Last day of summer vacation ...

<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2VclMqQvOeAK2ZSHYKu9adsyqolSYGq9b8Lf7XYHBFetnzcNFIMHFpsMoMMaC7fJBqzsjo76z5zTp-PmZFRFIekutSSoc1svWwwJlBnc_LijfaJddvyGVqmIlbvAwNA-KKfNI6xaMBkyu/s1600/dunes:pink_skyYBlacker.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511569064138851810" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2VclMqQvOeAK2ZSHYKu9adsyqolSYGq9b8Lf7XYHBFetnzcNFIMHFpsMoMMaC7fJBqzsjo76z5zTp-PmZFRFIekutSSoc1svWwwJlBnc_LijfaJddvyGVqmIlbvAwNA-KKfNI6xaMBkyu/s400/dunes:pink_skyYBlacker.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 324px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" ><br />I based this painting “Boardwalk to the Shore</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" >”</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" > on<br />a photo I saw in a magazine early in the spring.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><br />Can it really be the last day of August already? You know that feeling you get when you attend a really fun party where everyone is dressed their best, people are relaxed, the food is delicious, and the drinks are<br />thirst-quenchingly good ... then all of a sudden, mid-conversation practically, you start to notice the music has been shut off and people that you hadn’t even gotten a chance to say hello to are putting down their glasses and are embracing the host with a fond farewell??? Then you start to think, is it really over already? Next the lights come on, food is being Saran-wrapped, and you figure it must be time to go.<br /><br />I really hate the end of a good party and that is how<br />the end of August feels to me. As I look around my summer garden, which I admit I did not tend to with half the enthusiasm as I had planned, I see that there are some dawdlers who have decided to stay on for awhile. I intend to enjoy their quiet company for at least a few more weeks, even though so many of their more colorful friends have come and gone. These are low-maintenance guests who do their own thing and still look impressive at a time when the party season that is summer is coming to a close. </span><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirTaReNYbHp8Wx0Sicdab9LPTjDpfhyphenhyphenpBkswRf3DmVWQ_tSNhxjxs0RmlXk8jf7XiYmt9j7sLB2JY2SVS_zKLDbLhb0Lh-NkMBuY4kwKKF5kgAdBPvnqaP73iOQk7HwJ8ceJRhCn_QrkfZ/s1600/chives:galvanized.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511569248029055298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirTaReNYbHp8Wx0Sicdab9LPTjDpfhyphenhyphenpBkswRf3DmVWQ_tSNhxjxs0RmlXk8jf7XiYmt9j7sLB2JY2SVS_zKLDbLhb0Lh-NkMBuY4kwKKF5kgAdBPvnqaP73iOQk7HwJ8ceJRhCn_QrkfZ/s400/chives:galvanized.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 358px;" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />A galvanized bucket (with drainage holes in the bottom) makes a great garden container and adds a<br />bit of rustic charm. I filled this one with chives,<br />flowering garlic and tri-colored sage.</span><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmFE-SXak73nSURnUuZ7jTrakjKMJliP4MIxEurMVy0VuIPPGilKD2IH0qQFoOp-V0FdYNrfRp6BVkra21GVn5FDarsDEJJeTVq7JQ40B4aWAzras9pDOJ3gihRapcpgpfp0EitOzR0fw9/s1600/rainwater:tub.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511593063296446530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmFE-SXak73nSURnUuZ7jTrakjKMJliP4MIxEurMVy0VuIPPGilKD2IH0qQFoOp-V0FdYNrfRp6BVkra21GVn5FDarsDEJJeTVq7JQ40B4aWAzras9pDOJ3gihRapcpgpfp0EitOzR0fw9/s400/rainwater:tub.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">This second container is filled with some delicate plants – a chrysanthemum from last fall, a young poppy, and a marigold that my son brought home as a seedling on the last day of school. He watered it in its little styrofoam cup for over a month and then it was ready to transplant outdoors. We put it in this mini-still life-garden that also shows off shells and driftwood from summer outings to the beach along with some hidden treasures.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> When it rains (which did not happen very often this summer) the vintage blue pitcher that we actually found buried in our yard collects water for future watering use.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb44ydQYgISBCIMNta0oYSqzbP5r-JoBfhqBy1EM6Ys4bpFfIM5Lra_P3UlOUrzh-HCOMmO2zVh4tUYWWP77qnxXY0ybjasmeVkwXTxGYIL3FEPzVyvwXkWJlFG9QS4uUe8eZwJdBIwYbY/s1600/henschicksdriftwood.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511575860589824802" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb44ydQYgISBCIMNta0oYSqzbP5r-JoBfhqBy1EM6Ys4bpFfIM5Lra_P3UlOUrzh-HCOMmO2zVh4tUYWWP77qnxXY0ybjasmeVkwXTxGYIL3FEPzVyvwXkWJlFG9QS4uUe8eZwJdBIwYbY/s400/henschicksdriftwood.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">These “hens and chicks</span><span style="font-size:130%;">”</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> are successful<br />transplants from my Dad’s garden.