Delicate Peony

Peony
Originally uploaded by ghettojack

Mischievous nymphs were said to hide in the petals of the Peony thus causing this magnificent flower to be given the meaning of Shame or Bashfulness in the Language of Flowers. It was named after Paeon, a physician to the gods, who obtained the plant on Mount Olympus from the mother of Apollo. Once planted the Peony likes to be left alone and punishes those who try to move it by not flowering again for several years. Once established, however, it produces splendid blooms each year for decades. (Taken from The Language of Flowers, edited by Sheila Pickles, 1990.)

This photo was taken this morning. The Peonies haven't opened up completely but are very close, as you can see.

The ants in my pants made me dance

Yes, the ant was literally in my pants biting my thigh. I was sitting here at the computer when I felt these painful little pinches on my leg. I frantically jumped out of the chair, rolling over my toe and crushing it. Now my toe is bloody and purple and my thigh smarts from the ant bites.

These little pests have invaded my home. They find any little nook and cranny to get inside. Right now they have made a trail from my kitchen window to my counter tops looking for food. I keep spraying them with Raid home and garden, but it only helps keep them away for a few hours. I hate using strong bug spray, but that works better than those silly little ant traps that do absolutely nothing.

I think I will just do what I did last year and put out little bowls with honey or syrup out in the garden -- which did keep them from coming into my house to look for food. Any other suggestions would be appreciated!

Pixie Red & Pixie Pink

I am deliriously excited to see the bright blooms of the Pixie Red and Pixie Pink in my garden, and anxiously waiting for my other lilies to open up. I really do need to get a life!

Facts: Lilies have been cultivated for over 3000 years. Feng Shui believers hold the lily as an symbol of summer and abundance; to the Chinese, lily means "Forever in love". The lily was the holy flower of the ancient Assyrians. Until the 16th century the Madonna lily was the only garden variety known, because of this the "lilies of the field" as mentioned in the bible are thought to be this specific lily.

Mythology: In Greek poetry, the lily stood for tenderness. There is a Greek myth that tells us how the lily was born from the milk of the goddess Hera. The lily still symbolizes pure, virginal love to Christians.

Medicinal: In the past, various flowers were used to prepare remedies in popular medicine. In China some served as lucky charms, while others were thought to be capable of averting the evil eye. In another historical account we read that people were interested in lilies for their anti-toxic powers and their capacity of curing depressions. In Europe, lilies were used as a remedy against a wide range of diseases and ailments right up to the beginning of the last century.

(Note: There may be lots of flower posts over the next week or two. Please bear with me as my Liliums and Peonies are in bloom or about to bloom)

Friday Fill In #78

Questions courtesy of Jennifer this week; thanks, Jennifer!
1. Birthdays are meant to be celebrated.
2. Mid Summer is my favorite season because I love the heat.
3. I feel my best when I've had plenty of rest.
4. Greek, Mexican, Italian, Japanese, Chinese is are my favorite foods!
(What can I say, I like to eat)
5. First impressions are not always right.
6. The best piece of advice I ever received was -- those who matter don't mind, and those who mind don't matter.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to finishing the laundry, tomorrow my plans include possibly dinner with David and Sunday, I want to try to get out for some photos!

The goddess Iris...

The goddess Iris...
Originally uploaded by ghettojack

leads the souls of women to Heaven over a rainbow bridge. Often people offer Iris flowers when women die. To some, the meaning of Iris is "message."

How does my garden grow?

These delicate Iris grow in the woods at the back of my property. I'm not sure how they got there but I'm happy they are. Perhaps they just grow wild?

Here is the link to some of the other flowers growing in my flower beds - Flora

Class of '08

Today Baby Girl (Kensey), graduated from Jr. High School. Another chapter in her book of life completed, with a new one beginning. I can't believe she is off to High School in the fall, seems like yesterday that she was starting her first day in kindergarten -- time sure does fly by quickly.

Congratulation Kensey and kudos on the honors! I am so proud of you :)

Four Minutes - Roger Waters

I have had this album - Radio K.A.O.S - stuck in my head ever since I quoted lyrics from the song "Four Minutes" on the last Friday Fill Ins. So this is the tune I picked for this Tuesday.
Have a listen wont you?

