Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Sunday, 6 October 2019

Sunday Selections #449




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.

Huge thanks to Cie who gave me this wonderful Sunday Selections image.
  
The meme was then continued by River at Drifting through life.  Sadly she has now stepped aside (though she will join us some weeks), and I have accepted the mantle.
 
The rules are so simple as to be almost non-existent.  Post some photos under the title Sunday Selections and link back to me. Clicking on any of the photos will make them embiggen. 
 
I usually run with a theme.  This week I am continuing to revel in Spring.


This week from our gardenjungle.  The garden is fed with blood, sweat and tears (mine) but by the time things bloom the effort is largely forgotten.





These tulips were short-lived.  The sulphur crested vandals beheaded and shredded all of them the day I took this photo.  They have (fingers crossed) largely stopped their garden depreciations now and I may remove the wire from the most affected garden bed.  Soon.  Ish.

They haven't reformed though, but merely shifted their focus as the next two images reveal.

















The bees (native and otherwise) enjoy the garden too.  This poppy was poking its head out through the cockie protection wire - and for a change wasn't snipped off by the vandals.




There is more coming out every day.  Each garden wander is a voyage of discovery.  The banksia roses, the snowball tree and the lilacs are close to bloom.  Woo Hoo.

Finishing off with a Jazz update.  He is mostly doing pretty well now (much to the vet's surprise)  Which is lovely.  Each afternoon he retires to the wardrobe for an afternoon nap (ensuring a patina of black fur on everything we wear).  I have discovered that if I purr at the wardrobe as I go past, the wardrobe purrs back.  Every home should have a purring wardrobe.

I haven't forgotten Tulip Top Gardens, but am still going through the photos.  Next week I hope to post more. 

129 comments:

  1. Such pretty and colorful flowers. Great pictures.

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  2. Pixie adores the wardrobe too! Such joyous photos, Dear ❤️

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    1. Cloudia: In the past Jazz has only retired to the wardrobe if he is unimpressed (with the weather or visitors). It now seems to be a more daily thing. Spring IS a joyous time.

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  3. I love them all, especially the pretty delicate roses. Ah, spring! And thanks for the Jazz update. Using up a couple more of those nine lives, it seems. :-)

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    1. DJan: No roses. Yet. Jazz may have used up a life or two of his own, but certainly used several of mine.

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  4. Flowers flowers flowers, I love them.

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  5. You are a garden magician, EC - folks with green thumbs are a source of envy, admiration, and thanks from me.

    I love the idea of a purring wardrobe, responding to a purring human! So glad Jazz is doing better than he was.

    Hope you have a good week ahead, my friend.

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    1. jenny_o: There are some plants for which my green thumb is decidedly black. Plants which I no longer attempt to grow (but admire them in other gardens). I really, really like the purring wardrobe. Interestingly, Jazz only purrs when himself pats him, and flatly refused to purr for him UNTIL he is patted.

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  6. Those Sulphur-crested Cockatoos must stretch your patience to its absolute limited. When I visit Australia I am totally enamoured of them, but I don't have to deal with their depredations the way you do. And my wife thinks the local rabbits are bad!

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    1. David M. Gascoigne: I revile them when they attack the plants, but we feed them and encourage their presence, so I have to share some of the blame. If they ate the plants they behead, shred, uproot I wouldn't mind. As much.

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    2. I hereby bequeath upon you Avian Sainthood!

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    3. David M. Gascoigne: Thank you. Nothing saintly about me. Many of my obsessions don't get on together. More than one cat has wreaked havoc on books. More than one cat has lusted after birds. The birds (some of them) don't do the garden any favours. And that same garden contains plants which are toxic for cats.

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  7. I liked looking at the flowers with the slide show mode.

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    1. nothoughtsnoprayersnonothing: Slide show mode? I may have to explore.

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  8. Dear EC
    You have a lot of beautiful flowers to enjoy despite the vandals! There are several plants that would need to be grown inside over here in the UK (I might be just a little bit envious). However, I know I couldn't cope with your searing summer temperatures, so shall content myself with admiring your garden from afar.
    I love the idea of a purring wardrobe - every home should have one!
    Best wishes
    Ellie

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    1. Ellie Foster: Neither the garden nor I cope well with the heat of summer either. Which of our garden plants would you need to grow indoors? I envy your coolelr temperatures and rain.
      The purring wardrobe is lovely, and makes me smile each time I hear it.

