Catalpa Tree: Saved!

 A few years back I blogged about this sweet tree...

 ...growing in a little park in beautiful downtown Alexandria.

 When our town council decided to spruce up this little park, part of the plan was to cut down the catalpa.

 In spring, this tree was not so glorious, but I started a Facebook page called "Save Our Catalpa" ...

 ...which over night garnered over 250 followers.

 And you know what? The tree was saved from the chainsaw. Democracy in action.

And the little parkette is spruced up with annuals and looks all the better for having a few mature trees around it providing summer-needed shade.

There's a kitten in the house

 A few weeks back I got to meet a two-week-old kitten that my friends brought to a party.

 His name is Ipse and he was found in a wood pile all alone.

I got to babysit him over the weekend.  What a difference two weeks have made.

He's looking more Himalayan every day. And what a sweetheart.

Canada Day Parade

Canada Day in my small town of Alexandria, Ontario.

It stated off pouring but just as the parade swung into action, it was a mere drizzle.

 Three smart kids staying dry at our local restaurant.

 Lots of red and white.

 More red and white!

  A float of tires!

 More red and white...this time balloons!

 These folks had a room with a view!

 The kids school's float.

 Farm equipment, so large it was wider than the road...just about.

 Horses and dogs and kids, oh my!

 Sweet dog with two horses.

 A pint-sized caber for a pint-sized tosser!

 Our veterans.

Our town council throwing candy.

Polyphemus moth

 I saw this moth this afternoon on the ground right near my house. At first I thought it was a cecropia moth.

Later, I realized that cecropias don't have those blue and yellow eyes, which revealed themselves when I placed my finger under the moth so he could walk on my hand.

I was very gentle with him, this lovely creature. He flew away not long after I took this shot. Later I read he was a polyphemus moth and like the luna moth, only lives for a week after mating and laying eggs. Kind of sad. Such beauty and so fleeting.

I love chipmunks!

 I love chipmunks! There have been a few babies running around lately and voila! I discovered their den.

A pair of young ones chasing each other around is more fun than a barrel of monkeys. Or something like that.

Summer solstice

Summer soltice. The longest day of the year also delivered the summer triangle: the moon, Jupiter and Venus. This is a hand-held shot-- the moon was not full -- but you get the idea.

 Our friends had a barbecue followed by a bonfire. De rigueur for these sorts of occasions where you are asked to burn items that you want to remove from your life. Hydro bills anyone?

Behind us the shed door was open, casting light into the night. Wish I had a tripod, this pic wouldn't have been so shaky. Nonetheless, it's very paintable!

Poppies popping up

 About five or six years ago I planted an Oriental poppy perennial.

 Instead of the usual red, I chose a salmon pink one.

For the past few years its just gone gangbusters. This one has 12 blooms on it. And all in that gorgeous pinky-orange colour. Love it!

Go Hawks go!

In 2010, Richard and I were in Chicago to celebrate the Blackhawks win of the Stanley Cup. They won it again last night, after an amazing series. Wish we were there again this year to welcome the champions home.

Thomas the Tank Engine cake

A friend asked me to make a cake for her grandson Kain who was turning four. Apparently the little guy is made for trains and especially Thomas the Tank Engine. Here's my version.

Lupines, lupines everywhere!

 About 10 years ago I planted two packets of lupines.

 And year after year...

 ...they doubled...

 ...and tripled...

 ...and quadrupled.

They smell fabulous and the bees just love them. So do I!

King of the Hill

Here's Matzo Man in May 2013, after having spent the winter of 2012-13 outside in my barn. He was so shy that it took four months to be able to pick him up and pet him.

Ahh, the life. Now he's king of the hill, has other kitty friends, eats and sleeps where ever he likes. Life is good.

Lilacs, butterflies and lupins, oh my!

 This lovely Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterfly was flitting around my lilacs yesterday.

 Upon closer inspection, it must've had a dust-up with another critter. One of its swallowtails is missing.

 Also buzzing around the lilacs was a hummingbird moth, also called a hawk moth. They do actually look like teeny tiny hummingbirds.

And like clockwork, the lupins start to bloom. This is one of many in my lupin patch that are getting ready to shine.

White-crowned sparrow

 This sweet little fellow sat outside my window the other day so I could get a good look at him.

Luckily, he didn't move for a good five minutes, so I managed to grab a few good shots of him.

Blooming gorgeous!

 Our little vacation took us to Jim Thorpe, PA where everything was in bloom.

 A blue train and pink crab-apple blossoms paired well together.

 This exquisite tree had hanging pink flowers. Anyone have any idea what sort of tree it is?

Our early May holiday featured mid-July temperatures. Even the rhododendrons were in bloom!