Lori's Outbox

Hi Sid...somehow I figured you for an astronomer! We are always so centred on our little here-and-now that it's similar in effect to a really good body stretch ...just to stand out beneath the stars and realize how small we are! it settles me and makes me feel thankful for the ground beneath my feet! I had a good look at the moon and nearly blinded myself...lol... this summer I saw Jupiter...with it's three moons...they tell me that's not often possible! but I was lucky...We missed a lunar eclipse by weeks...(telescope was on order) I often just put it on the deck and look to see what I can see...this thing has so many bells and whistles that it frustrates me...because I just want to train it on something interesting and it wants to give me a gallactic tour!!

OK, Ian...Hallowe'en is over...when can we expect a long white beard and a jaunty red, fur trimmed, hat? Don't have to remind you how close Chistmas is getting!
Time sure flies...doesn't it? won't be long til we're planting up flats of lettuces! Hurry spring!

thanks LIndak...I'll have to get some "snuggies" lol.... Ian...there's a telescope available for "amateur or first time astronomers" made by Celestron that may be of interest to you.

we are sure to get lots of fresh air (and maybe chill blanes) this winter!

Ah yes! thanks Scotkat.... sort of like heuchera mania!?

hahahah.... you mean my search engine don't you? LOL....but thanks for the lovely compliment... (I guess my reference to Wikipedia was a bit left handed but that's where I found all the info!)

they are Gerris remigis.... water striders... (they are not spiders...they have only four legs!!) they're so fast it takes a dip net to catch them and they jump out before you can get your hands on them!
they eat other insects...and according to wiki some scientists have studied their legs...they shed water and allow the insect to stand on the surface miniscus. (they used the term Hydrophobic legs!!!! LOL.) I thought hydrophobia was a disease of mammals! lol not an insect's leg design!) but it relates to the structure of the hairs on the legs which repell water. so cool. lol.

petals look irridescent! what a gorgeous flower! another plant for the wish list.

could it be a tithonia, Gt.... haven't read other comments yet... in the background there is a silvery gray plant...could it be sage brush?

Wow! is this all your own work? beautiful!!!!

beautiful! so well laid out and, obviously, lovingly tended!

Yes! that was my first thought too, Morgana!... I love your garden, Michaella.

Sigh! I wish I could grow bamboo!

It's quite tall.... I had the ground cover type with the shiny dark green leaves and red berries...can't remember the var. tag.

Wow...that is a fleecy sky if ever there was one! so beautiful at sunrise...that's a great shot, Sunblest!

Awww... how cute! were Ollie and Daisy raised together? I have a rabbit and was thinking of getting a kitten but put it off because of concerns for Clover.

interesting shape... looks like the petals are in triplets. makes for a triangular pattern... lovely colour and a superb photo.

you're no "mean" photographer, Meanie! LOL...what a gorgeous exotic flower! The colour is just superlative!! great pic.

How nice of you! thank you. You are so right~ I'll be planning like mad all winter, Pitta! I've had a bit of a reprieve ...we decided to put off listing our house until next spring...then I'll be able to take things with me without having to worry about over wintering them in pots...I'm so relieved.

Everyone is pulling for you Puss! Hope his recovery is quick, for your sake, Jacque.... it's even worse, his being a cat, cause he can't tell you where it hurts!
Bless you both.

This is the lovely Puss from the parking lot? awww poor guy~...

Thank you Autumn...It's another wonder of nature!!

Ah yes... you really nailed that one, Hw. Good old common sense, what ever happened to that? Research is only a mass of unproven facts... At the end of it all they have to justify their time...and results can be skewed in any way a person wants. The most disgusting part is that young educated people often don't appreciate the wisdom of the ages...

I have wild rabbits in my backyard...and regularly see sharp shinned hawks, and sparrow hawks...this past summer, I watched in horror as one descended like a bullet into the cedar hedge and made off with some poor little bird. sad. Have seen osprey but never a bald eagle...lucky you Hw.

I would imagine you are a Sir David fan too, Hw? I watched his series on Public Broadcasting. Has he done any programmes about North American wildlife? I rarely watch TV anymore.

thanks Sanbaz.... I tried many things (natural controls) and finally gave up...poor things just struggled to grow and finally I couldn't bear to watch it any longer... planted something hardier and decided to enjoy hollyhocks in other's gardens! (I won't use chemicals) Not familiar with choysia, Milky ...will have to do a goY search. * Just checked out Choisya ...Mexican orange blossom...looks like great stuff. Oh for a warmer climate!

Oh dear! I have heard that a loaded Mountain Ash means a long cold winter!

Argiopes aurantia! I love these beauties...don't want to walk (face first) into one of their webs tho...it's a little creepy...but the poor creature has to start from scratch to build another...their webs are marvels.

check out Diohio's pics...she has pics of "touch me not"
I love this plant it grew everywhere in the slightly swampy part of our back 40!

Rootbeer!!! Did you choose it for it's tolerance of wet soil? my herbal says it has many uses medicinally and that it relieves the itching of poison oak and ivy. but the bark tea is said to cause liver cancer. interesting how plants have benefits and detractions depending upon what part of the plant is used!