Gold Medal Monday

I'm playing catch-up a little this evening, as these are all Sunday images, starting with these noon-time portulacas. I hadn't share any in a while, and this was a nice trio.

I'm glad I held on to a few pictures from Sunday, too, since today was a pretty rainy and gray day and I didn't actually take any. Rain was really heavy as it moved through in waves this afternoon, and we saw a kicking thunderstorm roll through earlier this evening. I did let the camera roll there, but haven't yet checked to see if I got anything worthwhile.

With all the events at work this weekend, I missed the start of the Olympics and hadn't really gotten into the routine of enjoying the coverage until this evening. I still haven't had a chance to track down the video of the opening ceremonies, which I've been hearing were quite impressive. Tonight I have been watching, so I was able to watch Michael Phelps get his ninth gold medal this evening, and I'm enjoying the men's gymnastic coverage as I write. Woo hoo!! Go USA!! I'm by no means an athlete, but every time the Olympics roll around, I can't help but be inspired and thrilled by these kids and their ability.

Last night, however, I was watching Moby Dick on PBS, with Gregory Peck as Ahab. I was watching the scene where the whalers harpoon the great white whale and then get taken for a wild ride...and it occurred to me that sometimes walking Emily is a bit like a Nantucket Sleighride.

Both of these hydrangea pictures were taken on one of those walks, so that they are in focus at all is a testament to her patience with me.

First up are these pristine white blossoms of Peegee hydrangea. There's a whole hedge of this stuff down the street, probably about eight to ten feet high. It's interesting to note that these plants, in a semi-shaded location, are so much further ahead of the same plant in full sun outside the restaurant. That one's flowers actually turn pale shades of green and red come September.

Across the street from those peegees, are a few absolutely beautiful purple and blue flowered hydrangeas. How could I resist sharing one of those with all you purple-lovers?!

Knowing that there was so much rain in the forecast for this week, I had been thinking that last night might be my best chance for a look at the Perseid Meteor showers...but sadly, the clouds moved in across the sky even before it was fully dark, obscuring the half-moon and the rest of the sky.

This evening, in the cool night (current temperature of 63F) following the earlier rain, the crickets are singing all up and down the street.

Skies remain dark and cloudy and our forecast advises us that thunderstorms remain possible well into morning. I might even be hearing just a little distant thunder now. Actually, the Olympics have just been interrupted for an EAS warning about a Severe Thunderstorm Warning. So, I think I'll be posting this and shutting down the computer.

However, there's some sunshine in the forecast for mid-week, so I'm hoping I'll get to see a few meteors then. Have a good night everyone.