Asian Lily

My friend Margaret says it looks like a face. Looks like a chipmunk to me. 

This is Stage 2 of my Asian Lily with a big bud. Any day now ... 

 

Tropical Milkweed and the Monarch Butterfly

What I’m showing here is a little bit of garden magic and what was left after a whole lot of hungry visitors came by.

My Tropical Milkweed leaf isn’t “damaged." It has been expertly eaten.

When I planted milkweed, I knew I had invited one of nature’s most famous guests: the Monarch butterfly. Monarchs lay their eggs on milkweed because it’s the only plant their caterpillars can eat.

Once those tiny caterpillars hatch, they get right to work. They don’t nibble around the edges. Instead, they chew straight through the softer parts of the leaf. What starts as tiny pinholes quickly turns into larger openings as they grow and their appetite increases.

It may look a little rough on my plant, but Milkweed is resilient. The best part is that somewhere nearby, if they made it, one of those tiny leaf-munchers may be quietly hanging in a chrysalis, getting ready to return to my garden with wings.

Ivy in Aquarium

 

I threw a piece of ivy into my aquarium and now look at it—stretching, reaching, growing right along with the rhythm of the water. The tiny bubbles from the air stone don’t just keep the tank healthy—they create this soft, almost magical curtain that makes everything feel alive.

Plants like ivy can actually thrive in water, pulling nutrients from their surroundings and adding a fresh, natural balance to the tank. And those bubbles? They’re oxygenating the water for fish—but for me, they’re pure therapy.

Sometimes the simplest things—just a clipping and a little air—turn into the most peaceful moments.

Meme of the Day

 

What Happened to My Nails

This is an older photo of my nails — long, strong, and naturally smooth. I never had to think about them. They just… behaved. No peeling, no cracking, no ridges. Just easy.

Fast forward to now, and it’s a completely different story. My nails are thinner, splitting, and full of ridges. What changed?

Aging plays a big role. As we get older, nails grow more slowly and lose moisture, making them brittle and more prone to peeling. Years of handwashing, gardening, and everyday wear also weaken the layers of the nail. Those vertical ridges? They’re actually very common and usually just part of the aging process.

The good news is they’re not beyond help. Moisturizing, cuticle oil, gentle filing, and wearing gloves for chores can make a big difference.

Still… I do miss the days when my nails just showed up and did their job without all the extra drama.

A New Home for Bonnie Rae (#TBT)

When Bonnie Rae first came home from the rescue, she was so tiny… all bones, a little rash, and eyes full of uncertainty. Every sound startled her, every movement made her pause. You could feel how hard the world had been on her.

Fast forward to today—she’s filled out into a “big, healthy girl” but that timid heart still lingers. Most people only see her quiet, cautious side.

But there’s this whole other Bonnie Rae… the one that only comes out when it’s just the two of us. That playful, silly, full-of-life spirit that makes me laugh every single day. I wish I could bottle that version of her and share it with the world.

Maybe one day. 💛

Asian Lily

 I’m pretty sure the squirrels have been doing a little gardening of their own. The Asian Lily I purchased died but has come back up in a new location. One of the Squirrels must have buried a bulb because I didn't. Now, up pops a brand new Asian Lily right in the middle of my garden!

Magnolia in Bloom

 

Magnolias are among the oldest types of flowering plants and are mainly pollinated by beetles. As beetles move from flower to flower, they carry pollen, helping the plant reproduce. While bees and other insects may visit occasionally, beetles remain the magnolia’s primary pollinators.

Palm Tree new Growth

I noticed these tiny palm fronds emerging in the middle of the palm tree’s rough bark. Not from the top where you’d expect, but from what appears to be an old, hardened part of the trunk. You know where I mean, the long stem-like part where older fronds have been cut and only small, curved dark piece remains.

Even though I have never seen a growth in the middle of a palm tree, it’s a reminder that growth doesn’t always follow the rules. Even in the toughest, most weathered places, something new can appear—fresh, green, and full of life. Nature has a funny way of surprising you like that.

Garden Shenanigans

Yesterday I spotted a squirrel rolling around in one of my flower pots like a dog scratching its back on the carpet—paws in the air, squiggling around, jumping up and doing it again. Completely carefree and not afraid when I hollered at him to get out of my pot.

I have no idea what he found so delightful, but it made me laugh despite my frustration. 

The flowers might not agree… but it was worth it. 

Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture of this fellow at work. 

More later ... 
 

Airplane Plant

• "Springtime is the land awakening. The March winds are the morning yawn." —Lewis Grizzard