Sunday Selections #566

 

 

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. We are now into our second day of the New Year.  I am a bit late, but thought I would celebrate what I hope is the start of a healthier, happier New Year for the world with a retrospective.  A look back through last year's photographs of the sky - something which is always with us, and always changing.

You will have seen some of these photos before and some are new to my blog.

January.

February.

March.

April.

May.

June.

July.

August.

September.

October.

November.

December.

Here's to a Healthier, Happier, more Hopeful Year to come.  For you all, and for the world.

Sunday Selections #308

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 would be very, very remiss if I didn't start by wishing everyone a Very Happy New Year.  A much better year than the last, which was difficult for people the world over. 

However, 2016 is now 'cactus' (Australian slang meaning dead, useless, or broken) and we can hope for better things to come.  I do hope for better things to come.  In the interim I am also going to feature blooming cactus which, unlike the year that was, made me smile.

Starting with our night flowering cactus.  The blooms are huge - six or seven inches across, come out at night and last only one day.  I think the bud looks remarkably phallic - but that may be just me.

  
Not only is it a thing of beauty, it has a pleasant scent as well.  Which is at least partial recompense for the number of times I have inadvertently brushed the parent plant and its rotten spines have broken off in my flesh.

Also flowering at the moment is a much smaller cactus.  Unscented, but its flowers are much more prolific and last longer.

I hope the year(s) to come are full of wonderous things, love and laughter for us all.