Monday, May 31, 2010

In Rememberance, From Relatively Speaking


Today, Anne, and Karen and I are remembering our loved ones and ancestors that have so honorable served, may they never be forgotten. 

Below a local grave site of a war hero, whose name cannot be read on that small white stone, but, someone remembers his (or her) name and his (or her) service and marks his (or her) grave with the red, white and blue.  May he (or she) rest in peace, thank you for your service.



Copyright 2010, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

.

Sunday, May 30, 2010

The Sewing Kit, More on the Possible Owner

Late last evening, I posted about a little sewing kit I now believe belonged to Edna May Fenton Stevens.

Our first take was, this was something that Son # 3's grandfather carried during WWII.  But, my late evening research last night made me question this.  You can revisit that entire post here.

Cousin Anne, asked: “could it be a world war I soldier's kit? “

Yes, Anne, maybe it could be, the time frame seems to fit. To discuss this, let's review the relationships, noting Son # 3 assumed this sewing kit belonged to his grandfather, Art.

Art's parents were Edna and Art Stevens, only Art Stevens, the husband of Edna was also known as Archie Lashbrook.  (Full name, Archibald Norman Lashbrook)

I have discussed Edna before here at Reflections.  Edna was the subject of my contribution to the 91st Carnival of Genealogy, A Tribute to Women! The Biography, where I discuss her secretiveness and the years of her life that we have NO information on, her MIA years.  Fact, I have NO idea where Edna was from 1901 to 1918 when she married Art/Archie.

I have briefly mentioned Art/Archie, husband of Edna and father of Art.  I need to write more about Archie, he is interesting to say the least, this name changing stuff, and more secrets!  Fact, I have no idea where Art/Archie was for parts of 1916, 1917 and 1918.  I have some ideas tho.  Before 1916 and after 1918 I know where he was and pretty much, what he was doing.

Most references I have found state that WWI began in 1914, so, time wise, Art/Archie could have served during WWI, but only part of 1916, 1917 and the first months of 1918.  I have nothing that tells me he did, nothing that tells me he did not, except dates, he married Edna in May of 1918, WWI did not end till November of 1918.  Maybe sometime I will turn up a document or something, but, so far, nadda.

So, there are more questions than answers. Art, the WWII solider, could have indeed carried this little sewing kit to war, something we will probably never know (while we are on this side). Maybe his mother, Edna, gave it to him.  Maybe it was really Art/Archie's little sewing kit, as I noted above, it is possible that he served in WWI. 

So, yes, Anne, it could be a WWI issue sewing kit.  Now, I will never profess to understanding all this war stuff, but, unless this sewing kit was a gift from the USO or something akin to that, I have to say, that I seriously doubt that Uncle Sam would issue gear with a private endorsement, everything I have ever seen was clearly government issue with US stamped all over it.

(A quick google tells us that the USO was organized in 1941, well after WWI. )

I still feel the sewing kit belonged to Edna, and her son, Art had kept it as a memento.

The box Son # 3 and I photographed last night also contained a Zippo lighter and a tie tack. These items I know belonged to Art (Son # 3's grandfather) and I know they did not go to war with Art. So, the box contents are not exclusively WWII era items.

Photo, the Zippo, which may very well be the infamous "burned the hand" Zippo.  Another story waiting to be told.

Karen  also addressed the sewing kit, “Interesting find - is that piece below the thread the "lid", perhaps?” Yes, Karen, that is the lid.


*Thanks for the questions Anne and Karen, made me revisit, rethink, contemplate, all good things.

Copyright 2010, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

.

Saturday, May 29, 2010

Making New Family History, Discovering A Small Piece of Old Family History

Been an exhausting day around here, started early, included a LONG shopping trip with my soon to be new daughter-in-law.  Small matter of needing a dress for the upcoming wedding, my hating shopping and to my delight, discovering that she does not like it much either!  We had a grand time, rushing around through the stores, laughing at how we kept finding clothing we might buy if we were not on the "long dress hunt".  Oh, did you know that short, and I mean, MICRO MINI short dresses are all the rage for the prom crowd this year.  Cute, if you are under 20 years of age and petite.  Size 6 and below. But, I digress.

After 4 major stores, I did bring home a dress, which I may or may not wear, that decision will be made later.

Man's mother has been moved to an assisted home facility, and since her sticks and bricks home will be vacant, Man and the boys have been doing the clean out procedure.  So, if something undesireable happens, photos and momentos will not be there to be destroyed, stolen or lost.

Son # 3, the groom, took a small box that he remembered from visits to his grandmother's home when he was a child.  Most of the items in that box were Man's father's, buttons from his WWII uniform, some nasty looking bayonette things, shaving stuff, like razor straps for sharpening single edged shaving blades, some other neat stuff.  I decided I wanted photos, so, since I never leave home without it, I grabbed the camera, and we went through the box, item by item.

