Botanical Gardens Pt. 2

When the rain took a rest we made our way outside. Still taking the provided umbrellas, just in case. It's good we did, because it did rain upon us a few times. But that didn't stop me from taking pictures! (You'll see it falling in at least one picture.) It really was quite lovely, rain & all.

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Waterlilies (you can manipulate them with your mouse)

Medusa
Part of the "Japanese" Garden

Part of the "Children's" Garden
Part of the "Herb" Garden

Part of the "Theme" Garden

My environmentally conscious find...

Flashbacks Pt. 3

Let's try again...
Here's how a hawk does breakfast.

Botanical Gardens Pt. 1

Here are various photos from the Botanical Gardens when we were inside due to the rain.

Winged creatures in the butterfly room...

Feeding time...
The other indoor room...

Flashbacks Pt. 2

So the day I got the scanner up & running, I also did the same for the camera. I had tons (I mean TONS) of pictures on my camera. Need a number you say. I'll just say, over 600. :) I had pictures from around the yard, my trip east, more things around the yard (such as the visiting hawk), etc. So here are some from the "Flashbacks" Post that I said I'd get to when I could. (And now I can, so long as the power doesn't continue to go out...)

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(Camera) Caught Critters:

Backyard Blooms:

Some Sami Shots:

No, she's not in time out. Just 'counting' & seeking!

(More of a grunt for 1 - 2 - 3. But trying her best!)

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Here's the winning Peep Diorama... (it was too large to simply upload before)

There's a lot of detail -- I understand why he won. (But... I still like the Peepers)

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I got word last night that my grandmother is finally back to her regular room. After her hospital stay, she was in the Skilled Care section until she was back on her feet again, so to speak. Excellent birthday gift to herself I think (it is this Saturday)!

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I've been attempting, repeatedly, to post images of the feasting hawk. All my efforts were of little avail. So I suppose I will have to try again some other time...

Come on people!

No comments about the Peeps?!?! You disappoint me... I surely thought I'd get something. Particularly the 'Peeping Peeps'. They are by far my favorite. Oh well.

I didn't get to mention it before, but I've gone out of town for a mini-vacation. Started my drive late Monday morning to meet with KC & the (sunshine) Gang for lunch. Then continued on my journey to Cleveland. I was ready to get out of the car by the time I got here! We ate at a Fatburger - never heard of it before, but I recommend the strawberry shakes if you happen across one. I wanted to send a picture of the meal to Keith (via my mom's new phone) & ask him what he ordered for dinner, but we thought of it after we already ate. I think we were hungry!

Today it poured more than I've seen it pour before. But maybe my perspective is jaded by the consequences of the rain in this area... We were headed to breakfast (IHOP if you're wondering) & the lightening was brighter & more frequent than I've ever seen. Immediately before our destination there was a possibly abandoned vehicle in the middle of a street to our right, just beyond the intersection. (I say 'possibly' abandoned because I didn't see a person in it & the lights weren't on.) When we got out of the car, even with umbrellas, I got pretty wet from the crazy angles it was blowing (and that's even from the 1st space beyond the handicap one!). The power went out a few times before we placed our order -- we did get our food fairly promptly still (in case you were worried we were starving while waiting!). On our way to the Botanical Garden & an Ansel Adams' exhibit we ended up stuck in traffic. But not stuck like another vehicle -- they were stuck in the overflowing water! Too bad it was slightly sideways in traffic (just beyond a turn at an intersection again). A guy finally got out of the backseat to run to a business across the street -- the water was up past his ankles!! I was a little worried sitting so close to it as vehicles of all shapes and size were trying to quickly squeeze between us. As trucks to our right drove by it looked like you were at the beach with the "waves" crashing above the sidewalks! We made it through, eventually. I could feel the water hitting under the car beneath my feet as we went through the deeper spots. And of course getting drenched (the car this time, not us) by the waves when trucks would pass us on the right. Then we really got stuck in traffic. Six lanes (I believe) that were to merge together, were pretty much at a standstill. I still don't know how long it took us to get through -- an overall 20 minute trip that lasted over an hour. A game of Sudoku from the newspaper helped time pass a little quicker. Still glad I used the facilities before we left IHOP though!!!

The rain did die down enough for us to truly enjoy the Gardens -- we started inside while it was coming done, then made our way outside. At times we still made use of the umbrellas they provided (glad for that!), but for the most part it was a dry walk. As Michael commented, it was way better than we expected. Another recommendation from me, if you're ever in the area.

The Ansel Adams exhibit was also nice. Free, didn't take too long (by then we were getting tired), & a short walking distance from the Gardens. Particularly good if you enjoy his photographs, which I do.

More later...

Peeps Diorama Contest

Scanner is finally up & running...
Here are some Peeps pictures I mentioned in the previous post.

This is only the main star of "Peeps are a Girl's Best Friend" -- I did try to scan the image of the entire diorama, however it wouldn't upload (perhaps too large - it was 9.39 MB while this one was only 323 KB in size). Quite detailed, and obviously impressed the judges, as it was the winner.

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But not to overlook the others -- here are a few of the other contestants...
We have "Mommie Peepest" & "Say Anything," respectively. (As if you couldn't guess.)
And lastly, my personal favorite "Peeping Peeps!" Creative & original! (Not to mention, amusing.)

Weather

Everybody talks about the weather don't they.
It's pretty important. But also useful during awkward moments of silence.
Right now however, it's a moment of rambling &/or possible ranting.

I woke up this morning & checked the local news for the upcoming forecast.
"Oppressively Humid" was the headline.
Doesn't that just stink. (Makes you look forward to going outside, doesn't it!)
After being out in it this morning, I agree, it was quite oppressive.
Makes me appreciate air conditioning.
Which only makes Keith happy. I'm usually the one turning it off (or at least on "energy save") & he's the one cranking it.

Yesterday's weather was interesting.
During my drive home I both entered & exited a heavy storm -- nearly no visibility at times.
Fortunately I made it home before the storm & was able to get the mail while it was still dry!
After that, it was heavy downpours & hail.
The hail was short lived, but noisy.
The power even went out twice.
Too bad the one time it abruptly ended my phone call (sorry KC!).
It did manage to cool things off, so that was nice.
But then we get the "oppressive humidity," so it clearly didn't take care of business.
In my book anyway!