Southern Smorgasbord

Along Came a Spider Lily

2010-10-28T17:04:00.000-07:00

I have always loved spider lilies (Lycoris radiata) but don't have much luck in growing them. They are everywhere in early autumn, growing along roadsides, next to ditches, in meadows. But they are somewhat temperamental, from what I've read. They don't like to be disturbed, and make take more than one season to bloom once planted.

Anyway, they must grow quickly, because I discovered two in my back yard, only when they were about to bloom. They are so fascinating and are a harbinger of cool weather. I really love these plants.

Little Sunflowers on the Prairie

2010-10-25T18:00:00.000-07:00

My neighbor across the street has a cluster of prairie sunflowers, sometimes called Maximilian sunflowers. These are gorgeous, growing upwards of seven feet in height and needing absolutely no staking at all. Each year at this time I get such enjoyment in seeing them every day.

My Favorite Time of the Year!!!

2010-10-25T17:53:00.000-07:00

Where has the time gone? Autumn just simply passes too quickly. Maybe I love autumn because my birthday is on September 23, but there is just something about this time of the year. The skies seem bluer, the air has just a little crispness to it, football is everywhere, and it's almost time for me to start planting pansies!

Here are a few shots of why I like autumn so much!

It's Good to be Back!

2010-09-05T09:49:00.000-07:00

August is over, thank goodness. I've been away for a few weeks, after my mother had a bad fall. She will be going home tomorrow, so my time will still be limited. Your prayers for Vivian will be appreciated as she adjusts to a more restricted lifestyle.

I Am Surrounded by Banana Spiders!

2010-08-02T17:44:00.000-07:00

I give up. They are everywhere around my house. I got clotheslined again this morning by a piece of web. These things are huge. This chiquita, fortunately, is out of my way. Her web extends from the hydrangea bush all the way to a crepe myrtle tree, probably about 8 feet in width.

Look closely in front of the clay pot. Chiquita is hanging out in her web.

It's easy to see the golden color of the web.

Jeremiah Denton - Beyond the Military....

2010-08-02T17:31:00.000-07:00

When he retired from the Navy in 1977, Denton returned to Mobile where he served as a consultant to the President of Spring Hill College. He also founded and led the non-profit organization, "Coalition for Decency."

In 1980 he was elected to the U.S. Senate, setting history in doing so. He became the first Republican ever elected by popular vote to the Senate from Alabama, the first resident of Mobile elected to the U.S. Senate, the first retired military flag officer and the first Catholic elected to any statewide office in Alabama. He was also the first retired Admiral or General elected to the U.S. Senate.

He served in the U.S. Senate from 1981-1987. While in the Senate, he served on the Judiciary Committee, the Labor and Human Resources Committee, and the Veterans Affairs Committee.

In 1983, he served as an observer to the election in El Salvador. He was also an advisor to President Reagan regarding the effort to stop communist aggression in Nicaragua.

The Denton Foundation was established in 1985. This space available program, in conjunction with the U.S. mililtary, has transported over 50 million pounds of equipment and supplies to needy people throughout the world at reduced or no cost.

Upon leaving the Senate, President Reagan appointed Denton Chairman of the Presidential Commission on Merchant Marine and Defense, a two-year appointment.

Jeremiah Denton's accomplishments are too numerous to list here. More information can be found at http://dentonfoundation.org/

I remember Jeremiah Denton speaking at Dauphin Way Baptist Church while he was still in the U.S.Senate. It was quite an honor to listen to his testimony. He is a testament to his faith and that was evident in his compelling story as he recounted his years as a prisoner of war.

Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay...

2010-07-29T13:29:00.000-07:00

I've been thinking lately about Mobile Bay, probably because of the recent oil spill and the potential for resulting damage. It appears that the bay has dodged a bullet, but it got me to thinking. What do I really know about Mobile Bay?

The bay has salt water from the Gulf of Mexico and fresh water from rivers. This combination of fresh and salt waters is called an estuary, which is home to many fish, shrimp, and crabs.

Even though Alabama's coastline has only fifty miles of beach, it has the fourth largest river system by volume in the United States.

Mobile Bay is approximately 31 miles long; its widest point is 24 miles across; the average depth is only 10 feet. Since the 1800's a man-made ship channel has been in operation, thus creating an international seaport for ocean going vessels.

Sailing on the bay

Sun beginning to set

What a lovely sight!

Check your Zipper!

2010-07-27T15:44:00.000-07:00

Here is a picture of one of the banana spiders in my back yard with the 'zippers' in its web. These are the strangest things I've ever seen!

What in the world are those white zipper things?

Heard Any Good Books Lately?

2010-07-26T12:16:00.000-07:00

Yes, I said "heard." I have to confess, I love audio books. My only problem is that I can't stay awake long enough to finish even one cd, so I wind up playing them over and over again until I'm done.

Right now I'm enjoying some of the works of David Baldacci. Who, you ask? Did you ever see the movie Absolute Power, with Clint Eastwood and Gene Hackman? The movie was based on the book written by David Baldacci. It was Baldacci's first novel.

Let me just say up front that I love mysteries and suspense, first and foremost. If you haven't seen this movie, you should. BUT, you should also read the book, because it's NOTHING like the movie. I'll leave it at that. The book is great and so is the movie!

Now, back to David Baldacci. Born and raised in Virginia, he received his B.A. from Virginia Commonwealth and his J.D. from the University of Virginia. After practicing law for nine years, he tried writing. It took three years to finish Absolute Power, and another two years to find a publisher.

In addition to serving as a national ambassador for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, he founded the Wish You Well Foundation, which promotes literacy.

The book which I just finished is called Divine Justice. It includes members of the "Camel Club," which consists of an assorted cast of characters, including a former CIA assassin.

If you are interested in learning more about Mr. Baldacci and his novels, please check out his official site here: http://davidbaldacci.com/

You won't be disappointed!

Problems with Blogger

2010-07-26T10:38:00.001-07:00

Is anyone else having problems with their background and/or templates? I finally got my bumblebees back, but this has been an ongoing problem since late last week. I'm just curious.

Along Came a Spider...

2010-07-25T04:37:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I think I have entered the world of Little Miss Muffett when I wander around my yard. As anyone who lives around here can attest, the invasion of the banana spiders is in full force. Also known as golden silk weavers (due to the color of their webs), they are actually harmless, at least to people.

I went around outside and tried to get some good pictures of the ones who are inhabiting the trees, the carport, the front porch, etc.

Chiquita #1. Her web is in a tree that extends downward to the bridal wreath shrub right next to my deck stairs.

Is this something she's wrapped up or is it part of her?

Chiquita #2 and #3.

Look closely and you can barely see the golden threads of the web. This is in the carport.

Chiquita #2 near the garage door.

One thing I've learned--they seem to like to build their webs suspended between areas where I like to walk. If you don't like where they have built a web, you can knock it down with a broom handle and they usually will build somewhere else. That happened with the one on my front porch. She was TOOOOO close to my front door so I knocked down her web. Now she's moved over about three feet.

The worst thing is walking into one of these webs. They are unbelievably strong. Although I've never found a spider on me from walking into a web, there was one occasion where I ran back inside and took a shower because there was so much web in my hair. That was the only time I felt that way.

I found a very interesting web site that has lots of information about banana spiders. Here is the link: http://www.shadygrovetrainingcenter.com/wildlife/bannana_spider_photo_gallery.htm/

Did you know that there are theories about banana spiders being predictors of hurricanes? Check out this web site for more information!

http://www.shadygrovetrainingcenter.com/wildlife/Golden%20Silk%20Spiders%20and%20Hurricane%20Warnings%20043007.pdf

I sort of hope that we don't have to prove that theory any time soon, though.

My daughter's got lots of spiders too. Actually these are just a few of mine, but the pictures of my other Chiquitas just didn't turn out very well.

Seven Years in Hell

2010-07-25T03:47:00.000-07:00

As a POW held captive by the North Vietnamese, Denton was used as a propaganda tool. In 1966, a television interview was conducted, in which it was expected that he would condemn the U.S. policy in Vietnam. Prior to the interview he was tortured in an effort to guarantee a favorable response.

The interview was conducted by Wilfred Birchett, a well-known Communist author. During the interview, Denton was asked by a Japanese reporter if he agreed with U.S. policy. His response: "I don't know what is happening now in Vietnam. because the only news sources I have are North Vietnamese, but whatever the position of my government is, I believe in it, I support it, and I will support it as long as I live." This was NOT the anticipated reponse.

The interivew was aired on ABC television in May of 1966 after being sneaked out of Vietnam by a Japanese journalist. During the interview it was revealed that Denton was using Morse Code by blinking his eyes to signal the word T-O-R-T-U-R-E.

Denton's punishment for this interview included all night two-hour torture sessions, which even brought some of his captors to tears.

On February 12, 1973, Denton was released. He acted as spokesman for the first group of POW's returning from Hanoi to Clark Air Force Base in the Phillippines. His comments upon arriving safely: "We are honored to have had the opportunity to serve our country under difficult circumstances. We are profoundly grateful to our Commander-in-Chief and to our nation for this day. God bless America."

Denton later released a book about his years as a POW.

In April of 1973 he was promoted to Rear Admiral. He served as the Commandant of the Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Virginia, until his retirement in 1977.

But there is still more to the story.....

Sources: http://www.dentonfoundation.org/

Let Me Call You Sweetheart...

2010-07-24T08:42:00.000-07:00

Everyone should have a 'sweetheart' rose. I was fortunate enough to inherit one when I bought my house. It sits just inside my fence next to the driveway. Its botanical name is Rosa, "The Fairy." It's easy to see why.

It started blooming a couple of weeks ago, and will continue on through the summer with no encouragement.

Even though the blossoms are not fragrant they more than make up for that in their simple elegance.

A Rose by Any Other Name....

2010-07-24T08:29:00.000-07:00

Although not really a rose at all, the tuberose has a deliciously sweet aroma, with enough heaviness in it so as not to be very 'perfumy.' It's a member of the amaryllis family, and thus, a lily.

After all the rearranging in my front yard, I still have one tuberose left, which has risen proudly on its 3+ foot stalk each July for the last several years.

First you don't see it, then you do! That's how quickly this plant grew. It's right next to my hydrangea by the front porch, so I probably should have noticed it before it grew to this size.

I know there are single and double tuberoses...mine is a double, I think.

