Please don't hate me because I am beautiful!

We should have it so rough....I received a cell phone picture of Mini's spa day at the groomers.....

Even Warrior Princesses have to have a little pampering, a few french fries, and a friendly lap every now and then....at Doggy Styles....very wonderful people there that take excellent care of the dogs that are lucky enough to go there!
You can see more here: http://www.wilkyboxers.com/doggiestyles.html

So - what happens when she gets home from her spa day?

Her vassal, Rocky, gets to take his nap on the floor. He is writing a book....the first sentence starts with 'It was a sad day....'

Back to flowers!

It is still summer and the flowers are still growing - as hot as it has been.

A beautiful cone flower, native to Indiana no less! And, if not native, at least not invasive.


The hostas put out their buds waiting to burst into a stalk of flowery bells

This is my best shot ever of a hosta bud, I don't think I will ever see one as pretty as this one.

Beautiful buttery yellow Day Lillies....Not Stella d'Oros but a much more softer yellow, kind of apricot-ish.


Back around to the backyard to see how the flower beds are doing - this is Mini and Rocky's eye-view of the gate to the backyard. I am starting to move some hostas back there in anticipation of creating a gravel walkway with pavers....my gate is propped open by a good specimen of quartzsite from.....Quartzsite, AZ! As I left my friends (Bob and Debbie) place in 2002 Bob tossed it in the back of my truck. So nice to have it around to feel closer to them! And to keep the gate propped open.

And the gosh darn flower beds I have been working on for the last 5 years! They are starting to mature - finally! I have planted 2 Korean Spice Bushes (vibirnum) in front of the a/c - those two tiny little bushes. And my coin grass is growing nicely to hide the horrid box o' wood fence built on the other side of mine!






Ahhhhhh.....summertime....

Happy Birthday Deb!

The fearless one who leads us down the Yogic path has had a birthday! George and I coerce her into dinner at a new restaurant in town.
Yes - I know it's juvenile but I just can't help myself it seems:


George, AKA Rocky's therapist, thought it was pretty good!


I followed George through the feeding trough line


Awww....the happy duo!!! Good picture, George!


And one last picture of very excellent company! Happy solar return, Deb!

Not a bug, not a flower...not the backyard...

Not a tree, not beadwork.....it's a Celia! Mini, of course, loved her on sight. Not as much as she loves Steve (her one true love) but she loves her a lot. Celia is my new neighbor and, thankfully, dog lover! She doesn't mind yappy little dogs (Rocky) or intrusive and yappy little dogs (you-know-who). She is owned by a Greyhound (George) who is yet to be photographed.

Welcome to the neighborhood, Celia, it has been a joy to have you here already!

Bugs

Hot and humid here in Southern Indiana. Not as hot as AZ but hotter than NY! CA sounds pretty good, Karen!

We have bugs. Lots of bugs. This let me know it was time for the obligatory flower and bug pictures! Here are some bugs that appreciate my flowers! They didn't appreciate me chasing them with a camera but bore it with dignity and the willingness to jump.

This fellow saw me coming - I liked his colors, he blended right in! And even has striped antennas.


He looks big but is really a little bitty guy!


This one was going about his business, enjoying his pollinating ways..


But he thought he would head out to a flower that was less photographed

Mini went for a 2 1/2 mile walk this morning....

And spent the rest of the day doing this!


That is a long walk when you are only 7 inches tall at the withers!

Pictures you only get in the hot humid summer!

It's been sunny, hot, humid, stormy...your basic Indiana summertime. Here are some obligatory flower pictures and backyard pictures - I love my flowers and backyard, enjoy logging their growth and beauty!

Daylillies in the backyard are doing great, got some pictures just after a rain. I was fighting off the ciggers, mosquitos, and no-see-ums but it was worth it.


Cone flowers are very pretty this year...it is hot and steamy in this picture, the humidity just hangs in the air.






Around to the front of the house and Mini's view of the world - she keeps a close eye on the neighborhood through the front storm door.


Lots of dog people in my neighborhood and lots of dog walkers. Mini makes sure I am alerted to every single event going on outside of her window. This brave fellow walks 3 dogs at once and is so very good and patient about it. He is actually an artist and sculptor who teaches in Guam for half of the year. Very cool guy!


These pictures will come in handy at 10 below 0 in January with snow and ice up to our knees....at least we can look and remember what will be back again in a couple of months!

Happy Independence Day to the Beady-Eyed Bunch!