May Day flowers, the web version

Seattle, Washington

Dad is in France, more or less "stuck" for the duration. Today when he headed out for groceries, he found most of his usual stores closed. But why? May Day, of course. I think the United States is one of the few countries that does not celebrate May 1st as some kind of Worker's Day. But then there is also (or related somehow?) the tradition of delivering May Day flowers.

So, Dad carefully collected these flowers on his walk today and, poof, like magic, they were delivered to my computer across the endless miles.

Happy May Day!

Pink snow

Seattle, Washington
Sunday, April 8, 2018

Today there was time for a long bike ride which included a trip to the top of Queen Anne. I felt amply rewarded for my efforts by this lovely sight near the top of the hill. Everywhere in Seattle there are cars dressed in pink petals--as if they all just came from a wedding.

Fractal flowers

Seattle, Washington
Monday, June 29, 2015

Every time I look at the buds at the tops of these flower stalks, I am reminded of fractals. Okay, maybe not exactly fractals, but something close. And the flowers themselves are delightful--and they seem to bloom all summer long, ever taller and taller...

Killer dandelions

Madaba, Jordan
Friday, April 25, 2014

As previously mentioned, springtime is a time of impressive weeds here in Jordan. Watch out for one these killer dandelions in a yard or field near you...

Purple-black

Madaba, Jordan
Thursday, March 27, 2014

After work today we took a short drive to a nearby spot where Jordan's famous (but rare?) black irises are in full bloom. Spring here is wonderful as all the green one has been missing bursts forth. And then this wondrous riot of purple-black...

Spring!

Madaba, Jordan
Friday, February 21, 2014

Reports say that the winter and spring rains have not been plentiful enough here in Jordan. Nonetheless, spring flowers are starting to emerge from the stony earth. Here are tiny irises with more varieties to come...

Green with a dash of yellow

Moisburg, Germany
Sunday, June 16, 2013

Northern Germany in the early summer: green, green, green--and flowers, too. A balm for the eyes after the hot, brown (already) plains of Jordan.

Pink and worthy of Dr. Zeuss

Madada, Jordan
Friday, May 24, 2013

Out early this morning when I fell to inspecting more flowering trees here on campus. These ones have a heavenly scent--the bees were thronging--and really quite a Dr. Zeussian air to them.

A riot of purple (and yellow)

Madaba, Jordan

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Went out for a walk early this morning and was struck (again) by the profusion of purple flowers in the "wilder" parts of campus. I know they are a weed, but the purple morning glories are lovely and EVERYwhere. Some fantastical thistles are also blooming this time of year, and the "dandelions" here are fearsomely protected by an army of thorns...

Dandelions on steroids?

Black Iris spring

Madaba, Jordan
Friday, April 19, 2013

On our way out to dinner tonight, Frank stopped to show me a patch of black irises that he'd found on a recent run. Black irises are the Jordanian national flower--rare and lovely to see.