Mary Soderstrom's Blog, page 10

Don't know why this is, but the lawns around here are full of clover this summer.  Not only people's patches of grass but also the wide sweeps of lawn that many parks feature are studded at the moment with millions of white clover flowers.

Clover is good for the soil, as its roots carry nitrogen-fixing bacteria.  It is resistant to traffic, and when in bloom it is very pretty.  Therefore seeing it in abundance does the spirit good.

Has the clover always been there, but has been mowed before it flowers?  Could be that the chat about how it's good to wait to mow in order to leave flowers for bees early in the season when there are not too many things in bloom has had an effect.

Don't know, but like the trend....

 

 Taking a break this week because our youngest grandchild came for a visit.  Lots of activity, and no time to think blog.

In this summer of smoke, I suppose we should be thankful for a showery, overcast day.  The rain will clar the air of some of the smoke from the fires in Northern Quebec, but things look pretty gloomy this afternoon.  At least the yellow speedwell is in bloom, and is enough to lift the spirit with its yellow brilliance.

 En français, of course.  

Cette année je ne sorte pas mon drapeaude Québec pour la Fête nationale, que j'ai affiché sur mon balcon depuis 30ans. Pour quoi ? Parce que je suis profondément déçue par le gouvernementactuel qui semble d'avoir l'appui de la grande majorité des Québécois.es

 

Par le passé, j'avaischicané avec des voisins anglophones au sujet de mon drapeau. J'ai insisté quela fête n'est pas pour seulement les « Québécois de souche. » Nous avons choisile Québec, pour, entre autres raisons, son projet social qui accueillait lemonde.

 

Mais les lois 21 et 96ainsi que les propos sur les immigrants des ministres du gouvernement caquistesnient à ce progressisme du passé. Cette année je mangerais des bonnes fraisesdu Québec, je jaserais avec mes voisins et amis en français, mais rien d'autre.

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 The daisies were in bloom last Sunday at Montreal's Technoparc and along Highway 50 between Montreal and Gatineau. 

The English name comes from "dægesege, formerly dæges eage, meaning “day’s eye,” because the petals of some species of daisy open at dawn and close at dusk.

"For the same reason, in Medieval Latin, a common term for daisy was solis oculus, meaning “sun’s eye.”

 

They're cheerful, whatever they are called, which is a very good thing in these days of trial.

 They're kind of hard to see, but here's Mama Goose and four babies who are resting after eating what seemed to be a delicious breakfast.  Summer is here!

 

  The glory continues.  This week it is Bridle Veil that is featured. 

 

 There are some springs when you hit it just right, and this is one of them.  The many crabapples in Mount Royal Cemetery were at the peak of their glory this morning.  So glad I took a walk there.

 Violets are taking over our neighbourhood!  Or so it looks this spring.  Fifteen years ago or so therewere hardly any: I rustled some from up the street and planted them in our front yard.  Perhaps others did similar things, because now most lawns are full of thm and one street over there are some glorious examples of what can happen when you don't cosset grass.

Undoubtedly as good for pollinators as lawns like this are good for the eye!