Yesterday was very hot

Today is beautiful - about 79 degrees, low humidity, a cool breeze.  So why is Minnesota Public Radio today repeatedly broadcasting that we are in a heat warning until evening, and that it will storm tonight and be beautiful tomorrow.   How can they keep classical music on the contemporary scene when they can't even keep up with the weather?  Perhaps the broadcasters should be allowed to take a break and step out of doors occasionally.

Large Plant

According to the little tab I had planted in front of this now huge plant, this is a delphinium.  It was expected to burst forth at some time this summer in pinkish-lavender flowers with white bee.  It would, according to the tab, grow to 6 feet.  Looking more closely, I see it was expected to bloom in June.  That should have been a clue.

It has certainly grown very tall and very large.  I have been patiently awaiting its pinkish-lavender flowers and have been anxious to learn what "with white bee" might look like.  But wait, these are not pinkish lavender flowers.  So what is this giant plant?

Abide in the Vine!

Seen on a neighborhood evangelical church marque. This is a religious decree?  Inspired, I assume, by the wine industry, in which I already abide quite often.

New residents moving into a home a few blocks down have lots of stuff, all of which is, apparently, being hauled in various horse trailers presently cluttering up the street in front of the home.  Must be a story there.  The trailers looked new and were, therefore, hopefully, free of manure, hay and straw.

Testing a new pomegranate liqueur.  Plan A. Tried it last night with some Vodka as a possible martini.  Fell sound asleep shortly thereafter.  Not likely to be drinking a lot of that concoction.  Plan B. Trying it today with club soda.  Not sure that's quite it either.  Plan C. Put it on the shelf and fix something exotic with it next time I entertain.  Bet you can hardly wait to be invited for that.  I do have to say it seemed okay in the taste testing.  I didn't just buy it because it was cheap and high in alcohol.  Cheap was a factor; high alcohol level, not so much.

Injecting mosquitoes

Today's StarTrib has a reprint from the LA Times about a breakthrough to genetically modify the mosquito so that it will block development of a malaria parasite.  "To test the effect . . ., researchers injected 90 of the mosquitoes with the malaria parasite."  Tiny, tiny little needles getting lost in a mosquito nest?  Oh how much harder to find than normal needles in a haystack.  Science is such a challenge!

Fifteen Homicides

North Side Minneapolis - just across the street and a little south of me - there have been 15 homicides this year to date, BUT we should be encouraged.  The overall major crime rate (rapes, larceny, robbery, etc.) is down 3%.  Why am I not consoled? 

Summer Lilies

From my father's lily garden these various colors emerge each summer. I'll be thinning these out in the next month or so. Anyone interested in some of these, just let me know.

Nothing so beautiful as . . .

There is nothing so beautiful as a summer morning in Minnesota. Cool breezes wafting through the open windows. Sunshine falling on the blooming petunias and lilies and hosta and the like. Lush green lawns. Towering trees, newly planted trees and the patches of sun and shade along the parkway. Skies so blue. Windows flung open to bring in freshness and color and soft rustling sounds of the leaves in the breeze. Ah! Would that I were a poet, but alas, it has all been said before.

I love it here!