The blossoms are like little trumpets, and they have such a wonderful scent. It's sort of like jasmine, but not. I know that doesn't make sense, but that's the only way I can describe it.

There are so many buds, and they don't all open at once. That helps to prolong the fragrance for several weeks.

This picture was taken over a week ago, and the flower is still blooming. Its stalk is quite tall; almost four feet, and does need help staying straight.

Lily of the Nile

2010-07-18T16:03:00.000-07:00

Better known as the aganpanthus, and sometimes called the African Lily, it is truly a thing of wonder, especially as it prepares to bloom. My daughter has these lovely plants all around her garden. I recently kept taking shots of one as it prepared to open.

The seed pod had opened, allowing all of the petals to emerge.

Now they are finally free!

One greate thing about agapanthus is they don't need to be staked. Their stems are very sturdy.

Each little blossom has its own place on the 'sphere.' The flowers together form a round bloom. It reminds me of a starburst fireworks. And the shade of blue is so soothing and calming.

What Color Blue is This?

2010-07-16T20:08:00.000-07:00

This is my lace-cap hydrangea, which is in front of my porch. I just don't know what to call this color. Any ideas?

Look at these little bud clusters! Sorry they are a little blurry. They look like little blueberries!

The process of bloom is amazing to watch. Each little ball becomes a petal.

In this picture the little balls look like blue cauliflowers.

This gives an idea of just how large this bush is.

Bloom wearing down; you can barely see the porch.

Buds just beginning to form.

They were greenish-colored at first.

This was when the foliage began to emerge after its long winter sleep. I was really glad to see this after the cold January we had.

No wonder I was worried. Look how pitiful!

The little leaves are barely showing. Never did I dream that this lovely shrub would produce such gorgeous blossoms and foliage. I should learn to trust Mother Nature.

My Glads Make Me Sad

2010-07-13T19:00:00.000-07:00

Gladiolas are so lovely. But I simply cannot manage them. When I first bought my house I went crazy buying all kinds of bulbs, including glads. I have some purple ones that come up every year and promptly fall over.

This poor glad is leaning on top of a nearby day lily. These purple glads have come up every year for the last four years. Now I ask myself: why purple?

If you like to see gorgeous bulbs, go to the website for American Meadows. This pretty pink glad came from their catalog.

American Meadows also has a Biltmore Collection, featuring varieties grown at the Biltmore Mansion in North Carolina. The next two photos are from that collection. These didn't bloom last year at all. In fact I had forgotten all about them until I saw them blooming a few weeks ago.

It pays to walk around my yard every day. I never know what I might find!

Glorious!

2010-07-13T18:50:00.000-07:00

This is my Gloriosa lily, also known as the flame lily, and climbing lily. One of my worst habits concerning my garden is to buy something on impulse, with no clue as to how it will do or fit in.

I saw a photograph of the gloriosa lily in a catalog last year and ordered three. They bloomed again this year, even better than before. I will definitely order some more for next year. After the hard freeze in January I wasn't sure they had survived, but they did indeed.

Buds!!

Come on, you can do it!

At last!

Their stalks have little tendrils that will attach to whatever is nearby. One got tangled up with the nearby bridal wreath. They really don't need staking, though.

I like them because of their height. They grow above the fence, which is about 3 1/2 feet high.

My daughter and I saw a house with these on either side of the front sidewalk. They were absolutely gorgeous.

Simply glorious!

Rudbeckias for the Heat of Summer!

2010-07-13T18:35:00.000-07:00

I love these flowers! Why? Because they love the heat and don't need any attention at all during these hot summer days. In fact, they prefer it if they don't get their feet too wet. Better known as black-eyed-Susans, there are several varieties to choose from.

Two plants in my back yard.

From what I have read they are biennials; they should only live two years. Well, either that's not correct or mine have put out new growth and divided on their own, because they keep coming back each year bigger and better than before.

I really like their dark green hairy leaves. They are very unusual. These plants don't need staking at all. I probably should cut some and make an arrangement, but I just love seeing them in the yard.

I have some other rudbeckias around the yard too, but they don't put on such a show of color as those above.

Yes, this is a variety of rudbeckia. The greenish tint is very unusual.

I have no idea what this one's name is, but would venture to guess the word 'pinwheel' is included somewhere.

Just beginning to open.

A little bit wider open.

Ta-daa!!

Another bud starting to open.

Look at the center of this flower. A bee-magnet for sure. Pollen everywhere!

Hello, Old Friend!

2010-07-08T10:28:00.000-07:00

For sentimental reasons going back many years, I've always enjoyed feeding ducks and/or geese. Every morning on my way to work I pass two duck/geese habitats. It's always a great way to start the day, especially when there are young out and about with their parents in the spring.

This particular duck, whose name is merely "Duck," lives near my office. I discovered him by accident over three years ago, when it became necessary to take a detour to and from the office. Once I saw him, it was a mission of mine to make sure he had plenty to eat.

His situation saddened me a little bit, because he was always alone. He would always be near the road, hunting for what food he could find in the grass and dirt.

I first started with bread, but later learned from a dear friend that ducks loved corn. My friend would take me to a local feed store where we'd get corn and just keep in our cars until it was all gone. A fifty-pound bag of corn cost $6.00. Not too bad a price!

This lone duck got me through a medical problem I had three years ago, in that he gave me something to focus on other than myself. Even though I didn't feel well, I was determined to go and look for him in order to feed him, even on weekends. Sometimes if he was on the water, he'd take off flying and land near my car and get several double handfuls of corn. I'd just call "Duck" and sometimes I'd see him paddling along. He came to know my voice.

This ritual went on regularly for a long time. Then last year I no longer saw him. I'd take corn and call for him but he wouldn't come. Once or twice I'd see him in the water, but he wouldn't come to me. But he was always alone. I felt sad for him, but figured he just wasn't hungry.

Then, about a week ago as I was driving to work early one morning, I saw him! He was on the opposite side of the pond where I used to feed him. It just so happened that I still had corn in the back of my car. What to do? I made a decision in a split second and swerved into a parking lot across the road from where he was pecking around in the dirt. By the time I got out of my car, opened the trunk and grabbed a handful of corn, "Duck" was crossing the street, heading my way! I got him to follow me back across the street, then ran back to the car for more corn. When I crossed the street again, "Duck" had a friend enjoying breakfast with him.

The next day both "Duck" and his friend were out early, so again I parked to take them corn. This time, they were both crossing the street, so I coaxed them back across before feeding them.

The bottom picture is "Duck's" friend. I don't see them every day, but at least I know "Duck" isn't alone any more. Every one, including ducks, need a best friend, don't you think? The one thing I can't help but wonder, though: did "Duck" recognize my car? I'd like to think so.

It's a Moth, It's a Hummingbird, It's a Hummingbird Moth!!!

2010-07-08T09:31:00.000-07:00

This little fellow was spotted in my daughter's back yard a few days ago. Well, not this one; she tried taking pictures but none turned out because they were all blurry.

She said at first she thought it was a bug, but it moved like a hummingbird. Finally, she found out what it was: a hummingbird moth! I never knew there was such a thing. Isn't it cute?

It sort of looks like a bumblebee, too. And it's fuzzy-looking, like a bee. But its movements are like that of a hummingbird, because it flits very quickly from flower to flower and hovers while it eats. Unlike most moths, it comes out during daylight hours. It even hums like hummingbirds do, probably from the quick beating of its wings.

From what we can tell the one she saw was a Snowberry Clearwing Hummingbird Moth. Although its wings don't appear clear in these photos, usually the wings are covered in scales, but some species lose the scales; thus the name 'clearwing.'

Hummingbird moths are sort of plump and their tails open into a fan shape. They have a very long tongue which stays rolled up under their chins until they come upon a flower with the nectar that interests them. They tend to like phlox, monarda, honeysuckle, and verbena.

Here is a picture of a hummingbird moth on phlox flowers.

Red, White and Blue!

2010-07-04T13:48:00.000-07:00

In honor of our nation's birthday:

Red verbena.

White gardenia.

Blue hydrangea.

The colors of the U.S. Flag are all around us!

Happy Birthday, America!

2010-07-04T10:59:00.000-07:00

Signatories by State:

New Hampshire: Josiah Bartlett, William Whipple, Matthew Thornton

Massachusetts: John Hancock, Samuel Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat Paine, Elbridge Gerry

Rhode Island: Stephen Hopkins, William Ellery

Connecticiut: Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntington, William Williams, Oliver Wolcott

New York: William Floyd, Philip Livingston, Francis Lewis, Lewis Morris

New Jersey: Richard Stockton, John Witherspoon, Francis Hopkinson, John Hart, Abraham Clark

Pennsylvania: Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, John Morton, George Clymer,

James Smith, George Taylor, James Wilson, George Ross

Delaware: Caesar Rodney, George Read, Thomas McKean

Maryland: Samuel Chase, William Paca, Thomas Stone, Charles Carroll

Virginia: George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Nelson Jr., Francis Lightfoot Lee, Carter Braxton

North Carolina: William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, John Penn

South Carolina: Edward Rutledge, Thomas Heyward, Jr., Thomas Lynch, Jr., Arthur Middleton

Georgia: Burton Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, George Walton

All Aboard!!

2010-07-03T14:28:00.000-07:00

Those were the two of the most exciting words I heard as a child. It was a BIG deal to take day trips with my mother to New Orleans, on the L & N Railroad's (Louisville & Nashville) train, the Humming Bird.

The Humming Bird began running in 1946 when L & N started an all-coach streamlined operation between New Orleans and Cincinnati. It was definitely a no-frills train, with only coach cars, lounges, and dining cars. The lack of the more expensive amenities was made up for in lower fares, which the public embraced.

The Humming Bird was named after a 'name the train' contest was held. Out of 292,200 entries, 671 were for the Humming Bird. Runner-ups were "Magnolian" and "Thoroughbred."

When my mother and I would take day trips to New Orleans, we would dress up. No one ever traveled anywhere without having hat and gloves. It just wasn't done.

The old train depot that I remember from those days was a basically a large waiting room, with exits to the tracks. The porters were all in uniform and the excitement was almost palpable as I waited to hear the train whistle as it approached the terminal.

Once we were on board, it was exhilerating to feel the rumble of the giant train wheels begin to move, with a lurch and jerk. Until maximum speed, the ride was anything but smooth. Even then, it was not a relaxing ride. But I didn't care, because I was on the train!

