Sunday, 27 November 2022

Sunday Selections #609

 

 

 
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.  Covid has hit me hard and I haven't been out, and have barely been outside the house.  All praise to the Covid Team in my city who have been very helpful and very supportive.  Early in the week there was talk of a trip to hospital when my blood oxygen levels were very low which I am glad to have avoided.  I am now obviously going to live and don't mind too much.  Himself is also doing better and the kittens are finally improving as well, though they still have a way to go.  

These shots were taken not long after first light and (just for a change) feature the garden.

I adore this double poppy and save the seeds and broadcast them each year.
Here is another, with the last of our orchids flowering behind it.


Believe it or not, there is a path under those prolifically blooming Peruvian Lilies (Alstroemeria).  When I can get back into the garden again I will try and clear it.



This is our veranda, first looking to the right as you come out the front door and then to the left.



My mother loathed calla lilies saying they were 'funeral flowers'.  I like them and am particularly fond of this Green Goddess variety.


Not only are the poppies thriving, so are the snails...

I hope your week is healthy, happy and blooming lovely.

129 comments:

  1. Dear EC
    I am pleased to hear that you are all slowly recovering - be gentle with yourselves. I love those poppies - the flowers are so full of petals. Hmm, snails are a nuisance, aren't they? Still. they do provide food for some birds.
    I hope your week is full of positives.
    Best wishes
    Ellie

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    1. Ellie Foster: The snails do indeed feed the birds - who appreciate them. That poppy is a beauty, and hooray for recovery. However slow.

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  2. I can't believe I am first. As slow as I type, I may not be by the time this hopefully publishes.

    I am sorry you are still not well, but the good news is, all in your home are truly getting BETTER./ And that makes me happy.

    I also like calla lilies and those look more like carnations than poppies to me. Gosh, you get a LOT of snails. I guess I'm lucky in that respect.

    Feel better soon, dear friend and snuggle with those adorable kitties.

    OMGosh. I got a Failed to Publish. Now I KNOW I won't be first to comment.

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    1. Bleubeard and Elizabeth: I am so sorry that you weren't quite the first to comment - though your comments are welcome whenever they appear. Thank you. We have had a heap of rain, and the snails love it. There are lots and lots of them this year.

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    2. Hi EC, I am sorry you misunderstood my lead in for my final post on my blog this month. Bleubeard and I are NOT stepping away from AJJ. It was our final day of HOSTING. We welcome a new host on Dec 1 (which is already today in your world). We will still be around creating art for AJJ and doing other fun things, too.

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  3. Hi EC - so pleased to read you are all improving that's a relief - long may it last to full health. Yes - I love the lilies ... but that poppy is just wondrous ... good for the snails = making hay while the owners have to hide to heal. Take care and with thoughts - Hilary

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    1. Hilary Melton-Butcher: Thank you. I am smiling at the snails making hay while the sun shines. I tend to toss them out of the garden onto the lawn on better, healthier days.

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  4. "so are the snails"
    Hey! Supper!

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  5. Wow, those poppies are spectacular! I'm so glad COVID is loosening its hold on you and the kitties. I laughed (ruefully) at your addendum "don't mind too much" - that tells me all I need to know about how awful you've felt. Sending lots of good wishes for a speedy recovery for all!

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    1. Diane Henders: I have indeed felt very ordinary indeed, and still tire quickly. Aren't those poppies a joy?

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  6. I'm relieved that you are all on the mend from the nasty Covid. I hope that you feel better and stronger every day. I so glad the kitten are also improving. Thanks for sharing your lovely blooms from your garden. I love those double poppies.

    Take care of yourself.
    Hugs,
    Julia

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    1. Julia: Thank you. We love the double poppies too. We think they were a volunteer originally but we welcome them, and try and spread them each year.

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  7. Wonderful Poppies, lovely jubbly. I hope you get better soon.

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    1. Bob Bushell: Thank you. I am much better than I was.