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  9. Oh, those rotten birds! I wonder why they tear the flowers apart? Are they after bugs of some sort, or are they just basically mean and malicious?

    Your spring flowers are beautiful! I especially love your various types of narcissus and daffodils. Spring is my favourite time of year!

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    1. Diane Henders: It appears to be vandalism. They tear things apart (gardens, pergolas, shade sails, street lights...) because they can.
      I am a big fan of spring too, and much of the garden is geared up to it.

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  10. A bloomin' lovely garden you've got there, gov!

    A few of those sulphur-crested hoodlums have been screeching hereabouts the past few days, too.

    I'm so glad Jazz is doing well, EC. You might be able to patent that purring wardrobe and make your fortune!!

    Have yourself a wonderful week...cuddles to the Jazz Singer! :)

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    1. Lee: Thank you. The vandals are largely absent this morning, but will be back.
      We are very grateful that Captain Perverse defied the vet's assessment. And yes, the purring cupboard is a HUGE stress reliever.
      I hope you and the furry overlords do well.

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  11. My gosh. The colours are so bright 🌞. Love it.

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    1. The Happy Whisk: The garden is blazing with colour at the moment - and we love it too.

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  12. "Every home should have a purring wardrobe." hahahah If you like cats, absolutely... a purring wardrobe is indispensable!
    I really like your garden... so many flowers, so many colours. Oh spring come back to me!!

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    1. Caterina: My partner thought that he didn't like cats when we started our relationship all those years ago. He now indulges the furry beasts MUCH more than I do.

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  13. The purring wardrobe will keep me laughing all day - wonderful! But I can't imagine how you do it. It's great to hear that Jazz is doing well.

    What a magical garden you have, EC; it must be so good to go out every morning to see what new blooms have opened, what lovely colours are appearing - that pale pinky tulip is one I've not seen before.

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    1. Alexia: I 'think' that pale pink tulip came from a Monet collection. I do hope it returns next year. I do go out into the garden several times a day to see what has emerged. Weeds are a given, but some beauty too.
      Hooray for purring wardrobes. Himself tells me I speak purr.

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  14. It must be disheartening when the vandals attack. Nevertheless, what a fantastic garden of colour. Good to hear about Jazz.

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    1. Andrew: It is disheartening and infuriating when the vandals attack. Often they do such a thorough job that the plant won't bloom next year (or again) either.
      Jazz's triumph over the vet's predictions is wonderful. Long may it last.

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  15. Your comment about having a purring wardrobe made me laugh out loud. Thanks.
    The flowers are beautiful ...as are the vandals, unfortunately. At least they are lovely to see as well.
    Hugs to you and Jazz!

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    1. River Fairchild: Good. I hoped that others would smile at our no longer silent wardrobe. And yes the vandals ARE beautiful. Perhaps it is jealousy that motivates them?

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  16. Your spring flowers are so beautiful. I feel sorry for those beautiful flowering trees that the birds just behead. I wonder why such carnage.

    I'm so glad you have a happy purring wardrobe. It's good to know that Jazz is in tune again. Thanks for the beautiful show of spring flowers.
    Enjoy the new eek.
    Hugs, Julia

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    1. Julia: As far as we can work out the vandals do what they do because they can. Which is true of most vandals. The happy wardrobe is lovely, and more than we dared hope for a few short weeks ago.

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  17. Your blooms are so beautiful. The fourth picture down, those purple spikes are jumping straight out from the screen. All those jonquils! I will have one pot entirely of jonquils. And I'm so happy to see you have naturalized iris, too. Aunt Laura's iris, I call them. Your flowers will keep me happy for several months. I hope the vandals have lost interest.

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    1. Joanne Noragon: I am not going to admit how many hundred jonquils we planted, but will say how much we are enjoying them. And the iris, Dutch and bearded which are just starting to come into their own.

