Merry Equinox!

Rainy day is making plants happy and photographers damp.

But this Bradford Pear near the Blackbird didn't mind at all. I know these trees are not the greatest trees in the world, but they do grow well in cities and they make a nice show in the Spring. Some little birds thought they were quite the thing, too, but they wouldn't stick around for a picture.

Happy Hour

Today it's raining and everything is drinking. They should be good and soused by now. It's been lovely so far, and I found a puddle with plops to make a picture of.

And from yesterday, flowers and plants and things were already getting pretty happy in the garden.

This little lemon balm plant I was gifted last September has made it through the winter and looks to be ready to grow by leaps and bounds. As a member of the mint family, it will probably not be shy. That's OK with me; I need plants that can basically take care of themselves. Anything too fussy or tender will probably not survive my lack of skills.

These scilla (some unknown kind) were by the back fence when we moved here twenty-plus years ago. They are still there, and reappear from their little bulbs or rhizomes every year. They are just one of the sweet signs of Spring.

And, Ms. Monarda is back and ready to go. I think this plant has a sort of two-year pattern. These are not where the big growth was last year, but more where the original plant was placed. I'll look into that. Meantime, I'm eager to see her in all her summer finery! She was lovely at all seasons last year, from the subtle colors in the spring growth to the bright summer blooms, to the bronze and purple of fall and the stark seed heads of winter. Love, love, love.

Sky Show

Jupiter and Venus have been hooking up in the western sky for about a week now. I have a few pictures. The National Enquirer probably doesn't care, though.

By the clock tower at the Blackbird, which still had not been changed to CDT, by the way. This was on 03-12-12.

Behind the Blackbird, in the sunset sky. 03-13-12.

At B's house in Lawrence 03-14-12. Oops, not Topeka! But it would have looked the same.

Via's, and Kaw River Park

We had a great pizza at Via's the other day at lunch, and I got to watch Brian Broxterman, local artist, coloring on the walls.

Then there was a "Mongolian Pizza."

Let's see--I believe that was pesto sauce, chicken, beef, sausage, red onion and basil leaves. There were supposed to be green peppers there also, but Kathy prefers not.

Yum.

Then later in the afternoon, Kathy and I walked a tiny bit of the feast off by visiting the Kaw River Park again. She hadn't been there yet. So, some river pictures, and a bird!

Then there was this little brown bird I "phssed" up out of the woods.

Rather successfully blending in to the tree there! So here's a better view.

Consensus is Eastern Phoebe, one of the earliest Spring migrants to arrive here, I hear.

All the Little Lovelies

Everywhere I look the plants and birds and animals are doing their Spring things.

Rain on the clover, a very welcome sight.

Bradford Pear buds about to pop. Since I took this three days ago, I have seen Magnolia trees and Bradford Pears all over town in full bloom.

A host of, well, you know, by the deck.

Purple powered hyacinth. There are also pink ones and white ones, just barely getting started.

Springing Forward, Falling Behind

Ugh, time change. Enough about that.

I seem to have been taking a lot of pictures the past few days. Let's see a few, then.

My friend Marylou Schmidt has been organizing these "Pro-Peace, Pro-Soldier" rallies every two months for the past seven years. It dismays me that we have had armed forces in conflicts for the past seven years. I attend, and I continue to work, hope and give energy toward peace.

There was also an article in the Topeka Capital-Journal about this one. There's a "group picture" there.

More posts, later pictures.

Flowers Are Sluts

It's true. Flowers are sluts. They are the plant advertising its wares to all and sundry. And oh, we so enjoy them doing that. Go flowers!

Almost there...

Oooh, baby.

March Hares, er, Weathers

I haven't seen any hares or any variety of bunny rabbits in our yard lately. There are probably too many wandering neighborhood cats. Not ours, I assure you! Not on purpose, anyway. Shade did take a walkabout back in December, but we're watching him more closely now. Black cats at night are very sneaky.

But I'm really here to talk about the weather. I believe it came in this order: lightning, thunder, rain, hail, sleet/snow. I was awakened at 0130 for the hail. When I got up and looked out at 0630, there was white stuff.

Not really much of a surprise, for March in Kansas. Here's the pictures.

And of course, it's all gone now.

Weathering the Wind

Wow, the wind. It's been blowing for several days nearly non-stop. Last night I even had trouble sleeping because it was hitting the house so hard, especially the corner my bedroom is on.

Picturing it with still photos isn't so easy, unless you do flags or something similar, and I find those boring generally.

But this afternoon I found this robin on our back fence who looked like he was holding on for dear life, all hunched down instead of standing up tall. He was also singing, very softly. If there was a lady robin nearby I didn't see her, but I hope he gets a girl. He's a very nice-looking robin.

And, the skies have been cloudy all day.

So, no pictures of the Moon hanging out with Mars this evening, drat.

Moon with Mystery

Yesterday evening's Moon was having a dance with some light, fast-moving clouds.

I'm glad I was able to get these pictures because there may be too many clouds to see Her this evening.

Indulgences

Today was just like that. Lunch out, dinner cooked by our sister Belinda, and just a few slow-moving errands in between. And a gorgeous Moon to wrap it all up in beauty.

Lunch at the Oriental Express here in Topeka, which is on West 29th almost all the way to Wanamaker. They have not only Chinese-American, but also Korean, a little Thai and sushi. And the sushi isn't bad...but after reading an article today I would feel guilty eating it. Overfishing is becoming a very serious problem for many of the species used in sushi.

But anyway, today was chicken.

Mine, moo goo gai pan, tempura veggies, fried rice and egg roll. Kathy had Yu Hsiang chicken (brown sauce and veggies). It was all good.

The visit to B was Lawrence and I don't generally post those here, but I will sneak in a sunset and a Moon for you.

It's always good to see the Moon no matter where you are.

Springier and Springier

Wonder what's already been chewing on these tiny little clover leaves?

Blue skies and squirrel nests.

The maple tree on the corner has bunches of buds flowers that are a lovely purple-red color. Nice addition to the palette that is increasing day by day.

Ahh. Indisputably Spring.

Spirit-Mind-Body Fair

These are some of the things Rich and I acquired at the Spirit-Mind-Body Fair here in Topeka today. This event is held every March and November, and sometimes I have fun, like today. The soap, by the way, belongs to Rich.