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  8. These are beautiful flowers, and I like your garden. I hope you recover soon. My daughter has COVID right now. It's just not fun.

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    1. Jenn Jilks: Not fun at all. I hope your daughter recovers quickly and completely.

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  9. I love all your garden colors and happy to know you both and the kittens are improving!

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    1. e: Thank you. I hope you and Lukas are doing better. I am thrilled that the kittens are finally getting better. I was worried. Very worried.

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  10. I'm so glad you're all getting better!! (Even if it feels like an eternity to you) Don't push yourself to do things. They can wait.

    I've never seen the Green Goddess variety before. Beautiful shading!

    As always, your photos of the garden are wonderful to look at. Thank you for sharing the bounty with us.

    Keep resting, sister across the sea. Hugs to you in abundance.

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    1. River Fairchild: I fell in love with the Green Goddess Lily when I first saw it in a garden catalogue. It is thriving - which pleased me muchly. I am resting. I don't have a lot of choice. I will probably go back to bed again in a bit.

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  11. Good to read that you are all on the road to recovery. Sounds like you had a nasty bout of Covid. So glad you are on the other side of that. Loved the photos around your garden. Much appreciate you doing this considering you are still not 100 percent. Take good are of yourself and speedy healing!

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  12. It is a beautiful collection of flower images

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    1. roentare: Hopefully by next week I will have been out and can show something other than garden images.

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  13. I'm glad to know you and everyone else at your house are on the mend at last. Low oxygen levels would be scary indeed. I hope the coming week is one of rest and recuperation. Please take good care of yourself. And thank you for the beautiful garden shots. Everything here is dead and the weather is windy and cold. I can forget all that while I look at your beautiful plants :)

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    1. jenny_o: The covid team arranged to have an oxygen meter delivered to me. Some of the readings were quite scary, but they are now (mostly) on the up and up. Rug up and stay warm and comfortable dear chosen sister.

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  14. Gosh you’re a real trouper to put this post together EC and it’s good to hear you’re finally on the mend. We’ve not ‘had it’ yet so have no idea how we’d react.
    Funny how the snails enjoy the rain - there are plenty down here as well…..probably due to all the rain we’ve had 😊

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    1. Cathy: We had escaped it too - and were a bit surprised at how hard it hit. I do hope that you can continue to stay healthy. I am certain that the rain has brought out the snails - in plague proportions.

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  15. My mother dislikes those 'funeral' lilies too. The verandah looks like it might disappear one day, as the path has already. I'm pleased you are feeling better. I guess you would be eligible for anti virals.

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    1. Andrew: I have just rescued your comment from spam jail. I wonder whether disliking those lilies is a generational thing? Our mothers were of similar vintage. I did qualify for anti virals and hope they helped. I think the veranda is safe (but won't guarantee that).

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  16. I am so very glad to hear you are all getting better now, and hope recovery is 100%, none of that nasty "long covid" hanging around for months. Low oxygen must be scary, please take care. I've been lucky enough to avoid covid so far, mostly by staying home I think, which put a crimp in my weight loss plans, que sera sera. I shall have to eat fewer biscuits instead.
    Your veranda is beautiful! Do you have chairs to sit on out there? I LOVE the double poppies. Do you know if seeds are available at nurseries? I haven't been near a nursery for years now. Do they need full sun to grow? My "garden" is shaded again now the plum trees have leafed out for the summer.

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    1. River: We had been lucky, but it ran out. We do have chairs on the veranda. It is a sheltered spot and the greenery prevents us from being on public view. I have no idea whether that poppy is available in nurseries. Perhaps you could google double poppies and see. And yes, they do best in full sun.

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  17. Feck off, covid!
    Nothing to add.
    Oh well: (Virtually) Cuddling the kittens, hugging you, and in direction of Himself once again hissing the above.

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  18. OH! I'm so glad good news and sighs of relief are raining upon you. Let's hope it continues.