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  18. Poor Jazz. Hope his health improves.

    Those jonquils, I haven't seen such since I was a child!

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    1. Susan Kane: Jonquils are part of my childhood memories too, though some of these were not available then.
      Jazz is mostly better. It seems that we are probably sharing some borrowed time with him, but he (and we) are very happy with it.

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  19. I'm sorry about your tulips and the vandals. As Joanne said, these photos are beautiful...I could easily keep looking at them and others you share. I'm happy to hear your wardrobe is purring these days. I also attempt to purr at Lukas who gives me his version of a cat smile and happily returns the favor.

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    1. e: How nice to hear that you also speak purr (albeit with a foreign accent).

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    2. e: And thank you for also purring. Himself very obviously thinks I am a little odd for doing so.

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  20. Lovely flowers enjoyed seeing them. Hope Jazz will soon be back in top purring form.

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  21. Your garden has such a wonderful variety of blooms and colours. I'm trying to find plants with colour and height now that will suit the dry patches in between the jades. my almost black pelargonium is doing very well this year. I took photos and forgot to put them up. I'll get to it later and you'll see them tomorrow.

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    1. River: Some of the smaller blooms get a bit swamped in the jungle but are putting up valiant efforts to be seen. I look forward to seeing your very almost black pelargonium.

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  22. P.S. love the idea of the purring wardrobe. Happy to know Jazz is doing well.

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    1. River: The wardrobe is purring quite loudly as I type this reponse.

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  23. I love that first bee photo, then the wild purple flowerd after it. What in the world is that? I love it! Happy Jazz is still with us, in this world, and I"m kind of surprised at that.

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    1. Strayer: That is a type of cape daisy, and I love it. I buy more whenever I see them. Jazz is happy, and the vet was surprised at how well he is doing. As I said in a response to an earlier comment, he is probably here on borrowed time, but he is happy to be here.

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  24. Wow--- Some unusual ones there, all beautiful!

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    1. Bill: Thank you. We are enjoying the garden at the moment and, for a change, while there is work to do it isn't shrieking at me.

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  25. My goodness EC, I believe you can charge for tours at your spot, because your sweat, blood and tears have yielded such phenomenal and lovely work. You can get paid!(lol) It's all so amazing. Thank goodness Jazz is letting you know he's doing well, and we're happy too! Hugs, RO

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    1. RO: Thank you. I do hope that others are getting some pleasure from our spring display. A few years ago someone who lived in our street told me that she had asked their landscape gardener to create a garden like ours. Which was an incredible compliment.
      Jazz is trotting around the house purring now. Which is wonderful.

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  26. Ahhh spring flowers, so very beautiful, such vibrant colours. Always good to know that the world is waking up after the winter. That is especially true here in Canada as we have such a very cold winter. But I don't want to even think about the winter yet, as it's autumn here and the trees are just turning to reds and golds, all very beautiful.
    Good news about Jazz, I hope he continues to improve. Very nice to have a purring wardrobe in spite of the black fluff adhering to everything.

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    1. Shammickite: While I like cold weather (and we don't get enough of it for me), I suspect your winters would change my mind. I am revelling in the explosion of colour (and the happy cat).

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  27. Hi EC - wonderful description 'purring wardrobe'!! Fantastic photos and notes ... great to see your hard work pay off - even if those delighted birdies enjoy it too! Amazing destruction - but ... still I'm loving the blossoms - we're now wet! But need it - cheers Hilary

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    1. Hilary Melton-Butcher: Thank you. Yesterday I got brave and removed the wire which enclosed the most beseiged garden bed. Hopefully not too early.

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  28. I am not sure I would appreciate a ball of fur on my clothing, but your garden photos are so beautiful.

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    1. gigihawaii: Thank you. Having had cats for most of my life the patina of cat fur is a constant. Some visitors are less than impressed, which I understand.

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  29. Those purple flowers with the blue centers are so pretty. I've never seen that flower before but I love them. I'm so glad to hear that Jazz is doing alright.

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    1. Mary Kirkland: I am very, very fond of that daisy. And thank you for your well wishes for the furry tyrant.