What lay ahead was the scariest part of the trip, though. And that was crossing Lake Pontchartrain on the old wooden trestle. Once the train made it to the trestle, we were almost to New Orleans!

As you can see there are no protective supports to prevent the train from going into the water in the event of an accident. I don't know which was scarier: going across the trestle in the day time or at night. Either way, the train slowed to what seemed like a crawl and and lumbered across the trestle as though it had feet instead of wheels and was feeling its way blindfolded. It was very thrilling!

My favorite thing to do on the trip to New Orleans was visit the dining car. I couldn't imagine anything more exciting than to eat a hamburger, drink a coke, and look out the window of the train as the countryside became one big blur.

Approximation of typical L & N dining car.

All good things must come to end, though. The Humming Bird's run ceased abruptly in 1969, due to lack of profits and excessive expenses, leaving many passengers stranded! Those days of train travel were very special and I'll always remember the excitment I felt as the conductor cried "All aboard!"

Sources: http://www.american-rails.com/

http://lnrr.org/

What's In a Name?

2010-07-03T05:30:00.000-07:00

Plenty, if you are my daughter. She knows the names of all her varieties of day lilies, unlike me. I believe she knows exactly how many she has of each variety. I'm posting some pictures of her beautiful day lilies, with the names included.

Our favorite place to shop for day lilies is Oakes Daylilies (http://www.oakesdaylilies.com/) If you love perusing catalogs, they have two in print, not to mention their online catalog. Take a virtual tour and you won't be disappointed!

'Prima ballerina'

'Brocaded gown'

'Fencing masters'

'Fencing masters' and 'Brocaded gown'

'Miss Amelia'

'Fencing masters' at one end of the pool.

'Your guess is as good as mine'

(My daughter will let me know)

Another shot of 'Fencing masters' with "Big Head"

"Button" with 'Fencing masters'

I love going to my daughter's garden. It's constantly changing. She and her husband do a beautiful job of keeping it maintained.

July!!! It's Hummingbird Time!

2010-07-01T16:23:00.000-07:00

Try as I might over the years I've not been able to cultivate a 'hummingbird' garden. I've gotten the feeders, and then neglected to keep them filled. So I've planted all kinds of plants that are supposed to attract them, but with little success. Ocasionally I'll see one but it's rare.

If you know of a sure way to attract them, please let me know! So for now, I'll have to content myself with another kind of hummingbird. Unlike our feathered friends, this one is edible! It's the grand and glorious Hummingbird Cake!

From what I've read, the Hummingbird Cake has distinctly southern origins. The first known printed recipe was attributed to Southern Living, in its February 1978 issue. It was submitted by Mrs. L.H. Wiggins of Greensboro, NC. However, no explanation for the origin of the cake's name was included with her recipe.

It's entirely possible that this cake has gone by other names, according to FoodTimeLine.org. Citing a 1985 Arkansas Gazette article, the cake has also been called "Cake That Doesn't Last," "Never Ending Cake," "Granny's Best Cake," and "Cake that Won't Last." I prefer the name "Hummingbird Cake," though. It just sounds southern, don't you think?

Some people have speculated that the cake may have Jamaican roots, since the swallowtail hummingbird is the national bird of Jamaica. That sounds a little farfetched to me. I like the theory that it's named in reference to the way hummingbirds eat: they are attracted to very sweet food sources, they engage the food source quickly, and disperse just as quickly when full. When you read the recipe you may tend to agree!

HUMMINGBIRD CAKE RECIPE

3 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups sugar
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. salt
3 large eggs
1 1/2 c. vegetable oil
1 (8-ounce) can crushed pineapple, undrained
2 cups chopped nuts (pecans, walnuts, or hazelnuts, divided)
2 cups chopped bananas
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

Icing Recipe

Combine 2 (8-ounce) packages of cream cheese with 1/2 pound (2 sticks) butter, both at room temperature. Add 2 (16-ounce) boxes of powdered sugar, sifted; beat until light and fluffy. Add 2 teaspoons vanilla extract.

Mixing/Baking Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease 3 (9-inch) round cake pans with butter; dust the bottom and sides with flour. Set aside

Combine flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon and salt in a large bowl and stir until well blended. Add the eggs and oil, and stir until the dry ingredients are moistened, taking care not to beat them. Stir in the pineapple and juice, 1 cup of the nuts, the bananas and vanilla.

Divide the batter evenly among the prepared pans. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean, about 25-30 minutes. Let the cakes cool in the pans for about 10 minutes, then turn them out onto racks to cool completely.

Today's quiz: how many calories are in one slice of hummingbird cake? Take your best guess, and no cheating!

Source: The Glory of Southern Cooking, by James Villas (John Wiley & Sons)

Please don't throw me in the briar patch!

2010-06-22T19:40:00.000-07:00

When I was a little girl I loved listening to Uncle Remus stories. There were such interesting characters, all of which were animals--Bre'r Rabbit, Bre'r Fox, Bre'r Bear. My favorite story was Bre'r Rabbit and the Tar Baby. Bre'r Fox was Bre'r Rabbit's mortal enemy. He was always trying to catch Bre'r Rabbit. One day Bre'r Rabbit made a rabbit out of tar, and of course, along came Bre'r Fox. Like most villains, Bre'r Fox wasn't too bright, so he couldn't tell that the tar baby wasn't really Bre'r Rabbit.

Bre'r Rabbit was hiding nearby and when Bre'r Fox approached, Bre'r Rabbit pleaded with Bre'r Fox not to throw him in the briar patch. In probably one of the first literary instances of reverse psychology, that is exactly what Bre'r Fox did. Another case of Bre'r Fox being outsmarted by a rabbit!

Summer's Here! (Officially)

2010-06-21T18:27:00.000-07:00

It may be the first official day of summer, but it's been 'summer' in my neck of the woods for several weeks. With heat indices over 100 degrees, the next few months promise more heat and humidity. So in honor of summer, I'd like to share some pictures of a few of my day lilies. Who ever said they were the easiest perennial to grow was so right! Once they are planted, no more worries. I plan to get some more for next year. They really put on a show. Unfortunately, I don't know the names of most. The yellow ones are called Miss Amelia. I hope you enjoy!

Reflections of the past....

2010-06-19T09:44:00.000-07:00

Just a few years before the Battle House was to be shuttered for three decades, my wedding reception was held in the Crystal Ballroom. I came across these somewhat faded photos but wanted to share them. What a day that was. I particularly like the lovely spiral staircase, which seems to have disappeared from the renovated ballroom.

I'm not offering any prizes, but a gold star goes to the correct guesser of the year! Look closely at the hair styles and clothes!

The Battle House -- Let's Go Inside!

2010-06-09T18:15:00.000-07:00

Look upward from the floor of the lobby, and you will see a domed skylight, dating back to 1908!

Elaborate plasterwork and trompe-l'oiel are found on the ceiling and walls. Portraits of Louis XIV of France, George III of England, Ferdinand V of Castile, and George Washington are found at positions around the perimeter of the skylight.

The Trellis Room, featuring a restaurant with Northern Italian cuisine, is on the lobby floor. Interestingly the kitchen is full-view so patrons may watch their meals being prepared.

The Crystal Ballroom, just a few steps from the main lobby, was also known as "Mobile's First Harvest." This probably stems from the fact that southern planters and farmers would gather at the Battle House at the end of planting season. The ballroom has seen many events, such as wedding receptions, Mardi Gras Balls, and New Year's celebrations.

The lobby is a vast, open area with a carpet in brilliant hues. The mezzaine surrounds the entire lobby.

It is though you are stepping back in time when entering this gorgeous hotel. Thank goodness it was not allowed to crumble into oblivion, unlike other historic buildings here. We should treasure these pieces of the past.

Shazam!! The Alabamian of the Month for June Is.....Jim Nabors!

2010-06-09T12:50:00.000-07:00

In honor of his birthday (June 12), let's find out a little more about Jim. Born in Sylacauga, Alabama on June 12, 1930, he sang in his high school's glee club and church choir.

He had planned a career in business and enrolled at the University of Alabama. That all changed when his fraternity, Delta Tau Delta, held the Jason's Jamoboree, a Greek skit show. The acting 'bug' had bitten.

Upon graduation from college he moved to New York where he worked for the United Nations as a typist. A year later he moved back south, to Chattanooga, Tenneessee. While there he worked as a film cutter.

He had never forgotten about acting, though. Because of childhood asthma which had never completely disappeared, he moved to Los Angeles. There he worked at NBC as an apprentice film cutter. At night he performed at The Horn in Santa Monica and eventually he was 'discovered' by Andy Griffith, who asked him to audition as a bumbling gas station attendant, Gomer Pyle. The rest is history, as the saying goes.

His character on the Andy Griffith show was so popular that a spin-off series, Gomer Pyle, USMC, was developed.

Jim also guest-starred on Carol Burnett's variety show for many seasons.

No one would have expected the beautiful baritone voice to emerge from someone who portrayed such goofy characters on television. He recorded twenty-eight albums and many singles, garnering five gold and one platinum record.

In the years since his television career ended, Jim Nabors has done many public performances in Las Vegas and in musical theater, including the role of Harold Hill in "The Music Man." His film credits include "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas" with Burt Reynolds and Dolly Parton, and "Stoker Ace," another film in which he co-starred with Burt Reynolds.

In 1991 he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and was inducted into the Alabama Hall of Fame in 2001.

He currently lives in Hawaii, where he owns a macadamia farm and grows tropical flowers.

In 2001 Jim Nabors was made an Honorary Marine and promoted to Honorary Lance Corporal, and in 2007, on the 43rd anniversary of "Gomer Pyle, USMC," he was again promoted; this time to Honorary Corporal.

His response upon being awarded this honor? "Well Gol-ly!"

I found full episodes of Gomer Pyle, USMC on http://www.tvduck.com/

from 1964-1969. It would be worth a short trip down memory lane. They don't make 'em like this any more!

sources: http://www.marinecorpsnews.com/

http://www.jimnabors.com/

A Bit of History - The Battle House Hotel

2010-06-08T07:36:00.000-07:00

Named for its owners, James, John and Samuel Battle, the original Battle House opened in 1852 on the site of a former military headquarters set up by Andrew Jackson during the War of 1812. The picture above represents the hotel after being rebuilt in 1908. The original hotel was destroyed by fire in 1905.

