Breathe

The other day, Jenn wondered what it might look like inside the sunflower blossom, and so this morning, I was able to catch a couple closer shots of this latest yellow mammoth, as context for this very busy bumbler. Each of them should get a bit bigger if you click.

I think one of the things that fascinates me about looking close at the sunflower is that you realize that what we think of as the flower is actually a whole garden of tiny flowers, arranged in a ring.

Those big yellow petals are like flags, landing strip markers...something to indicate to the pollinators that there's something wonderful here. It does seem there is never a sunflower without some busy bee digging diligently through it.



Just about every morning lately, the two Super Sweet 100 plants have been providing me a handful of tasty cherry tomatoes as a breakfast-y snack while I'm exploring the border. I think that's actually why I like having them out there. Convenient snacking while gardening.

I suppose there are worse reasons to choose a plant. When I am patient enough to let these little beauties get to that perfectly deep red shade, they are a rich sweet mouthful of Wow.

The portulaca isn't blooming quite as steadily as it had earlier in the season, though the six little plants I bought have grown into a lovely tangled cloud of succulent foliage around the base of my Flower sign.

Perhaps part of the problem is that they are now a bit shaded by giant sunflowers, corn, sulphur cosmos and cleome. But every now and then, there's a rosy little blossom to enjoy.

And in the category of Things For Enjoying, the clematis vine on the lamp post, which is now almost entirely a study in frilly seedheads, has this morning presented one more purply-blue flower.

One of the things I love best about August is that the dragonflies don't seem to be in a hurry to get anywhere. In July, they flit about, exploring the world, getting to know one another, eating their share of the more annoying insects. Dragonfly business. It's nearly impossible to get a good photo of them.

But then August arrives and I suppose we all slow down just a little, or want to. And if you want a good dragonfly photo, that's exactly what you have to do.

This little dragonfly perched on a dried daylily stalk along the walk in the back yard late this morning, seeming to enjoy a peaceful moment to soak in the warm sunshine.

It was one of those mornings where the sun seemed to come and go a little, fading now and then behind a bit of cloud, it's color and brightness ebbing and flooding like the wash of the tide. There was an easy rustle of trees and their leaves as the wind seemed to do the same thing, the tide becoming long, deep breaths.

Today, the dragonfly wasn't just enjoying a quiet August moment. I felt like he'd stopped by with a message for me. Something about being still and steady now and then, and remembering to take the time to enjoy the warmth of the sun.

And to breathe.

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.

Brilliant Colors

Sunday already. And as an extra surprise, it's suddenly almost August. Darn, that happens every July. Wasn't it just the Fourth? Anyway...it started out as a lovely day, bright and sunny, not too warm, almost no humidity. On the whole, t'was very nice. And since I'd gotten a very healthy night's sleep (I seem to be dreaming about all you other bloggers lately, if the last couple of nights are an indication. Nice of you to drop in that way, at least!)

I just loved this combination of thistle and morning glory. I briefly considered the portulaca shot just below as the header image...but then I considered the purple shading in the throat of that morning glory, and how it seemed to completely pick up the purples of the thistle and well, polls closed.

Still, the way the sun was playing on these yellow portulacas, you can see where it might not be an easy call.

I was surprised to discover that it is still awards season. I'd thought the Tonys really were the last ones 'til next year...but then I was surprised this past week with an honor I'm a little belated about accepting, in the form of the Brillante Award.

The award was presented to me by Curt, over at Walking With Duncan, a blog which is most definitely high on my Daily Reads list. Every day, Curt and Duncan go walking and while Duncan tends to doggy business, Curt examines the world around him...sometimes at a distance, other times right up close.

That is, when he and Dunc aren't wrestling in the grass...or bunny-hunting...or just watching the sun set over the Rocky Mountains. Most times, reading Walking With Duncan is as heart-warming and soothing as sitting in that patch of daisies in Bloom County used to be back in the Eighties. For a start, let me recommend "Dear Ken", a recent post that doubled as love letter to his absent partner.

