After the Rain

Just some pretty things I saw yesterday morning.

Let's see who gets to eat this strawberry first, me or the birds.

This clematis always makes me happy. It's so enthusiastic. I'm not sure where I bought it or how long I've had it, but it's one of my favorites.

The iris is not pretty yet, but it didn't bloom last year, so I'm happy to see it.

I never knew a pyracantha could be so pretty in the spring. I wanted one for the berries in the winter, but I think I like this pretty well.

A nice surprise yesterday afternoon was a visit from my friend Karen from NY. She and her friend Bob were in town and came by for awhile and brought me this.

I've had her homemade strawberry jam before, and I can't wait to have some of this. She obviously grows more than 2 strawberries at a time like I do. Here are some pictures I took when I visited her there, including the guest house that she's promised to let us stay in if we ever get back up there.

A church in Connecticut, I believe, not far from Karen's home. I wish I could remember the names of the towns we went through.

This is the view of part of Karen's "yard" looking from the house.

More beautiful scenery. It takes my breath away. I've always loved mountains. She'll have to remind me which ones these are.

The famous guest house. I love it. I'll need to have another rooster though if I stay for awhile.

Karen's house. I could just sit on the patio and enjoy the scenery and the company forever - at least up until October. I've seen that driveway that has to be plowed after it snows. It's loooong.

I have more pictures of that trip I'll find later when I have more time. She did remind me of the exploding apple cider story that I'll go into when I have more time. I didn't have to be reminded; I see the evidence of it daily in my car and maybe sometimes even the pleasant odor of fermented apples. There were more adventures we had during that week too, not all of which can be shared. Like that exciting drive down (up) the Taconic Parkway in the rain with my having no idea where I was going. Ah - rain and strange toll booths - one of my pleasanter memories - of which Karen was blissfully unaware.