Many famous people can be counted among the guests of the Battle House, including Henry Clay, Jefferson Davis, Millard Fillmore, and Winfield Scott. Stephen A. Douglas was a guest the night he lost the presidency to Abraham Lincoln. A National Weather Service station was established at the Battle House in 1880 and electric lighting was added in 1884.

Once the rebuilt hotel opened, it remained a prominent fixture of Mobile through the first and second World Wars. While staying there in 1913, Woodrow Wilson made his famous statement that the "U.S. would never again wage another war of aggression."

This historic building fell into disrepair over the ensuing decades and was closed in 1974. Various reasons can be attributed to this, the main one being urban blight, in my opinion. My wedding reception was held in the Crystal Ballroom of this glorious hotel in 1971. At that time it was still a popular place for such events, although the surrounding areas in downtown Mobile were less than desirable.

How ironic that the Battle House was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975, one year after it closed. But the story does not end there.

By 1980, the Battle House was the only building still intact on its city block. After nearly thirty years of standing vacant, it was restored to its former splendor when the Retirement Systems of Alabama bought the building in 2003. The restoration was completed and the building reopened in 2007.

Next, we'll go inside.....

source: USA Archives

If You Can't Take the Heat....then Fix a Salad!

2010-06-06T15:48:00.000-07:00

Now that the hot weather has really arrived here in coastal Alabama, I'm looking for good meals which don't require an oven or stove-top. I came across this recipe for Chicken Waldorf Salad (Pillsbury) that is next on my list.

The recipe is from Pillsbury's "Cooking for Two" section, but it could easily be changed for larger servings.

Ingredients:

1 c. cubed deli rotisserie chicken breast (from 3- to 3 1/2-lb chicken)
1 medium unpeeled apple, cubed (1 cup)
1 medium stalk celery, sliced (1/2 cup)
1/2 cup red seedless grapes, cut in half
1/4 cup slivered almonds, toasted
2 T. refrigerated coleslaw dressing
2 leaf lettuce leaves
1 T. thinly sliced chives

Directions:

1. In large bowl, mix all ingredients except lettuce and chives
2. Place 1 lettuce leaf on each of 2 serving plates; spoon salad onto lettuce. Sprinkle with chives.

This takes about 20 minutes to prepare. I'd rather make more servings so that there would be enough for more than one meal.

source: http://www.pillsbury.com/

Three Coins in the Fountain....Part Three

2010-06-06T05:37:00.000-07:00

The final stop on our 'fountain' tour took us across Mobile Bay to the little town of Fairhope. There is a rose garden surrounding the fountain, which is always a favorite backdrop for photographs. I found two 'volunteers' for this picture.

Three Coins in the Fountain....Part Two

2010-06-05T21:41:00.000-07:00

Next stop on the 'fountain' tour was downtown Mobile, to Bienville Square. Named for Mobile's founder, Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne, Sieur de Bienville, it takes up an entire city block, bordered by four streets.

Bienville Square had its beginnings as a public park in 1824 after Congress declared that the land be forever used as a city park. The walkways, benches, and live oaks were added in the 1850's. The large cast iron fountain with an acanthus leaf motif was installed in the 1890's.

There used to be goldfish in the fountain when I was young. Those days are no more.

It's still a lovely place, full of squirrels that are so tame some will come and eat right out of your hand.

This little fellow is enjoying a yogurt-covered pretzel which I happend to have on hand. He probably doesn't get those very often!

Three Coins in the Fountain....Part One

2010-06-05T21:23:00.000-07:00

While sightseeing around my hometown, Mobile, on Memorial Day, my family and I found ourselves drawn to areas which also included some lovely fountains. It's probably good to have out-of-town company occasionally, because it seems like that's the only time I really get to explore my own community.

Washington Square, located in the Oakleigh Garden District of downtown Mobile, Alabama.

Stately live oaks line the sidewalks leading to the fountain, which is in the center of the square. Historic houses face the square on all four sides. I'd love to wake up each morning to that view!

Mimosas, Anyone?

2010-06-05T21:02:00.000-07:00

I could be referring to the delicious cocktail composed of champagne and orange juice.

But actually, I'm referring to the lovely mimosa tree, also known as the silk tree. They are blooming everywhere in my area right now.

These blossoms are so fascinating to me. There was one of these trees in my front yard when I was a child. I used to call it the powder-puff tree, because of the blossoms. I picked them and pretended I was using them to put powder on my face.

There are several mimosa trees located just outside my office. The other afternoon I took a break and walked around the pond where they are planted. The timing was perfect, as they were at their peak of bloom.

Apparently these trees are considered invasive because they reproduce and regrow faster than many native species. The mimosa tree originally came from China, where it was used for ornamental purposes.

The mimosa usually grows to between 20 and 40 feet at maturity. The leaves are especially interesting; they are from 5-8 inches long and 3-4 inches wide. Each branch has from 20 to 60 leaflets.

The fragrant flowers resemble pom-poms, ranging in color from white to pink, and are at the end of the branches.

Mimosa seeds form inside flat, straw-colored oval-shaped pods from August to September, but they stay on the trees until winter. I'll go back later in the season to take a look at the seed pods.

The mimosa seeds can lay dormant for as long as fifty years. The tree can grow as much as three feet in one season. Because of this, it's a strong competitor for other shrubs and can quickly dominate its habitat, especially in open areas and forest edges.

Time for a different kind of cheeseburger...

2010-06-04T16:35:00.000-07:00

I love cooking with Bisquick. If you've never tried some of their impossible pies, they are just so easy and tasty. Here is a recipe for "Quick Cheeseburger Bake."

1 lb (at least 80%) lean ground beef
3/4 c. chopped onion
1 can (11 oz) condensed Cheddar cheese soup
1 c. Green Giant Valley Fresh Steamers frozen mixed vegetables
1/4 c. milk
2 c. Bisquick mix
3/4 c. water
1 c. shredded Cheddar cheese

1. Heat oven to 400 degrees F. Generously grease rectangular baking dish, 13x9x2 inches. Cook ground beef and onion in 10-inch skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until beef is brown; drain. Stir in soup, vegetables and milk.

2. Stir Bisquick mix and water in baking dish until moistened; spread evenly. Spread beef mixture over batter. Sprinkle with cheese.

3. Bake 30 minutes.

This would be so good with a tossed garden salad. I'm thinking brownies for dessert!

source: http://www.bettycrocker.com/

Braxton Bragg (1817-1876)

2010-06-04T08:56:00.000-07:00

General Bragg is buried in the Confederate Rest portion of Magnolia Cemetery. A very controversial commander for the Confederacy in the Civil War, he was a West Point graduate (1837) with a reputation for strict discipline within the ranks.

Prior to the Civil War, he saw action against the Seminole indians and in the Mexican War. In fact, his use of 'flying artillery' during the Mexican War revolutionized the battlefield use of that arm. In 1856 he left the Army as lieutenant colonel and became a Louisiana planter.

During the Civil War, he was in charge of the operations against Fort Pickens in Pensacola Harbor, after initially commanding various operations in Louisiana. Early in 1862 he briefly commanded the forces in northern Mississippi for the attack on General Grant at Shiloh. He later relieved General Beauregard after this battle.

Unfortunately some of his later actions did not result in success for the Confederate forces. On the last day of 1862 he launched an attack on the Union forces in Murfreesboro, Kentucky, but did not carry through the initial success. Having to withdraw, he was driven into Georgia.

He led forces to a victory at Chickamauga, but again failed to follow up the success. Instead, he attacked the Union army at Chattanooga and simply waited for Grant to break through his lines.

All the while he was engaged in disputes with others, namely Leonidas Polk, James Longstreet, and William J. Hardee. As a result the Army of Tennessee proved less than effective. He was removed from command after the Battle of Chattanooga and appointed as advisor to Jefferson Davis in Richmond, Virginia.

After the war he served as Alabama's chief engineer, and eventually settled in Galveston, Texas, where he died suddenly while walking down the street with a friend.

Braxton Bragg's grave in Magnolia Cemetery.

Remembering the Fallen Heroes

2010-06-04T06:02:00.000-07:00

May 31, Memorial Day. A day to remember and honor those in uniform who gave their lives in service to our country. It was a special day for me. My son and his wife were here, so with my daughter and her husband and my mother we set off to Magnolia Cemetery in downtown Mobile, where both the National Cemetery and Confederate Rest contain the war dead from the War of 1812 through Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Magnolia Cemetery is a very interesting place. It was established by a municipal ordinance in 1836. At that time it was outside the city limits. Originally built on 36 acres, it's now in the heart of downtown Mobile, but has grown to cover 120 acres, and is the site of over 80,000 graves.

Originally called the New Burial Ground, the name was officially changed to Magnolia Cemetery in 1867. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.

In addition to the 6,000 veterans who are buried here, Magnolia Cemetery also contains the graves of Mobile's two Jewish congregations.

This section is known as Confederate Rest, and contains the graves of those who fought for the Confederacy during the Civil War.

Taking it to the Street's

2010-05-26T19:40:00.000-07:00

Last Friday my daughter, mother and I went to this neat nursery near Fairhope, Alabama. What a fun time we had. So much to see, especially if you are into statuary and water gardens. Take a look!

All of the pots were arranged by color.

There are all kinds of water plants to choose from.

What luck I had to snap this dragonfly, even though he's a bit of a blur.

Images of carefree days at the fishing hole.

In case you are in the mood for something colorful, here is a watchdog that you don't see every day.

It's Crinum Time Again!

2010-05-26T18:00:00.000-07:00

Sometimes known as the cemetery lily or river lily, the crinum is not even a lily at all. It's a member of the Amaryllidaceae family. It's just easier to call it a lily, I suppose, because it does resemble other lilies.

I have two of these plants. Right now one is blooming; the other has not produced any buds, but it's in more of a shady area, so that's probably the reason.

The name Crinum comes from the Greek Krinon, which means white lily. Most of the plants have some white in their blossoms so the name seems to fit. The stalks with the blossoms shoot up so quickly. When I saw the bud pictured above, I would have sworn there was not even a stalk in sight the previous day!

Although I received these plants as bulbs, they are apparently easy to grow from seed. The only problem with that is that it may take more than one year to mature enough to produce blossoms.

As my back yard tends to retain water after a rain, these crinum have found the perfect home.

