April showers may bring May flowers, but the May rain showers, like the one this morning, are keeping the flowers watered. Although wet this morning, yesterday the field lupine displayed it purple color in the sun and the bees were busy collecting nectar.
Displaying Purple
Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of summer vacation, with trips, camping, picnics and other summer fun. Some people will celebrate the true reason for the holiday – to remember the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and was celebrated on May 30. Renamed to Memorial Day, the holiday has been moved to the last Monday of May to create a three day weekend. But this year, the holiday lands on the traditional date of Decoration Day, so I hope people remember all of the soldiers who have died while serving in the country’s armed forces as they enjoy the long weekend.
Remembering the Fallen Soldiers
With a cloudy sky and the light rain falling this morning, one would think that seeing a sunset tonight would be unlikely. But the forecast is calling clearing skies so there could be a chance of seeing one like this sunset with different clouds from three nights ago.
Cloudy Sunset
At the beginning of the 20th century, before indoor plumbing became more common, a weekly Saturday night bath had become common custom for most of the population. A tub would be filled by carrying buckets of heated water and the bath water was shared by all family members so the first in line had the cleanest water.
The mother cow doesn’t have to carry water so she can give her calf a cleaning on the go as she licks the calf clean with her tongue.
Saturday Bath Time
While driving to the cabins and lakes for the holiday weekend, you might see some purple, pinks and white color along the ditches and river banks. Commonly mistaken for native wood phlox (with five petals), Dame’s Rocket, with only four blossom petals, is another highly invasive plant because of its prolific seed set. Dame’s Rocket is native to Eurasia but was introduced to North America in the 1600’s and is still found in some wildflower seed mixes.
Dame’s Rocket
The recent waves of rain showers have caused heavy rains in some areas but light amounts of rainfall in nearby areas, so while some rivers are running full, others like this stream barely flow. But even though the flow is light, it still creates a pretty waterfall.
Low Flow
This morning a chipmunk was on my porch but yesterday afternoon, two little bunnies were hopping around the screen porch, teasing my cats. It was fun watching them race around the yard and they have grown since when I nearly stepped on one of them. And so when they grow up more, they will be after my garden too besides the chipmunks but since I don’t have it planted yet, they have to settle for clovers instead.
Bunny in Clover
There was a lot of white on my lawn yesterday, but since it was 80 degrees yesterday, it wasn’t snow. Instead the dandelions were no longer yellow but now white with their seed dispersal sphere ready to release seeds into the wind. One seed is ready to take flight once the breeze catches it parachute to send it sailing in the air.
3-2-1 Lift Off
The nice weather on Sunday was enjoyed by critters as well as people. This Hereford mommy was checking her baby in the late afternoon sunshine.
Mommy and Baby
On this very warm Sunday day, many people were out enjoying time on the lakes.
Lake Sunset