Curt is, as they say, made of teh Awesome.

I must say, the Brillante is one of the more stunning-looking awards, very tasteful and elegant. I can see it now, on a simple pedestal, refracting the sunlight in all directions in the garden, tho possibly also setting off a brushfire or two in the process.

I wouldn't have it without my own audience of blog readers, though, you who inspire me with your visits and your own writing to keep finding even better pictures and more interesting or amusing things to say about it all for you...so thanks, everybody. (Yawn...) Hey, who yawned? Joe, it was you, wasn't it?

Now the rules are as follows (because with these awards, it's not just about basking in the limelight, taking a couple bows and catching a few bouquets chucked in your general direction): In accepting, I must now:

1) Put the logo on my blog.

2) Add a link to the person who awarded me (even tho he's already in my blogroll...but he's a W, so who knows how often you get around to scrolling down that far--the blogroll has just swelled with terrific reads of late, it seems).

3) Nominate at least seven other blogs. (The "at least" part isn't hard...it's the limiting to only seven blogs that'd be harder. But since the orchestra's already starting to play in low under me, I'll just direct you to scan the blogroll--there's loads of great blogs to enjoy there!)

4) Include links to those blogs here.

5) Finally, I must then leave messages on the blogs of those nominated, so they can have their moment of glory, as well. Formal attire, folks, is not required.

[A note: I understand many of my favorite bloggers are busy folks, so I mean to thrust no obligation on you. I just think you're terrific, that's all, and this seemed like a fun way to say so!]


And so, with no further adieu, I'll let the blogging hijinks begin with the links portion of the show. In no particular order, I present to you:

Strelitzia: Birdie is relatively new to blogging, but set up shop just in time to chronicle an amazing journey of growth and discovery she and her family experienced this spring. A self-described beach bum (among assorted other hats) she writes with warmth, humor and compassion on a variety of subjects. The world is only just discovering how lucky it is to have someone like Birdie in it. Plus she's got excellent taste in music.

Lost in the Landscape: James is an artist/gardener who chronicles his adventures in nature as he gardens year-round on the edge of the desert in San Diego and explores the world around him. He's all about examining and contemplating the natural world and our place within the larger scheme of it. His writing is simple and photographs are delightful...he even has a bog garden...so you can forgive his distaste for most yellow flowers. And now that the state of California has smartened up, he's also a newlywed!!

Tiger By the Tale: Tigeryogiji is, well, how can I put this? Just fab-ulous! Formerly the Ashram at Pooh Corner, Tiger presents a day-brightening array of music video and still photos. But it's not all Pet Shop Boys, ABBA and Bollywood Hunks. You'll also find an amusing and thoughtful assortment of comments on current and personal events, including the latest adventures of the newly arrived, and highly adorable Teddyji.

My Life, Or Something Like It: What to say about Java? A friend to gay people everywhere, she writes with honesty and heart about the business and pleasure of riding herd on a houseful of kids and a husband named Superman. Hopefully, the air conditioning is finally fixed for the summer! I said to Java recently, "my computer wants me to upgrade to a new version of you, but I like you just the way you are."


Loose Ends: Patrick is not just your typical mid-western hunk-turned-actor come to seek his fortune in Manhattan. With good humor and a heart the size of Central Park, his blog reveals to us the city's best side with his regular sojourns in search of wild peacefulness in Gotham's green spaces. And he's my favorite blogger who makes a living showing his best side. His recent "music video" is not to be missed!

Sticky Crows: Another daily pleasure for me. You never know quite what will spill from the mind of our beloved Tornwordo as he enjoys his morning bagel. There's on-foot explorations of Montreal, married life, the always lovely Sara, the whole HNT business...or if we're very lucky, something about poop. I'm sure he'd tell us he could quit Tootsie Pops anytime he wanted, and I certainly appreciate his support and cheerleading about staying smoke free myself (8 fantastic days now!). There's some bonus crows down below, too!