<br /><br /><br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy7Z4zvqtJPyI3IikR2QkiR2n2Ktfgmg9gs4U7ecyP707ksYtiRteqtT-tm_oVGy7JIctnQWlk80QVpsK-H8BV9F-u1AOnPn9JakCxWutoHt3CxWWbND9I2fMnRxWgFRJvgICkVwAAyQT0/s1600/succulentsprouting.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511575653998215410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy7Z4zvqtJPyI3IikR2QkiR2n2Ktfgmg9gs4U7ecyP707ksYtiRteqtT-tm_oVGy7JIctnQWlk80QVpsK-H8BV9F-u1AOnPn9JakCxWutoHt3CxWWbND9I2fMnRxWgFRJvgICkVwAAyQT0/s400/succulentsprouting.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 307px;" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />What started out as one large succulent,<br />has now grown some companions.<br /><br /><br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivaUiRWGdupBRj8cZiJZaZuLUfTe4NzyHb3zWc_UBxuEMiDhExChJ2azo9e2nXiqN0vjY0BFG4rrz1yC__GkLtKMcnF7-EiAev0gUk-s1kXuq3owSVFV2NigG2GFMXYPD2CBJnZLskhKXs/s1600/succulentcloseup.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511576407275879154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivaUiRWGdupBRj8cZiJZaZuLUfTe4NzyHb3zWc_UBxuEMiDhExChJ2azo9e2nXiqN0vjY0BFG4rrz1yC__GkLtKMcnF7-EiAev0gUk-s1kXuq3owSVFV2NigG2GFMXYPD2CBJnZLskhKXs/s400/succulentcloseup.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />Succulents store water in their leaves which makes them the perfect plant in dry heat or if you are too busy enjoying summer to remember to water.</span><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbS_h5D8yVPyHeRgh281fQaIJ4HtbhesFcoBg3U4Wi80NfB1diCLBJuAbhAHOu6SKGUPDFf4GW3_LKNfIJrkVjf6PVMlOa_8CEtzPl9E0ikJTB3z1SFY0ush7Dnn85RK3a0jFeWdF0yNIo/s1600/succulents@FDO.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511575652980973058" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbS_h5D8yVPyHeRgh281fQaIJ4HtbhesFcoBg3U4Wi80NfB1diCLBJuAbhAHOu6SKGUPDFf4GW3_LKNfIJrkVjf6PVMlOa_8CEtzPl9E0ikJTB3z1SFY0ush7Dnn85RK3a0jFeWdF0yNIo/s400/succulents@FDO.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />A tray of colorful succulents makes a design statement<br />indoors at<a href="http://www.bostondesign.com/showrooms/fdo-group/overview/"> FDO Group</a> at the Boston Design Center.</span><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdSHj88333EctMaNXR8RXu4mpFiuyeVlju22MzsyJ3iMP-Metn9I_08mh7zkM0tHZYKidR0vw7-4xRtwv1fHZxQlnsT9YQen853mz9rdva08hVsm-jS9FZccvXjfzoxrOAQlkwq7R6kciw/s1600/ceramicsucculentsFDO.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511575640881357778" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdSHj88333EctMaNXR8RXu4mpFiuyeVlju22MzsyJ3iMP-Metn9I_08mh7zkM0tHZYKidR0vw7-4xRtwv1fHZxQlnsT9YQen853mz9rdva08hVsm-jS9FZccvXjfzoxrOAQlkwq7R6kciw/s400/ceramicsucculentsFDO.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 316px;" /></a> <span style="font-size:130%;"><br />If you prefer the ultimate in low-maintenance,<br />then these ceramic versions are for you.</span><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHjOQSj6kN1aveJE5DYJN8ZZ6EvTt2aWVOMrSDlj6A68NEtaxImLkxqQRQ_SWcsL6CLjOwazccCLaTMfLfll67BcsBAI3VqmQr4zqHcmsUoy7JOXQxvuLsJUQkFpxTn1YPs0Gm93Tgu_XV/s1600/bensmarigold.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span><span></span></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYLhZ95W6jxUN7E0yJShZtovjb-SzAIGCQDZblD3HrKGTwwClZkPZ5j25wSH3uypRPFf8ZGCbDC5U13NbOXNCo-xzlN3XtYEc65a1_zt7kC8w7wO6nqP13iY1ZpkyTe3XHDxdBtsz7_NPD/s1600/bensmarigold.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511594245088578786" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYLhZ95W6jxUN7E0yJShZtovjb-SzAIGCQDZblD3HrKGTwwClZkPZ5j25wSH3uypRPFf8ZGCbDC5U13NbOXNCo-xzlN3XtYEc65a1_zt7kC8w7wO6nqP13iY1ZpkyTe3XHDxdBtsz7_NPD/s400/bensmarigold.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 335px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Ben’s kindergarten science project turned marigold.</span><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 0);font-size:180%;" ><strong>Think small. Planting tiny seeds<br />in the small space given you<br /></strong></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 0);font-size:180%;" ><strong>can change the whole world or,<br />at the very least, your view of it.</strong></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 64);"> <span style="font-style: italic;">- Linus Mundy </span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />Even though the warmth of summer is coming to an end, there will be lots of projects to get started on and fun events to look forward to in the months to come.</span><br /><br /><br /></div>

Last day of summer vacation ...

I based this painting “Boardwalk to the Shore ” on a photo I saw in a magazine early in the spring. Can it really be the last day of August...

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