Sunday Miscellany

 

One purple potato

A few blueberries. 

Some raspberries.  

Lots of lettuce. 

One ripening tomato. 

Lots and lots of oregano with buzzing with busy bees. 

Just taking stock of the early rewards of sticking with some gardening this year. 

I've never had purple potatoes before, so when they grow bigger, they'll make great subjects for photos. 

The gardens are coming along nicely---for me, that is. 

I would never want to show off my plots to true gardeners.  They would laugh. 

For me, however, they're good enough. 

I've been better this year about weeding, but even with that effort, the weeds overshadow the vegetables in some places. 

It's never ending, and I'm guessing that if we stuck with it 24-7, the weeds would still win. 

So, I do my best and will try to do my best to see that none of it goes to waste. 

That job will be somewhat challenging in the next few days as everything comes on strong and the lawn still grows.  

That's always the time when you finish one job several more a staring you in the face. 

If only we could find some moderation between the summer hyperactivity and winter slug time. 

This morning I'll take some time out and go to the horse show at the fairgrounds. 

My sister Barbara is showing her Arabian gelding Vinnie, so we'll be doing some grandstand cheerleading. 

Plus, it will be fun to see who wins the belt buckle for the annual "Harold Tibbs-Toby I" award, which has been given for almost 20 consecutive years. 

Harold took his stallion Toby I to the first-ever National Appaloosa Show in the late 1940s.  It was held in Lewiston, Idaho, and when it was over, Harold and his stallion had won several awards, including the overall performance championship. 

Nearly 70 years later, the family still has the Navajo blanket he won in that show. 

Harold's award goes to a horse that demonstrates versatility in both English and Western-style riding. 

He didn't win the cup. He won our respect. 

I was fascinated with this soccer player from the beginning of the World Cup and even predicted that Norway would win the cup this year because of him. 

Well, it wasn't to be, but this illustration says it all. 

He and his Norwegian fans added a special touch to the tournament. 

I hauled off most of the poppies in the north lawn yesterday, as the plants were starting to get pretty ragged looking.  

Before dumping them, I harvested several dozen heads for seed collecting. 

The poppies were gorgeous and abundant this year, so I'm looking forward to adding more in different areas next year. 

After a little watering and morning chores, it's off to the horse show. 

Happy Sunday.