Janet Brien's photos with the keyword: Irish eyes

A couple of months ago, a gardening friend of mine surprised me with four flower seedlings! At the time, she'd forgotten the page that identified each species, but I told her that I would rather they be a surprise! Week after week, I've been watering them and watching them grow. One of them was nearly killed when a deer ate most of it, but to my delight, it's grown from the stump that was left and is now vigorous and doing well. In the past couple of weeks, another of the four seedlings began forming buds, and in the last two days, the buds are getting very close to opening! This morning I peered closely at the upcoming blossoms and after a gasp of of delight, I turned and ran into the house for my camera! PICTURE DAY HAS ARRIVED FOR ONE OF ROBIN'S PRESENTS TO ME!! Before I could take pictures, I needed to bring wire clippers with me. These flowers are in our metal tub, which is completely caged in to protect them from the deer. Just after I'd planted the seedlings Robin gave me, and before we made a metal fortress, a deer came and mowed down everything in the tub--it even hopped up and walked all over it to get to the far side, leaving deep holes and dead sprouts everywhere. I was so upset! Steve helped me cage in the whole tub with fencing and mesh. Today I removed the zip ties that secure the top so I can open it up like a lid and I am now free to take pictures of my protected flowers! It was so nice to get in there to take an unobstructed look at the lush flower bed there, and the flower I'm showing today will the largest of them all so far! I don't know what it will be...chrysanthemum? Zinnia? (Leapfrog and Erin are betting that it's a Black Eyed Susan! :D) I don't know, but it's already GORGEOUS!!! :D :D The plant has many blossoms on it too, so hopefully I'll be enjoying flowers for some weeks! HOORAY FOR FLOWER PRESENTS!! THANK YOU ROBIN!!! :D Maya Angelou (born Marguerite Ann Johnson; April 4, 1928) is an American author and poet. She has published seven autobiographies, five books of essays, and several books of poetry, and is credited with a list of plays, movies, and television shows spanning more than fifty years. She has received dozens of awards and over thirty honorary doctoral degrees. Angelou is best known for her series of autobiographies, which focus on her childhood and early adult experiences. The first, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (1969), tells of her life up to the age of seventeen, and brought her international recognition and acclaim. Wikipedia: Maya Angelou Explored on July 1, 2013. Highest placement: page 2 (#38).

1 picture in a note above! :) Oh MY!!! What a flowery-fabulous morning it was! Lots of brand new poppies to enjoy, and I've been watching the flowers that my friend Robin gave me...today the buds are looking like a dozen hairy fingers stretching outwards and toward the sun! Makes me wish I had them on time-lapse, how amazing it would be to watch the petals wiggle and move! I took lots of pictures but I like the way this one turned out with the bright yellow blossom in front and another fading off into bokeh behind! By the way...if this is a Black Eyed Susan, I guess the center changes color over time, because right now it's a pale cream color in there! :D I don't doubt your wisdom though, so I'm eagerly keeping an eye on those centers to watch the color change! Hmmm...I wonder if I should take transitional pictures to show this change! :D Yesterday and today mark the halfway point of my 365 project and though I mentioned this already yesterday, I do want to encourage you to consider this challenge, because it's really fantastic as an educational tool, and also teaches discipline on many levels. I've made a lot of friends through this project as well, and I have no regrets for taking this on! Luther Burbank (7 March 1849 – 11 April 1926) was an American botanist, horticulturist and a pioneer in agricultural science. He developed more than 800 strains and varieties of plants over his 55-year career. Burbank's varied creations included fruits, flowers, grains, grasses, and vegetables. He developed a spineless cactus (useful for cattle-feed) and the plumcot. Wikipedia: D Luther Burbank Explored on July 4, 2013. Highest placement: page 3 (#70)