lily week continues

At breakfast, I reported to Ed that I'd snipped off 575 lily heads today. He rightly pointed out that this isn't my "highest ever." Not by a mile. So, are my lilies blooming less? This is a tough question. On the one hand, I add more lilies each year and I have a lot of solid bloomers from last year's added crop. But some of the older plants are not liking all the shade that's creeping up over the flower fields. And they're not liking the drought. Too, there is some leaf damage which I can attribute to grass hoppers. And finally, the front bed is just never going to be as robust as I had hoped. The maple trees have root systems that are too intense, and the road salt, and the shade all conspire to tame and tone down the flowers that I try to grow there.

On the other hand, I am happy with all that does grow everywhere. How could I not be??

Ready for today's dozen?

Starting off with the close-ups...

And the belly of the Big Bed...

And onto the Nymphs and Shepherds...

By the way, have you ever seen a black flower? This comes pretty close...

Speaking of eye-popping color, this group really wakes you up in the morning...

Path to our door...

From the secret path...

Oh, a pause to say hi to the swallows this morning!

Finally, by the parked cars...

Breakfast:

And one more comment about lily growing: a reader sent us an article stating that lilies and kitties are not a good mix. The plants (both true lilies and day lilies) are toxic to these animals (though not to others). But then, so are any number of plants you'll find at the farmette, including tulips and lilies of the valley. So how is it that we have had cats and these flowers sharing space here for all these years? I have to believe that outdoor cats know what to avoid and, too, they have a hardier response to toxins than indoor cats. Still, it is a concern, at least at some theoretical level. But knock on wood, there have been ditch lilies here (also poisonous) and lilies of the valley for as long as I have known Ed and of course we have had scores of cats come through here, give birth here, live in peace here, and so far there haven't been any issues. May it last. I'll say this -- cats are way smarter than chickens. Way smarter.

Toward lunch time, I pick up Snowdrop and bring her to the farmette. She is stunned and wide-eyed at the changes in the flower fields in just one week! 

She spends many happy minutes admiring the colors...

And picking fraises des bois.

Inside, she catches up on new books, including one that I bought because it's by and about a Ukrainian immigrant...

And eventually, after lunch, I take her to her violin lesson. I am told she plays. I have yet to hear this, but, she dutifully trudges to her lessons and claims to like them a lot and so there you have it. 

On the way back, we pass by Bernie's Beach. Oh, does the lake tempt her! The city does have a protective barrier, ostensibly to keep the swimming area bacteria free, but despite the kiddies splashing in the water, I have my doubts. I mean, note the geese and ducks at the edges. Ah well, she wants to wade. I cave, on the condition that we clean up afterwards.

As we drive back to the farmette, I return to chatting with her about her past trip and, too, her forthcoming trip, but she is not in the mood for that. She tells me -- gaga, shhh! I'm looking out at the universe. I glance back in my rearview mirror. She is indeed staring out at the sky. What could she be thinking? Communicating? That one is just for her to know.

Evening. She is back home, with her brothers and parents...

I return to the farmhouse. With a smile. It's true, the Chicago young family is still in the tailspin of virus activity. But they're good. And these guys are good as well.

And so are we.

With love...