    Take good care, EC...I hope only the best for you and your two little furry mates during the week ahead. :)

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    1. Lee: Thank you. I really, really hope that Batty and Odie continue to improve and don't revert to their one step forwards, two steps back dance. I hope you and the furry overlords have a happy healthy week.

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  19. I'm very glad to hear that all four of you are improving! Here's hoping that you will soon be out in your lovely garden again - those double poppies are a stunning colour, aren't they? Fingers crossed that you continue to improve, after what sounds like a very tough time... Take care of yourself, dear EC.

    (I have to admit that I am of your mother's view when it comes to lilies!)

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    1. Alexia: All lilies or just Calla Lilies? I don't think I have ever been to a funeral where they featured. Thank you - and you look after yourself too.

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  20. I was sick four entire weeks. My daughter stepped in and took over and eventually I was well. RSV?
    The calla lilies are wonderful.

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    1. Joanne Noragon: Four weeks? Shudder. I am glad that you eventually recovered.

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  21. I rather like canna lilies, have one only in my garden and it's white. Your photos are lovely.
    Well get better soon, so pleased you avoided the hospital with your covid. Take care, take it easy.
    Pleased the cats are improving.

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    1. Margaret D: Thank you, I am glad someone else likes cannas. I have white ones, a yellow one (which I haven't seen this year) and plenty of the Green Goddesses. I am glad to have avoided hospital too.

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  22. Funeral flowers, that's funny. They're pretty! I'm glad you are getting better after that horrible Covid. It's making the rounds here again too, hitting lots of folk fully vaccinated and boosted, even the governor.

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    1. Strayer: We are fully vaccinated and boosted - but the plague didn't care.

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  23. I'm glad that all seems to be improving-- and I'm glad to see these lovely flower captures!

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  24. It's interesting that you mention the association of Calla Lillies and funerals. Years ago - many years ago - a woman I knew quite well had done a few favours for me and had invited me over for dinner a couple of times while my wife was away, and I took her flowers - you guessed it Calla Lilies. I thought she didn't look entirely thrilled with them and it was only later I learned that they were traditional funeral flowers. They were, and are, beautiful and it's quite sad really that at times they may not be considered appropriate. I would rejoice if someone gave them to me.

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    1. David M. Gascoigne: How interesting. I had thought it was a particular association of my mother's but it seems not. Like you, I think they are beautiful.

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    2. I enjoy reading comments. Calla Lillies were my mother's favorite flower. She chose them for her wedding bouquet and they were there for her funeral. She would have been thrilled at Davids gift but cultures being what they are, they do have different meanings to many. I enjoyed coming back and looking at your photos again :)

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  25. Ditto! I love the flower pictures, but I am glad to hear the kittens have probably turned the corner. And that you are recovering, too, dear friend.

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    1. DJan: Thank you so much. I hope you are enjoying your family reunion.

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  26. I am glad that both you and the cats are improving.
    Beautiful flowers. Your pride and joy. : )

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    1. Caterina: The garden took a hit last night. We had an intense hail storm and there are leaves/branches/flowers down in profusion. It will recover. Eventually.

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  27. Gee, I was scared when you said you had covid...you and yours! I'm relieved you're both improving, and kittens too.

    How I love your veranda! And flowers. And everything. Do take care of you xx

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    1. neena maiya (guyana gyal): Thank you. We are all still improving - which is lovely.

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  28. Oh man,I'm so sorry to hear you got Covid. Ack. Glad you are on the mend. As always, I'd love to stroll with you through your beautiful garden. Hugs

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    1. Sandra Cox: It isn't fun is it? I would love you to wander through the garden with me - but warn you that I would put you to work.

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  29. hope you have a great week and do everything that makes your heart happy.

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    1. Trin Carl: That is a truly lovely wish. Thank you and the same to you.

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  30. I wish you health, energy and happiness this coming week, EC. Getting out and about after Covid felt scary but wonderful!

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    1. Marie Smith: Thank you. I have yet to go out - but am looking forward to it. In the fullness of time.

