Every time that we go to the Botanic Gardens, and we go often, we stroll through the Rose Garden. Last Friday was no exception. We were there a few weeks ago, and this fountain had been removed for cleaning and maintenance. Friday, it was back in its place and looked beautiful.

I stood at one end of the walkway and snapped two images for the 3D view.

Click on the image to see full sized in the image viewer.

Of course, in case you haven’t sent for your free pair of 3D glasses, you can see the 2D version here.

Whirligig is the nickname given to this Trailing African Daisy (osteospermum fruticosum). I snapped this picture last Friday at the Botanic Garden. Click on the image for the full-sized picture.

The Whirligig is a member of the Aster family, closely related to other mums and daisies with a single-tier of petals. It propagates well from cuttings and does well in the Southwestern United States. According to the Desert Tropicals website (Phoenix, AZ) this flower suffers in hotter climates like Phoenix, but is hardy when it comes to tolerating frost.

We sure love going to the Gardens all year long, but especially in the spring and summer months.

This is “Rosie the Riveter,” my rosewood-gripped S&W .38 special revolver. We were cleaning up after the weekly shoot today when I snapped this picture of her. Click image to enlarge.

Take a tall beer glass, add three inches of cold buttermilk and top off with 12 ounces of your favorite beer. Do not stir, but let the beer’s natural effervescence gently combine the mixture. Serve ice cold. Limit one due to lots of CALORIES! A nice summer tangy treat!

Verna and I went to the South Coast Botanic Gardens today. As we entered the Japanese Garden by the koi pond, we encountered a pair of Ruby Meadowhawk dragonflies (sympetrum rubicundulum) flitting about the area. One lighted on a lily by the pond and posed for this image. Click to enlarge.

True to their Papa, these six grandsons gladly took the burden of carrying their grandfather to his final rest. In the solemn and poignant moments between the parlor and the hearse and from the hearse to the vault, our boys did their duty with dignity and resolve.

On the left side of Papa’s casket, Timothy, Matthew and Austin - on the right side, Gerald, Steven and Tony. The boys all loved their grandfather and each one was proud to be a part of sending him off to eternity.

Click on the image to enlarge.

He was known to his family and friends as ‘Bill’ and ‘Dad’ to us. Dad lost his battle with cancer last evening. He had been in home-hospice for the last six months or so, being in his home with the family while receiving regular nursing and caretaker visits.

We visited several times a week during that time, keeping the family company and doing minor chores to help out. Dad seemed to enjoy having his family around in these last months and we were happy to have been there. Dad didn’t complain of pain much, and we’re thankful that he didn’t seem to suffer a lot.

We’ll miss him and always remember Dad - a really great guy and a good father.