Happy Chinese New Year to all. Welcome to the year of the Monkey.

Caflowerlover, I have an old snowfire bush, at least 40 years old. Not my favorite, but it's one tough bush, isn't it? Lots of stickers. Here's penstemon blooming in a local botanical garden. Another two-tone flower.

All of caseynfld's answers are correct. P. Is the Brooklyn Bridge, not the Roebling Suspension Bridge, although both are quite similar and both were built by Johnathan A. Roebling. The one in Cincinnati was built as a proof-of-concept to show the design would work before he was allowed to build the Brooklyn Bridge. The only picture I can find of the Roebling Suspension Bridge is from back in the 70's when it was known simply as "The Suspension Bridge" When it was built, Mr. Roebling wasn't allowed to have the bridge line up with the roads on either side of the river, to intentionally make it difficult to use to avoid being too disruptive to the business of the ferry boat operators

I've been off work since last Wednesday finishing projects around the house. Spent this weekend cleaning all weekend (not just clean, but using the steam cleaner on my hands and knees scrubbing the floors kind of cleaning). I've been buying and preparing food. All that was left? To put the just cooked pie on the counter. sigh. At least there was time enough to make another before guests came. The pot holder sits where I threw it down.