May 12, 2017 This post is a continuing account of the irises blooming this year in Indiana. All photos are my own from my own gardens, and they represent either success or failure of certain irises during this very unusual year of weather. It is a partial record of what bloomed, when it bloomed and in some cases did not bloom at all. For anyone (and myself) who wants or cares to refer to Part One of this venture I've placed a link here for easy access. Or simply scroll past this entry and part one begins.
IRISES IN INDIANA-PART ONE
Today I mowed so there was little time for gardening or irises. But I did notice there are several Tall Bearded Iris showing color in the buds, and two have even bloomed so far. Jesse's Song (Bryce Williamson, 1979-83), and Splashacata both opened at the start of this week so I did manage a few pictures. Hopefully the weather will hold in the coming week for more blooms and pictures. Meanwhile here are some little ones which bloomed this past week.
May 1, 2017: It is currently 48°F here at 10:47 am. Wind is out of the west at 18, gusting at 36 mph. Cloudy with spits of rain. Same all day only more cold rain & wind. Several MDB's & SDB's did not bloom this year, and the ones that did were damaged with hard frost, wind and rain. What is disturbing is that several TB's are putting up bloom stalks only to be snapped off! Jesse's Song (my old faithful) is showing color on two stems, as is Splashacata & Vanity.
May 9, 2017: I debated starting a brand new post at the height of iris season. I'm using the excuse, "if anyone is interested, but doesn't have time now, then we can look at this post in fall or winter". It helps me keep track of what happens in 2017. It is also a reminder of what kind of year it is (or has been) locally. Right now it does not look all that promising. In summary there have been too many ups and downs; and too much rain, wind, frosts, freezes, etc.
Another point: I have been "down-sizing" for years so most of my irises are "old news"; nothing hot; nothing new and nothing outstanding compared to today's new introductions and "must haves". With that said readers might have interests in more progressive cultivars and collectors. That is just to tip people off as to this blog's focus on "older" irises or whatever ones I have remaining. (from the good old days)
Another point: With about 2+ acres to manage I tend to get behind some weeks with the work of upkeep. I welcome all input from everybody should you care to join me; ideas, comments, opinions and pictures. If I am not active on the Iris Forum it means I'm out there in the gardens somewhere away from the internet!
Thanksgiving is a treasured holiday from my childhood past. As I look back through the years the holiday seemed more important for its historical significance, as well as its faith based origins. In my thoughts I can remember the happiness and comfort of neighborhood friendships and family bonds. The Thanksgiving day meal was a very special occasion marked by overcrowded tables, benches and chairs; and the wonderful aromas coming from the kitchen area.
I probably seem peculiar to many folks because of what I write. My summers are a nostalgic trip through a three month period of time with loads of jobs, activities and 'must-get-done' projects. And sometimes I question if anybody else really reads this kind of stuff. Nevertheless it's a macro-condensed version of my summer in pictures and words. I like to enhance my stories with lots of pictures so people can see what I'm talking about. And occasionally I goof up a sentence or two that even I can't quite understand. Summer traditionally begins around June 21 of each year. I like to think summer is a combination of June, July and August when most gardening ventures are in full swing. September (to me) is a wake-up call alerting me that Autumn is on the way; so get those pre-winter jobs done! But, while summer is still here I need to make use of, and enjoy every minute I can of it. This includes taking time to "slow down and smell the roses" and all the other natural beauty summer offers! How can anyone not?
I had not posted to my blog since early June of this year. Once I decide to post something I often get a 'little' carried away by adding too much 'stuff'! That's probably the case here with this post, and I doubt I'll get back with another until about Christmas 2016. That will wrap up the year. This is one of those days that I get a song 'stuck' in my head, and I wind up playing it to death! Case in point 'Gonna Find Me A Bluebird' which I remember from early teens. https://www.youtube.com/watch?... I know this has gone long enough, and I can now think of a dozen things to add. However, I know it is best to stop here! I must comment on the onion at left: It is 'Candy' and probably the largest one I've grown in several years (Photo Aug. 22,'16). Garden Onion (Allium cepa 'Candy') The picture at right was from July 29, 2016 showing a baby mantis which I could not resist. As stated before this is a "mini-macro" version of my summer 2016!
Since childhood I've been fascinated with airplanes- all airplanes! I simply could not understand at that young age how a man-made craft could fly like the birds. I remember watching whenever a plane would fly over the house, and secretly wished that I could do that too! This was in the years before modern jet aircraft when the only plane I was likely to see was a single engine Cessna crop duster. But yet I had no idea back then where time and circumstances would take me.
As time and the years passed my interests became more diverse. Being raised in the countryside on a farm raising livestock, grains and potatoes among other things I was drawn to growing things. The simple fact that a small seed could somehow emerge from the soil, put forth leaves and grow into something as big as a stalk of corn or a pumpkin simply defied logic (and my understanding). As part of a farm family we had work (lots of it) to do. Nobody escaped work back then: That's how we survived, and if we were lucky earned some extra money too. In today's world that would almost be "unlawful" according to current child labor laws! What a pity! I cannot imagine growing up in the environment today with all the 'politically correct' atmosphere that exists now. That's another subject for another time. My interests expanded tremendously through young adulthood and through high school.
With my range of interests growing into a lot of different ventures I decided on a tour of duty with the U. S. Air Force after high school. Little did I realize that particular field also required a lot of work too. But, no matter I was finding that my objectives were being realized, at least part of them anyway! In my mind I was finding much of what I liked in this new venture at the age of 18: There was boot camp in Texas, tech school, lots of military travel and loads of airplanes! Military tech school took me to Biloxi, Mississippi where I was enrolled in communications and electronics. Later I would do a lot of overseas travel in various places with the U. S. Air Force. Little did I realize then I was accomplishing many of my goals, and doing it while I was at a young, energetic and curious age! Moving on to civilian life my work took me into manufacturing where once again I was engaged in a lot of travel all over the U. S. including California, South Carolina, Tennessee, North Carolina, Kentucky, Texas and Illinois. Over the years I was fortunate to become involved with many friends from all over. I am even more fortunate to live within easy driving proximity to Wright-Patterson Air Museum near Dayton, Ohio. I am even nearer to my once-assigned duty station at Grissom ARB in Indiana. Most of the pictures on this blog post are from the Air Museum at Grissom. I cannot imagine why my interests take me in so many directions, but I do know for sure I am blessed with more than my share, including pets, gardens, family and lots of country living.