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  30. Love the spring followers, especially since we're into fall when the leaves are changing color and the flowers are dying.

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    1. Natalie Aguirre: Thank you. We love them too (though I am a big fan of autumn as well).

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  31. So happy to hear about Jazz. Indeed every home should have a purring wardrobe. Love the flowers. They are so colorful. Our flowers will soon be fading away as Fall takes over. Have a great week my friend.

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    1. Mason Canyon: The purring wardrobe (and occasionally purring kitchen cupboards when he gets behind them) are a treat.
      I hope you find colour and joy in both your autumn and winter.

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  32. I love the blooms. Great photos! Great news about Jazz too.

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    1. Marie Smith: Thank you so much. I do hope your winter is gentle this year.

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  33. It is always a joy to see the garden awaken in spring, and yours is bursting into color - despite the vandals. It must be difficult to live with that since they just belong to nature as well and we enjoy them, too (just as I enjoy the deer very much, but not their habit of viewing my garden as their personal salad buffet). Many of your flowers I recognize, some I don't know. The daffodils look stunning in the blue vase. Is the star-shaped flower some kind of African Daisy?

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    1. Carola Bartz: It is indeed a Cape Daisy. We have a white one too, and I planted a yellow one which may or may not survive.
      I can well understand your frustation at the deer - but at least they eat the things they destroy (small consolation I know).

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  34. Your flower images are always striking!
    I have a toothy trio for you today.
    Chomp!

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    1. The Real Cie: Thank you. I am off to check out Chomp!.

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  35. The garden is stunning, all those colors and shapes of flowers!☺

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    1. natalia20041989: Thank you. It has taken a lot of work, but I am enjoying it.

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  36. Yes, I agree, everyone should have a purring wardrobe. How I wish I had one too.

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    1. lostinimaginaryworlds: We are so very happy to have a purring wardrobe. I do hope you find one too.

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  37. A purring wardrobe. I love it.
    Glad he's better. Your blood, sweat and tears sure paid off.
    Hugs

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    1. Sandra Cox: I do too. And, for the moment at least, he purrs back to me where-ever he is when I purr at him.
      The garden is as usual in need of work, but is filling me with joy at the moment.

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  38. what a lovely garden. May your wardrobe continue to purr :)

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  39. Oh, you are an excellent gardener! A purring wardrobe sounds like it's worth getting out the tape to pull the fur off of the clothes.

    My selections are in the usual spot, and i am trying to catch up, as you can see.

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    1. messymimi: Thank you. I look forward to seeing your Sunday Selections when you post them.

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  40. Spring truly is busting out all over in your yard. I suppose the price you pay for such gorgeous birds in the hijinks in your garden.

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    1. Anne in the kitchen: You are probably right, but they really only go into total destructive mode in Spring. Some things they let flower and behead, and other things they uproot and destroy.

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  41. A jungle to die for - breath taking! Glad to hear Jazz is better and your wardrobe is purring. Long may both continue.

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    1. Nilanjana Bose: Thank you for both kindnesses. The jungle takes a heap of work, and is decidedly not to everyone's taste. It is to ours.

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  42. Oh WOW...these are absolutely stunning!! What an amazing garden...all those wonderful colours.😊😊
    I can't tell you how happy I am to hear Jazz is doing so well...and your "purring wardrobe" really made me smile! Lol
    Have a great day, my dear friend.

    Much love and hugs ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

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    1. Ygraine: Many, many thanks. I do enjoy the spring garden - and the purring wardrobe.
      I hope you are doing better, and send oceans of cyber health wishes your way.

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  43. I am so delighted over your devoted efforts to maintain such a beautiful garden. I think you could charge an entrance fee for a walk through it to see all those amazing flowers. I can understand you're annoyance at those little vandals.

    So glad Jazz is doing better.

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    1. Myrna R.: Thank you so much for your shameless flattery. The front garden is open to the street and I do hope that others enjoy it as they drive by.

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  44. I have never seen these type of flowers . Thanks for posting

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  45. Did you really ctach thatbee in flight?

    Amazing.

    :o)

    Cheers

    PM

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    1. Plastic Mancunian: It was a very lucky shot wasn't it?

