Some Problems, Animals, Gardens, and White Flowers

Lately it seems one thing after another keeps coming up to draw me away from this blog. First it is work, then it is anger at people stealing photos, then it is the economy, then the garden, then just life. As in I enjoy reading books and hanging out and not being on the computer. Ever feel like that? It has been happening to me a lot lately but I do try to focus on the positives-of which there are many. 

The above picture of one of my cherished glass mosaics is quite a popular mosaic and picture, though not this particular picture. I have found many many times one of my original pictures of this mosaic pinned on Pinterest. Usually I find my pictures because there is a url to my blog. This was not the case recently. I searched Pinterest for a certain key word and was shocked to find my mosaic pinned on a person's board. It was repinned 171 times. There was NO url to my blog anywhere on the picture. All those people who repinned my photo had no idea it did not belong to Mosh Art and another blog I will not name. Do people really care who owns what anymore? What do you think when you take other pictures and 'pin' it? I for one do not think this is okay if you do not ask the person. Never have we been asked if we would allow our pictures to be used elsewhere. What happened to common courtesy?

The picture was pinned more than 48 weeks ago but it was not actually pinned. It was actually downloaded then uploaded to Pinterest under another person's name. In other words, this 'person' took credit for the idea of the mosaic, and the mosaic itself, and the picture. Needless to say I was not happy. As always, I report the theft and I must say the positive is that Pinterest always removes photographs of mine when I complain and fill out the copyright form. I am very happy about this. I will always report the theft and leave a comment for the offender. To this date only one person has ever responded to me about my comments. What could they say? "I'm sorry I stole your picture but I really thought it was mine? No, actually I really thought you wouldn't find out."  I just wish I could understand what motivates people to actually steal others work in this manner. But then we move on.

To crepemyrtles flowering. They are so pretty this year. But in case you are one of the very few southerners that does not grow crepemyrtles beware, these trees are messy. I'll forgive mine because they are just so beautiful. I do try to plant them where their mess will not fall into gutters and storm drains but I have failed on this task a bit.

Cutleaf coneflowers are beautiful and cheer me.

The friendly neighboring cows are back for the summer. They are so funny I can almost forget about the world while watching these bovines play in their large field.

And what self respecting cow pasture would be without a feisty goat? Mr. C's goat is a hoot to watch while he guards the cows and their babies. He and his buddies the cows practically live in our yard thanks to the beautiful meadow abutting our property. It is such a wonderful view is it any wonder I spend a lot of time outside and away from the computer?

'Limelight' paniculata hydrangeas have not been as floriferous as they were last year but still they bloom and I am reminded life goes on.

Our two stray cats have finally made peace with one another. This was after many wounds and at least two trips to the veternarian due to abscesses. These two castrated Toms don't really bother Orkin; our resident female orange tabby for more than seven years; but she simply will not come to the porch and I rarely see her anymore. She is always in the garden close by so I am able to check on her but it makes me sad she will not come to us anymore due to these two Toms I now think Orkin stays away from the porch because the dogs scare her when they peek out and bark at her and the two Toms.

'Immortality' iris is on its second summer bloom. What an outstanding pure, beautiful, fragrant, and uplifting iris this one is. Everyone should grow it.

Night blooming Jimsonweed is a nice reminder of a dear friend who has moved away. She dug seedlings from her garden many years ago and passed them on to me. My plants are the progeny of the original seedlings because night blooming jimsonweed usually doesn't overwinter here in my Zone 7A garden. Seedlings reliably appear each spring with no help from me. Surprisingly enough I have not been able to start seedlings from seeds on my own.

Night blooming Jimsonweed blooms all season, but only at night. By mid morning the blooms will vanish. This flower is also fragrant at night. Jimsonweed is an excellent choice for a moon garden. Be aware it will get quite large.


This time last year this garden was completely bare. All of the beautiful flowers had disappeared from the scene due to the drought. I promised myself I would change that so I replanted the area with drought tolerant plants such as catmint, sedum, and grasses. Agastache was added later. I have been very pleased with the fact that this year I actually have green and like to think it is because of my planning, but I suspect it might be due to the wonderful wonderful rains we received in July and now. 

On our recent pond tour there were about 75-80 people who came by the garden. They almost all said this has been a bad year for gardens due to no rains and the extreme heat. I have to totally disagree because the past two years have seen NO water in my gardens for about two months straight and it was pretty hot then too. My gardens languished and many plants died during the past two years. I have yet to lose anything this year though a large black gum looks as though it might need to come down. We have had plenty of rain in my garden this summer and the plants are showing their delight. I suspect next spring will be wonderful as all of the spring bloomers like viburnums and hydrangeas have been able to set buds and put on new growth and will bloom like crazy next year. Just watch and see. While June was a bit rough this summer as a whole has been wonderful. I need to try to remember that as 2012 starts to wind down and I look to next year.

I need a slight pause from blogging but will be back.... 

in the garden....

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden