Inspiring Words

The Flowers of September

The calendar may say September, but it's still summer in the garden. The zinnias are blooming in bright and pale pinks with a few whites and oranges in the mix. A bouquet of flowers that includes Queen Anne's Lace adds just the right touch of sweet feminine.

Orange is a loud color that seems to scream look at me, but oh how I love orange in the fall.  Until the frost is on the pumpkin, making due with an orange zinnia works. 

Then there's the whisper of white zinnias.

A small rose blooms along side the garage. It was nearly choked out of existence last year by an overly vivacious trumpet vine, but its hearty nature won out.  It was still blooming in late November.  This summer it weathered the drought and is in a full flush of tiny blooms with a blush of color before opening.

I love photographing flowers using the macro setting.  The little rose above is only an inch or two across at the most; the buds even smaller.  Through the wonder of technology we can capture every detail from the secret center to the blemishes on the outside petal.

And sometimes it's a different perspective that creates a delightful surprise.  I totally ignored the law of thirds in every one of these photos and I don't care. 

Break rules, have fun, and capture all that makes you smile, dance, sing, and sometimes weep. 

Grungy, Grumpy Grouchy Post

Well...here it is.  I'm not linking with anyone, not joining any challenges, in fact, I'm not even sure where this solitary post will lead me, but just for sh--s and giggles I'm free thinking with my fingers.  Aww heck let's throw a photo in here....

Color rocks my world.  While I like the soft sheer looks so popular right now, I always come back to color.  That's one of the joys of summer...color.  It's everywhere you look in nature, whether contrived or au naturel. Unfortunately beige has taken over green grass as the drought continues with temperatures in the high 90s today.  Yuck! Have I ever mentioned...I really don't like hot. 

I do like hot colors in the summer like bright marigold yellow and ditch lily orange. The vegetable garden includes companion plants like marigolds.  When I took aim I didn't see the little spider clinging to a petal; he blends in so well.  Once on the computer there he was on a search and devour mission. I hope he scarfed up a bunch of aphids.

I'm in a mood today...ya know?  One of those crabby-but-I-don't-know why moods. 

The pink zinnia with bokeh in the background should make me smile, but I'm not satisfied with it and not liking the glow around the petals.  That's what I get for highlighting edges. 

Let's try one more of the same flower...

Hmmm.... the little zinnia just isn't doing it for me, but then perhaps nothing will...

Here's a tidbit about moi.  People who have seen my writing/printing think I'm left-handed because I write with a slight lean to the left, kinda like the font above.  I use this font because it's the closest I've found to my own handwriting.  Oh and I only write cursive when I sign my name, the rest of the time I print with a slight lean to the left mixed with straight up and down.  Fonts rule!

Doncha love a post that has no rhyme or reason?  Well...That's it for today.  Have a wonderful weekend and for those of you in the grip of a heat wave....stay cool!

Seeing September Out

The days of September whisked by with speed that rivals flapping hummingbird wings making their way over ripening fields of soybeans in an Ohio sunset toward winter warmth and light.  Tomorrow begins the frightful month of October with Halloween and long leggity beasties and things that go bump in the night, but today it’s still September.

In September...

Pink hollyhocks twirl about tall spires

Zinnias in pink, red, orange, and cream find the autumn light

Herbs continue scenting the fall breeze

Gaillardias remind of south of the border places

While family and friends create hundreds of tamales on a single, September Saturday

A gift of bittersweet for fall decorating

And lobsters, fresh from New England waters, find their way to an Ohio dinner table

Yes, September is a fine month and I shall miss it as leaves turn, Jack Frost paints pumpkins with frost, and ghouls and goblins take over the night.