Our red geranium (or, to be absolutely proper, Pelargonium) has finally bloomed after a spring spent looking rather spindly and terrible. I'm glad it's bouncing back with more sun and warmer weather. Several of our geraniums are looking a bit worn and next year I probably need to give them all a hard prune. (I say this every year but I'm always reluctant to prune anything and so I never do it.)
I had a very relaxed day yesterday. I changed our bedsheets, folded and put away laundry, and sat in the garden with Olga. The temperatures were perfect.
I couldn't decide which of these pictures to use so you're getting both of them! Although you can see my computer sitting on the chair above (I was reading blogs and catching up on comments), I spent most of my time reading "A Visit From the Goon Squad," which I finished. I really, really enjoyed that book. It was masterfully constructed and just so interesting. I have a Louise Doughty mystery to tackle next.
Some of the pupating ladybirds/ladybugs seem to be emerging. I'm seeing more mature beetles around, and the pupa I blogged about a week ago, standing on its end, is now empty. Nature keeps on truckin', to quote R. Crumb.
The ladybird/ladybug above is a two-spot, which is a native variety and not one of the Asian harlequins. I am glad to see the native species holding their own. I was reading last night that although the harlequins are invaders, there's mixed evidence about whether they out-compete native varieties. Maybe we really can all live together in harmony. At least if we're ladybirds/ladybugs (and we're not on Twitter).
I tried once again to find evidence of any protests in London and saw nothing online. Only in the evening, after I'd made my start-of-summer martini, did Dave see a post from a Facebook friend about a protest at the U.S. embassy. Drat! I knew I should have gone down there. (But when? And where? I like to have a plan before I set out on such an expedition. Next time they need better publicity.)
Anyway, I am heartened this morning to see so much visible resistance in the USA, in all 50 states. You've gotta be a brave person to attend an anti-Trump march in Alabama and Mississippi and a lot of other conservative areas, but people did it, protesting our own governmental Goon Squad. Bravo all around!
Down here under the equator we call those geraniums too, though I know they are actually pelargoniums, most people don't and what we call pelargoniums are the smaller pretty coloured ones in various fancy shades.
ReplyDeleteI heard from a friend the streets were packed in places that were holding protests, but very few went to stand for that ridiculous parade.
Yeah, the parade was apparently rather anticlimactic. I heard that Trump himself wasn't pleased with it.
DeleteI've been trying to grow geraniums for years and have had very little success for some unknown reason. There are so many varieties and shades of pink and red that it's lovely.
ReplyDeleteI would think geraniums would be perfect in your Mediterranean climate!
DeleteIt looks like American towns turned out, to out the would be king and all the dictates of ICE. Trust the people. Your garden looks idyllic by the way.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to trust the people, but a lot of people have made some really terrible decisions!
DeleteYes, it’s reassuring to see all the protests and it does take bravery to protest in some places. There were apparently no protests in Spain but there was one in Portugal. I wish I could have gone.
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised there were none in Spain, but maybe you all were focused more on the anti-overtourism marches?
DeleteMy geraniums from last year, which had been looking quite poorly, have now burst into vivid colour. So many blooms. Thank goodness...I thought I had killed it by cutting it back in the winter.
ReplyDeleteThey seem to go through a period of looking really bad as part of their natural growth cycle.
DeleteTowns and cities were packed with protesters and signs, PACKED! The parade was a dud. YAHOO. Maybe there is a god... Olga in the garden - such a lovely girl !
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad there was a good turnout against the Orange One!
DeleteA gentle yet powerful reminder that life flows on, in many forms.
ReplyDeleteIndeed it does. :)
DeleteI love the photo of Olga splooting - her joints must be in good condition.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful flowers - they respond well to your care.
Yeah, splooting doesn't seem to bother her at all! She's always lain down that way.
DeleteOne of my favorite visuals was the tanks rolling by almost empty platforms w/their wheels squeaking. It was like a cartoon. And yes, all those who came out should be applauded but definitely those stuck in the right wing, ultra MAGA places.
ReplyDeleteYou have described my town perfectly, Elle. It is MAGA red. But we had 140 people show up to stand in the pouring rain. But we had so much drive by support. Raised fists of solidarity, thumbs up, cheering, horns. Yeah. We had MAGA, but the tide has turned. I would say we had mostly positive feedback. MAGA seems much quieter the days.