Center of Gravitas: I'm sure GayProf has a whole closet full of these little statues, or he would, if he wasn't continually declining such honors as a means of making political statements against the state of Texas and idiots in general. Of course, we can't know that for sure. It's entirely possible he's been waiting for just such an occasion to break out that Wonder Woman outfit and lasso himself a shiny statuette with his golden Lariat of Truth. Hey, don't laugh--this is serious. Remember: gravitas.

So, there you have it, that's seven. Like I said, there's a world of great blogs out there, though, so surf on over to one of 'em soon...but not til you finish reading here, buddy!

Whew...so, with that delightful honor out of the way (I'll send out notifications when I'm through!), I turn your attention to the Garden. It's what you all come here for anyway, right?

As you can see, things are delightfully out of hand as summer reaches it's mid-point. I know, it's not Mid-Summer...but as July prepares to fade into August, it's suddenly clear the days are getting just a smidge shorter already (say it ain't so!) and before too long, it'll be time to worry about heating costs again.

But for now, there's beauty spilling out everywhere you look in the garden.

While the daisies are making what is probably their last stand, the thistle has only just begun, the bachelor's buttons are blooming more profusely with each day (and when it's not windy, I'll try photographing them some more!), and the curly grass is sneaking it's way into everyone's class photos.

This week looks like it will include the start of the long-anticipated cosmos and I noticed this morning that the Casa Blanca lily--my absolute favorite of the oriental varieties--should be bursting into glorious, perfumed bloom before long.



Crows just amaze me. I love to watch the way they walk and hop around. I love the sound of their voices - all their different voices - and the way they call back and forth across a territory to one another. It's cool they all come to one another's aid when one of the bigger predatory birds makes the scene with an idea about nest raiding.

Today, these guys were foraging around the grounds of the restaurant, where we've recently had a little treework done. I was happy they didn't fly off as quickly as they usually do, because I just can't get enough of a good close look at 'em.


Yesterday's weather was glorious, sunny and warm with n'ary a hint of the humidity we'd seen earlier in the week.

A beautiful blue sky backed everything, punctuated with some dramatic and delightful cotton puffs of white cloud.

Today, the ride to work wasn't quite so thrilling, as the skies behind those white clouds began filling in with more clouds, covering over that brilliant blue that makes my soul feel all happy and calm.

As one month draws to a close and another stands poised to begin, there was plenty for me to do in the office today, so I bought no disappointment about the weather. Especially since there was a good possibility I might not need to water the garden again tomorrow, if everything went well.

By the end of the afternoon, the skies were looking like this.

And also like this.

It grew darker and more cloudy as I headed for home and naturally, I was still not quite home when the first giant raindrops began to pelt, splattering large on the car windshield, as the first rumbles of thunder began to sound over the music on the radio.

By the time I'd parked, the sky was raining down fresh buckets of water and there was nothing to do but go inside and watch from the window, all the while explaining to Em that there'd be a slight delay on the evening's walk and she should just calm down a little. : )

Fortunately, the first downpour didn't last all that long, about fifteen minutes, and the radar map showed an even bigger business heading our way in a little while, so Em and I didn't even wait for the rain to stop entirely, heading out for our nightly tour of Not Wisteria Lane.

On the way out, I spotted this creature on the flagstone path and managed to get Em to stop while I had a closer look.

Until such time as I hear back from the identification experts over at BugGuide.net, I'm officially christening this the Big Horny Bug, as a sort of fun contrast to the whole church-y business of this morning. As always, I'll update this when more information comes my way!

