Today is the summer solstice. Hooray! This summer is met with particular eager anticipation because last summer with the Summer of Surgeries. This summer, I will have no surgeries, knock on wood. Now fall of 2013, will likely be a different story but whatever “work” is done will be minor. No more major surgeries on the known horizon.
So, in honor of this occasion as well as it’s personal meaning to me in 2013, I would like to post a few photos that show resilience. Let’s call them my Timex photos. All of you resilient readers and bloggers out there, we take a licking but we keep on ticking.

This is a photo taken after the weeding party, during which the evil plant-engulfing wireweed was removed. See the small shrub that was uncovered? Yeah, well I can barely see it. It looks like a bouquet of brown twigs.

Here’s what the bundle of sticks looks like today. It’s alive, it’s alive! Like a phoenix that has arisen from the ashes!

Speaking of a phoenix, here is the phoenix I bought John for Fathers’ Day made by Cedar Moon Studio (available from Etsy.) This Phoenix rose from the ashes of an old plastic pink flamingo yard bird, that was re-purposed into this magnificent creature.
Click here to see more transformed pink flamingos.
What a difference a year makes…..
That’s for sure!
Your bundle of sticks turns out to be a healthy barberry! They are tough. Let me know if you want another one – I have a little one that needs a home.
Thanks, Deana! I will let you know if I find a space for another plant. At the moment, it is not looking good. I put the liatris you gave me in a container on the deck. It is looking healthy and putting on lots of flower buds.
I told you that liatris is purple, but I think now that it’s a white one. We’ll see soon – mine are getting ready to bloom too.
White is pretty, too. I’m looking forward to the blooms!
You take such great photos Elizabeth, the resurrection of the shrub is amazing! And so are you – a great lady whose been through some really tough times and now deserves to bask in glorious summers full of peace and enjoyment.
Thank you so much, Tracy! I hope that you are able to do a little in your garden and greenhouse.
Great photos Liz!
Thanks, Mom!
I’m so glad it’s This Summer for you, Elizabeth! What a year. Here’s to all the ones to come.
Here here !