... lilies!  I have included a few pictures below.  Love these to bits.  Not entirely sure which specific flower/shrub they are (more on that after the pictures), but doesn't really matter what they are called:  at the end of the day, these are beautiful perennials that add long-lasting visual interest both in spring and at the end of summer.







There are two distinct genera that share similar behavior and appearance (to my unexpert eye and Google skillz, anyway).  One - Amaryllis belladonna - is a native of South Africa, and a distant relative of conventional lilies (genus Lilium).  The other - Lycoris squamigera - originated in China or Japan.  Both are variously referred to as "naked ladies," "magic lilies,"or "resurrection lilies."  These names arise from the bi-seasonal nature of the plant's cycle.  In early spring, dark green, flat leaves emerge from the ground.  They form a shrub-like clump, lasting for several weeks to longer than a month soaking up all the rich spring goodness to feed the buried bulb(s) before dying back.  The growth essentially disappears during the height of summer, only to sprout shockingly fast-growing, tall, elegant stalks topped with clusters of shimmery, iridescent lily-type flowers in late summer.

These are hardy plants that withstand -20F winters.  They also don't get so much as sniffed at by the deer - and we have dumb, dumb deer that eat everything they are not supposed to even like, including bulbs from Lilium-genus lilies.  Moreover, the bulbs transplant well, making this showstopper a versatile addition to any garden.  Love!

Allow me to share vague, big-life-event type information that is actually not all that new.  I am currently completing training in my career subspecialty at a wonderful place.  It is a great program with pioneering individuals who care about education and the institution's mission.  The "fit" is outstanding. And yet... it is halfway across the country from Hottie McHots et al.  And That.  Is.  Hard.

If I may be whiny and spoiled (moreso than my baseline, that is):  it is hard knowing they are living their lives, the boys are growing up, without me.  It is hard being in a new place and not having them here to share it.  It is hard feeling like their lives go on just fine without me.  I miss hugging them and kissing them goodnight.  I miss handing Cracker Jack his chosen stuffed animals for the night.  I miss Fruit Loop's crazy unruly hair and awkward growing boy-ness.  I miss making Hottie McHots snuggle with me.

On top of that, we are selling the house.  The beautiful, wonderful, supposed-to-be-our-forever-home-at-least-maybe house.  The acreage, the barn, the pastures.  And while owning the home was an impediment to the rest of the family moving here with me, it was not the only thing, and so I feel the loss and their absence that much more acutely - seems like everything is changing in ways that I don't want.

I am not the type to post pictures of my family on teh interwebs.  But I will post some pictures from my adventures in landscaping.  Nothing fancy, but my plants are kind of like my other children.  Lots of other children.  Some prettier than others.  Some hardier than others.  All loved, and all safe to post online so I can feel warm and fuzzy.












We'll go in seasonal order, beginning with spring.  Part I.  There are more.  Oh yes, there are more.  But first:  animal crackers and nutella.  Because that makes me feel warm and fuzzy.  From the insulation it gives me.  :)

Location:  Finger Lakes (New York) region
Observed on:  some as-yet-unidentified shrub
Specimen:  MYSTERY BUTTERFLY!

I encountered this beautiful butterfly on a walk today.  I have no idea what it is - despite exhaustive Google-ing, which, frankly, causes me no small amount of concern (because if Google can't figure it out, we are doooooooomed!) - but I think it is a type of skipper.  That's as far as I got.  Here:


It was a little larger than a monarch, with a wingspan of approximately 4 inches (ish).

Sigh.  I love Nature.