Four Minutes - Radio K.A.O.S
(Roger Waters)

[Billy:] "Four minutes and counting."
[Jim:] "O.K."
[Billy:] "They pressed the button, Jim."
[Jim:] "They pressed the button Billy, what button?"
[Billy:] "The big red one."
[Jim:] "You mean THE button?"
[Billy:] "Goodbye, Jim."
[Jim:] "Goodbye!
Oh yes
This ain't au revoir, it's goodbye!
Ha! Ha!
This is KAOS
It's a beautiful, balmy
Southern California summer day
It's 80 degrees...
I said balmy...
I could say bomby
Ha! Ha!
O.K.
I'm Jim and this is Radio KAOS
And with only four minutes left to us
Let's use this as wisely as possible....
([Molly:] Everybody got someone they call home)
Out at Dodger Stadium
It's the bottom of the seventh
The Dodgers are leading three to nothing over the Giants
And for those of you who are looking to go surfing tomorrow
Too bad
(Telephone rings)
I'm kinda lost in here to tell you the truth
O.K., good
Ladies and gentlemen
If the reports that we are getting are correct
This could be it
Billy, if you're listening to me
Please call now."
After a near miss on the plane
You swear you'll never fly again
After the first kiss when you make up
You swear you'll never break up again
And when you've just run a red light
Sit shaking under the street light
You swear to yourself you'll never drink and drive again
Sometimes I feel like going home
You swear you'll never let things go by again
Sometimes I miss the rain and snow
And you'll never toe the party line again
And when the east wind blows
Sometimes I feel like going home
[Jim:] "Billy, if you are listening, please call."
[Californian Weirdo:] "Sole has no eyes."
[Molly:] "Goodbye little spy in the sky
They say that cameras don't lie
Am I happy
Am I sad
Am I good
Am I bad?"
[Jim:] "Billy, if you're listening, please call."
[Californian Weirdo:] "Sole has no eyes
Sole has no eyes."
[Billy:] "Ten, nine, eight, seven..."
[Margaret Thatcher:] "Our own independent nuclear deterrent
Has helped to keep the peace."
[Billy:] "Six, five four, three..."
[Ordinary Person:] "...you've go a job..."
[Billy:] "Two, one..."
[Margaret Thatcher:] "For nearly forty years"
[Jim:] "Goodbye Billy."

Walk in the Park

A Friday evening walk in the Dingle Park with the husband. The colours over the Halifax Arm took our breath away! I captured this shot just before the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky and water vermillion.

Other photos taken on our walk through the park

Backyard chairs

I have decided the back yard is in need of some colourful seating. Hubby and I are going to attempt to build a couple of Adirondack chairs this week.
Thank goodness I have a Dad who is a fantastic carpenter who will be enlisted to help out if we get into any trouble building them.

Friday Fill In #77

Happy birthday Janet!

1. A smile is the light in the window of your face that tells people you're at home.
2. Pente is my favorite board or card game.
3. I would love to have more positive energy in my life and less negativity.
4. When I think of the Summer Solstice, I think of Shakespeare's - A Midsummer Night's Dream.
5. I just remembered I need to call my sister.
6. One of my favorite song lyrics goes like this: ... After the first kiss when you make up,
You swear you'll never break up again, And when you've just run a red light
Sit shaking under the street light...
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to delicious food, good wine and great company, tomorrow my plans include the usual Saturday stuff and Sunday, I want to hang out with the family!

In my own little world

I'm just sitting here
Not thinking anything in particular
Feeling a little misplaced today

Me and Bobby McGee

I've been humming Kristofferson tunes since Sunday when Hubby purchased Border Lord on vinyl. One of my favorite Kris Kristofferson songs is on his album Kristofferson - Me and Bobby McGee.



This song was recorded by many other artists over the years;
Roger Miller, Gordon Lightfoot, Janis Joplin, The Grateful Dead, Johnny Cash, Anne Murray and Arlo Guthrie, just to name a few.
Who sings your favorite version of Me and Bobby McGee?

Sunday - Summer Tradition

Hubby and I love to go out on sunny Sunday afternoons and enjoy a walk down town and stop for scoop of home cut fries from a local chip truck. Bud the Spud can usually be found parked outside the Public Library on Spring Garden Rd. and they sell the most delicious home cut chips. Sunday was our first scoop of the season and it was fantastic!

We walked down Spring Garden and over to St. Paul's Cemetery - this cemetery is simply wonderful. It dates to the beginning of Halifax and might well be the oldest cemetery in the Maritime Provinces. The oldest stone dates to 1752. We were looking forward to going inside for a walk but the gates were closed for the day.


TAZ (a used record store) was our next stop. Hubby found a few albums for our vinyl collection. Elton John - Tumbleweed Connection, Kris Kristofferson - Border Lord and The Runaways - Live in Japan.

