kitties

Tom, the farm kitty, is seriously snoozing during the hubub of customers picking up produce during the CSA!  I couldn't believe how unperturbed he was!

Tigra looks at me with earnest eyes.  I know what she's thinking.  something that is never far from her hungry mind--"Do you have food?"

sleepy Oliver 

Arizona kitty

getting comfy

PS:  to clarify-- Tom is my friends' kitty and lives on a farm; Tigra is my daughter's kitty and lives with her in Asheville;  Oliver lives with me!; and the Arizona kitty was photographed in a park in Phoenix where I was visiting.

Alphabe-Thursday, hosted by Ms Jenny, is so much fun!  This week our letter is  "K."  Come visit others' submissions HERE and join in the fun!  


 
all iPhone--photos by me  © 2013 and 2014   all rights reserved

kimonos

Long ago, when I was a little girl, I ate at a Japanese restaurant in a kimono I had decorated with crayons.  This was such an exciting adventure as I, along with my Brownie troop, had been studying Japan for several months.  We even performed a short play in costume (complete with traditional hair that a talented mother had made of crepe paper!).
I was so proud of my kimono!  The mothers had sewn them out of old sheets and we decorated them with crayons.  The designs were then heat set.  Finally the day arrived!  Off we went to a real traditional Japanese restaurant!

That's me in the back taking off a shoe.  Do note those stylish shoes!  

I remember this kimono well.  How I wish there was a color photo of it!  It was made from a yellow sheet.  I decorated it with pink flowers and green leaves.  You can see them very faintly around the hems of the sleeves and the bottom, as well as along the sleeve.

We sat at a low table on cushions.

  
The article and photos appeared in the Sunday Star magazine, a supplement to the Washington Post.

How exciting it was for a little girl to learn about the customs of Japan, learn words in another language, perform a play, make a kimono, and wear that kimono to a real Japanese restaurant.  Then to top it off, there she is in an article printed in the paper.

"As the last "Sayonara" sounded through the restaurant, ...the troop set off into the late afternoon sun..."

Alphabe-Thursday, hosted by Ms Jenny, is so much fun!  This week our letter  is "K."  Come visit others' submissions HERE and join in the fun! 



original photos by Claire Sawyer  © photos by me  © 2013     all rights reserved

Krohn Conservatory

Krohn Conservatory showcases more than 3,500 plant species from all over the world within its glass walls.  The palm, tropical, desert, bonsai, and orchid houses exhibit permanent displays of exotic plants in natural settings, complete with a 20 foot rainforest waterfall.  The floral display area changes throughout the year.  This is where the annual Butterfly Show is held.  Thousands of butterflies are released to fly freely within the Conservatory's showroom, feasting on flower nectar while countless visitors watch and interact in delight.

Here are some photos from the Conservatory and the Butterflies of Morocco Show this year...

a young girl is excited to have captured a butterfly!

 

I wish I knew what variety these butterflies are.  I've spent time searching online but have come to no conclusions.  If anyone does know, please tell me!

Desert Room blooming cactus  (Many varieties of cacti and succulents are found here.)

bonsai tree (The conservatory has a collection of trees from the conservatory itself, the Bonsai Society of Greater Cincinnati, and private individuals.)

orchids (There are approximately 75 blooming orchids at any time from the conservatory's collection of thousands of orchids encompassing 17 genera.)

Epiphytic bromeliads, orchids, and ferns grow on many of the trees.

part of the goldfish stream in the Palm Room

the waterfall

Palm Room (There are a variety of palm trees, a banana tree, rubber trees, shrubby plants and ground covers.  Just beyond this scene is a 20 foot waterfall.)

In the Tropical Room there are many varieties of ferns, cycads, bromeliads, and begonias.  There are also a cacao tree, pomegrante tree, vanilla vine, and a dwarf banana tree.

The outside areas are filled with trees, shrubs, and flowers.

Last week I showed you a photo of a butterfly attached to a girl's nose HERE.  next week, more butterflies and another "nose photo!"

LINKS:
Krohn Conservatory 
my blog posts:
a butterfly lands on her nose --1st photo
a young boy holds a butterfly --3rd photo
orchids 
hands   --the 1st photo is one of my favorites

Alphabe-Thursday, hosted by Ms Jenny, is so much fun!  This week our letter is "K." Come visit others' submissions HERE and join in the fun! 



 
photos by me © 2011 and 2013   all rights reserved
(Only the cactus photo is from 2010.  The rest were taken this year.)

Sun Puddle Delight

Nothing is better than sampling all the delightful sun puddles about the house on a sunny day!  (Oliver is demonstrating his snoozing expertise!)

Alphabe-Thursday, hosted by Ms Jenny, is so much fun!  This week our letter is "K" (for Kitty, of course!).  Come visit others' submissions HERE and join in the fun!
 


photos by me © 2013

Kauai

a lovely mountainous, lush green island floating in the sparkling blue waters of the Pacific....

Known as the Garden Island, Kauai is one of the wettest spots on earth with rainfall up to 460 inches per year.  It boasts 90 miles of the most beautiful coastline.

Na Pali Coast with it's 2,000 foot sea cliff

The beauty of Kauai Hawaii is so breathtaking.  lovely scenery--jagged mountains, canyon, multitudes of waterfalls pouring out of lush tropical greenery, beautiful sand beaches, tropical fish, whales, dolphins.

Waimea Canyon 

This is a fun weekly meme, under the direction of Jenny Matlock.  This week, our letter is "K."  Come and join HERE.  You will be amazed at all the bloggy goodness to be found! 



photos by me 2005 and 2006