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. Last week the news in the world, my country and a few personal issues did my head in. So I turned to the natural world for heartbalm. Which I received.
And of course I wandered round our garden with the camera too.
In other garden news, someone who shall remain nameless but who isn't me or the cats has ordered another 49 !!! sumo lilies. I will be very busy making room for them.
I hope if you need it you find heartbalm as easily as I did this week.
You don't think the cats have figured out how to order online yet?
ReplyDeleteAlex J. Cavanaugh: If they have their lack of opposable thumbs means that they cannot extract and use my credit card. I suspect that garden plants would be low on their purchasing priorities too.
Deletethecontemplativecat here. You are in spring and summer right now so you can plant 49 bulbs! That sounds like mammoth task.
ReplyDeleteSusan Kane: Himself will happily plant, but will not weed (since I don't allow him to use poison). I suspect they will go in relatively quickly - when I have cleared space for them.
DeleteI can always find heartbalm here, thanks to you.
ReplyDeleteBe well, my friend.
Rawknrobyn: Thank you. You be well (and happy) too.
DeleteYou garden always has such lovely blooms, EC. I too get lost in nature during these difficult times! It helps me manage worry for the world!
ReplyDeleteMarie Smith: Thank you. I find heartbalm on many of the walks you take us on too. And nature is always the first place I turn to.
DeleteIf I saw one of those giant hoppy muscle bunnies, I would run. Do they chase you if you scream and take off? 😂
ReplyDeleteSandi: While kangaroos can (and occasionally do) inflict considerable damage on people they are mostly placid creatures. I give them plenty of room though.
DeleteMuch needed! I can no longer stomach my country's buffoons and you are right...nature and beauty sure do soothe the soul. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteColoring Outside the Lines: Nature and beauty (which often go hand in hand) are a gift aren't they?.
DeleteFORTY-NINE sumo lilies?!? Hmmm, sounds like someone in our household. (Mentioning no names.) ;-)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing your heartbalm.
Diane Henders: Forty-nine. Shortly (and before it gets too hot for me) I will go out and try and clear some space.
DeleteYou're a lucky woman to have someone purchase 49 Sumu lilies for your yard. My husband helped me on year to plant a large number of Tulips and he used a drill and auger bit to drill the holes in the ground and it made the job so quick and easy.
ReplyDeleteI'll be waiting for the blooms.
I'm glad that you got your Kangaroo fix. Some of them look so big.
Your spring flowers are beautiful. Thank you for sharing.
Hugs,
Julia
Julia: Himself often purchases plants for our garden. He is happy to plant them too but does not weed. Some of the roos are very big, and I am always made happy by watching them relax in the sun - and they relax really, really well.
DeleteI'd never heard of heartbalm before. Interesting...
ReplyDeleteMike: The phrase (and sometimes it is expressed as two words) has a legal meaning but I mean it as balm for the heart. And I often need it. Your tree posts give it to me each and every week.
DeleteIt still amazes me the fact that you have the opportunity to see kangaroos up close. And I have been visiting your blog for quite a while now… I find these creatures very special and I always enjoy looking at pictures like these.
ReplyDeleteOut of curiosity, how close were you?
Your lovely flowers are equally very special. : )
Caterina: I suppose I was about twenty yards away from the roos. I could have gone closer I think but I didn't want to spook them, they looked perfectly comfortable where they were. They are used to people there, but need their space.
DeleteIt's so very difficult to be upbeat at present. Our world is in such a mess. Humans never learn. The hate, the violence continues ad infinitum. Inhumane human behaviour...too much sorrow...too much violence...to much hate. I don't wonder why I am a hermit. You've been in my thoughts, EC.
ReplyDeleteMy cuddles to Batty and Odie. Oh! How I'd love to be cuddling my two beloved passed mates.
Please take good care...and I hope the coming week, and thereafter, is a better one for everyone...everywhere the world over.
Lee: I am in total agreement. Too much everything - except kindness and consideration. Of course you miss your furry companions. My heart aches with and for you.
DeleteBatty and Odie have had breakfast and are currently digesting - ie napping. I hope the world has a MUCH better week.
The irises look fabulous. The kangaroos got these collars kind of cute.
ReplyDeleteroentare: There are more irises coming out each day. I would prefer to see the kangaroos without collars but MUCH prefer collars to culls (which our local government also does).
DeleteWhat Lee wrote in her first paragraph.
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you for everything, Sue. May you never suffer from a lack of heartbalm.
The peace of the night.
