Sunday Selections #401

Sunday Selections was originally brought to us by Kim of Frogpondsrock, as an ongoing meme where participants could post previously unused photos languishing in their files.
 
The meme is now continued by River at Drifting through life.  The rules are so simple as to be almost non-existent.  Post some photos under the title Sunday Selections and link back to River.  Clicking on any of the photos will make them embiggen. 
 
Like River I usually run with a theme. I have more photos from recent excursions to show you (lots of photos) but am reverting to a long standing obsession this week.  The sky.  A very, very vivid (and brief) sunset to be precise.

Going, going, gone.

I am still largely absent from the blogosphere, but hope to be back in the next few days.

Words for Wednesday

This meme was started by Delores a long time ago.  Computer issues led her to bow out for a while.  The meme was too much fun to let go, and now Words for Wednesday is provided by a number of people and has become a movable feast. 

Essentially the aim is to encourage us to write.  Each week we are given a choice of prompts: which can be words, phrases, music or an image.   What we do with those prompts is up to us:  a short story, prose, a song, a poem, or treating them with ignore...  We can use some or all of the prompts.

Some of us put our creation in comments on the post, and others post on their own blog.  I would really like it if as many people as possible joined into this fun meme, which includes cheering on the other participants.  If you are posting on your own blog - let me know so that I, and other participants, can come along and applaud.

The prompts will be here this month but are provided by Margaret Adamson, and her friend Sue Fulton.  They also include photographs taken by Margaret's friend Bill Dodds.

This week's prompts are phrases (ones I have certainly heard):

Let the cat out of the bag

And/or

Best thing since sliced bread

Have fun.  I will be slow to respond to comments for the next few days but will read your work with very real pleasure.  And thank you for all your good wishes.  My eye is still troublesome, but my friend arrives shortly and I am hoping (and expect) to have a wonderful time.

Sunday Selections #400

Sunday Selections was originally brought to us by Kim of Frogpondsrock, as an ongoing meme where participants could post previously unused photos languishing in their files.
 
The meme is now continued by River at Drifting through life.  The rules are so simple as to be almost non-existent.  Post some photos under the title Sunday Selections and link back to River.  Clicking on any of the photos will make them embiggen. 
 
Like River I usually run with a theme. This week I am taking you to Tulip Top Gardens.  These stunning gardens are open at the same time as Floriade and win my vote each and every year.

I was blown away this year to learn that ALL of the gardening on this ten hectare site is done by three people, two of whom are in their seventies.  

Less talk, more garden.  MUCH more garden.

I think their underplanting is superb.

I loved the rogue red tulip in this bed.

Think perfumed air, classic music playing from the trees, blossoming trees, frogs calling from the creek, free tea and coffee and happy smiling faces.

And I DID make it to the top of the look out again.  Each year I wonder whether I can, and so far I have triumphed.

There are (of course) many more photos.  Which will have to wait for another time.

In other news, a new medical malady (torn vitreous gel in my right eye) and a (welcome) impending guest are slowing me down.  From next Wednesday I will almost certainly be neglecting blogs for a week or so.  Words for Wednesday and next week's Sunday Selections have been scheduled.  Have fun, and I will catch up when I can.

Words for Wednesday

This meme was started by Delores a long time ago.  Computer issues led her to bow out for a while.  The meme was too much fun to let go, and now Words for Wednesday is provided by a number of people and has become a movable feast. 

Essentially the aim is to encourage us to write.  Each week we are given a choice of prompts: which can be words, phrases, music or an image.   What we do with those prompts is up to us:  a short story, prose, a song, a poem, or treating them with ignore...  We can use some or all of the prompts.

Some of us put our creation in comments on the post, and others post on their own blog.  I would really like it if as many people as possible joined into this fun meme, which includes cheering on the other participants.  If you are posting on your own blog - let me know so that I, and other participants, can come along and applaud.

The prompts will be here this month but are provided by Margaret Adamson, and her friend Sue Fulton.  They also include photographs taken by Margaret's friend Bill Dodds.

This week's prompts are:

1. Precipitation
2. Lanky
3. Grotesque
4. Clockwork
5. Still
6. Transporting.

And/or

1. Eskimo
2. Cyclone
3. Cassowary
4. Waitress
5. Cleaning
6. Auditorium

Have fun. 
 

Sunday Selections #399

Sunday Selections was originally brought to us by Kim of Frogpondsrock, as an ongoing meme where participants could post previously unused photos languishing in their files.
 
The meme is now continued by River at Drifting through life.  The rules are so simple as to be almost non-existent.  Post some photos under the title Sunday Selections and link back to River.  Clicking on any of the photos will make them embiggen. 
 
Like River I usually run with a theme. I am going to continue with our trip to Floriade this week, but we have made the decision we won't be going back to Floriade this year.

So more photographs of the low key quirkiness and some of the blooms from Floriade 2018.

I like the use of parsley as a decorative plant.

 We didn't go on the Ferris Wheel this year.  The plants were not out sufficiently to see the best of the patterns on our visit.  Next year perhaps.

 The main Floriade entrance - which we didn't use either coming or going.

 Another vegetable used for its decorative qualities.

 I thought this one looked sad and disgruntled.

  And a sneak preview from Tulip Top Gardens which was one of our excursions this week.  Not all of their blooms were open either, but it was a totally blissful outing.  We went to an outdoor sculpture exhibiton in a nearby rural village too.  And there will be photos of both in future weeks.