Globemallow

Related to the marsh mallow, the globemallow is a common wildflower here. The neat thing about it is the variety of colors it can come in. I'll take some more pictures to show the various colors. This plant can get a bit over 3 feet high, but not usually much more than that.

Here are some branches with a bunch of globe-shaped flowers.

And here is a closer look

Desert Marigold

I decided it was high time to start using the close-up filters I had only previously used with print film. When the wind blew even the slightest amount I could never tell if my shot was in focus or not. Now with digital, I can tell right off if I need another shot.

So here are some shots of the desert marigold. The plant itself stands maybe a foot high with the flowers - maybe a bit more than that.

A close up of a 'normal' flower.

An aberrant form with a super-wide stalk and multiple flower heads. Check out the crab spider hiding on a petal.
Another aberrant with another crab spider

Happy Anniversary Al & Freddy - 45 yrs

Of course, that means they must have gotten married at age 13.

Goodness, how long have we known the VandeKamps? Must be almost 19 years now. We knew Lowell before we ever met them, but the year we were married we met Al & Freddy around Christmas time. They lived in our 'backyard' at the Hideout for a few months that spring.

Its FINALLY Back

My camera, that is. And just in time...the wildflowers should be about ready to pop!

Here's an agave stalk shooting up

I'll post some more of this as it grows. The agave is already over 6' tall; the stalk could easily reach 12' - 15' with its flowers.

ITS TIIIiiiIIIiiimmmmme

It's time to start thinking about sponsoring a turtle! Businesses and/or individuals can sponsor a turtle and possibly win valuable prizes. Even better, as promised last year, I will post your business on my world renowned blog! Even better yet, you help support Christian education at Bethany Christian School!!

Presidential Motorcade

Not exactly sure which one President Obama is in. Perhaps the SUV. There were a whole lot of vehicles in the procession.

This was the closest shot I could get from the back yard with our point & shoot.

The President's NEXT DOOR!

I don't have pictures, but you all should know by now what the president looks like! I have been to the White House (I don't know if Reagan was in at the time), but this is the closest any president has ever come to me!! That I know of at least. Obama is speaking today at Dobson High School which is right behind our house. We probably would have tried to get tickets to see him, but Jake had strep throat and Erik had a dentist appt the morning they gave away tickets. Actually, Jake had a dentist appt as well, but we had to cancel that.

The highschoolers don't get to see him - they get to watch on TV in the classrooms. Marta's son, Adam, goes there and says there were a lot of improvements being made in a short time for the visit. Who's Marta? Marta watched Jake before he started school, and now Adam babysits on occasion.