Friday, May 16, 2014

THE SECRET LIFE OF ROBINS AND RAINDROPS ON ROSES



RAINDROPS ON RED KNOCKOUT ROSE
A few days ago I had a wake up call at 3:30 in the morning.  It was the morning song of a robin, really early.  Startlingly loud, it sounded like it was right at my shoulder.  I spied out the front door to see how could that bird be so loud.  I quietly opened the door, looked out,  and quickly went to get the camera. 

HERE HE IS. 
THE EARLY BIRD
POSSIBLY, MISSOURI'S LOUDEST ROBIN

He is perched on my Lady of Guadalupe statue.  The statue was about 12 feet from the living room window.  I was in the recliner on the other side of that window.  Look at him glaring at me for disturbing his audition for the LOUDEST Robin in the state.  That is his eye reflecting the flash back at me.  He continued to sing even during my paparazzi-style attack on him.  So now you know a little about the secret 3:30 am life of robins, and the now, not so secret, dozing in the recliner life of me.  I have a bit of insomnia and find it usually works well to settle down in the recliner and watch something calm/boring on TV for a little while.  Sometimes I settle right down into sleep.


MOTHER'S DAY ROSE
I hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day.  We had dinner with my daughter, son in law, and grandson at a nearby Mexican restaurant and had a wonderful time.  My grandson made the prettiest leaf print for me at pre-school, and my daughter matted and framed it.  It has been too cloudy and dark to take a picture of it without using the flash, so I will post it another time. It was a lovely day.

MOTHER'S DAY ROSE.   LOOKS LIKE IT GLOWS!
(My son didn't remember the variety)
MOTHER'S DAY ROSE ON MY FAMILY PICTURE SHELF
COULD BE THAT MY MOTTO IS "THERE'S ALWAYS ROOM FOR ANOTHER PHOTOGRAPH"

My son, who is in the Air Force,  stationed near Albuquerque, New Mexico, sent me that beautiful rose. It was amazing to me that it arrived in perfect condition, as it was sent from Albuquerque, New Mexico to St. Louis, Missouri. It was the first rose that bloomed in his new garden.  He is doing raised and container gardening.  He always did enjoy planting and growing things.  When he was little, he planted dozens of persimmon seeds in my front yard flower bed.  My flower bed re-sprouted persimmon saplings for years. So far no persimmon sprouts yet this year, only roses, as you can see in the picture below.


FRONT YARD STARTING TO BLOOM! 
DOES ANYONE ELSE HAVE TROUBLE  TAKING LEVEL PICTURES WHEN THERE'S A HILL INVOLVED?
THAT IS THE MAILBOX ON THE PORCH CHAIR.  THE NEW MAILBOXES THAT ARE AT THE HARDWARE STORES ARE TOO GIANT FOR OUR SMALL HOUSE, AND I DON'T WANT TO REPAINT THE OLD ONE TO HANG IT ON THE NEW SIDING.  SO FAR, WE ARE STILL GETTING OUR MAIL.  WE HAVE A NICE MAIL CARRIER.
ACROSS-THE-STREET NEIGHBOR'S HOUSE REFLECTING IN WINDOW GLASS.
PINK DOUBLE KNOCK OUT ROSES
RED KNOCKOUT HOLDING  RAINDROPS

It has been raining here, off and on, for two or three? days now.  It has turned much cooler.  Early this afternoon when I arrived home from getting my cortisone knee injection, there was a pause in the rain when the sun was trying to shine.

RAINDROPS ON RED KNOCKOUT ROSE
RAINDROPS SHINING SILVERY ON EDGE OF TOP ROSE
My knockout roses are starting to bloom beautifully.  I have a red double Knockout rose and a double pink Knockout rose under the front window.  They looked so pretty that I toddled into the house, got my camera, and came right back out and snapped some pretty pictures.  I had taken several pics before I noticed that there were raindrops on my roses, and yes, they are some my favorite things. I hope you like seeing them, too.
MORE REAL RAINDROPS ON ROSES
IS THIS ROSE CRYING JUST A LITTLE?
LADY OF THE ROSES
My Lady of Guadalupe statue is much closer to the house now, nestled in the roses as she should be.  Mr. Mega Loud Robin would have a hard time perching there to sing.  The rose thorns would be a little close for comfort for him.  I haven't heard him singing as much lately.  He and Mrs. Robin are now taking care of the nest they built in our spruce tree. 

MY MOTHER'S DAY ROSE AND ITS PETAL


Linking to Strangers and Pilgrims on Earth blog.

13 comments:

  1. Your roses are so pretty.

    Have a nice weekend ~ FlowerLady

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  2. The roses are so beautiful. The Mother's Day rose is special.

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  3. Your Knock out roses are beautiful Susie, as well as your son's, it really looks like it is glowing, maybe it's all that love he placed on it.~smile~Many moring I too am awakened by the singing of birds.
    I hope you will be able to get some sleep, I can relate to not sleeping and have done exactly as you have, seems those boring tv shows can put us to sleep. Have great weekend.
    Sue

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  4. Susie your knockout roses are very pretty. Your son's rose he sent was beautiful. Please give him my thanks for serving in the military. Have a blessed day. Madeline

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  5. Your roses are so pretty. I have both of those and thought they were dead from harsh winter, but they started putting out new growth. I'm so happy that I haven't lost them.
    What a nice story about your son sending that rose...a special Mom's Day treat.
    Your statue looks beautiful surrounded by roses. I have a small Mary's Garden with hostas, lilies, and some other perennials. It's just starting to look pretty.
    Loved my visit here...Balisha

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  6. Glad you had a good mothers day. Your roses are gorgeous! They love this cool wet weather we are having in metro st louis!

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  7. Just beautiful...glad your Mothers Day was good...mine, too. :)

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  8. What a beautiful post ;o) I love your loud robin! LOL! Your roses are beautiful ;o) So happy you had a great Mother's Day ;o) Hugs ;o)

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  9. Raindrops on roses are also one of my favorite things. Thank you for sharing your beautiful roses and early bird wake ups on "The Art of Home-Making Mondays" :) I hope you have a wonderful week and good nights sleep...

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  10. Such beautiful roses - I don't have any red ones - I must remedy that.

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  11. Your roses are gorgeous! Roses don't do well for me; they usually get spots on their leaves than drop them. We have mocking birds that will sometimes sing during the night, especially when the moon is bright.

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  12. Hi Susie! Thank you for the sweet comment today <3
    I LOVE your Roses!!!! Beautiful post.
    Your friend,
    Candy :)

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  13. Wow! What a beautiful roses. I loved reading your blog.
    Things to do in Chicago

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