DeleteElle: The squeaky tank moment seems to have taken on a life of its own online!
DeleteDebby: I'm glad the feedback was so positive. Even on ultra-right-wing "news" sites I see a lot of comments from people who are upset with Trump's leadership. I don't think he's making anybody happy.
That's an idyllic image of Sunny Garden with Dog.
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely Olga's happy place!
DeleteWe went to a protest in Columbia and were surprised at the turnout; and then even happier when we got home and saw all the photos from around the country.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad that even in red states people are speaking out! I mentioned Alabama and Mississippi but it's also pretty brave to protest in South Carolina, I'm sure.
DeletePerhaps because we live so far away from anyplace one would protest at, we see them as largely useless endeavors. Very few seem to make any meaningful change. I can think of a few like the march on Selma but not many. I was commenting on a blog earlier that growing up in the Midwest, we just assume the people on both coasts are nuts. We just live our lives peacefully and want to be left alone.
ReplyDeleteOh, I think they have a tremendous effect, if only to bolster others who are unhappy with Trump and want to see evidence that they are not alone. It gives me a boost to see so much resistance.
DeleteThat is a fair point and I agree with that. I guess I was mostly looking at it from a legislative point of view.
DeleteI was just thinking how reassuring it is to see the images and videos coming from all the protests. After having lost so much faith in my country and citizens due to the election, I feel that we are not all lost. A beautiful outpouring!
ReplyDeleteAnd you have a beautiful garden. You tend it with love. Obviously.
Reassuring -- exactly!
DeleteEngland is such a garden-friendly country. It kind of tends itself!
We had thousands at the protest here in Naperville, IL, and my sister and I were part of that crowd. It was great - lots of signs, chanting, marching, cars driving by and honking and waving their support. There were many No Kings protests in Chicago and its suburbs. It's encouraging to take part and see so many that feel the way I do and I think it does make a difference.
ReplyDeleteI agree -- it sends a huge sign of hope to many people. (And a sign of unhappiness to those in power, should they deign to pay attention.)
DeleteOh, your garden pix! Sigh! It looks wonderful and Olga looks so content! I'll be posting later today or tomorrow on the rally here which was well attended (est. 5-7000, depending on your source.) It was motivating and energizing. Love your geranium!
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see your post about the local rally!
DeleteOlga Girl Is The Queen For Sure - Love Those Photos And Totally Dig The Protest Photos Even Though A Majority Of Folks DROVE To The Protest
ReplyDeleteEnjoy Your Summer Break ,
Cheers
As opposed to doing something more carbon-neutral, you mean?
DeleteI went to the protest here in a small city in the Midwest. I never thought it would make any difference right now or change Magats minds; my hope is that it will motivate enough people who were too lazy (I know some) or indifferent (I know many) to bother to vote to actually engage and vote whenever they have the opportunity. I don't want to just live quietly in an authoritarian regime. Done that already throughout my childhood in South America. Not fun, really.
ReplyDeleteExactly -- you won't change the MAGAts but you'll send a message of discontent, which bolsters others who are also discontented, and serves as a warning to the administration. They can't be allowed to think the majority of the country is with them.
DeleteMy new geranium had a bunch of buds that just died back. So I took them all off, and eventually it has bloomed the right way. And now my porch is covered with the falling petals, which I rolled over with my cart yesterday and it's wheels brought lovely pink spots onto the kitchen floor, which thankfully didn't stain. If it'd ever stop raining I could sweep the petals away. I've not taken part in protests, but Asheville and Black Mountain NC had good turn-outs yesterday!
ReplyDeleteYeah, the geranium flowers can be messy with dropping petals. But it's kind of a nice problem to have!
DeleteIt's nice to have a time where you set your own pace rather than being controlled by the clock.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely! I love having nothing on the agenda!
DeleteEven my small conservative city had about 400 protesters turn out, and lots of thumbs up and honks from the traffic passing by, too. So encouraging! It gives me hope.
ReplyDeleteWow, 400 people in Florence?! That's pretty amazing!
