Champ

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Summer time

Then followed that beautiful season… Summer…
Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light; and the landscape
Lay as if new created in all the freshness of childhood.
~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

So, the long weekend is finally over and summer is here. I know, by the calendar it’s not for another month; but to me, it always feels like Memorial Day Weekend kicks off the summer.

In summer, the song sings itself. ~William Carlos Williams

For the past few years, at the end of summer, I always feel a vague sense of regret — regret that I didn’t enjoy summer more, didn’t get outdoors enough, didn’t do the things I should have done, etc etc — and I always promise myself that next year, I’ll enjoy summer more fully..

Summer afternoon – summer afternoon;
to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language. ~Henry James

…so this year, I resolve to enjoy the summer, to spend more time outdoors, to spend less time on the computer, to get away from the air conditioning more often, to get out in the sunshine every day, to use the pool more, and to enjoy this season. In October, I don’t want to be sitting here feeling blue that summer is over and regretful that I didn’t really get out and feel it.

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yucca plants blooming

My yucca plants have been blooming for a couple of weeks now. These are also known as “Spanish Bayonets”. They sure are pretty, and are striking even when not in bloom. I’m a little leery of them though, they seem to be spreading faster and growing larger than I thought they would.

The edges of the tough, sword shaped blades on these plants are so sharp, that they are dangerous. (Click photos to enlarge) They need to be planted somewhere away from patios or areas where you walk around. I have mine planted on a hot, dry bank above the side yard and pool, along with some cacti plants, still in sight but out of reach.

An interesting note about yucca plants, according to wikipedia: they have a very specialized pollination system, being pollinated by the yucca moth; the insect purposefully transfers the pollen from the stamens of one plant to the stigma of another, and at the same time lays an egg in the flower; the moth larva then eats some of the developing seeds.

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Butterfly Sky

Click photo to enlarge.

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