Brian's birthday today, and the garden is his biggest gift. The bearded iris have finally opened in the two-day heat we've had, and I was able to fill the house with four large arrangements of them. It's almost like living in a greenhouse! But the weird weather and it's implications continue. Our lilacs are still on the bush, while not only the peonies but also several day lilies are ready to bloom. I guess there really isn't a season for this any more, just whatever the weather is that day/week/month. I still have plenty of happy violas springing up in all kinds of unlikely places, much of the color carpet of creeping phlox is also still around (as till it got a bit too hot it was unseasonably cold), the big rhododendron bushes have grapefruit-sized brilliant hot pink blooms everywhere, and even some wild daisies have popped open. It's quite a display.
In other news, Arley the adorable got adopted last Saturday by a wonderful couple who will love him forever (that's always the goal). It was, as I've seen before, love at first sight, at least for them. Since Arley is so shy, I assumed the fact that he didn't flee when they came out for their first introductory visit a week before, meant these were the folks. And when I got my first check-in call, I was so relieved to hear that he had settled right in, and was not at all upset by the fact that the entire neighborhood, alerted by doting doggie dad, turned out to meet him. He was fine with all the dogs, kids, and adults, each of whom wanted at least a moment to pet/sniff/examine him. He's come a long way from the scared little guy who would bolt at the sound of a match striking! Best of all, he will be in his last, best "forever" home this Saturday, when he has his 5th birthday. Party is planned, I can't wait to hear how that turns out.
I had a truly wonderful Mother's Day as Hyla came out to visit, bringing her doting parents Lisa and Josh. Since I'm not a blood relative, I assume that my assessment of Hyla as the cutest, smartest, most wonderful girl in creation is completely unbiased. There were lots of pictures taken, and I've never seen so many shots of myself looking so happy - it's just impossible not to smile when I see this little one! And she cordially smiles back.
That's most of what's happening here. We are weeding, carrying up logs from downed trees, weeding, setting out marigold seeds, weeding, expecting another foster dog in a week or two, and weeding. Keeps me going!
