Saturday, July 2, 2022

Our Little Oasis...






It had not been my intention to do another gardening post today, but the little poppies just keep on coming - all so different and beautiful.  I am fascinated with the centers of each one.  When the snow flies next winter, I will look back and wonder why I didn't post more of them, so maybe I will.
 
I got letters today from the granddaughters at camp.  I had sent them fun letters ~ stamped, cut and pasted, so they were anxious to write back to me.  Blogger friends Kathy and Debra have inspired me to get back into letter writing which I am enjoying so much.  

The older granddaughter wrote that she had been helping with the camp horses, and about the journal she has made.   She promised to bring it to show me when she "comes for tea."  (They are my little tea party friends from just down the road a bit.)

The younger girl, self-described as "the best granddaughter," :~) wrote "I made a pillow for my bed!  I used the sewing skills to make it that you taught me."  Then she sent an Instax FujiFilm picture of it.  It was such fun to get pictures to hold in my hand.  Golly, I didn't know I had done so well with those lessons.  I am already planning our next sewing project, and for our next tea party.  






This little oasis is where the critters hang out on these hot summer days.  Oh, for the wonders of a tree on such a day as this.  It's a sanctuary for the dozens of hummingbirds that come to the feeders, and its shade is a refuge for critters like Millie and me.   

Here in our neck of the woods, it's as "hot as a firecracker on the Fourth of July."  Millie and I are now kicking up dust on the trails, and watering plants every day.  In an effort to stay cool, it seems that Millie digs a little deeper each day, like a barnyard fowl, amongst the bushes and flowers.   

 Despite the heat, there's still a lot of pretty things in the garden.   The poppies continue to delight me even though they last for only a day.   The Nasturtiums are showing off some pretty colors.  The reds are my favorites.  If a red more beautiful than the Nasturtium Red  exists, I don't know of it.  The bee balm, also in a lovely red, is just beginning to bloom, which should please a lot of garden critters as well as the hummingbirds.        








 The summer tanager had not been seen for several days, so I was getting concerned.  Hawks of different kinds regularly patrol these skies, so life is tenuous, at best, for those so vulnerable.  But, not to worry, this morning he showed up on his favorite garden post where I was working.  He seemed to be in a hurry and stayed just long enough to sing one short, sweet song.  He looked a bit haggard and bedraggled in appearance, so I am thinking his parental responsibilities are taking a toll on him, or perhaps it is just the heat.  He definitely seeks me out, for he always alights on a post nearest to me.  As I have said before, I feel humbled that he would do that.   




14 comments:

acorn hollow said...

What wonderful letters from your granddaughters! I love seeing your flower pictures keep posting.
We have had wonderful weather no complaints here.
Cathy

kathyinozarks said...

Such a heartwarming post. It is such a gift to teach someone something new like sewing, that made me smile, as well as the slow mail letters from them. In these busy times with all the electronics-a slower pace is just nice and brings happiness.
Your flowers are lovely, my garden is hanging on, but I lost most of the annual flower seeds I had planted, so nice to see yours. and your bird visitor-how special.
Hugs from the lake

Magpie's Mumblings said...

Ah, the sheer delight of a letter in the mail, made even more special when it's from grandies. You've reminded me that it's high time I wrote something to our little ones. I have yet to get a response but I'm ever hopeful.
I love those poppies the best of all flowers I think. They look so fragile. I hope the temperatures cool off for you (and for Millie).

Granny Marigold said...

I'm glad your Summer Tanager dropped by long enough to reassure you that he's okay. I'm amazed at your hummingbirds. When we had a feeder up one hummingbird, a male, was so aggressive and wouldn't let any others access to the feeder. We put up a second feeder, farther away from the first but even then he made sure no others could come drink. We finally put one up behind the shed. It was impossible for him to watch both feeders at the same time.
Sweet letters from your granddaughters. I didn't know they lived quite nearby.
Have a lovely long weekend.

nookworm said...

This post has left me wordless! Now I KNOW I must order the poppy seeds that I put in my "shopping cart" on the site you showed a couple of posts back. WOW - how wonderful your pictures and story are today! Made me soooo happy! (not hot here yet)

kat said...

What a lovely view into your garden and it's beautiful colours, the delicate pink of those poppies is wonderful, and I remember nasturtiums from my childhood garden, along with the fat caterpillars which loved to feed on the leaves. How grand that you have inspired your granddaughters with stitching and writing. Having grown up with one very special grandmother I know what a treasure they can be. So glad those girls have you to talk to - mind you I had to Google "Instax". I was taken back to the old Polaroid cameras of my youth.
I'm really taken by that glorious geometric rug that sits on the Shanty floor, what a fine space to take a break in, rest from garden activities and sip tea

Debra said...

Your bird friend is so lovely! Your gardens look very lush. It's dry here too-but we've not had the terrible humidity that we had earlier. And I get to skip mowing the lawn because the grass isn't growing much! It's beautiful that your love of sewing is being passed on to your granddaughters. I learned from my grandma, and it is a nice memory for me as well as so useful.

Hootin Anni said...

After breeding season, birds molt so maybe the tanager is beginning to lose this year's feather for more beautiful, new ones

Beautiful flowers. And striking hummer photo!

Stay cool!!

happyone said...

So nice that you and your granddaughters write letters. :)
Great capture of the humming birds!
We are having a nice sunny day in the 70's. Hope things cool off for you.

TheCrankyCrow said...

So much beauty in one post....I've read it several times though just drinking it in. But I am still smitten most by those poppies. I think I must go in search of seeds albeit for next year. We only have 2 more months of growing here. What wonderful gifts you've given to your grands...an appreciation for needle and thread and for a hand-written letter. It does my heart good to know there are at least some of the younger generation that are willing to learn both skills/arts. Awww, so glad your Tanager friend paid you a reassuring visit. I'd be very honored as well to be so chosen. Happy 4th...stay cool. We are only mid-70's these days. ~Robin~

nookworm said...

You left a note on my post. I would be happy to send you via e-mail, full size, any of my photos to do as you like. (Just not the photomanipulations.) Would need your address.

Magpie's Mumblings said...

Question? For some reason your other blog has disappeared from my feed and it doesn't seem to be anywhere online. Curious to know if you've removed it or if it has some sort of glitch going on. Just thought I'd let you know!

GretchenJoanna said...

I adore your poppies and tanager <3

Prims By The Water said...

What a great teacher you are gramma! That Tanager is an awesome looking bird! Also love your pretty flowers. Janice