My favorite batch of caladiums so far this year. These are all growing beautifully in a big lime green bowl.

Becky and Denny stopped out unexpectedly last night and brought me this HUGE pot of geraniums! They thought I would like the deep red color and they were correct!

I found this tree frog hiding in my flowers today.

Rich and I went on a bike ride together today. We rode from Indianola to Carlisle and back. We manged to get in the 22 miles without getting rained on!

Day #3 of the deck project.

As I was adjusting the vines on the lattice work, I was surprised to find these 5 pickable size cucumbers ready to go! I'll be making kosher dills soon from my first harvest so far this year!

We are working on a June that is #4 in the record books for total amount of rainfall! We are at about 13 inches so far this month. This is Middle River near the Summerset Trail bridge.

Day #2 of the deck project.

Our 31st anniversary, 'nuf said!

Since I have collected so many pots and flowers, the deck was getting too crowded. Rich suggested adding on. This is day #1 of the deck addition project.

I found this baby robin trying to balance perched on the tomato cage in my garden. I was hoping that it could fly so that one of the 4 cats didn't have a chance to catch him. As I walked too close, he flew up into the oak tree, whew!

Sierra had a mountain bike race today in Indiana. She won and sent me this photo.

We had storms again tonight and the strong winds took out the top of this sweet gum tree that was right out back of the house. That makes 2 trees damaged in the last week. Last Saturday, winds split a small red bud tree right in half. The local TV station said that a tornado touched down briefly at Hwy 92 and R57, 4 miles from our house.

About that walk.......................

This is Tristan's first try at the BMX track. It was pretty rutted from all the downpours we've had lately but he had a pretty good time despite the roughness.

G'ma, Tristan, and I went riding today. Tristan tried a few of the MTB trails and found them very muddy, surprise!

Yo Shelbs! You are missin' out on a GREAT week on the bike trails!! I've gotta go now, it's too hot on this pavement and I must find water. L8TR

Mother and I went on a garden tour today. The hostesses at each of the 7 gardens were dressed as Southern Belles. This was at the first garden on the tour. It was called "Urban Shadows".

Today, Mother and I went to Becky & Denny's "Summer Soltice" Party. We had a great time listening to the "Bandaides" and eating a picnic type dinner!

Today, I met Warren and family after work at a Casey's north of the house. They were off to eastern Iowa for a bike ride and brought G'ma along. I picked her up to spend the weekend with me. We'll meet them again on Sunday to pick up Tristan who will spend a few days with us.

I've continued with my recycling art - this was a fire pit that I got in 2004. In May of that year, a straight line wind took out 2 of our 100+ year old oak trees. A branch fell on the pit and bent the screen beyond repair. It makes a pretty nice planter.

After our visit to the Grassroots Art Center in Lucas, KS, I decided that I would try to recycle some things instead of buying new. I found this interesting pot in the basement. I remember a long time ago, we had a pencil plant in it. It looks great with this chenille plant in it, don't you think?

Here is my very first blueberry harvest - 26 berries total today! I ate that one in the middle right after the photo, yummm! Shelby, I hope you are jealous!

I’ve had this Penstemon in my perennial garden for over 10 years. I remember calling it Beardtongue Penstemon. Now, when I look it up on the internet, I see it has been cultivated at the University of Nebraska and is now called Husker Red Penstemon.

Today, I went out to the garage to look for something. I heard some chattering noise and think that I need to rescue a bird. I go get my camera first, of course. Then I crawl around and here's what I find - a little momma raccoon and her one baby. I left them alone after getting a few pics!

I was getting ready to pick these cherry tomatoes today but wanted to take a pic first to document the early date of these red beauties. Hmmmm, something seems to be missing! Did he really think that I wouldn't notice?

I found this book in the mail box today! It is a gift from Shelby. It is her documentation of RAGBRAI 2009. She did a fantastic job and it is very interesting to read her account of the ride from the perspective of a first timer. I love it!

We had a big storm 2 nights ago and the wren house came down. They had one egg that did not survive the trauma. They immediately started to build a new nest in the other house that I had hung. But here it seems that one of the pair is looking over the old house just to see. Or maybe it is another pair looking to move in.

Rich is busy cutting firewood for next winter even though we really don't want to think about it right now. He cut down a dead scotch pine tree. We had to burn the smaller branches and old pine needles make for a grand fire - scary when you think about a whole forrest of pine burning wild!

I found 3 Blueberry bushes on clearance at Home Depot. They came complete with blueberries that quickly ripened. I need to get them planted asap. I have a perfect spot complete with pine needles to keep the soil acidic as directed. We'll see how they do next year!