Red Bridge

 

Making Progress

 

I'm enjoying watching my Amaryllis grow. They will be beautiful! Waiting in my garage is a big pot of tulips that I am going to force next.

I was so fortunate to find these cages on Amazon. Someone had them on their youtube channel....never knew there were cages so small. The Amaryllis leaves always flop so these are a great solution. 

Belle Isle Casino

A beautiful building in a beautiful setting, the Casino is still open for events. It has a long history but was never used for gambling. To find out more, go to the link below.

https://historicdetroit.org/buildings/belle-isle-casino

 

Great Blue

At first look, I thought that this heron was two birds side by side but after enlarging I saw that it is just one Heron stretching his wings.

At Lake Okonoka on Belle Isle

 

Tulips

I think that I love tulips even when they are fading.

 

 

Here Comes the Sun

 

Winter Blues

 

These photos were taken last February at the Conservatory on Belle Isle....a cure for the winter blues

Since I retired, winters have been difficult. I have always had ways to deal with winter but this year that is hardly possible. Can't see my friends or family, no library, no out for lunch and no conservatory.

Whenever I go to the conservatory I am so cheered. The warm humid air, the smell of the earth and the flowers and most of all the colors. Let it snow outside! I love to just sit there especially by the orchids. In the winter the Cyclamen and Kalanchoe are featured in the big room (that's what I call it) and are so beautiful. 

This year, Covid 19 has caused so much to be closed and that means the conservatory as well. There is only so much shopping and crafting a person can do. Some day I say to myself "I just need to get out of here".

In a few days I will be getting my first injection of the Covid vaccine. After the second dose I may feel more free to be out and about but that's no help if everything is still closed. Almost a year since we were on forced lock down has gone by. The virus has continued to rage. I have to wonder why this is happening. Well, this was a real rant but I feel better...lol!

Thinking Spring....already?

 

Winter Scenes

Lower Huron Metropark

 

Growing Amaryllis

 

I only have one south facing window and as you can see, everyone is lobbying for space. My cute little Lemon Cypress needs lot of light, normally it is in my dining room walk out bay window. It is surrounded by four Amaryllis bulbs.....coming out of dormancy.

My granddaughter gave me this bright red Amaryllis several Christmas ago. It sat in my basement for 3 months (no water). I brought it upstairs, watered it and within a week it is shooting up a stalk...yea. The other one shows no sign of growth and last year it did have leaves but never bloomed. If it doesn't bloom this year I will toss it.                                                                                                                        I put them on my front porch in the summer and then put them in the basement in late September. 

On the left is a huge Amaryllis bulb that my daughter bought me and it is ahead of the rest. We are not sure but we think it is red and white. The bulb on the right, I just bought, on sale, and found that it was not very healthy and had began to sprout in the box.  I'm hoping that it will straighten up as it reaches for the sun. (ha, what sun?)                                                                                                                      Will post photos when they bloom. They are worth the wait.

Those Darn Squirrels

 

I don't know what there is about this Hydrangea (that has been cut back for the winter), but the squirrels seem to "squirrel" away their little treats in it. In the fall there was an Indian corn cob store away in the bush before the bush was cut back. They also saved a cob in my pot of geraniums. Do they think that other squirrel will not notice this tasty pumpkin?

Bridge in Snow