When we moved to Bowling Green in 1990, I had never gardened. Evelyn Stone, the woman who had lived there, had been gone for a while and the gardens were overgrown. As I cleared them out, I found all sorts of plants that had been deliberately placed, and I started to become interested in the variety of flowers. It really changed my life, because suddenly I was seeing plantings everywhere. I had never paid any attention before.
One of my favorite flowers that first year in Bowling Green, bloomed in July. It was a blackberry lily. Finally, last year, I bought one and planted it here. Today it began to bloom. Joy!
Jane and I actually got on our horses today, and rode. While I am still not 100% after my unintentional dismount thirteen days ago, resting has helped.
Derry and Bart are less enthusiastic than Jane and Anne 
Jane spied this beautiful spiderweb along the path 
The back hay field has been baled
Oisin loves to lose his face mask in the field. Today, Nathaniel was here, and rescued a lost mask. I was very grateful that he didn’t mow it. I think I will show Oisin the picture John Marlow took in Africa – I bet he would prefer a mask to those birds! Yikes!
Dealing with face flies in America 
Dealing with face flies in Africa (John Marlow photo)
Nathaniel rode the big mower and I did the push mowing. With all the rain, the grass just will not slow down.
On the back deck, there was a lot of squirrel activity today, and plenty of bird action.
Female house finch and male grosbeak 
Marmalade is beginning to seem a bit less fearful. He allows me to get closer while he is eating. And speaking of cats, and eating – Tom Morris thinks the camera adds ten pounds. I think he may need to go on a diet.
Bedtime will be most welcome today. I am feeling my age, and looking forward to joining Harry and Weedy. I see in this picture that Weedy needs his nails trimmed. I will put that on my list for tomorrow. Harry threw a frisbee for Nettie, and she is pretty tuckered out today, too. In dog years, I think we are about the same age.
Weedy and Harry 
Nettie
Finally, from Montana, here is a dose of Rainy, the beloved mule baby.
Hiding her ears! 
Gracie and Rainy (photos by Nancy Stevens)
Stay safe, stay well.
Stay hydrated…
Indeed! I was too dehydrated last night to remember that good advice, Chris. Thanks for the reminder.
Happy to hear you are feeling better
We saw Belamcando in the ditches near Marsden moor. I think it’s the same thing . Jonee
Yes, Jonee! It is Belamcando, and this particular variety has a stupid name (Freckle Face). But to me, they will always be blackberry lilies, since that was how I met them. I do think having correct names for things is important, but colloquial names are fun, too. It is incumbent on us, though, to know proper names for continuity!