Friday, May 30, 2014

Whirlwind tour of Florida

I realize it's stating the obvious, but there are Palm Trees in Florida.
 
Everywhere. 
Palm Trees EVERYWHERE!
 
It didn't seem to be that big of a deal to anyone else on the planet.
But to this Wisconsinite...
 
THERE ARE PALM TREES EVERYWHERE IN FLORIDA!!!
 
Seriously, Palm Trees growing out of gas stations, Palm Trees on the roofs of buildings.
Palm Trees growing along the road.
Palm Trees in every yard and on every business lawn.
 
\
And if you look closely, and squint a bit, you might even be able to see that this
PALM TREE outside the hotel balcony
had a bottle in it.
 yes friends, Palm Trees grow beer. 
Who knew?
(You'd think Wisconsin would have them then wouldn't you?)

The Atlantic Ocean as seen from, ahem West Palm Beach.
(where there are Palm Trees)
Looking out over it, it seriously looks a lot like Lake Michigan because our "pond" is so big we can't see across it or up or down it.
However, stepping into the ocean I at once felt the difference..
The ocean is NOT FRIGIDLY COLD!
Lake Michigan makes your feet numb, the ocean is refreshing.

Also, our stretch of Lake Michigan does not have those high rise hotels you see behind the big guy.

Chess, Palm Beach Style...

Palm Beach is way too classy for regular old stop signs
 
Even the parking lines are paved, not painted

Now that is a big Gerbera Daisy!!
Even the grease cover in the street is pretty classy..

Look at this guy, isn't he neat, he's some sort of knight...

and he lives inside this chess piece! 
They apparently take chess seriously in Palm Beach

So pretty, I'd love this in my yarden!
 
 
and did I mention there are Palm Trees along the roads?
 
And the cows
hang out
under
Palm Trees

 
Cows and Palm Trees.
wow

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Spring at last?

Spring has been so reluctant to arrive here in northeast WI.
For a while I wondered if the plants knew something we didn't and they were protecting themselves,and sure enough, last week we got a light frost.
 
The big guy has been out of state lately for business so yours truly has been in charge of the house, yard, cats, dogs and fortunately the wine cellar.
I used his big mower for the first time last week.  I am pretty sure I did a lousy job of it, but I did get most of the tall stuff whacked back down to size.  Sometimes good enough just has to be good enough.  And not for the first time have I been deeply grateful we live in the middle of no-where instead of town or city.  Our yard is made up of what used to be a field so our lawn is timothy grass, crab grass and dandelions.  Personally I prefer the dandelions.  But from what I hear from my townie friends, their neighbors do not.  I don't know why! They are so nice and soft on bare feet and of course the first flowers of spring.  I don't mind those pretty yellow buds at all.  Each of the girls brought beautiful little bouquets of them when they were small.  Nothing beats a tiny handful of dandelions given with pride.  Especially when half of them don't have stems!  I miss those bouquets, maybe I'll go pick some for myself!  ;-) 
 
 
Meanwhile, this lovely fellow doesn't mind our damaged yarden as long as his house is available and we keep the feeders full!