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    1. Hena Tayeb: And more coming out each day. Woo Hoo.

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  47. That first shot of a bee is beautiful! If that is a bee... The tail looks a little like my local yellowjackets. But your eye really caught it in such a vulnerable moment.

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    1. John Wiswell: It was indeed a bee, and a very lucky shot. It isn't that they are fast moving, but I find them completely unpredictable.

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  48. Agnes Agniszka: Thank you. We like them too.

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  49. I totally agree that every home should have a purring wardrobe. I love it! Glad Jazz is feeling better than expected. Yay!

    Wow- those yard vandals are really something! Glad so many of the blooms are doing so well. I love those purple spikey flowers. Beautiful photos and a gorgeous garden!
    Jess

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    1. DMS ~Jess: The purring wardrobe is moveable at the moment, but the purr is loud and welcome. And thank you.

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  50. Such stunning flowers. I had a hot pink and white vanda once, it was very beautiful but alas I no longer have it now.

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    1. New Release Books: I had to ask Captain Google about vanda. What beauties they are.

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  51. laurie: Thank you. When we enter summer I will be so grateful for cooling photos from your side of the world. I am a big, big fan of autumn too, and thanks to the blogosphere I am enjoying spring and autumn simultaneously.

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  52. I enjoyed all these pretty flowers in your garden. I'm glad your poppies are protected from the cockies, I think the bees are too :) Thanks for sharing them. I was trying to imagine the purring wardrobe and would enjoy having one of those. Glad to hear Jazz is feeling better.

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    1. DeniseinVA: When the cockies were rampaging most, just as soon as that poppy emerged from the wire it would have been snipped off. The purring wardrobe is fun, (and very welcome).

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  53. So glad Jazz is doing better.
    I look forward to even more tulips.
    Keep your heart warm - you always warm ours.

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    1. Rawknrobyn: Thank you. My heart is warm. More tulips will also be provided. Soon. Ish.

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  54. Beautiful flowers - well worth all the effort!

    Love the fact that Jazz retires to the wardrobe in the afternoons.... :-)

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    1. Lady Fi: I think they are worth the effort too, but that is at least partly because my back and bones no longer ache from the planting/weeding/mulching/fertilising.
      Jazz is happily ensconced in the wardrobe as I type. Both are purring.

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  55. I would love to meander through your garden.
    Hugs

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    1. Sandra Cox: I would love to have you meander through the garden - though you would be put to work.

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  56. Good morning, what a wondrous collection of beauty unfolding before our eyes. You are entering one of my favorite seasons, so that means I'm headed toward that cold tundra of a white filled land! I keep saying I think it's time to relocate out of this but then so many things tempt me to stay. Enjoy your week!

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    1. 21 Wits: I do like Spring. And autumn. And our wimpy winter. I would love to see your icy tundra some day. I hope your week is delightful.

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  57. I love the idea of a purring wardrobe. I want one! Your garden is as colourful as the birds that visit it! Beautiful.

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    1. LL Cool Joe: The purring wardrobe is a delight, but not easy on the clothes within it. I do aim for colour in the garden and the birds (vandals and otherwise) seem to appreciate it too.

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  58. What a treasure trove of flowers! Absolutely stunning garden.

    XO
    WWW

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    1. Wisewebwoman: Thank you. I go for a garden wander several times each day and marvel at what is coming out (when I am not cursing the birds).

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  59. Your Spring flowers and garden are looking great, I did enjoy seeing all of your photographs.
    So pleased to read that Jazz is doing pretty well now, and I love the thought of the purring wardrobe:)

    All the best Jan

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    1. Lowcarb team member ~Jan: Thank you. The garden is, as usual, a work in progress. And I am thrilled to say that Jazz is still (mostly) doing well. And purring.

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  60. I am so happy Jazz is doing better! Big fur baby hugs!
    Your garden is amazing! Wow EC! Your vandals, do they eat the flowers, or just have fun? LOL!

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    1. Magic Love Crow: Jazz is still mostly doing better which is lovely. The vandals don't eat the flowers or the bulbs. They delight in tearing them apart.

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