[EDIT: 7/28/08: This, I am told, is the Broad-Necked Root Borer, also known as P. latticollis. If you click here, you'll learn that Java may have been right in her assessment to kill them as grubs: they essentially eat trees from the inside out. I wonder where this one had come to the path from.]
Apologies to those of you who are now hyperventilating at the sight of this creature, which was about two inches long. He was pretty mellow though, clambering easily onto a piece of wood I held out in front of him, but thankfully not creeping me out by approaching any closer across what was a small piece of wood as I transported him out of the pathway and into the rainy grass.

Here, take a look at these pretties instead:

Sunday Garden Report

Through some unfortunate set of circumstances I've yet to completely comprehend, I found myself awake at 6:30 this morning. Not a bad thing, per se, unless you've stayed up until 2:00 a.m. watching the first Michael Keaton Batman movie on television.

But that's okay, there was coffee, and I had a project I wanted to tend to before heading off to a day of fun in Happy Function Land. You see, the mails brought a treat this week, from my friend The Rhet. She'd been to an iris swap recently and, aware of the minimal show of irises currently available at the Midnight Garden, put together a small sampler box of roots from her Baltimore garden and sent them winging in my direction.

They'd arrived in fine shape, if a little parched (it was a hot week to travel in a box, after all). To prevent any nasty Maryland buggies from gaining a beachhead here in Massachusetts, I set them up for an overnight soak in water, with just a capful of bleach.

This morning, they were ready to be planted and so after that all-important first cup of coffee, out we went to the border to find suitable homes for each of the new additions.

Who knows? Perhaps numbered in this bunch will be my first scented iris, or maybe one of those new-fangled re-bloomers for the 2009 season! Already I'm giddy with anticipation...

I'm especially fond of the Rhet's unconventional plant tags. I'm also quite fond of her unique handwriting, which I've known for more of my life than not at this point...but I also simply enjoy the economy of it all.

After all, once the roots are planted, the leaves should be cut right down (and were...by the way, if you've not already done so with your irises, now's a fine time of year for that...it'll tidy them up and you'll have new green leaves by August...) to push that energy down into the roots. No doubt in a week or two, new leaves will form to gather solar energy for next spring's show.

In the meantime, I have some possibilities to drool over. I love the one that says "Probably Purple", but the Polish Princess with gold, yellow and lavendar sounds pretty delightful, too! Thank you, my dear!!


These happy golden marigolds echoed the color of the cloud-obscured sun this morning, as the temperature was already climbing toward the 80s in the early hours. Humidity never really abated in the night, as our tropical wave continues.





This purple hydrangea is still a bit overgrown, but certainly flowering nicely now that I've freed it from the bonds of the rampaging bindweed.





I know I've shown off these pretty portulaca before, but just look at it. What a spectacularly perfect little flower, how could you not love it?


Of course, if I get enough protests from you who are sick to death of them (yah, it's a challenge...you wanna take me and the Nicodemon on, do you? Heh heh...), I'll stop showing them off. Maybe.



More of the bachelor's buttons continue to reveal themselves each morning. What's better than a flower you grew from seed?

There are more than a few of these delicious blue guys, but some of the other colors continue to reveal themselves, like this bright rosy pink version.

Sorry the pic is a little on the crappy side, but with the tropical humidity we are also seeing a lot of gusty winds (filed under Y for "yay, a breeze!"), which make flower photography a special challenge.

Meanwhile, in another part of the garden, another variety of sunflower has joined in the great chorus of July. Purty, ain't it?
Last evening, it was the Turkeys. Tonight, while Emily and I were on our walk around the block, we crossed paths with a family of gray ducks. Again, a momma with six young ones, no longer babies, but still not quite the size of their parent. They herded together at the sight of us and waddled off through the hedge of someone's yard.

I didn't have my camera with me. I think you'll understand that wrangling eighty pounds of Herself as well as managing bags of poo is really quite enough, without having to juggle pricey electronic equipment, too. I went back with the camera when our walk was through, but they were gone.

On an unrelated note, a few of you have encouraged me to be kind and treat myself as I travel this path away from the Cigarettes (day three went well, thanks!) and I wanted to let you know about one of those treats. I've recently discovered the Green Machine, one of the juice smoothies from the folks at www.nakedjuice.com at one of our local convenience stores.