Sean Jeating: I also agree with Lee. Luckily I can find heartbalm, mostly in the 'little' things when the big picture hurts my head and my heart.
DeleteSleep well.
Thank you for sharing your fabulous flowers and those wonderful Kangaroos.
ReplyDeleteI did wonder why some were tagged - many thanks for the explanation.
Hope the new week ahead will be a better one for you, and indeed for everyone, what is happening in our world is very concerning.
My good wishes.
All the best Jan
Lowcarb team member ~Jan: Thank you. What is happening in the world (in far too many places) is deplorable. Like you I hope that the coming weeks will be better, but I have my doubts.
DeleteI hope you and your family do well.
Kangaroos under cypress trees just looks so wrong.
ReplyDeleteIs that an iris in the second last photo? What beautiful colouring.
Andrew: There was also a small mob of roos under oak trees. Which is also wrong - though they didn't seem to realise it. That is indeed an iris - and one of my favourites. Sadly the sulphur crested vandals also like them and it is (so far) the only one in that colour to bloom this year.
DeleteAnother hermit agreeing with Lee.
ReplyDeleteI get plenty of heart balm each week from your posts and I thank you for that. Such greenery in your photos just now is a joy to look at from my dreary cloudy vantage point. The Roos are fascinating and I envy your upcoming lilies - though not the future weeding.
Take good care of yourself and give the sleepy cats some love from me. Hugs to you always.
River Fairchild
River Fairchild: Never mind the future weeding. I have to weed some more to make room for the lilies. I have just down a big bag full and am having a break before I go out again.
DeleteI think that many of us agree with Lee. And it totally sucks that we don't have the power to change things round.
I am so grateful for your beautiful flowers, EC - and being able to see roos again. It's good to see them looking healthy and strong!
ReplyDeleteI hope you are feeling well, and that the 'sleepy cats' are behaving themselves. I was enjoying the morning until Mr A managed to drop his (heavy) (electric) bike on my arm - grrrr!
I would love to have a garden full of lovely flowers, as you do - it would be hard to decide which you like most...
Alexia: Grrr. I hope your arm didn't sustain much damage. How are your eyes?
DeleteI love our roos too and they are looking good at the moment. Sadly we have been promised a hot and dry summer so I suspect their condition will fall away. Another grr.
My favourites in the garden are a moveable feast, but I look forward to seeing some things bloom every year. I have lilac in flower at the moment too. Bliss.
Grrr indeed - luckily, I only got a couple of small bruises. And my eyes seem to be behaving themselves; I have an appointment tomorrow week to check up on my right eye, which no longer has a cataract...
DeleteThe roos are so handsome; I would love to see them in the flesh again. Thank you for the photos; I would give the top prize to the purple/white iris - stunning!
I hope you have a lovely not-too-hot week of gardening ahead of you :}
Alexia: Sigh at the bruises, but I am glad that your eyes are behaving. I hope you get an excellent report next week. Physio today and appointments tomorrow. The garden will have to wait until a bit later.
DeleteThank you for the wonderful heartbalm pictures. I too am having a truly difficult time with the news, so mostly I'm staying away and enjoying the outdoors to sooth my sore spirits.
ReplyDeleteDJan: I hear you. I cannot cope with the news at the moment. The headlines are MORE than enough. Hugs dear friend.
DeleteAnemone, iris! All those summer flowers coming on. And fields of kangaroos. All should be right with the world...
ReplyDeleteJoanne Noragon: How I wish it was.
DeleteThank you for sharing such wonderful photographs. They mean so much more than you know! Just what we all needed!
ReplyDeleteYolanda Renee: I think we all need some gentle beauty, even at the best of times - which this isn't.
Delete(Hoping this comment ‘comments’. There are a whole lot of them floating around somewhere- but certainly not here ‘where they were intended’
ReplyDeleteAll is definitely not well in the world at the moment so I’m enjoying this peaceful place on this wet Melbourne morning. Thanks for cheering up the blogging world EC
Cathy: This comment has certainly arrived. Blessed blogger is making it difficult at the moment isn't it? You are having a wet day? Jealous thoughts. And no, not all well with the world. Not in the slightest.
DeleteI am surprised (but pleased) there is any room left in yor garden for yet more bulbs. How many acres do you have? Ha Ha. Your garden and the kangaroos both soothe the heart.
ReplyDeleteRiver: There isn't room in the garden at the moment, but I have made some more room this morning. I am so glad that these photos soothe your heart as well.
DeleteYour flowers are lovely and pretty. Sumo lilies, well a lot of work to put in the garden but won't they look glorious when in flower.