There are between 60 and 100 species of Crinum worldwide, occurring in the United States, Africa, southern Asia and Australia.

Africa has more species that any other country. These are truly maintenance free plants, which provide weeks of enjoyment throughout the late spring and summer months.

Jesse Owens Meets Adolf Hitler

2010-05-26T17:39:00.000-07:00

Setting many records at the Big Ten Championships in 1935 prepared Jesse for competition in the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, Germany. Much fanfare had been made of Adolf Hitler's belief that the German "Aryan" people were the dominant race and would, therefore, excel at the Olympic games. By the time the games were over, Owens had won four gold medals:

The 100-meter run (10.3 seconds, an Olympic record)
The 200-meter run (20.7 seconds, a world record)
The Long Jump (8.06 meters)
The 4 x 100 meter relay (39.8 seconds)

The German people were completely enthralled by Jesse Owens, if Hitler was not. It was rumored that Hitler refused to shake hands with Owens because of his race. This may not be entirely true, however. By the second day of the competition Hitler had already decided to no longer publicly congratulate any of the athletes. Perhaps he saw the writing on the wall.

Owens' competition in the long jump was assisted by a German athlete, Carl Ludwig Long. Apparently Owens had jumped what he thought was a practice jump, only to learn that it had been counted as his first attempt. He foot-faulted his second attempt. Prior to his final jump, Long suggested that he place a towel in front of the take-off board. It worked. Eventually Owens went on to beat Long for the gold medal in the event.

More to come....
Biographical information courtesy of http://www.biography.com/
http://www.jesseowens.com/

Ladybug, Ladybug, Fly Away Home!

2010-05-24T19:34:00.000-07:00

Look at this busy beetle I discovered while weeding a few days ago. She was hard to keep up with, weaving her way back and forth, under and over, inside and out. Apparently I disturbed her little domicile while pulling up some stragglers in my day lily bed.

Yes, I did my homework on ladybugs, and no, they are not 'bugs.' They ARE beetles. And of the 5,000 species worldwide, 400 species are found in North America alone.

I tried counting the spots on the beetle's back, but it was hard to get an accurate number. I think there are seven, but in this picture I only see six. Apparently ladybugs can have two, seven, nine, eleven, thirteen, fourteen, or fifteen spots. Who would have guessed?

I kept expecting her to fly away, but she just kept roaming all around in the uprooted weeds. No doubt I must have uprooted her little house. I'm sorry.

Ladybugs are very beneficial to gardeners, since they eat aphids, whiteflies, and mealybugs, among other pests. They live for about one year. Incidentally, their color makes them safe from many predators, who mistakenly believe they may be poisonous. If a ladybug is stressed, she will 'reflex bleed,' which is the release of a bad smelling orange chemical. This also repels predators.

My camera is never far away. Were it not in my pocket I would have never had the joy of capturing pictures of this little insect. She was moving so fast at times she was literally a blur!

There are quite a few poems about ladybugs, but I like this one by Marie Fleming. It's titled 'Ladybug.'

Ladybugs all dressed in red

Strolling through the flowerbed.

If I were tiny just like you

I'd creep among the flowers too!

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?

2010-05-24T19:11:00.000-07:00

Well, well, well. I never know what to expect when I look out my back door. A few weeks ago I spotted Pablo, a baby possum, snacking on some leftover cat food. Last evening, I took a glance outside to check on the kitties and got the surprise of my life. A picture is worth a thousand words, so I'll let these pictures speak for themselves.

Baby Nanners just taking it easy while Pablo snacks.

I can't help but laugh out loud each time I see these pictures. So cute. Live and let live. That's a good motto to live by.

A Brief Whiff of Enchantment!

2010-05-17T20:21:00.000-07:00

That's the best description I have for the delectable and luscious fragrance produced by the Confederate jasmine vine.

This climber has been one of the best invesments I made when I bought my house five years ago. It was planted at either end of the fence on the north side of my front yard, and has consistently provided me with the delightful greeting each day for the several weeks it blooms in the spring.

What's great about this jasmine (although it's not a true jasmine) is that it's evergreen. The little white flowers are like pinwheels, spinning their enchanting fragrances into the air.

Contrary to its name, the Confederate jasmine isn't native to the American south -- it comes from China!

Finishing Touches in the Bedroom

2010-05-17T20:03:00.000-07:00

My daughter and I went to Target tonight and she found this neat rug which picks up the deep color in the picture frames and also in the green quilt at the foot of the bed. Perfect!

My little front bedroom was missing something, even after I finished painting. I kept thinking, white sheers at the windows. Voila!

The picture frames still need to be completed with photos! That will be the hardest part.

If Only I Could Bottle the Fragrance.....

2010-05-17T19:54:00.000-07:00

My sweet peas are finally blooming!!! Yeah!!! The seeds were planted in January and until about a month ago, the plants were just creeping up their little homemade trellis. But now, they are bursting open with the most beautiful fragrance in the world. I cannot even describe it. Sometimes I just stand and inhale the absolutely intoxicating smell for minutes at a time.

The first buds appeared about ten days ago, and I've been watching and waiting excitedly for these precious things to open.

These seeds have been planted for so long, that when they first came up I was just thrilled to know that they had germinated, but now just look at them!!!

If it will just stay fairly cool at night for a few more weeks, I am hopeful that these gorgeous vines will really continue to put forth. I would love to pick them, but I just enjoy seeing them on their little vines so much that I hate to. Picking should encourage more blossoms, at least it does on most plants, but I'm not sure about the sweet pea.

Did you know that there are over 250 varieties of sweet peas? Apparently the sweet pea was all the 'rage' in Edwardian England of the late 1800's, even though they were originally grown in the fields of Sicily. Sweet peas are associated with delicate and blissful pleasure (no doubt from the fragrance), adieu, and 'thank you for a lovely time.'

Ever heard of Gregor Mendel? Also known as the father of genetics, he performed extensive genetic studies with these flowers, due to the fact that they self-pollinate. This makes it easy to track such characteristics as height, color, and petal form. Seems like I remember studying about this in biology class many years ago.

Each morning I check to see what's new on the vine, so don't be surprised to see the occasional photo of a new sweet pea from time to time!

A Lacy Carrot

2010-05-16T10:25:00.000-07:00

I'm referring to the wildflower, Queen Anne's Lace, which I excitedly purchased at my neighborhood garden center last weekend. Each year I see their QAL display next to their fence so I took a chance and inquired as to whether they had any for sale. Yes!!!! was the answer. So I bought one.

Interestingly enough, this plant is also called Wild Carrot (Daucus carota). It has a long taproot, just like the carrot plant. Introduced from Europe, carrots today were originally cultivated from this plant.

Here are some pictures of the QAL growing at the garden center. So lovely!

The plants can grow up to four feet tall. The flowers are tiny and white with a dark, purplish center. And yes, the plants have fruit, which curl inward to build a "bird's nest" shape. That will be interesting to watch for.

A few days after planting. So far, so good!

Well of course I had to know how this flower got its name. Which Queen Anne is it named for:

Is it the FIRST Stuart Queen Anne, who at the age of fourteen became queen to King James?

Or was it the LAST Queen Anne, daughter of William and Mary, and last monarch in the Stuart line?

Legend has it that the queen was tatting using white lace and pricked her finger. The single drop of blood formed the purple center of some of the flowers.

Rainy Days and Sundays.....

2010-05-16T09:52:00.000-07:00

Here it is a gloomy Sunday, with what appears to be an all day rain in store. I need to do some housework, and in between stops at the computer I am slowly getting some things done inside.

Even my outdoor kitties seem grumpy because of the rain. Doesn't Baby Nanners look peaved?

Dahlia and Jimmie -- "when will the rain stop?"

Time for a new back door mat!

The Biggest Water Bowl Evah!!!!

2010-05-12T17:34:00.000-07:00

Baby Nanners getting a drink of water.

It's interesting to watch my cats drink water from the bird bath, when there is a perfectly good water bowl next to their food. Maybe it's because they like to jump, or maybe the water tastes better, or perhaps they secretly hope that a bird will stop by for quick bath while they are drinking.

It's Getting Crowded in Here!

2010-05-11T18:51:00.000-07:00

When I planted the alyssum in my strawberry jars, I naturally assumed that the bitter cold of January had killed the strawberry plants that had dried up and virtually disappeared. So I had the brilliant idea of planting cascading sweet pea seeds in the jars to go along with the alyssum.

Well, all three are fat and happy together in the jars, and although there are no buds yet on the little sweet peas, they are growing among the strawberries and alyssum. Now if I can just get one bloom before it gets too hot!

The alyssum had me worried when I first planted them; their little root systems practically came right out of the dirt when I transplanted to the strawberry jars. Thank goodness for the nice cool spring, because they have really been a welcome sight right outside my back door.

Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

2010-05-11T18:36:00.000-07:00

No, I'm not going all philosophical. I'm talking about the sweet plant that my daughter gave me a few years ago. This woody shrub is kept in a pot on my front porch. It didn't bloom the first year. Last year it bloomed beautifully. This past winter I put it in my greenhouse because of the extreme cold.....I thought for sure it was doomed, even with the protection of the greenhouse. But, it came back!

It gets its name from the variation in colors from lavender, to pale blue, to white as the blossoms mature. If it wasn't in a pot, it may reach a height of 8 feet, but I honestly don't know where I would put it, so there it will stay. Also known as the morning-noon-night or Brazil raintree, its a member of the nightshade family (Solanacae).

Here it is after a full cycle of blooming. It should rest for a while and then start over again.

Happy Mother's Day!

2010-05-09T04:21:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother's Day to all of the moms. I hope you have a wonderful day

Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body. ~Elizabeth Stone

"And honeysuckle loved to crawl up the low crag and ruin'd wall."

2010-05-08T09:59:00.000-07:00

This is a quote from Marmion, the epic poem by Sir Walter Scott, about the Battle of Flodden Field (1513).

Isn't it amazing how flowers find their way into great works of literature? Well, I have two honeysuckle vines, which are crawling all over my picket fence. They love their little spot which gets sun virtually all day.

They started putting out new growth in early March. I have two types of the twining honeysuckle--yellow and red. The name of the yellow escapes me, but the red is called "Alabama Crimson." They are the non-fragrant kind of honeysuckle, with long tubular flowers.