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  31. I am glad that you and your loved ones are recovering from the Covid, which couldn't have been pleasant. Take care and enjoy your pretty garden.

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    1. gigi-hawaii: It hasn't been a heap of fun, but we have been luckier than many. Thank you.

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  32. Sorry to read you had covid. I am wishing you a speedy recovery.

    Thank you for posting the lovely flowers.

    .

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    1. Truedessa: Thank you. My/our recovery isn't speedy - but I do hope it is complete.

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    2. I hope you all recover fully. Get rest it is the best thing for healing the body.

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    3. Truedessa: Thanks for the reminder. I find resting difficult. If I can do things I feel like I should. My bad.

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  33. So sorry Covid hit you hard, but pleased you are now on the mend. Take things slowly and allow time to get your strength back.

    Your flower photographs are beautiful, such wonderful colours.

    Sending my good wishes.

    All the best Jan

    PS Pleased the kitties are doing ok

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    1. Lowcarb team member ~Jan: I have just rescued you from the spam folder. Thank you. We are also pleased that the kittens are at least a bit better. It is about time.

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  34. I am so sorry you all have had COVID, but glad you are recovering. The fatigue lasts too long, but hope you have no lingering symptoms like I have had. Take care of yourself, my friend, and hope you are feeling great real soon.

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    1. Glenda Beall: I am sorry that your symptoms linger. And thank you.

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  35. It's funny, my Sweetie thinks of roses as "funeral flowers" and won't have anything to do with them.

    Your garden is amazing.

    Thank you for continuing the Sunday Selections, it gives me a reason to look for things to photograph as i go through my week.

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    1. messymimi: Roses as funeral flowers? Your poor sweetie.
      I also use Sunday Selections as a reminder to focus on beauty - and am glad that it inspires you too.

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  36. Thank you Dear for sharing these beauties from your realm.

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    1. Cloudia: Thank you. I am always happy to share beauty.

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  37. Happy for the good news, and wow those flowers are impressive, they make me happy in the dreary murkines we have here and now. Take care of yourselves and the kittys.

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    1. Charlotte(MotherOwl): Murkiness and gloom can be depressing can't they? I am so glad that the flowers from our garden lift your spirits.

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  38. The flowers are beautiful! I'm so sorry that you were hit so hard with covid. I'm hoping to never catch it. I'm dilligent still about wearing a mask whenever I leave the house and disinfecting my hands as I am out in public! So glad you're on the mend!!! Hubby and the kitties too! ♥

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    1. Rain: I hope you can avoid it too. We were/are careful but obviously not careful enough.

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    1. Plastic Mancunian: The garden is so often solace for me.

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  40. I do hope you are feeling better now. Covid hit me for a month when I got it. Take it easy. I'm glad the kittehs are better.

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    1. Mary Kirkland: I am feeling better - not right but a lot better. Thank you.

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  41. The poppies are lovely. I like bright color flowers. In some country, red is a color for luck so having red flowers is lucky.

    I'm sorry you had the dreaded covid. I hope you'll get better.

    Have a lovely day.

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    1. lissa: Thank you. I love the bright cheery colours of those poppies too.

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  42. Love this lot of photos, the snail looks good there but I have a mail box full.. sorry not been here much second week of covid x

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    1. aussie aNNie: The snails have ignored our mailbox. Snap on the covid front.

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  43. I'm stoked that you and the kittens are on the mend. I had some good results this morning following a visit to emergency... it's good to be on the right side of a health scare isn't it.

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    1. Kim: I am on the mend. The kittens have had another set back. Fingers crossed they recover quickly. You had another trip to emergency? I am so glad the results were good.

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  44. Your double poppies are beautiful. How are you feeling today?

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    1. Sandra Cox: They are lovely aren't they? I am voiceless but better. Sadly the kittens have taken a step backwards.

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    2. Sandra Cox: Sadly, oh yes. Himself is now negative too so we will try and get a vet appointment (another vet appointment) tomorrow.