ReplyDeleteDidn't know they gave the female roos 'the pill', it's a good idea.
Love to see those big ones too.
Margaret D: Thank you. It will be a lot of work to make room for the lilies, but I am hoping it will be worth it. I am not certain what type of contraceptive they gave the roos - an injection I suspect but it is certainly better than culling.
DeleteHi EC - your blog is a port in the storm of this world and our own mottled brains ... everyone obviously agrees with me and you - heart balm here. Life is frustrating isn't it ... beautiful plants, yet the weeding needs to be done - you'll enjoy the blooms. I guess like life itself - there's always niggles, yet love is there too. Have a peaceful week - with thoughts - Hilary
ReplyDeleteHilary Melton-Butcher: What a truly lovely thing to say. I am thrilled that you think my blog is a port in the storm. You are right. Life is like that - and sometimes the niggles can seem overwhelming. I hope your current niggles are gone.
DeleteThings seem to gang up on us from time to time. Take a deep breath, and then plant those flowers. Hugs from the other side of the world.
ReplyDeleteBill: Thank you - for the thoughts and the hugs. More weeding to go before the lilies can go in - but a good start was made today.
DeleteNature is the best cure of all for whatever ails you, Sue, but you know that. It has always worked for me. I know that the advent of summer is not good news for you, but nature will help a little, I hope. Great to see those kangaroos, among the world’s most enigmatic creatures. My friend, Stewart, from Melbourne will be arriving here in just three weeks. If only you could come. What a time we would have together.
ReplyDeleteDavid M. Gascoingne: The very best cure indeed. With no nasty side effects. Summer is looming and they are promising us a very hot and dry one. I do hope the predictions are wrong, but nature will indeed help. I envy Stewart and would love to visit you some day. A girl can dream. A girl (or a boy) should dream.
DeleteI am so cheered by your flowers today. I was wondering about those roo collars and going to ask and then you answered the question. I wish they would inject contraceptives into the female moose here who run rampant on the highways (accidents all the time, some fatal). 49 more lilies, quite the task, I hope you have one of those gizmos that make the holes for planting.
ReplyDeleteXO
WWW
Wisewebwoman: When I have weeded and made space for the lilies the ground will be quite soft and planting them not difficult. When I have weeded... A start has been made. Contraceptives for the roos makes sense to me. And is a much better option than culling.
DeleteLovely post..so much to see
ReplyDeleteashok: Thank you.
DeleteJust love those kangaroos and all the colorful flowers. I hope you have a great new week,
ReplyDeleteRasmaSandra: Thank you - you too.
DeleteThe natural world for heartbalm is very much a thing with me too, and so are your photos. All delightful and each one makes me smile, for which I am grateful. Thank you always Sue, and I hope your week is a great one :)
ReplyDeleteDeniseinVA: I think many of us find our heartbalm in nature. Mother Nature is THE best of artists isn't she?
DeleteI love the roos and the flowers too.
ReplyDeleteI spent altogether too much time creating this piece today.
https://poetryofthenetherworld.blogspot.com/2023/10/noxsious-impulsse.html
I don't know what I was thinking. I still have 6000 more words to write to finish a story and send it off to my VA/editor. Still, I enjoyed writing the madcap poem/story.
Ornery Owl of Naughty Netherworld Press and Readers Roost: We love the roos too. A roo fix is often the cure for anything ailing me. I am off to check out your post - and v glad that you enjoyed creating it.
DeleteHaha. Those lilies will lift your spirits. You're lucky to have kangaroos in the park. What a joy to see.
ReplyDeletegigi-hawaii: We are very lucky to have roos close by. The lilies will indeed lift my spirits. By the time they flower the blood, sweat and tears that will go into planting them will be a distant memory.
DeleteI am not sure i I love the kangaroos or the flowers better. Both are gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteDid the orderer of bulbs also agree to plant and tend them? If not, shame!
Anne in the kitchen: The bulb purchaser will plant the lilies - once I have made room for them. Sigh - though I will enjoy them when they flower.
DeleteIt has been a hard week, I'm glad you found something to help.
ReplyDeleteI also pray you will enjoy the lilies, you will have worked hard for them.
messymimi: It has been a hard week for too much of the world hasn't it?
DeleteDear EC
ReplyDeleteNature can provide much joy and delight. I hope you continue to find it soothing this week. Good luck with the lily planting!
Best wishes
Ellie
Ellie Foster: Nature consistently gives me joy and delight. Thank you.