The foliage turned from a brownish color to bright green within a few weeks.

These plants have totally entwined themelves around my fence. Is the fence holding them up, or are they holding up the fence?

"Alabama Crimson"

View from my neighbor's yard.

Alabamian of the Month for May - Jesse Owens

2010-05-06T18:06:00.000-07:00

Who would have thought that the son of a sharecropper and grandson of a slave would go on to become the best remembered athlete in Olympic history? In winning four Olympic gold medals he thwarted Adolf Hitler's plans to use the games as an example of Aryan superiority.

James Cleveland Owens was born in Oakville, Alabama on September 12, 1913.

Called "J.C." by his family, the name "Jesse" was inadvertently given to him by a schoolteacher in Cleveland, Ohio, where the family moved when he was nine years old. When asked for his name, he replied "J.C." However, the teacher thought he said "Jesse," and that's the name she entered in her roll book. From then on he was known as Jesse Owens.

When Jesse was in high school, he won all of the major track events, including the Ohio state championship for three consecutive years. As a result of his high school career, several colleges recruited him. And although Ohio State University couldn't offer him a scholarship, he chose to enroll there. To support himself and his wife, Ruth, he worked several jobs: night elevator operator, waiter, and gas station attendant. He also worked in a local library, and served as a page at the Ohio Statehouse. He somehow managed to find the time to practice and set records in intercollegiate competition.

Source: http://www.jesseowens.com/

More to come....

Iris -- Goddess of the Rainbow

2010-05-05T19:41:00.000-07:00

When I was in high school, I was a "Latin" geek. I took three years of Latin in high school, because I was so interested in mythology. Since there were only about fifteen of us in third year Latin, our teacher asked each of us to choose a Latin name. So I chose the name "Iris."

Iris was the goddess of the rainbow, and the messenger of the gods. She was the goddess of the sea and skies, and as the rainbow arcs from the sky to the sea, she was believed to replenish the rain clouds with water from the sea.

My real reason for choosing that name was because of the iris flower, which has as many different color combinations as the rainbow.

Probably the most beautiful iris of them all is the bearded iris. My daughter has taken quite an interest in these beauties and has given me some as well. The following pictures were taken in her garden over the last couple of weeks. I don't know the names of these lovelies; I just know that they take my breath away.

This one is in my front yard.

Is This What T. S. Eliot Had in Mind When He Wrote

2010-05-04T19:24:00.000-07:00

Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats?

This little fellow apparently has found a home under my house. Since I have cats that live outside in my back yard and I feed them at my back door, imagine my surprise to see little Pablo trying to eat cat food the other morning. One of the cats was just sitting there, watching him. The poor thing can barely chew the food. I'm guessing he's an orphan, but he has the instincts that God gave him to know when he's got a good thing going. As long as it's live and let live, I'm okay with him hanging around.

Everything's coming up roses - for me. (Ethel Merman)

2010-05-04T18:54:00.000-07:00

Roses in my yard. I don't know the names of most of them, since many were planted when I bought the house. This is one of them. I love its color.

The bud of an English tea next to my garage.

Fully open.

This one is called Night Owl.

Betty Boop.This climber has been planted for at least three years. Now it's blooming for the first time. The picture doesn't do it justice, though. It's covered in 'bunches' of blossoms.

Some people are always grumbling because roses have thorns;

2010-05-04T18:37:00.000-07:00

I am thankful that thorns have roses. (Alphonse Karr, author).

Won't you come into the garden? I would like my roses to see you.

2010-05-04T18:23:00.000-07:00

This quote is from the Irish playwright, Richard Brinsley Sheridan. I can think of no other quote that applies so fittingly to my daughter's roses. Come with me on a walking tour:

Above and following are Comtes de Champagne, lovely English tea roses. Starting out with yellow buds, upon opening they are lighter, and then fade to white when fully open.

The white roses in the background are called Lichfield Angel.

These roses are named Harlow Carr, and have the fragrance of the perfume "Joy," by Jean Patou.

The Queen of Sweden.

Let's Go Indoors for a While

2010-05-04T10:25:00.000-07:00

Okay, so it only took me five years to redo my front bedroom. Better late than never. It's hard to tell, but the color was a very faded pale green. The color was one I liked, but it was DIRTY!!!

My daughter gave me these lovely picture frames, which finally inspired me to do something about this room. With her input, the decision was made to venture into the pinks/roses/lilacs shades.

So, we bought paint samples and brought home paint swatches to try and make a decision. That process started last fall.

I began painting in February but then for various reasons just put the project on hold. Finally, this weekend I was determined to finish. The paint color is a pale pink, called Water Lily Bloom (from Lowe's). Part of the reason I chose it was because of Lily, one of my daughter's cats. Even though Lily despises me, I love her!

All done! And now, I have a room that I'm happy to enter and enjoy!

I'm thinking about getting some white sheer panels for the windows, but as usual, my daughter will have the final decision on that.

That interesting mark on the wall is apparently the reflection from the mirror!

This potter's bench is perfect in this room now. There is a shelf on the bottom, which I promise not to clutter up!

Now, the only thing left to do is freshen up the closet and bedroom doors, plus the molding around the windows, with some white paint. It's on my list. Oh, and yes, I have to put some pictures in these lovely frames!

How About A Snowball Fight?

2010-04-28T18:42:00.000-07:00

Figuratively speaking, that is. I'm referring to the beautiful Chinese Snowball Viburnum (Viburnum macrocephalum), which is a very interesting semi-evergreen shrub. In my wanderings around this spring, I only saw a few. What's fascinating about these beauties is how the blossoms start out chartreuse and then turn pure white.

This one is in the yard of one of my friends. Unfortunately, I didn't have the opportunity to see if after the blossoms turned white. The chartreuse color is very unusual, don't you think? I really love it!

Going Bananas!

2010-04-28T16:37:00.000-07:00

Banana Magnolia, aka Magnolia figo, Michelia figo, Magnolia fuscata

This unbelievably fragrant shrub smells just like fresh bananas! I recall one of these in my grandmother's front yard when I was a child. It wasn't until I was house-hunting a few years ago that I came across these in the yard of one of the houses I visited. I didn't buy that house, but I bought two of these great shrubs to go right next to my front porch.

I moved in the last week of April, so they had already finished blooming. But I anticipated the following spring with great expectancy. In August of 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated the entire gulf coast. It also did something else: it caused the banana magnolias to bloom out of season. Now they are supposedly spring-blooming only, but mine bloom twice a year without fail, although the heavier blooms are in the spring.

First buds, the last week of March this year. Aren't they cute?

Just look at those fuzzy little things!

The blossom out of its 'peel,' ready to open. Oh by, the way, those little shrubs are now as tall as the roof of my house. In five years, they have tripled their size.

The banana fragrance is so spectacular that it's hard to describe, except that it smells like a 'sweet' banana. For about three weeks each spring (and a week in the fall) I relish the idea of sitting on my front porch with a good book and a nice drink of coffee or lemonade (depending on the weather), waiting for a breeze to pick up the delightful fragrance and send it my way.

It's easy to see why it's called 'banana' magnolia. The blossoms look just like miniature magnolias.

Do Drop In at the Dew Drop Inn!

2010-04-28T14:35:00.000-07:00

This little restaurant in mid-town Mobile just happens to be Mobile's oldest. Now in its third location (since the 1950's), it's been around since 1924. That should tell you something about its popularity.

Its specialty is the famous Dew Drop hot dog. Served with chili, sauerkraut, mustard, ketchup, and pickles, its taste is unique.

If you prefer something simpler, you can order an 'upside-down' dog, with the chili next to the bun and the dog on top.

The Dew Drop's cheeseburgers are credited with being the inspiration for Jimmy Buffett's song, Cheeseburger in Paradise. (Yes, Jimmy Buffett was born and raised in Mobile.)

What's better than a side of fries? Onion rings, of course. They are the best I've ever tasted!

This restaurant has special meaning for me. You see, my father worked there and later became owner for several years prior to his retirement. I've grown up on Dew Drop food. And while I love the famous hot dog, my absolute favorite thing to order is their catfish, along with sides of cole slaw and macaroni and cheese. They even throw in some fries and onion rings.

The Dew Drop is always crowded, especially on Saturdays (closed Sunday). The decor hasn't changed since the 1960's when my father owned it. Very 'stylish' tangerine formica table-tops, with booths around the walls and up the middle of the floor. It's a fun place to eat, for sure.

The story of To Kill a Mockingbird

2010-04-26T07:31:00.000-07:00

Since Harper Lee wrote only one novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, which won a Pulitzer Price, what can one add to this very interesting story? What fascinates me is that the setting and some of the characters in the novel were drawn from real life. The main character is Atticus Finch, the attorney who defended a black man on trial for the rape of a white woman.
Besides the fact that Harper's father was a former attorney, her mother's maiden name was Finch. Since the narrator of the story is Scout, Finch's daughter, one can only conclude that Harper herself may have been telling the tale. It's well known that one of the characters in the book, Dill Harris, was based on Harper's childhood friend, Truman Capote.

Harper Lee collaborated with Truman Capote on his best seller, In Cold Blood, while he was working on an article about a murder in Kansas of four members of one family. She accompanied Capote to Kansas to conduct interviews and assist with research for the story.

An incident in the town of Scottsboro in the 1930's involved the trial of nine black men accused of raping two white women, may have provided the seed of inspiration for the novel. Race relations in the South were a very sensitive subject and black on white crime, especially male - female crime, was explosive.

How do you top To Kill A Mockingbird? Apparently you don't. Ms. Lee never wrote another book. She left New York and returned to Monroeville, Alabama, where she continues to live a life of quiet solitude.

The title has always intrigued me--Atticus was quoted in the book as telling his children that it was 'a sin to kiil a mockingbird,' after giving air rifles to them as a Christmas present. Their neighbor, Miss Maudie Atkinson, told them that mockingbirds don't do anything but provide beautiful music for us to enjoy. They don't eat up gardens and otherwise cause problems; they just sing for our pleasure.

In 2007 Harper Lee made an appearance at the annual induction of honorees into the Alabama Hall of Fame, of which she is a member. When asked if she'd like to say a few words, her comment was "Well it's better to be silent than to be a fool."

Sources: http://www.biography.com/
http://www.harperlee.com/
Photo: msnbc

Mobile, The Azalea City

2010-04-18T20:25:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday I took some pictures of the beautiful azaleas here in Mobile. This has truly been one of the most beautiful azalea seasons I can remember in many years. Take a look....