DeleteI've always thought of geraniums as what you have shown (they were very heat tolerant decor when we had a swimming pool) and "scented geraniums" (which I never had bloom) as pelargoniums. I guess they're all one and the same?
ReplyDeleteI visited my daughter's family in Louisiana (the speaker's district) yesterday and was quite pleased that the protest we passed (and supported with waves and thumbs up out the window) was much larger than the pro-trump group across the street.
I'm glad you shared both photos of Olga.
I may be wrong, but I think proper geraniums have finer stems and die back in the winter, like cranesbills. Pelargoniums have thicker stems and hairy leaves. I am not an expert, though!
DeleteMost large US cities had a protest. The message was strong as people showed up in good numbers. In Boston the Pride and No King groups came together at Copley Square and the Boston Common. The numbers were very impressive.
ReplyDeleteRed geraniums are bright and beautiful. They love the sunshine and bloom all summer as long as the blooms (with the stems) are removed when the flower dies.
Yes, I do deadhead them, which keeps them going! It was a good idea to merge the Pride and No Kings demonstrations. We are all stronger together than we are apart -- a message the Trumpers would do well to learn.
DeleteWhat a beautifully reflective post gently weaving garden life, bookish pleasures, and political awareness into one seamless afternoon. Love the quiet triumph of the geranium and the ladybug harmony metaphor!
ReplyDeleteKeep up the good work my friend
Hope you get a fabulous day
It's good to see that nature has worked out a certain degree of harmonious coexistence! If only humanity could follow suit!
DeleteApparently, there were two protests here, one in downtown Phoenix and one in Scottsdale. The reports of been sketchy but I know someone who went to the one in Scottsdale and they said it was bigger than they anticipated.
ReplyDeleteThose two garden scenes are beautiful. It's such a pretty little oasis for you and Olga to enjoy. You just need a more comfortable chair.
Interesting (and encouraging) about the protests! And yes, I do need a better chair. LOL
DeleteYes, trim those leggy pelargoniums...it is easy to take some "just in case" cuttings as well. The hardier geraniums , once flowered can be given a "Chelsea haircut"...and you should get a second flush of flowers for the bees.
ReplyDeleteYour garden looks heavenly..you've done a marvellous job there.
Good to see your ladybirds appearing. Harlequins don't arrive singly like these, they arrive en masse...
The Chelsea chop! We never do that but I keep hearing about it. Maybe we should give it a try.
DeleteReading about all the protests was really uplifting. I should probably have attended ours, but I had three reasons not to: 1. I went to my great-nephew's birthday party; 2. I worry about how it might affect my job (I work for the City of Hickory); and 3. I REALLY don't like to get up and out of the house on Saturday mornings. Such a slug. Ugh.
ReplyDeleteI can see how it would be awkward as a public employee. Then again, you're allowed to speak your mind on your own time, right?
DeleteThat third photo is beautifully framed
ReplyDeleteThank you! The plants are a natural frame. :)
DeleteHappy summer vacay! The garden is looking terrific, Olga seems very happy to be there.
ReplyDeleteShe is loving it!
DeleteI’m glad your geranium rallied and your thoughtful reflections on nature and civic engagement are a refreshing blend of hope and quiet resolve
ReplyDeleteI try to be hopeful, and I think I am overall, though I am occasionally swamped by pessimism! LOL
DeleteYes, bravo to protesters.
ReplyDeleteIt's great to see, isn't it?!
DeleteI didn't know about the two spot ladybird. I don't think we have them here.
ReplyDeleteI think they're a UK thing, but I'm no expert.
DeleteThat ladybug looks cute on the leaf.
ReplyDeleteDoesn't it? Happy as a bug in a rug, as the saying goes!
DeleteYour geranium is beautiful, and the garden looks relaxing. Idaho even had huge crowds of protesters.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
I know! IDAHO! It's amazing.
DeleteFour thousand in Boise (including me), but even more impressive - strong turnouts in small towns! It IS amazing! Proud of everyone who was out there in person, and I'm sure each of us also represented many who were unable to be present.
DeleteChris from Boise
John and I participated in his town along with hundreds of other like-minded people. There were US flags, veteran flags/shirts/hats (mostly Vietnam vets); the positive energy was uplifting. I don't know what it will accomplish but as John said, "We have to do SOMETHING!"
ReplyDelete