MEETING A NICE COUPLE ON OUR WALK - GREEN SPRING GARDENS CONTINUED...

Gregg dropped me off in front of the visitor center as I wanted to see what the children's garden had added. We hadn't been there for a while. He caught up with me half-way along the path. I am slow and also like to take photos of flowers along the way (and feathers as you can see in my last post). 

We were also going to check out the area where they grow produce, and it was there that we started chatting to this really delightful couple, B. and T., I'll call them. I could tell right away that they were good people, very friendly and very interesting to listen to. We must have chatted for half-an-hour. 

On impulse and after the half an hour, just before we were going to go our separate ways, I asked them if they would mind if I took a photo of them. Thankfully they were very happy to do that. I only ask if I feel comfortable with people, and we certainly felt very comfortable with each other. 

Now, this is where I am kicking myself. I said I would be happy to send them the photos and there's me thinking of a piece of paper and a pen to write their number down, which I couldn't find. I still like my trusty ballpoint pen and small notebook.

B said I could text it to them and suggested putting it down in my iPhone which I did - I thought - but wouldn't you know it, when I got home to do just that, I couldn't find the blessed phone number that I thought I had put into my contacts. 

I did give them a card I had made up for those times people have asked me in the past - yes rare but they stick with me - to take photos of them and their children and sometimes visiting relatives who have asked that please could we send it to them - so on a whim I gave B one of my cards with my email and blog printed on it. 

So...B & T, if you read this and didn't get those photos I promised to send you, this is why. I am hoping that you will read this as we had talked about my blog, and please send me an email or write a message on my comments so that I can send these photos to you. They turned out lovely and I dearly would love to send them. We so very much enjoyed our conversation with you both.

I think that's enough for today as I have an uncomfortable headache, which is a sure sign than I need to get off here.

Thanks for stopping by and Happy Thursday.

Wishing you all sunshine and flowers.

MORE FROM MEADOWLARK GARDENS ON 6-30-24

 I found this pretty little red flower very easily. It really popped out against the vibrant lush green fauna as I was walking along the path. It is the Florida tasselflower. I have never heard of it and if I have seen it before, have never noticed. It is also known as Cupid's shaving-brush, Red Florida tasselflower and one more, Flora's paintbrush, with a botanical name of Emilia fostbergii. Thankfully non-toxic to humans and pets. 

A member of the sunflower family, it is a common yard weed. Although many dislike seeing these pop up in their lawns, the pollinators are very attracted to its small bright red flowers. It reseeds itself easily with dandelion-like fluffy seeds and can become invasive if not removed. Unusual for me, I only took one photo instead of my usual dozen or so! Who shouts "Hurray to the digital age?" My one photo will have to do this time, I am blaming it on the heat.

I enjoyed seeing the Cardoon. Its other names are globe artichokes, Prickly artichoke and Cardy, with a botanical name of Cynara cardunculus. I have shared it before but maybe I missed some information. I would have to check with previous posts to find out, so at the risk of repeating myself: It was first brought to the United States by Spanish and French settlers in the middle of the nineteenth century. It was popular in ancient and medieval Greece, Rome and Persia, and appears in written records from as early as the 4th century BC.

They are edible but I have no clue how to prepare them and I am going to have to go to bed soon as it has been a long day. Next time I photograph them I will delve into that side of things more thoroughly, but there is plenty of information online if you want to do a search. I did learn that they are an ingredient in one of Spain's national dishes - cocido madrileño - and have long been an important part of the Christmas meal in Spain's northern regions, and at least one Italian region. Also, Cardoon flowers are used as a vegetable rennet in some traditional Spanish and Portuguese cheeses.

You have to be careful when handling them because of those nasty looking spines, so it would be wise to wear gloves. There is lots of information in the link below my first photo of the Cardoon, if you would like to find out more. They towered above me, are said to grow 3 feet to 6 feet but these seemed much taller. In the winter finches eat the seeds and then when spring appears, if any of the soft down remains, it may be used to line nests.

When they bloom, bees and other pollinators will visit them. The bees were very busy when we were there. The flowers produce lots of pollen and nectar between June to September.  I certainly enjoyed watching the bees for a while. I always find them fascinating little creatures. There were two types of bee, the smaller one remained elusive and the bigger of the two was easier to photograph.

One last little bee plus the tiny insect in the top middle of the photo.  That's as close as I could get.

And finishing off with a photo of the two of us (at the beginning of our walk). We didn't take our usual long one around the garden because of the heat, but even so we had a very enjoyable time. We just have to pace ourselves more and know when to quit!  Me and the mouse in my pocket that is, as Gregg is a Virginia boy and can take these high temperatures. I on the other hand wilt like a lettuce, and that hasn’t changed since we started married life at our apartment in Alexandra, Virginia. The following year when my family visited in the height of summer, they were the same. How about you, can you handle humidity?

I always have more photos to share from the garden, but I will give this one a rest for a while. It is also getting late and it's time to put my laptop to bed. 

Thanks for looking everyone, 

and have a great Wednesday.