Today's Symphony brought to me by DP&L . . .

What a gorgeous day in SW Ohio!  I wanted to be outside at 1:00 partly because it was such a beautiful day, but also because Doolittle's Raiders (from WWII) were being honored at Wright Patterson Air Force Base with a flyover of the B-25s.  Unfortunately, although most flights pass overhead, this one did not.

Fear not!  While I was not entertained by the B-25s, there was plenty going on in the connecting back yards to keep me entertained for a couple of hours.

I headed outside just after noon to enjoy the sunshine and pleasant temps.  Set up the camp chair and had my book and drink handy, as well as my camera.  I read for a little bit before I checked out the clouds, and sure enough, it was another beautiful sky day with pretty clouds (not necessarily interesting shapes).

Nope, no B-25s in the pics (I did double check!).

I took a little tour of the back yard, and found more of the lily of the valley in bloom.  I was beginning to think that the last freeze had killed them off, but they must be hardier than they look.

Of course, I had to check my re-blooming lilac, and it is still beautiful and still blooming!  I may be adding more of these to the back yard . . . I definitely need to add more lilacs (I think I would feel that way even if that was the only bloom in the yard!).

The peonies are well under way; love them, but hate the ants!

And the mock orange is also getting ready to bloom!

I don't know what this plant is . . . can anybody help me out with it?  Mom's memory of plants and what had been planted where is kind of iffy these days.

All of the shots of birds I got were very similar to ones I've already posted (and of the same kind of birds), so we'll just skip them.  Did get to watch a squirrel come bounding through the yard for a little while though.

And if that wasn't enough to entertain me, Dayton Power & Light had crews in the neighborhood trimming trees around the power lines.  After the windstorm caused by Hurricane Ike blew threw the area almost 4 years ago, leaving many people without power for up to two weeks, the utility companies took a lot of grief for having let the tree trimming go for too many years.  There are some pretty big trees in our area (around 50 years old) that haven't been cut back a whole lot.  There were crews working at 3 different houses close to me.  I took just a few pics of the guys high up in the trees; it really was kind of fun to watch.

So much excitement and entertainment in two short hours.  I think I'll need to spend more time hanging out in the back yard.  I had planned on some nice relaxing quiet time; although it was relaxing, it certainly wasn't quiet!  With chainsaws going in at least 3 yards and my amazing neighbor, Mr. B, mowing his lawn, I was treated to a mechanical motor symphony.    Bravo gentlemen, bravo!

Bloomin' Lilacs!

It's been a busy day, running errands, visiting Mom, dinner w/ friends.  I finally feel like I can relax now.

I'd been outside earlier checking out the plant status, and am a little disappointed that the tulips are taking forever to come up.  The clematis is greening nicely, and even the straggly rose is looking pretty good.  Just for kicks, I checked out the re-blooming lilac, and it was blooming!  Tiny, itty-bitty blooms, but blooms anyway!

I can relate w/ this particular little lilac bush right now.  It's been a rough couple of years, but there have been so many positive "little blooms" in my life during that time.  Being out of a job for over two years hasn't been easy, but it would have been a whole lot harder to deal w/ Mom's medical issues if I'd been employed.  I also wouldn't have been able to spend time w/ my niece and nephew, or just go out experimenting w/ my camera.  I've been MUCH more creative in many different ways, some to save money, some to try a new way of looking at things.

So, whether it's a drought or a downpour, hot or cold, sunny or overcast, windy or calm, I can be thankful for the deep roots to hold me through those times.  Nobody is promised an easy time in life, and at times we're all overwhelmed.  But I'm determined to see the lilacs bloomin' around me no matter how bad it gets.  I know there are many people who are going through much more difficult times, and my heart goes out to them.  I may be there some day, but today, I'm making it through by the grace of God.

Looking for the bloomin' lilacs all around me every day and looking forward to seeing them re-bloom.  God is good all the time, and all the time God is good.

Bright and beautiful day

Yesterday was SUCH a busy day, I'm not sure I had time to think.  So glad it's over, even though it was a HUGE amount of fun.  Got to see friends I hadn't seen in a long time, so no matter what, it was a great day!

So today, I'm taking it easy.  A lot of easy.  As in doing next to nothing!

But, since it's such a beautiful sunny day, I decided to see what was "springing" in the yard.  Just about a 10 minute sojourn around the house to see what's up (pun kind of sort of intended).

I was oh so pleasantly surprised to find one of my lilacs in full bloom!  I love lilacs, and have planted several the last couple of years.  The one in full bloom is one that grew outside my bedroom window all through childhood, and for many years was that sweet message that summer couldn't be far off.

Then, it was over to the re-blooming lilac.  It didn't happen last summer, but maybe this year?  If it gets enough water, it will re-bloom several times throughout the summer.  We planted it before Mom moved into Assisted Living, so it's been growing about 2 1/2 years now.  Hoping this is a great blooming season for it!

The lily of the valley is coming up like crazy as well.  That's another one of my favorites, because it's my birth month flower.  May baby who likes lilacs (typically bloom in early May) and lily of the valley . . . who'da thunk it?

The peonies are also on the way up . . . wish they didn't attract the ants though.  Have to keep them outside so I'm not overrun by the ants inside!  Just got rid of them, so don't want to go through that hassle again.

I planted a very small "twig" last spring, but lost the box it came in, so I don't remember what it is.  Even worse, at one point early on, I mowed it over.  But, it was hardy, and withstood all of the punishment I threw at it.  It's grown about 8 inches, and is sprouting leaves . . . anybody have an idea of what it might be?

And, the ever spreading Trumpet Vine is starting to sprout (I cut this one back pretty severely).

But the surest sign of spring being here is a weed.  The dandelion.  Can't help but find the color cheerful, even if it causes extra work with weeding.  

Relaxing the rest of the day, thinking about all that's growing out in the yard (except the weeds; not thinking about them today), and how soon even more plants will be sprouting and blooming.  Can't wait for the butterfly bushes to start budding and blooming, as well as the daisies, and some lavender.  And a couple more plants that I don't remember what they are (good thing I'm partial to surprises); at least I remember where I planted them.  Life is very good this Palm Sunday 2012.  Beautiful, warm, sunny, and peaceful.  Taking full advantage of it and heading outside to read for a while.

Wishing you all bright and peaceful days!