Surviving The Summer?

   I haven't shared any pictures with you lately of the backyard. Frankly, I haven't done it because the backyard has been UN-inspiring. Between all of the thunderstorms, wind, and blistering heat, the backyard has just been...trying to survive!!

    But this morning this pretty little lilac colored flower, the one in the header picture, was lifting it's little head, as if to say: "I haven't given up yet!" And considering that most of the other flowers that used to accompany it are gone, I just think it's wonderful!!...Even though where it  is-is just hanging off to the side in here...

    WOW! It really IS a survivor!...It's not alone though. The other potted plants are hanging in there too...

   ....This last one has a hanger-on too...

   Okay, so I would love it if they looked like this...

Image by Martin LaBar (going on hiatus) via Flickr

Image by Martin LaBar (going on hiatus) via Flickr

      But that's not happening right now...*Deep Breath*...But it's still amazing how a plant can show the same resilience as a strong human being! That's what mine are doing. So I'm going to give them some encouragement..."HANG IN THERE, BABIES! MAMA LOVES YOU...you poor sad things!"  :-))

    There are some sunflower plants that my hubby planted in the backyard that are just now trying to start a cycle of growth!

     But if you look at their leaves you can see that the summer critters are trying to eat them before they get a good start. UGH! He'll have to put on his Superman suit and get to work on them before it's too late!

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

     If he's successful, one day soon I'll be showing you big pretty sunflower photos from my own backyard that look kinda like these...

Image via Wikipedia

     Okay...Maybe not THAT many!! LOL

       In the meantime, I know, it looks kind of gloomy in the backyard. But guess what? It's not ALL gloomy. There are some plants that are growing beautifully!!...

    And if you look close you can see the buds! That means there WILL be some new and beautiful flowers in the backyard soon...YAY!!!...It's not Springtime anymore, but it is SOMETHING! And I could sure use something pretty to look at in my backyard again!!

     (Which reminds me...I'll have some updates on a few things in my post tomorrow for those of you who read my posts regularly. If there is anything particular you want an update about, let me know in today's comments.)

Spring Is The Rain

Spring is the rain,

when the flowers grow again,

and new life is let remain.

After months of drench and drain,

you now see roses down the lane.

Spring is the rain,

and the budding of the grain,

and birds, out your window pane.

When the weather makes you sane,

and its no longer on your brain,

'cause there's no cold to give you pain.

Spring is the rain-

the time for traveling on the train,

for watching trees, not weather vanes,

and raking leaves-Autumn's disdain.

You lift your head, just like a crane,

and now your thought's no longer vain.

You think of seasons that were plain,

but now its blooming, down on Main,

because spring is the rain.