At $2.99 a bottle, it's not cheap, but it's still half what I was spending on a pack of cigarettes and so much tastier. As an added bonus, it's got spirulina, which for some reason I just love. It makes me feel all good inside. Plus, it's green!

Here's the windblown garden as I returned from my half-hearted search for the ducks. It's looking a bit overgrown just now, since the edging needs to be done, the grass is ready for mowing and plenty of the allyssum are ready for deadheading. But the dianthus are beginning a second flush of blooming and with the bachelor buttons coming on strong and the cleome taking center stage, it's still quite a lot of fun.
In the foreground (at the base of the closest sunflower stalk) is a nearly invisible blue-green cloud of thistle foliage, which is simply covered with flower buds that'll be opening into little purply-pink blossoms sometime this week, too.

Meme-Day

Having posted at a reasonable hour last night, I thought I was going to get to sleep at a reasonable time, too. But then I installed the Babel Fish widget, in hopes of being more welcoming to foreign blog-readers...and then stayed up entirely too late seeing how cool the Midnight Garden looked in a host of other languages. (Sorry, Sh@ney: I tried to get one for you Aussies, but they say it's the same language! Who knew?)

Although I'd heard the lightest shower in the night, everything was dry this morning and the sun shining bright, despite forecasts to the contrary...so I tended to watering as usual, with coffee in hand.

So, Java...dear Java (whom I hope to someday visit, perhaps coordinated with a visit to the Park Seed company, since she is in their neighborhood)...has meme-d me. I'm not always a big fan of these, since they can encourage us toward that whole business of Too Much Information the internet spawns with its faux anonymity.

But they can be fun, too...and an enjoyable way to get to know interesting tidbits about fellow bloggers. Or is it? And so, here we go:


THE MEME OF FIFTEEN

1. What did you want to be when you grew up?

A railroad engineer. Then one of the Kids From "FAME".

2. What are you now?

A catering director, a gardener, a blogger and an aspiring beach bum, among other things.

3. What fictional character(s) did you identify with as a child?

Batman, Wonder Woman, Superman, for their ability to hide their secrets while still doing amazing things to benefit the world around them.

4. How about now?

Those three, still. But also Mole, from The Wind in the Willows, who is good-natured, easy-going and somewhat uninitiated in the ways of the world.

5. What is your "Gay Pride" song?

"Go West", by the Village People. Which is funny, because I actually went East.

6. What is your drag song (we ALL have one)?

Ha ha, easy: "Le Jazz Hot" from Victor/Victoria.

7. Earliest memory?

Hard to be sure, so many have been supplemented with lots of photos, home movies and family anecdotes over the years that I find myself at a loss to really think of the first thing I truly remember. Perhaps t'was walking around in the grass outside the apartment building, something about dandelions. Or it might've been trains.


8. Memory you'd like to forget?

A hot night spent in a cold, uncomfortable place, as the Universe tried to tell me things I refused to hear. If only I had chosen differently.

9. If you ran for a seat in political office, what would be your platform(s)?

I'm more likely to run for a seat on a trolley. But I'd want to address health care for everyone, a revitalized transportation infrastructure (railroads made this nation great and can return its former glory if given half a chance), greater support of education and the arts...and gardens and seed for everyone!


10. Winehouse. Want her to succeed or are you over her?

The "Rehab" girl/singer? Not sure I know enough to care, or care enough to know, really. Next.

[For the next three answers, "Love" being such a complicated business, I've decided to defer to some of our modern age's philosophers and poets. Can you name them?]

11. The first person you thought you loved?

I was sleeping and right in the middle of a good dream, like all at once I wake up from something that keeps knocking at my brain. Before I go insane, I hold my pillow to my head and spring up in my bed screaming out the words I dread.


