Since last Friday, the beautiful deep red Asian lilies have been opening up. Not only are they fragrant, but they’re really big, bright and beautiful. Click on the image below to see full size.

Last weekend when we went to the Botanic Garden for the model railroad exhibition, we took a walk through some of our favorite sections. We’re virtually certain to find our way to the cactus and succulents garden, since it’s one of our favorite parts of the garden.

When in the garden, when I’m not taking a panoramic image, I just might be getting an image pair to merge into a 3D image. I stood to the east of the cactus garden and got this shot looking back. On the left, you can see a golden torch cactus. An agave is on the right. In the center, a yucca stalk extends upward. In the background you can see many beautiful and interesting succulents. Click on the image to enlarge.

As usual, you can view a 2D version here.

These have been so delightful to have in the patio garden this year. This one was especially pretty in the morning sunlight. Click on the image to enlarge.

One of our readers, Be-bop Bev, likes us to post pictures of “Bear,” our German Shepherd/Labrador mix companion. So, here goes . . .

Sometimes, Bear is so cute! I took this picture of her just after she had a “Frosty Paws” doggie ice cream treat. Notice the white chin fur. She is seemingly asking for another when she gets in your face just afterward. Click on the image to enlarge.

Last weekend when we were at the Botanic Garden, we saw this pretty cactus flower still in bloom. Not many of these bloom this late in the season, but we did have a warm spell last month. What ever the reason may be, it’s still very pretty. Click on the image to enlarge.

On this first Veterans Day after Verna’s Dad passed away, we would like to re-post this information about our favorite veteran . . .

Dad and Navy Patrol Squadron VP-26

It has been over sixty years since Verna’s Dad served in the U.S. Navy. He was stationed at Gibraltar in 1948 where Navy Patrol Squadron 26 had a detachment at the time.

The Cold War was fully in progress, and Dad’s Squadron was right in the thick of it all. He was a flight crew member and flew missions on the Navy version of the old B24 - the PB4Y-2 ‘Privateer.’ He flew missions all over the Mediterranean, Europe, the North Atlantic Ocean and back to the US for logistics and repairs.

Image: PB4Y-2 similar to ones in Dad’s squadron.

I did the research on his old squadron and brought him a package of information and history about VP-26, complete with pictures and the squadron patch seen above. That triggered a lot of old memories and discussions with Bill about his adventures in VP-26.

This mission statement is taken from the VP-26 Website:

Patrol Squadron VP-26, a member of Patrol Wing FIVE, is a Maritime Patrol Squadron with a worldwide theater of operations. Mission areas include: Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Anti-Surface Warfare (ASU), Command and Control Warfare (C2W), Command, Control, and Communications (CCC), Intelligence (INT), Mine Warfare (MIW), and Mobility (MOB). Although the “TRIDENTS” are homeported at U.S. (Naval Air Station) NAS Brunswick, Maine, their reputation is known throughout the world. The Tridents have demonstrated success in all of these tasks and in all the services performed, one thing remains constant: Team Trident is at the ready, supporting the mission… Anytime… Anywhere!

I downloaded the history file that I found on the VP-26 website and have made it available here in case you want to read about Dad’s old squadron. Click here for the Complete VP-26 History (PDF).

Even though this is a close up of the red part of this tricolor potted kalanchoe, there is also a yellow and orange section. We picked it up last Friday and brought it to Mom’s house today.

According to Bachman’s floral gifts and garden website, the flowering Kalanchoe is known in England as Flaming Katy because when it is kept in bright sunlight, the leaves develop lots of red along the edges. Among the flowering Kalanchoes, the bloom colors include red, yellow, orange, white, lilac and pink.

Click on the image for a close-up.