Prairie Sun Garden

In need of a good thinning out, the Prairie Sun Garden is now in bloom. These Blackeyed Susans - rudbeckia goldsturm - are self sowed. A happy accident of nature with which I had nothing whatsoever to do.






Note the green hickory nuts at left. The squirrels and chipmunks are already licking thier chops.

Seedlings

Heat and humidity.

I've found nearly a half dozen seedlings in the yard: two oak, two maple, and three or four hickory. Since the seedlings are well sited, I strive to avoid them at all cost when cutting the grass.

When I compare these trees-in-miniature with even the youngest of the mature hickories in the backyard, I am awestruck by the vigor of these elements of God's creation.

I Hickory Seedling, front yard

II Oak Seedling, front yard

Top dressed Cottontail Corner this evening.

Museum of Science and Industry

No vacation for us, but still we strive to get out and about. This was Arianna's first trip to the Museum of Science and Industry. She enjoyed it immensely!

I. The Streetcar Grandpa is always talking about

II. Arianna as astronaut

III. Arianna taking a break from working with the gizmos

IV. Arianna as clown

86 Years Old!

Happy Birthday, Grandpa!

Cottontail Corner Transformed

The Barn Nursery had its annual Midnight Madness sale on Friday. In previous years, I had not taken advantage of the sale because - typically - by this time of year, I'd completed planting. A rainy Spring and the work on the retaining wall has set me behind schedule this year. So after supper Friday evening, I went and collected a number of plants for the northwest corner of the backyard.

Saturday morning's sky threatened a coda to the previous night's downpours. Nevertheless, with spade in hand, I completed two of the three steps to transform this unruly, shady corner of the yard: (1) expanded and cultivated the entire bed, and (2) installed five hostas, three ghost ferns, two bleeding hearts, two coral bells, and six Japanese hakone grass plants, as well as rearranged the evening primrose, veronica (lead plant), and blazing star liatris. All told, about 6-7 hours manual labor. Very satisfying work.

I A new look: the northwest corner of the yard aka Cotton Tail Corner

Next up - a top dressing of nutrients, a layering of the Chicago Tribune, and upon that a deep chocolate-colored mulch.

Today, miniature golf and dinner out with the family in celebration of Bruno's 86th birthday tomorrow.

Freddie's Dead

Humid, storms.

Our bedtime book is Old Town in the Green Groves, wrtten by Cynthia Rylant. No, not a genuine Little House book, written by Laura Ingalls Wilder, but a book that accounts for the Ingalls' time in Burr Oak, IA. Arianna stopped in Burr Oak and visited the LIW museum there, when the family visited Sharon's brother two years ago.

The story tells of the time between Little House books 4 and 5 - On the Banks of Plum Creek and The Long Winter. The plague of grasshoppers drives the Ingalls' from their Minnesota homestead to Iowa, where Pa and Ma plan to work off debt at a Hotel. On their way to Burr Oak they stop at Uncle Peter's farm in Troy, MN. They joy of spending time with family is tempered by the death of Freddie, their 9 mo old son.

We're in the process of reading the Little House books for the third time now.

Although the audience for these books are young girls, I find them charming and not without a depth that makes one appreciate the gifts God has bestowed upon us.

Daytrip - Rockford Discovery Center Museum

Last Spring's outing to the Discover Center Museum in Rockford was so memorable, Arianna wanted to go again this year. So off to Rockford we ventured for the afternoon.

I - Exploring career options

II - Hall of mirrors

IV - Take that!

V - Unable to grasp the significance of her actions

VI - Time to head on upstairs

VII - Up the rabbit hole

VIII - Ah, here she is!

IX - Just hanging around

X - Playing in the water

XI - Outdoors

Independence Day

Friday we spent the afternoon at Sabatino Park, where Sleepy Hollow held its annual Independence Day celebration.

I - Arianna just hanging around, waiting for the festivities to begin

II - Parade

III - Riding Mower Brigade

IV - Arianna jumps for joy

V - Giddy up

VI - Ride 'em cowgirl!

VII - Arianna and Grandpa consider what's next

VIII - Bean bag toss

IX - Nice form

X - Ring toss

XI - Mommy and Arianna try to figure out the rules of the game