Nothing Could Be Finer Than To See The Carolina....

2010-04-18T07:35:00.000-07:00

Jessamine, in the morning!!! Also called Carolina jasmine (Gelsemium sempervirens), it provides greenery year-round, especially for areas that call for a 'climber.' My jasmine started off very small, on either side of my front gate, and quickly found a perfect home on top of my front fence. Last summer we gave it a haircut, which only served to increase its growth.

The yellow, tubular flowers produce a distinct, almost pungent, fragrance. It's not what I would call sweet at all. But I like it, because it's unique. The bees definitely find it attractive.

Before we cut it back last year, it had completelly covered the front gate. Now it respectfully stays on either side of the gate, and with a little encouragement from me, it will behave itself.

This year the carolina jasmine and bridal wreath bloom seasons overlapped a few days.

The bees were giddy to have found such a delicious nectar so early in the season. My jasmine was blooming by early March!

Here Comes the Bridal Wreath!

2010-04-17T17:04:00.000-07:00

My daughter might think I'm a little obsessed with bridal wreath. She's probably right. At last count I have around fifteen bushes in my yard, both front and back. They are just so graceful, elegant, and reminiscent of gardens of long ago. I recall my grandmother having these lovely shrubs in her yard.

The first buds have formed and I'm watching and waiting for the show to start.

Technically, bridal wreath is officially called Spirea prunifolia, and who knew? It's a member of the Rose family (Rosacaea). And surprise, surprise, it hails from China, Korea and Taiwan. And we thought we just got toys, clothes, and other durable goods from the far east!

I have to stop and laugh out loud at some of these pictures, because if any of my neighbors happened to be looking out their windows they surely would wonder what I was doing by taking pictures of plants in my yard!

Now things are really beginning to pop!

I've never pruned my bridal wreath, but apparently if you decide to it should be done right after blooming. To me, the haphazard look of the shrub makes it so beautiful and unique. No two look exactly alike.

The snow white blooms against the dark green foliage is striking in its contrast. This year they have been glorious and long-blooming. I reallly think that the severe cold weather we had in January resulted in one of the most bountiful spring bloom seasons in many years!

I've taken pictures at various times of the day, because the sunlight and shadows capture the beauty of these shrubs in different ways, depending upon the hour.

At full bloom! What could be more beautiful?

Sometimes I wish I lived across the street from myself so I could see what my neighbor sees!The back yard.

Look Mom, No Thorns!!

2010-04-16T17:54:00.000-07:00

I'm the first to admit that I don't know much about roses. But I know this---one rose that should be in everyone's garden is the Lady Banks. I was lucky enough to 'inherit' one when I bought my house---for the last five years it has given such joy every spring. This year it has been simply spectacular.

About a month ago I noticed the buds. There were bud clusters all along the canes.

The Lady Banks is a species rose, not a hybrid. And like so many of the plants we have all come to love, it originated in China.

Buds taking shape!

It is named after the wife of Sir Joseph Banks, who was the head of the Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain.

Making progress!!!!

Besides the fact that the Lady Banks has no thorns, it also requires little or no attention! Considered very disease-resistant, it's very rare to see either blackspot or powdery mildew.

Lady Banks (Rosa banksiae normalis) has been in cultivation since 1796! Isn't that amazing! My rose, the double-yellow, was discovered in 1824. It's hard to imagine that centuries have gone by since this beauty was cultivated.

Technicallly, it's called Rosa banksiae lutescens.

If you like a fragrant rose, then look elsewhere. The yellow Lady Banks has minimal fragrance; there is a white-flowered form with more fragrance, although I have not seen one.

Lady Banks only blooms once a year, in the spring. So any pruning should be done after blooming is finished.

Lady Banks basically takes care of itself. The joy it brings, even if once a year, is well worth the wait!

The largest Lady Banks rose is in Tombstone, Arizona. A white rose, it covers more than 8,000 square feet. And the Lady Banks has a long life-span. The one in Tombstone was planted in 1855!

Front Yard is Finished!!!

2010-04-16T09:44:00.000-07:00

Last weekend my son-in-law and daughter showed up with some sod to put down where my front flower bed had been last year. As you can see the progress was flawless and the finished product is just perfect for me!

Putting down the top soil.

Here comes the sod!

All of the sod is down! I turn on the sprinklers every morning to make sure the grass roots, and it's doing beautifully!

A couple of red adirondack chairs, and I'm ready to relax in the font yard!

Wistful for Wisteria

2010-04-16T07:22:00.000-07:00

Who hasn't seen a wisteria vine climbing up a telephone pole along the highway in the spring, with its lovely lilac clusters hanging like chandelier prisms? It never ceases to amaze me that the most neglected (by human hands) plants somehow seem to put on a beautiful display every year.

When I was a child there was a wisteria vine growing on a telephone pole across the street. While playing with the little girls living near the wisteria vine, a huge wasp stung me on the neck. For years after that I wouldn't go near a wisteria vine.

My back yard had two small wisteria vines. Instead of blooming all they did was entwine themselves in the crepe myrtle trees. I finally dug them up. But I do have a vine that I planted along the fence on the south side of my house, and hopefully one day it will bloom. I've since learned that it may take years for a plant to bloom--they stay in their 'juvenile' state for years.

This little bush is growing in the front yard of my friend's house. It gets plenty of sun and she has trained it to stay in bush form. It's not planted near anything it can attach itself to; therefore, it should always be easy to manage.

I didn't know that wisteria is a member of the pea family (Fabaceae). It was named after Caspar Wistar (1761-1818), an anatomy professor at the University of Pennsylvania.

Another small vine more in the 'bush' form, in my daughter's neighborhood. The only color flowers I have seen are white and lavender/lilac, but apparently the flowers also appear in shades of pink, bluish-purple, and purple.

There are two species of wisteria seen in home gardens: Wisteria cinensis (Chinese wisteria) and Wisteria floribunda (Japanese wisteria). The Chinese wisteria grows to a height of 25 feet with flower clusters from six to twelve inches in length. The individual flower clusters open simultaneously prior to the emergence of the foliage. The white form of Chinese wisteria (above) is extremely fragrant.

The Japanese wisteria also grows up to 25 feet. Its flowers open individually from the base of the cluster to the tip. It tends to bloom later in the spring, usually late May. Based on this information, our area seems to be populated with the Chinese wisteria.

Wisteria climbing up a still-dormant tree.

Could this be Japanese wisteria? Are its blossoms are opening one at a time? I don't know, but it's such a lovely vine that heralds the change of seasons unexpectedly. The thing I have noticed about wisteria: one day you don't see and the next day you do!

Remember those Bradford Pears?

2010-04-15T06:08:00.000-07:00

Now in all their green splendor! Simply beautiful.

Positively Precious Poppies!

2010-04-08T19:50:00.000-07:00

My daughter surprised me a few weeks ago with a tray of poppies. I was thrilled! Since they don't do well here because of the heat I usually don't buy any even when the garden centers have them for sale. So the adventure began. Here they are sitting in their pots in what was once my front flower bed. That was dug up and grass will eventually go there. (Remember the evil weed?)

Still in the pots and full of buds! I've got to get cracking! No time to dilly-dally with these babies!.

This one is in a hurry to bloom!

I planted them in my new, condensed front flower bed.

Their fuzzy heads are so cute!

Watching these flowers prepare to bloom is an amazing sight.

And now, may I present the "Poppy Parade."

Nestled among the pansies and irises. The pansies in the pots are almost finished. I've had all of the pansies since last October.

The Alyssum Assignment - Finished!

2010-04-07T20:10:00.000-07:00

I bought these plants the middle of March. The plan was to put in the strawberry jars which contained strawberries from last summer. There was one problem---I couldn't get the old strawberry plants out. They had begun to grow again and the roots were so tightly packed I decided to just stick the alyssum in with the strawberries.

When I began to transplant into the strawberry jars I discovered that the root systems on the alyssum were really small. They lost almost all of the dirt around their roots when I took them out of their flats. But I persisted and managed to get about half in the strawberry jars. The rest have been put in various pots around the back yard.

At first I was very disappointed with their appearance but they are now filling out and spilling over the rims of the jars.

Here are some that I stuck in a pot with pansies.

The Lonely Iris

2010-04-07T20:02:00.000-07:00

This sweet thing blooms each year all by itself. I planted several bulbs when I moved into my house but for some reason the others don't bloom. So here it is....standing proud.

I bought a package of these bulbs at Lowe's. It's hard to tell from the sunlight but the iris is white with the slightest blue around the edges of the petals.

The 'Other' Side of the Garden - part 2

2010-04-06T16:32:00.000-07:00

A perfect spot to rest for a while and enjoy the beauty of nature.

I love the meandering pathways. But which way should I go? Right or left?

Still a few camellias left on this bush next to some lovely white azaleas.

I made my way down to this 'staircase' and approached but didn't go any further. But I will go back and explore some more to see where it leads.

On my way out I came across these beautiful trees. Not sure if they are cherry blossoms, but they are just breathtaking in person!

A few more....

Fond Memories

2010-04-06T03:33:00.000-07:00

Saturday I went to my mother's house (the house I came home to as a newborn and the house I grew up in) to pick her up for an outing. My mother is 89 years old. We took some Easter lilies to the graves of four loved ones. There are many others who are no longer with us, but these particular four had extra special meaning.

When I drove up to her house it suddenly seemed so small. There were some other differences, too. The holly tree that had been in the front yard was gone. It died of old age or disease several years ago. It was under that tree that a mockingbird attacked me. Our cat, Nermal, also had an encounter with a bird under that tree. She kept the little knot on her forehead from that skirmish the rest of her life.

In the 'breezeway' is the little pet cemetery of some of the animals we've had through the years, for this house also was the home of my children for many years after I returned 'home' as a young single mother with two little ones. In addition to Nermal, there is Leon, the beautiful long-haired cat my daughter adopted from the animal shelter.

Behind the 'studio' is Sam, the kitty from next door, who was loved more by my daughter than its owners. There is also Wheat Germ (germy) and Honey, the two little hamsters my daughter had as pets. And somewhere is Hercules (Hercie) my first ever kitty. He introduced me to the wonderful world of felines when I was just six years old.

