Spring 2011 Flowers - Peonies

The house across the street, from where I grew up had a full row of peonies that bordered the edge of yard.  Huge, fragrant blooms each year were always a wonderful treat and a true sign that summer time was getting that much closer.

The friend that lived in that house as a child, tells me she truly misses the quantity and the beauty of that row of flowers. 

Can you imagine a 40 foot row of these densely packed flowers blooming in your yard?

I was chatting on-line with her and can only think that one of the previous residents (rental) of the house in their travel to the orient must have brought back a bounty of the rhizomes from one of their trips, as the attic above the garage had a vintage stash of oriental treasures that every now and then we'd get a glimpse of.

If I can figure out how to successfully move and propagate these plants, I will let you all know at a later date.  For now, I am just enjoying the wonderful aroma of these in my bedroom.

Friday Night and Chilly

Here is is already 15 October and half of the month just buzzed by without a wink.  It goes from intense heat here in the DC area with humidity that will keep any sane person indoors during the hottest parts of the day to this brisk, dry cold air. 

In the grocery store this evening there was the mixture of various seasons of dress.  Many a person still with the Aloha shirt or shorts and a t-shirt with sandals to the winter jacket and wool cap.

It is going down to the low 40's this evening and I hate to do it to Empress Lui, but the window that I normally leave open for her to get fresh air and check the outside world is closed for the night.

15 October 2010 - Empress Lui keeping her paws warm

I am hoping that tomorrow will be clear and comfortable and that my motivation to get some of the work around the yard, etc. can be accomplished without having some lame excuse. 

You know, like rain, bugs or it being too hot, etc.

Below is a snapshot that I took here at O'Dea-O'Dea this year.  March to be exact. 

I then made use of it as the cover photo for my work team's internal MS Sharepoint site.  A bright reminder as to how the seasons change and each one has a beauty of its own.