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  45. Sorry you got the'vid. Glad you had such a great support team. Huggs and bugs, Me.

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    1. The Happy Whisk: I am very grateful to the Covid Team.

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    2. I am grateful with you, for them as well. Wonderful.

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  46. I wish you a speedy recovery and what magnificent flowers you have captured. So beautiful! :D

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  47. First, Gini and I are glad to hear both You and Himself are somewhat better. We are equally glad the kitties may be on the mend.
    Second, we both came down with the flu a few days ago so empathize a bit.
    Third, what beautiful flowers you have shown us to uplift all our spirits!

    Thank you EC!


    germs begone!

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    1. Wally Jones: Germs begone indeed. I hope you and Gini are over your flu. The kittens are still messing with my mind. It is early yet, but the signs for today are promising. Fingers crossed.

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  48. Beautiful photos, Elephant's Child!

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    1. Sandi: I hope to venture further from home for next week's Sunday Selections. Thank you.

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    2. I am sorry to hear about the battle with covid. Glad you are winning! And kudos to the supportive team in your town. I had no idea there were bands of superheroes out there doing that.

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    3. Sandi: Definitely superheroes. And lots of them.

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  49. I can't imagine being able to grow orchids outdoors. How glorious. Hope today is a good one.

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    1. Sandra Cox: We have orchids thriving in a number of places outside - which I am very grateful for.

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  50. Flowers are so amazing. My favorites are the poppies. The "funeral lilies" are unusual.

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    1. Susan Kane: I am a big fan of the Green Goddess calla lilies.

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  51. I'm glad you're feeling better! COVID is nasty - be sure to take care of yourself!!! Sending hugs your way
    Love those double-poppies!

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    1. Jemi Fraser: Thank you. We love those poppies too.

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  52. Oh I so love your veranda, I could live it out there. Books, coffee, birds, scents of flowers, no more needed.
    I also love Calla lilies, had them in a house we had in the burbs at the back of the garden, looked forward to them every year.
    XO
    WWW

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    1. Wisewebwoman: The veranda is a serene place, and I find it welcoming. Our back deck has charm too, though it like the garden needs attention. I think it was Cicero who said that if you have a garden and a library you have everything you need.

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  53. I'm with ya. Calas are beautiful.

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  54. Right back at ya on those lovely wishes.

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    1. Sandra Cox: Thank you. I hope your weekend is wonderful.

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  55. Me alegro de que vayas mejorando, y espero que te recuperes pronto.
    Tus floridas imágenes transmiten muy bien la bella luz de Australia, e incluso me atrevería a decirte que el perfume de esas flores.
    Buen fin de semana..

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    1. Manuel: Thank you. It is a slow recovery, but I am very grateful to be feeling better. You have a great weekend too.

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  56. I'm so sorry to hear that you and your husband had Covid, Sue! I'm glad that you didn't have to go to the hospital and that you are recovering. Covid hit Terry and me hard last June in spite of both of us being fully vaccinated and boosted. I'm back to wearing a mask in stores and other crowded places. Your flowers are gorgeous, even if they're running amok. The Green Goddess calla lily is really striking. I don't recall seeing this flower before. I had Alstroemeria in my wedding bouquet, so I have a special place in my heart for it. Take care of yourself and don't push too hard to as you continue to recover. Hugs to you!

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    1. Fundy Blue: We are fully vaccinated and boosted too. I am very grateful for that given how hard it hit. We too wear masks in public areas, and will continue to do so.
      Isn't that Green Goddess lovely? As soon as I saw it in a garden catalogue (which I refer to as garden porn) I knew I had to have it. We have both red and yellow alstroemeria and love them. The red has spread like wildfire.

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  57. I'm so sorry that you and every one else has been sick. Glad things are looking a little better. Thanks for sharing such stunning pictures 🤩 Hugs, RO

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    1. RO: How lovely to see you here. I miss your blog and you and hope you are well.

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