Plant your tulip bulbs now . . .

This article was published in May 2008 showing the Dutch bulb fields photographed from the air.

The photo above shows six million tulips coming into flower. The bulbs were planted in late October and early November and are ready to be picked in May. They are sold as bunches of cut flowers in floral shops and supermarkets. More than three billion tulips are grown each year and two-thirds of the vibrant blooms are exported, mostly to the U.S. and Germany.

Their dazzling colors are thanks to the years in the 17th century when Tulipmania swept the globe and the most eye-catching specimens changed hands for a small fortune.

This colorful landscape is a short-lived phenomenon. When the flowers are gone, the land will be cultivated for vegetables.

Enjoy your Sunday. Don't these photos make you want to plant bulbs? I have to stick with daffodils because the deer have eaten every tulip I ever planted. Boo Hoo.

Defend Equality ~ Love Unites | must see . . .

DEFEND EQUALITY

LOVE UNITES

The poster above illustrates Keith Olbermann's compelling video. Once you start watching you will not be able to turn away. This is the best thing I have ever seen from him. Please watch...you will not be sorry.

Pollen mixture magnified through an electron microscope . . .

Pollen from a variety of common plants: sunflower, morning glory, hollyhock, lily, primrose and caster bean. The largest one at center is nearly 100 microns wide (human hair is approximately 100 microns thick). (Dartmouth Electron Microscope Facility ~ Dartmouth College)

Now I know why honey bees are so fond of pollen---because it is so beautiful!

Please visit The Big Picture for a fascinating 32-photo essay entitled Peering into the Micro World.

My favorite quote by William Morris . . .

A page torn from an old Good Housekeeping magazine.



William Morris 1834-1896
British writer, designer, artist and socialist.

The trials and tribulations of living with a cat . . .

Cold and rainy here.

Brrr! Shiver.

Considering a nap.

Or a movie.

Or a cup of tea.

The aristocratic cat in the photo would never resort to the tactics of the cat in the video.

Just something silly to amuse you until my creative juices start flowing again.

Also experimenting with a new arrangement of photo and text. I wonder how it will look when uploaded? UPDATE: I didn't nap or watch a movie or drink tea...raked leaves instead! Hooray.

Trees are your best antiques . . .

Alexander Smith, (1830-1867) Scottish Poet

My photograph. I planted 600 trees at my previous residence. I had a lot of them transplanted here when I moved. This blue spruce is approximately 18 years old and almost as tall as a telephone pole. The beautiful grove of evergreens in front of my house shields it from the road very nicely.

Old friends say goodbye . . .

Antique dealer sells his magic lantern.

Image by Charles Addams ~ photographed from one of my old books.

This illustrates the fun of the hunt; always hoping to make a find.

Thanks for stopping by the cottage! ~Rosemary

Some of the things I love about fall . . .

Another photo I took at the farm market in October.

More information about Mark Van Doren.

Thanks for stopping by!

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Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Stamp 1809--2009 . . .

The U.S. Postal service will issue this stamp set on February 9, 2009 to mark the 200th anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln. It is very fitting that our first African American President will take his oath of office 3 weeks before the Lincoln bicentennial.

Fall is full of Chrysanthemums . . .

I took this photo in October. Does that count for a November quote?

Information on the quote's author.

JUAN GRIS Painting circa 1915 brings $20 million . . .

"Book, Pipe and Glasses,” a 1915 oil on canvas by Juan Gris, brought a record price of $20 million on Thursday evening.

November 6, 2009 2008 ~ Christie's New York auction of Impressionist and Modern art.

When the Juan Gris, came up, three bidders methodically went for the painting, which has a distinguished exhibition history. Two hopefuls on the telephone competed with Franck Giraud, a New York dealer. It was Mr. Giraud who took home the winning $20.8 million bid, paying above the painting’s high $18.5 million estimate. (After the sale he said he had bid on behalf of an American collector whom he declined to name.)

The hammer price includes premiums paid to Christie's. New York Times.

"Take care of your antiques and they' will take care of you."

Farm Stand Beauties . . .

My photograph: October 2008.

Captured water drop . . .

Photographed on my Sunday morning walk.

Ha Ha Ha -- Couldn't resist . . .

Baroque Obama 1708

Catching up on neglected domestic tasks this weekend . . .

I have been avoiding housework far too long.
Hopefully I will be able to play catch-up all weekend. Wish me luck!
image: Shorpy

Saturday Fun . . .

Enjoy your Saturday. Have some fun if you can!

Explore your inner child.

Dog with tongue in peanut butter jar . . .

"A little nonsense now and then, is relished by the wisest men dog." anonymous
flickr foto

Antique Pennsylvania Watercolor with Dog and Birds . . .

DOWNINGTOWN, PA ~ November 4, 2008
Pook & Pook auction of the Americana Collection of Richard and Rosemarie Machmer.

"I love this thing," Ron Pook said as he sold lot 68, a vibrant Southeastern Pennsylvania watercolor fraktur bookplate dating from the early Nineteenth Century. It measures 2¾ by 4½ inches and depicts a dog chasing four birds. It had a presale estimate of $3/4,000, and apparently it was loved by others, as it sold for $25,740

"Take care of your antiques and they will take care of you."

YIKES ~ Million Dollar Stamp . . .

NEW YORK CITY: While the financial markets may be down, the market for rare stamps seems to be red hot. A single stamp issued by the US post office in 1868 sold for $1,035,000 in an auction here Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at Siegel Auction Galleries, which specializes in rare stamp auctions. The price includes the 15 percent buyer's premium.

"Take care of your antiques and they will take care of you."