Today's Blooms, August 15, 2019

For the first time ever, I am successfully growing zinnias! 

There are people who think "What's the big deal?  Anybody can grow zinnias.  Just throw out the seeds."  Not me, I have tried for years and have never been able to grow a healthy zinnia.

Zinnias have even sprouted in the path.  It is so thrilling to see them alive that I don't have the heart to pull them up.

My cosmos are the tallest they have ever been and they have been in this spot since I first planted them. They seed themselves and I don't argue.  Scooter graciously agreed to pose in front to show scale. The only difference between this and previous years is that two of the three Bodock trees are gone.  If I had known how awesome sunshine could be for flowers, I would have knocked those thorny trees down myself years ago!

Last month I showed how my one and only rose bush was growing on the wrong side of the flower bed.  It has bowed to my demands - a rock sitting on top smashing it over was the solution.  Now it is growing in the center.  Sometimes brute force is the answer.

Perfectly in the center now.

Reese, you were right.  The portulaca in Granddad's old wheelbarrow began to bloom after I stopped watering it.

Of course, I removed the spent watermelon plant that had appeared in the added compost but not after eating the melon first.  It was a tiny, delicious yellow meat variety. 

Yellow meat watermelon

There is one more exciting change to my front yard.

My favorite place to sit, the red swing in the front yard, has become unsafe.  Originally it was hanging from two live trees but one broke during a storm years ago.  Since then we have known the tree roots would eventually rot and cause it to become unsteady.  That day has come.  We hold our breaths as we cautiously sit, hoping it will hold us.

Rot at the base of the trunk.

This month Bill moved my front porch swing and hung it between two cedar trees.  

A stump was put beside the swing to hold coffee cups and then an extra chair was added for visitors.  Bill cut it out of the trunk of the hated bodock tree.  At least one good thing came from that tree.

This is the view while sitting in the new swing.

It is a bit monochromatic so I decided to add a splash of color.  A watering trough was commandeered from Reese's pile of aquaponics supplies.  I filled it with soil and a few flowers. 

Note to Reese:  If you are not pleased with me rummaging through your stuff and taking what I want, feel free to dump the dirt, haul the trough back to your apartment, turn it upside down and make a coffee table. 

Now that there is a new swing to be broken in, there isn't enough time to weed.  Wonder where I could find some help?

"Seriously?" huffed an indignant Scooter.  "You want me to work in the stupid old flower beds?  You've got to be kidding."

"I don't see a single weed anywhere."

"Please, please, please help me. Weeds are everywhere." I pleaded.

"Good grief.  Only this once will I help but don't tell any of my friends I have lowered my standards and worked in a flower bed.  I would die of embarrassment."

Pull, pull.

I hope the guys don't see me.  They would never stop laughing.

Additional Links:
Next Month's Blooms, September 15, 2019
Last Month's Blooms, July 21, 2019
Today's Blooms, August 15, 2018
Today's Blooms, August 15, 2017 (Explains my zinnia problems)
In Search of the Elusive Perfect Zinnia
Timbeeeeeerrrrrr...Again!
Aquaponics Dreams
Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day