Bluebird of Happiness

A few weeks ago I published a post about the National Aviary in Pittsburgh
The aviary is America’s only independent indoor nonprofit zoo dedicated exclusively to birds. We liked the Aviary so much that we have become members and plan to visit often. Soon I will publish an update on the baby flamingos.

Until then here is a picture of the Blue Bird of Happiness. Well at least it made me happy to see it flying over head.

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Blue Bird of Happiness

Plant Gladiolus for Bright Summer Color

Gladiolus is a genus of perennial flowering plants in the iris family. It is sometimes called the sword lily and is a beautiful addition to any summer garden. If you plant them in the Spring they will bloom in Summer. Plant them again in the summer and they will adorn your fall garden.

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Summer Gladiolas

Survivor Lily

We planted our lilies with hope. They looked fine and healthy as they emerged from the ground. We noticed our pansies were being eaten and applied dried blood and the pansies survived. Our neighborhood suddenly seems to be overrun with rabbits. It rained for a few days and when we next looked outside the lilies all had a number of buds on each plant. We again applied the dried blood.

A week later we had a lot of rain and the next day after the rained stopped. There was not a leaf on any Lilly plant. The buds were hanging off of green stalks. Damn bunnies! I was convinced they would never bloom. We again spread in the dried blood but it was too late I feared. How could they provide enough energy to bloom without any leaves for photosynthesis?

Life finds a way and the lilies survived!

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Survivor Lily

East Jesus Auto

Earlier this year I wrote about our day trip to an art community in the desert called East Jesus. I took a lot of pictures and recently found this one that made me chuckle.

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East Jesus Auto

Special Day Lily

In Western Pennsylvania day lilies grow wild by the road side. They are always a plain orange color. They naturalize so vigorously that some people think of them as weeds and pull them out. They are available in a wide variety of colors. We tend to eschew the very popular Stella D’oro variety and plant different colors. I love the dark purple and red day lilies. This year we planted this one not knowing what color it would be and got this pleasant surprise.

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Special Day Lily

Perfect Car Color

We are starting to look for a new car to replace our ten year old Accord. We have at least eleven models to price and compare so we are not yet sure what we will buy but we know what color we want. If it is close to this tulip, we will be happy.

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Perfect Car Color

Another One from East Jesus

Earlier this year I wrote about our day trip to an art communion in the desert called East Jesus. I took a lot of pictures and recently found this one that made me chuckle.

To see other images and buy apparel or prints, please visit my commercial gallery.

Another One from East Jesus

Jason Gamrath at The Phipps Conservatory Part 3

This summer is special at the Phipps Conservatory because there is a special exhibition of the fine art glass sculptures of Jason Gamrath.There are always a few glass sculptures in the eight rooms of the conservatory but this year the exhibition adds over 80 works from the brilliant young artist. Each room is dramatically changed by the addition of his artwork. The show is not to be missed and runs throughout the summer. This is my last post on this great exhibit, if you miss it, you can’t say you weren’t warned.

To see other images and buy apparel or prints, please visit my commercial gallery.

The Art of Jason Gamrath

The Art of Jason Gamrath

The Art of Jason Gamrath

The Phipps Summer Garden

I love having a membership at the Phipps because we can visited each season and see an entirely different garden. In addition to the special exhibition of the fine art glass sculptures of Jason Gamrath there is a lot to see. Its the first time I have visited the Children’s Garden and it was fun to watch the kids at play.

To see other images and buy apparel or prints, please visit my commercial gallery.

The Phipps Children Garden

The Phipps Summer Garden

The Phipps Summer Garden

Jason Gamrath at The Phipps Conservatory

This summer is special at the Phipps Conservatory because there is a special exhibition of the fine art glass sculptures of Jason Gamrath.There are always a few glass sculptures in the eight rooms of the conservatory but this year the exhibition adds over 80 works from the brilliant young artist. Each room is dramatically changed by the addition of his artwork. The show is not to be missed and runs throughout the summer.

To see other images and buy apparel or prints, please visit my commercial gallery.

The Art of Jason Gamrath

The Art of Jason Gamrath

The Art of Jason Gamrath

The Art of Jason Gamrath