DeleteHere it is Monday in your world and I am just getting around to visiting. I can see why you wanted a Roo fix. You got some incredible shots of them, too. I'm sure it was soothing and comforting after all that is bad in this world this week. In the states, it is even worse, since we don't have a Speaker of the House, which means we can't send arms or aid to Israel OR Ukraine.
ReplyDeleteYour flowers are gorgeous. The only ones I truly recognized were the Irises. They are all beautiful, though. Good luck finding a place for the 49 new lilies. Hope you and Batty are doing well.
Bleubeard and Elizabeth. Batty is doing much better which is wonderful. He still doesn't like his treatment though.
DeleteThe state of the world continues to make my heart ache. Thank goodness for the distraction of nature.
Your flowers are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteHena Tayeb: Thank you.
DeleteI love all of these photos! Thanks and I'm glad they are your heart balm.
ReplyDeletee: Definitely heart balm - and easily obtained. Which is lovely.
DeleteThanks for those lovely photos of kangaros, trees and flowers. It is soothing to know that winter is not on it's way all over the world.
ReplyDeleteCharlotte (MotherOwl): I always think of you when I post yet more photos of the roos. There will be sunny shots from here for quite a while yet and shortly I will start to delight in cold photos from your side of the world.
DeleteEse contacto con la Naturaleza es la mejor medida que se puede tomar, porque además de ser un bálsamo para el corazón, como tu bien dices, lo es también para nuestra mente, porque nos ayuda a entender mejor las cosas.
ReplyDeletePreciosas las fotografías que nos regalas hoy... y una pregunta ¿no te da miedo estar tan cerca de los canguros?, porque a mi me lo daría.
Un abrazo, amiga.
Manuel: You are right - balm for the heart and the mind. No I am not afraid of the kangaroos, but neither do I crowd them. If they want to hop away I let them.
DeleteThere is such an amazing variety of colours in your garden; something for everyone, and easily available through your posts! Thanks for sharing the beauty, EC. And the roos. I think I might run the other way if I saw one of those huge males looking toward me. Wow, they are muscular. Would not want to meet one too up close and personal :)
ReplyDeletejenny_o: I like colour (in case you hadn't noticed). LOTS of colour. Kangaroos are indeed incredibly muscular and I would not like to tangle with them. However these ones are moderately used to people and I am happy to give them their space. And to admire them.
Delete49 more, lol Have fun with that.
ReplyDeleteThe kangaroos are so fun to see. I've never seen one in person so seeing your pictures is always fun.
Have a great week.
Mary Kirkland: The bulbs have now arrived (before I am ready for them). I am not looking forward to the orgy of weeding and planting but will enjoy them when they bloom. We really like to see the roos too. A roo fix is a regular thing here.
DeleteSo much variety and color in your gardens. And interesting info about the kangaroos.
ReplyDeleteKelly Steel: Welcome and thank you.
DeleteYour flowers are so beautiful! And it's always exciting for us Outlanders to see the 'Roos! Glad you found your heart Tom this weekend. Wishing you all the best dear friend Aloha
ReplyDeleteCloudia: Thank you. It is always exciting for me to see the roos too. Have a beautiful week.
DeleteThose collars would look nicer with some bling on them :)
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a good week
kylie: Now there's a thought...
Delete'Roos and blooms!
ReplyDeleteA perfect combination for calming the spirit.
Gini and I hope you are feeling better and I shall now have to stifle her urge to visit the local nursery and purchase hundreds of new plants. I blame you. :)
Wally Jones: I hope Gini ignores you and buys just as many new plants as her heart desires. You can think of it as a gift to the pollinators.
DeleteSuch vibrant colors. Love all the photos. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteRomance Reader: Thank you so much.
DeleteI find that being in nature always helps, so I can completely understand that you turn there. I envy you for the kangaroos, I wouldn't mind having a few here. Your garden is lovely - spring is certainly there judging from the flowers.
ReplyDeleteCarola Bartz: A lot of us turn to nature don't we - and she never disappoints.
DeleteI'll trade you some of our rain and fungi if you'll send me some of those beautiful flowers - and a kangaroo or two!
ReplyDeleteJohn 'By Stargoose And Hanglands": How I wish I could do that trade. Some world-wide weather moderation would be nice.
DeleteI can well understand your head being done it. It has been a grim week or two.
ReplyDeleteJ Cosmo Newbery: It has. And there is no end in sight.
DeleteI love your Roos.
ReplyDelete
DeleteBob Bushell: So do we. A lot.