When I drove up and saw the house with the azaleas in full bloom, I thought of all the Easter pictures taken over the decades in front of the blooming azaleas. Those pictures have filled shoe boxes full of other memories of life at Felder Place. All of these memories flooded me as I drove up to my mother's house for a Saturday outing.

The dark indentation in the lawn is where the holly tree once stood. There are some gaps in the dwarf azaleas. I remember a solid little hedge of color all along the front planter years ago.

Mobile Botanical Gardens -- The "Other" Side

2010-04-05T19:35:00.000-07:00

When I went back Saturday, I decided to do some more exploring. What I found was even more beautiful than what I had already seen. It was more untamed, yet still beautifully kept. The potential for further exploration abounds, and I hope to go back when I have more time and a willing explorer to make the trip even more exciting!

Who could resist crossing this bridge to see what was beyond?

The welcome committee! How could I not continue?

The view from the bridge. But how do I get there?

A lovely splash of color beckoning me to keep going. Much more lay ahead.

Just enough beautiful treats to keep me interested. So I kept going.

Bunches of daffodils on either side of the grassy path, guiding the way. I knew exactly where to go, but how could it get more lovely than this? Little did I know what was around the curve ahead of me.

More to come.....

Alabamian of the Month for April - Harper Lee

2010-04-05T08:29:00.000-07:00

When most people think of writers, a large body of work comes to mind, e.g., John Grisham, William Faulkner, or Ernest Hemingway. In the case of Harper Lee, one novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, earned her not only a Pulitzer Prize, but resulted in an Academy Award winning movie of the same name. Theaters everywhere continue to perform the play, as its story is as compelling today as it was in 1960, when the book was published.

Nelle Harper Lee was born on April 28, 1926, in the town of Monroeville, Alabama.

As her surname suggests, she is a descendant of Robert E. Lee. Her father was a local newspaper editor, who had also been a state senator and attorney in Monroeville. After transferring from the all-female school Huntington College in Montgomery, Harper Lee studied law at the University of Alabama from 1945-1949. While at the University of Alabama, she wrote for and eventually became editor of the Rammer Jammer, the school's newspaper and humor magazine.

Realizing that writing, not the law, was her true calling, she then went to Oxford University as an exchange student. After a few months she decided to pursue a literary career and moved to New York City at the age of 23. While there she worked as a ticket agent for Eastern Airlines to make ends meet while she pursued her dream of being a writer.

Through the generosity of Broadway lyricist Martin Brown and his wife, Joy, Harper Lee quit her job to work full-time on her craft. The Browns also secured a literary agent for her, Maurice Crain. Although the manuscript went through a couple of title changes, i.e., Go Set a Watchman, then Atticus, the final version of To Kill a Mockinbird was finished in 1959.

More to come.....

Biographical data: http://www.biography.com/
http://www.harperlee.com/

Saturday at the Botanical Gardens

2010-04-04T20:49:00.000-07:00

Now that I have 'discovered' this place, I love going there! Mainly I'm seeking azaleas in full bloom, and they are finally beginning to cooperate. It may be a few more days until they are really at their peak so I will just keep checking. But I did some exploring and found 'the other side of the garden' yesterday. Take a look at these photos and enjoy!

Beautiful daffodils on the approach to the benches.

Follow the yellow brick road!!!

I thought I saw the tin woodsman behind those trees!

The pictures really don't show the true beauty of these flowers.

The bright orange azaleas are not common.

I'm not sure what these little blue beauties are; I only saw this one little planting.

The morning was rather cloudy, but it was still a lovely day. There were preparations for an Easter egg hunt going on nearby, so I'm surprised I didn't encounter more people on the paths.

I will have more pictures of the 'other side' in my next post.

The Helen Keller Art Show

2010-04-02T17:42:00.000-07:00

This traveling exhibit consists of artwork created by sensory impaired children statewide and internationally. It is part of the Alabama Deaf Blind Project. It just so happens that the exhibit is currently on display at the academic library where I work. This exhibit is in its 7th year and I am always amazed at the quality of the artwork produced by these young people.

I've attached photos of some of the items on display. Seeing these pieces reminds me that there is really no limit on anyone's potential.

Some selected pieces will be chosen to hang in Congressional offices in Washington, D.C.

A Look at Last Year's Front Yard

2010-04-02T10:47:00.000-07:00

The yard was so beautiful, in theory, at least. But the evil "cobblers peg" weed forced major changes into the planning for this spring and summer. My day lilies were all dug up, saved, and replanted. Hardy plants that they are, they are all doing well and growing. So soon I will have blooms on all of the ones that were moved this past January.

Unfortunately, the nasty weed can be seen coming up virtually everywhere in these pictures.

This spring I'm using pine straw instead of cypress mulch in my flower beds. Hopefully this will help, at least in the appearance of the beds. Over time the mulch actually contributed to the sad look of the front yard bed. With a smaller area for flowering plants, I hope to be able to stay ahead of the weeds that do make their way above ground.

Helen Keller's Legacy

2010-04-02T08:16:00.000-07:00

Througout her life, Helen received numerous awards and honors. Most notably, though, she will be remembered for her work for the American Foundation for the Blind, which was established in 1921. She served on the staff from 1924 until her death on June 1, of 1968. It was here that she began work for the "Helen Keller Endowment Fund" for the Foundation. She was especially proud of the formation of its special service for deaf-blind persons in 1946.

Her interest in blind persons extended beyond the United States. She was a member of the first board of directors of the Permanent Blind War Relief Fund, later known as the American Braille Press. Now known as Heller Keller International, Helen was its counselor on international relations. She traveled tirelessly through her later years on behalf of this organization. Between 1946 and 1955, she visited thirty-five countries on five continents.

Biographical information://www.afb.org/

Playing Possum

2010-04-02T04:39:00.000-07:00

This little critter was spying at me through some tree branches in my back yard. When he realized I had noticed him he froze like a statue and remained that way for several minutes. Finally I went in the house and he made his way back to his home. I guess he had been on his way to see if there was any cat food outside. Seems strange since it was late afternoon. Usually these guys come out in the pre-dawn hours.

I felt bad because had I not been in the yard he would probably have made his way to the cat food. The cats just sit and watch, or ignore him when he comes around.

Guess What? I won the lottery and am moving to the South Seas!!!!!

2010-04-01T07:32:00.000-07:00

Helen Keller - Life After Radcliffe

2010-03-30T10:58:00.000-07:00

Helen's formal education did not end with her B.A. from Radcliffe. She had many other published works, all of which were done with the assistance of her 'teacher,' Anne Sullivan. The include the following titles: The World I Live In; The Song of the Stone Wall; Out of the Dark; My Religion; Midstream--My Later Life; Peace at Eventide; Helen Keller in Scotland; Helen Keller's Journal; Let Us Have Faith; Teacher, Anne Sullivan Macy; and the Open Door.
Amazingly, Helen used a braille typewriter to prepare her manuscripts, then transferred them to a regular typewriter.

Helen received honorary doctoral degrees from Temple University, Harvard University, and the Universities of Glasgow, Scotland; Berlin, Germany; Delhi, India; and Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa. She was also an Honorary Fellow of the Educational Institute of Scotland.

Anne Sullivan Macy

Helen's political ideology became clear in the years following her graduation from Radcliffe. It was while she was enrolled that Anne Sullivan met John Macy, a prominent socialist of the times. Anne and John were married in 1905. Helen lived with the Macys in Wrentham, Massachusetts. During the years with the Macys Helen was introduced to John's views on socialism. In 1909 she became a member of the Socialist Party of Massachusetts.

A Beautiful Spring Saturday

2010-03-29T17:03:00.000-07:00

I was out and about Saturday morning and stopped by a local garden center to browse. What a gorgeous morning and what beautiful plants! It was a real feast for the senses!

Such beautiful tulips! I love the color combinations.

Daffodils always seem to be nodding their heads as if in agreement with whatever you say!

In the greenhouse. I want some of each!

Hanging baskets--use your imagination!

Helen Keller Attends Radcliffe College

2010-03-29T14:05:00.000-07:00

In 1896 Helen enrolled in the Cambridge School for Young Ladies, and in 1900 she became the the first deafblind person to ever be enrolled at an institution of higher learning, when she was accepted at Radcliffe College. In 1904 she received her B.A. cum laude. All this time Anne Sullivan remained with Helen as her teacher and companion.

While at Radcliffe, Helen wrote The Story of My Life, in 1903. Today, her autobiography is available in more than 50 languages.

More to come...

Biographical Information: www.afb.org/

"College isn't the place to go for ideas." Helen Keller

Pretty Maids All In A Row

2010-03-28T16:58:00.000-07:00

Since it's azalea season in Mobile, the 'Azalea City,' I can't ignore the most famous goodwill ambassadors for Mobile, the Azalea Trail Maids.

Once the Azalea Trail had been established for many decades, the city decided to enlist high school senior girls to represent Mobile at the height of azalea season. The Azalea Trail Court originally consisted of only ten members. Its popularity grew so much that in the 1950's it was decided to expand membership in the court to all of Mobile County. In fact, the America's Junior Miss Scholarship Program was formed as a direct outgrowth of the Azalea Trail Court. Now the court consists of fifty high school seniors, who go through a rigorous series of interviews, tests, and essays as part of the competition.

The Azalea Trail Maids now represent the city of Mobile year-round. For several years they have appeared in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

One interesting fact about the Azalea Trail Court: the Queen is the only member of the court to wear a pink dress. All of the other maids wear dresses in pastel colors of yellow, blue, lavender, green, and peach.

Time for Spring Planting!

2010-03-28T16:32:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was the spring plant sale at Mobile Botanical Gardens. I wasn't looking for plants, just azaleas in full bloom. Unfortunately, most have not yet bloomed out. Guess I'll have to go back again. Darn.

Meanwhile, I hope you enjoy these pictures.

Happy Trails to You!!!!

2010-03-26T11:19:00.000-07:00

More specifically, the Azalea Trail, which was begun in 1929 as a project by the Mobile Junior Chamber of Commerce (now known as the Mobile Jaycees) and Mr. Sam Lackland. The idea was to plant azaleas, which grow abundantly in this area, alongside streets around the city. Residents enthusiastically complied and the "Azalea Trail" wound through many areas of the city. It was marked by a pink line that was painted along the side of the street. It was a very BIG DEAL to have your house on the Azalea Trail.