BLUE BUTTERFLY BUSH IN THE RAIN

     This is such a beautiful plant.  Butterfly bush/clerodendrum.  I love blue flowers!  It's growing next to my garden shed and I can see it from my kitchen and studio.  It was just starting to rain, so I couldn't get a good photo, but will try again tomorrow, if the rain doesn't crush the butterfly blooms.
     My goldfish in the pond love when it's raining.  They dart up and down and around, playing in the rain.  A redbud tree spreads it's branches, just above the fish pond and that keeps the rain from hitting the water too hard.  It's fun to watch the fish playing.
     Can't believe it's raining again!  We've been in such a horrible drought.  But, the weather people have been saying we will have a wetter summer and I guess they got it right this time!

ANIMAL CONTROL AND A VERY SAD DAY!!!

     Today has been a sad day.  I have a neighbor who had several cats and two or three of them were from stray mamas dropping them off because my neighbor would (only) sometimes feed them.  But, their diet was the worst!!  Her cats were weak, not terribly healthy and I felt so sorry for them.  I always left water out and extra food.  Finally, one of her friends reported her to animal control because my neighbor would laugh about not feeding them.  It has been a very sad situation for a long time.  Yesterday, animal control came by and told her to bring the cats in today.  This morning, she was rounding them up to put them in cages.  Because they weren't in the best shape, I'm afraid they are going to be put to sleep and I keep wondering if it's happened yet!!!  A little while ago, as I passed by her house, there were no cats in her front yard. 
     I'm just so sad because I'll miss seeing them.  And, it's just so sad that so many people are insensitive to the suffering and welfare of animals.  Maybe it's for the best that they are gone, but it's still very, very sad.  And, this situation could have been prevented, if only my neighbor had been more sensitive and caring.
     (I've tried to keep this post decent and as I was typing, I had to keep revising my thoughts.  But believe me, I have very strong thoughts and very strong words in my mind, when thinking about the #x!%^ next door!!!)

BIG OL' FROG FOR MY FISH POND

I was in T.J. MAXX and found this big ol' frog.  I LOVE the color and just had to have him for my fish pond.  I can see him from my studio window and love all of these colors.  Because of the good rains we've been blessed with, everything is looking so lush and green.