life is not all about happy tunes and dancing.  Consider the down-side to this time of year.

I dislike rain, rain and more rain.  Parts of our lower lawn resembles a mud wallow.  Yuck!

I dislike having the sunrise happen so early in the morning–even with DST.  (It was much worse when we lived in Connecticut at the other end of the time zone.)

I dislike having a cold at this time.  Energy has fled.  A weight sit heavy upon my chest.  A hacking cough wracks my body.  Every part of me aches.  I wanna go take a nap . . .

As you enjoy this holiday, do take time to remember those who paid the price that we may enjoy our freedom.  Today, I’m thinking of a 5th great grandfather who followed General Washington to Valley Forge and never returned to his home.  His grandson, my 3rd great grandfather fought in the war of 1812.  A great grandfather returned from the Civil War with a disability.  A great uncle that paid the ultimate price in WWI.  My father and four uncles that fought in WWII.  My son, now retired from the USAF, served in Desert Storm–the first Iraq war.

I thank God for the men and women who have worn our nation’s uniform with honor and dignity.  Let us show them the respect that they so richly deserve.