12. The first person you actually loved?

I'll make you happy, baby, just wait and see. For every kiss you give me I'll give you three. Oh, since the day I saw you, I have been waiting for you. You know I will adore you till eternity.


13. The person you love now?

And maybe love is letting people be just what they want to be. The door always must be left unlocked. To love when circumstance may lead someone away from you and not to spend the time just doubting.

14. If you could be, do, have, own, or possess anything you wanted, what would it be?

A quiet place in the country, maybe alongside some railroad tracks. Nothing big, a small house with a big porch, a little greenhouse and just enough land to have a few different microclimates for creating different kinds of gardens and habitats to wander around in, and being able to look up now and then to watch some trains going by. Put another way, "a tracthouse of our own, somewhere that's green."


15. Even if you are in love with someone right now, who are you/could you be crushing on right now?

Are you kidding me? This is where memes collapse to like the Fifth Grade level. (Who asked you to ask me this?) No, really; it would be indiscreet to say.

I'll just go with Carter Oosterhouse. Are you kidding me? That smile, those eyes, that hair...America's Favorite Handyman, indeed!


While I'm on a roll, Mary of City Garden tagged me back in June with a meme I haven't come through on, yet...so with no further adieu:

6 RANDOM THINGS ABOUT ME

1. My first dog was a beagle named Popcorn. She was a bad girl. Because of the predominance of dogs in our neighborhood named for snack food, someone once remarked that a summer evening on our street was like being at a baseball game: "Licorice! Candy! Popcorn! Taffy!"

2. I think the best dessert in the whole wide world is trifle. You've got cake, pudding, fruit, jam and booze. I ask you, what's not to love?

3. It simply wouldn't be Spring without a host of cheerful pansies in a raft of wonderful colors.

4. I think "Brokeback Mountain" was a pretty terrific movie. The soundtrack from the film always leaves me a little sad and wistful, but in a good way.

5. You know that screen saver with all the multiple-lined polygons that swirl and bounce off the edges of the screen and is constantly changing shape and color? I could watch that for days.

6. Every time I hear the rumble of thunder, I go take a seat on the porch area out in front of the house. It's under the eaves, to keep me dry, but I love a front row seat for a good lightning storm. The storms always seem to fizzle before they get to us, or turn and go in a different direction.

(Thanks, Mary, for your patience with me. It was June when you tagged me and there was so much going on in the garden.)


I suppose I'm a spoil-sport for not tagging anyone to carry on after me. If you'd like to pick up the thread of one, or the other, or both memes, at your blog, have at it!


Of course, all this meme-ing might lead one to believe that there's nothing going on in the garden worth talking about, and mostly, that might be true.

But I'm happy to share with you this first yarrow flowerhead. I found this seedling in the lawn early this spring and carefully transplanted it into the garden bed. I have since, on no less than three different occasions, accidentally dug the thing up and had to replant it...so I give it major props for having bloomed for me. I hope it will be the first of many.


Here's a few of those chamomile seedlings which I'd spotted recently. Really, they have moved past the point of being "seedlings", I think, as it looks like some of them are fixing to bloom.

Anyone care for a spot of tea?


The day came and went without rain until this evening, when we had a bit of a shower for about fifteen minutes. It was probably just enough to cool down the pavement and the plants. If we don't get more overnight, I'll still need to water in the morning.

Before it rained, I did grab a plastic pot and some shears and spent some time deadheading the border. It's fairly time-consuming, that's true, but for every fading flower I snip off, there'll be one or two new ones. It's mostly marigolds and pansies in there, but also some allyssum, a few daisies, a bit of lychnis and some dianthus...and a couple fading lilies from the red asiatics.

There's more to do, but then again, there always is.



Hey, you know that July 14th is Bastille Day over in France, right? It commemorates the overthrow of the monarchy of King Louis XVI and his wife, Marie Antoinette and the birth of the republic of France.

And I'm just peasant enough to celebrate with a nice big piece of cake.