Bottle gentian growing wild in a nearby park. The flowers don't open anymore than this pic shows. Bumblebees, being strong enough to force open the flowers to get at the pollen, are the major pollinators of this wildflower.

Thanks Jim! Actually, I was planning on cedar shutters. It matches the shakes on the garage. I know it's hard to tell, I was trying to cover all the black with something. The other option is to take down the shutters and beef up the windows with wood painted more of the cream color. I'm still deciding. :)

Carriage ride in Cairo. (for a little extra bakeesh, he let me hold the reins) Igmd, one doesn't see grasshoppers like you used to even where I live in the country. I remember the big guys in your photo, they would spit "tobacco" on you!

Taken yesterday. Usually we've had our 1st frost or snow. Not this year.