Getting Ready for Summer

We have had a cool spring for us.  Not too many days when I could sit out on the patio because a cool wind was blowing.  But one day last week was beautiful, so I set up my summer accoutrements.  Had to sit in the shade, the sun was too hot.

Cushions on chair, binoculars, my favorite cold drink , (cold Ovaltine), the telephone, a couple of cookies, a book and of course my camera.  Behind me the jasmine is in full bloom.

Viewing direction is straight down the path to the bird feeders.  We've figured out a way to put out half an orange for the orioles.  You can just see it by the bell feeder.  I also sprinkle seed on the patio table in the winter and spring , so that if we get a sprinkle of rain, it doesn't just sit and get soggy in the tray feeder. The fountain is close by as you can see and the birds love it. The cone shaped things are to keep the squirrells off and the bell shaped cover is to keep the pigeons out of the seed in the tray.

Our amaryllis is blooming for the third year, much to our surprise.  It was one of those you buy for indoors at Christmas.  Barry just planted the old bulb beside the waterfall stones (we have a waterfall as well as a fountain.) and lo and behold we have been getting one or two blooms a year.

The orchid cactus is struggling.  This was a good sized one and in good condition, but I think it outdid itself last year when we had more than 20 blooms.

Barry caught this rabbit, one of quite a number who live around here.  He was basking in the sunshine in the front yard on our 'Arizona lawn' as we call it.  He could have taken quite a few more pictures but the camera card was full and I was still in bed!

And this is one of my evening occupations,  drawing or painting.  This is Violet, from Boise, one of my

 grand-kats.  I call her Lady Lavender.

She's a real cuddler.

The next one I do will be Bailey.

Too cold to sit outside today and our May Gray and June Gloom is forecast to settle in next week.

May Gray and June Gloom is what we get along the coast before our warm weather sets in.  If you want sunshine you have to go inland about ten minutes.  It is the subject of much complaining.  We are never satisfied are we.

Whoops!  The birds are calling.  Time to go out and feed them!