FakeTTV

TTV stands for Through The Viewfinder and is a unique style of photography that uses a combination of two cameras to produce rather interesting effects.

Check out Noise and Dust Through the Viewfinder group on Flickr and try it out for yourself, transform your own photos into some eye-catching artwork.

Friday Fill-Ins #76

1. 5 things high up on my bucket list.

2. My favorite quote is "When angry, count to four. When very angry, swear" ~ Mark Twain
3. Admiring other blogs inspired me to start blogging.
4. Strawberries are best eaten straight off the bush.
5. Running from an ominous-looking creature is the last dream I remember having. (I've been having all sorts of crazy dreams lately)
6. The most enjoyable time to go for a walk is at twilight.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to staying at home and watching a movie, tomorrow my plans include getting out and enjoying the day and Sunday, I want to do something with the Hubby!

28 days and counting

I’ve been having a blogging mental block for the past week and a bit. There have been so many things happening but whenever I sit down to blog - I am unable to write.

Today is 28 days smoke free, and I wish I could say I felt wonderfully fantastic, but I can’t. I must admit, the first two weeks were a breeze, I was positive quitting was going to be a cake walk. On week 3 I started to get irritable, the insomnia started and I was having some anxiety. Week 4, I have been a total mess. I'm feeling just so bummed out - depressed, one might even say. I am having awful anxiety attacks for no apparent reason, and still can't sleep. Aren’t you supposed to gradually feel better after you stop smoking, not gradually worse??? Hubby thinks it's time I go see my doctor and I think he may be right.

Tuesday's Gone

I am feeling rather blah these past couple days, despite the warmer weather and the sun shining. Not sure what has gotten into me, I guess I'm just bummed. I need a swift kick in the ASS!
I do know one thing - I really hate this blogs new look!!!

Tuesday's Gone - Lynyrd Skynyrd

This is the song I picked for today. I am not a huge Lynyrd Skynyrd fan, but I do love this song.

Friday Fill-Ins #75

Questions courtesy of One Knutty Knitter; thank you, Knutty!



1. Idle hands are the Devil's tools.
2. I love daydream in the shower. (Oh, and wash of course)
3. My favorite time of the day is when the whole family is home.
4. The last tea I drank was Jasmine rose and Orange, organic white tea.
5. I like to spend lots of time outside in the Summer.
6. My mother always said "don't go outside with wet hair, you will catch your death from foolishness".
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to going shopping for a new dining table, tomorrow my plans include more shopping and Sunday, I want to spend the day at home!

EEK!

I think I may have bitten off a little more than I could chew. I tried to make some changes to my spot here on Blogger and ended up with a big old mess. Arrrggg! A little too green for me.

Moon River from Breakfast at Tiffany's

I was making some Photoshop brushes of Audrey Hepburn for Miss Priss when this song came to mind. This is one of my favorite scenes from Breakfast at Tiffany's, enjoy!

Don't like Monday?

The Boomtown Rats hated Mondays, the Bangles think Mondays are Manic and Rainy days and Mondays always got the Carpenters down. I know many people who hate Mondays because it means "work" or "school", but I always look on Mondays as a fresh start and I look forward to what the week will bring.

Tell me what do you think about Mondays?

Traditional Beliefs about Monday

1. Monday is under the Moon Sign and is generally not the luckiest of days.
2. Turning a bed or mattress on a Monday is considered bad luck in some areas.
3. Being born on a Monday is a sign of either being ‘fair of face’ or ‘full of grace’ (good looks, or healthily plump)
4. On the start of a journey it is unlucky to meet a flat-footed person. This of course can be countered by returning home and eating a full meal (including plenty to drink).
5. Mending things on Monday will result in the thing breaking again.
6. You should only clip your nails on a Monday (or Tuesday) for the best of luck
7. Hair should only be cut on Monday (Tuesday or Wednesday) for the sake of the wealth of the barber/beautician.
8. A pig must be killed on the waxing moon or a Monday, else its meat will shrink in the pot and will not take the salt.
9. Sneezing on a Monday can often be a sign of Danger.
10. Getting wed on a Monday is a sign of prosperity for the couple. Unless you are French, then it can mean you’ll go insane.
11. An unexpected guest on Monday often results in additional interruptions throughout the week.
12. The second Monday in August (Cain’s Birth), and the last Monday in December (Destruction of Sodom) are bad days
13. Signing contracts on a Monday can result in the contract being broken. This includes not getting paid back for loans given out on a Monday.
14. Starting a new project on a Monday may or may not result in the projects completion (or ease of completion) depending on where you live.

Wishing my Mom a Happy Birthday today!