One item was a small sewing kit.  We originally thought it was Man's father's, from WWII.  After a bit of review of the photos, I don't believe it.  I think this belonged to Man's grandmother, Edna May Fenton.

Here is a photo of the kit:


And, here is a close up of just the case.  It is inscribed:  J. W. Greene Co., Pianos - Victrolas, 801-5 Jefferson Ave., Toledo, Ohio.


Two flags went up for me, one:  Toledo, Edna and Art (Man's grandparents) were married in Toledo in 1918.  AND, Victrola.  Victrola's were not WWII era.  I did go look up Victrola, and the company seems to have been in business from 1901 - 1929.  I found two references to J.W. Greene Co in books at GoogleBooks, one of the books reports history of the company and the other has a biography and a photo of J. W. Greene himself.

I cannot be sure that this little sewing kit is Edna's, well, not 100% sure.  But, I am comfortable saying, this was not a sewing kit issued to Man's father during WWII.

It is a rare day that you can say you made some new family history and discovered a small piece of some old family history, but, I can today.  And, I am whooped from all this exciting stuff, goodnight!


Copyright 2010, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

.

Friday, May 28, 2010

This 'n That, From Reflections, Summer Heat, Slinking, Coffee and Thanx

Summer arrived in lower Michigan this week.  WOW, did it ever.  So, all week I have been getting up early  so I can try to get the outside work done before the heat builds.  (Yep, ole, "I don't do mornings", up and at em early, it is NOT a pretty sight!)

Yesterday I had the day planned, early cemetery stomp on the other side of the county, early to try to beat the heat.  Then errands, banking, vet stop, lunch, grocery run.  Good plan, except I got more than half way across the county only to discover, no purse, which meant of course, no driver's license, no $$, no credit cards.  And, it meant as soon as the cemetery stomp was over I would slink my way back to the stick built hoping none of our finest would cross my path and feel the need to stop me.  Slinking is a bit difficult when you are driving Big Butt, but, slink I did, under the radar, and sighed relief at the sight of our drive.

So, back home, I decided it was too hot and I was in no mood to go back out and drive 20 miles back to town (county seat) to do all these errands, so, guess what I am doing today?  This time I will be double sure I have not only my camera, but the purse as well. After my coffee, but of course!

Want to thank Jennifer over at 'On a flesh and bone foundation': An Irish History, for the shout out for the new experiment, Reflection's Flora and Fauna.  By the way, Jennifer writes a mighty fine blog herself which touches me, deep in my soul, I don't have a lot of Irish heritage, but, her blog talks to me. 

Coffee cup is empty, where is my purse??  Those errands are screaming my name.


* Graphic thanks to ClipArt Graphics

Copyright 2010, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

.

Thursday, May 27, 2010

So Many Photos, Whats a Gal to do??

I just know you already have guessed.  Yep, design a new outlet, errr, blog, for the excess.

It seems I have become addicted to my camera. I cannot leave the house without it, errands to run, no matter, take it with me, I might find something real interesting on the way to the store. 

If I don't take the camera, for sure something catches my eye and I either miss the opportunity, or I go get the camera and return for my photo.  That is not too bad till there is over 1/2 mile between camera and photo op.  Ya, I went and got the camera, returned for photo, and walked back to the truck.  Went from a 1 mile walk to 2 miles.  Tis ok, I need the exercise! 



Lately when I download my photos I go, ooooo, would love to use that one, ooooo, there is another, and another and  - - - - -

And, I love sharing them here at Reflections, but there really are too many.  What to do??

Thunderbolt, idea, why not???  How bout, this way, nope, that way, nope, what way??

And, thus is born, Reflection's Flora and Fauna.  Oh, yea, another blog!  Currently dubbed an experiment, subject to change as I tweak the colors, the ideas, the project.

Shown here, the bud stage of my "so dark purple it's almost black" iris.  A photo (or two) of the bloom fully open can be found on the new blog. 

I hope you will join me over at Reflection's Flora and Fauna.  Don't fret, you will still see some flowers here at Reflections, but Flora and Fauna will allow me to share more.



*I am as much surprised at this new blog as you might be, I never intended to split up my life, err blog.  Gosh, one never should say never.

Copyright 2010, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Wordless Wednesday, Flipside and Reflections Both Got Little Bity Bees

It is Wordless Wednesday, which means that Linda, of Flipside, and Moi of Reflections, play our little photo challenge.

Today Linda posted 3 lovely photos of Sulphureum Bicolor Barrenwort, the last photo has this little bity bee in it.  Good catch Linda.

Reflection's response:


At the stick we have about 3 acres of lawn we mow.  We have quite a collection of bushes, and trees.  When we were designing the yard we purposely left bushes planted by Mother Nature.  This is one of those.  I have never heard the name of this particular bush, common or botonical.  The blooms are 1/2 inch to 1 inch in diameter and are sweet smelling, the bees, of all sizes love this bush, as you can see.




*Ya, I know, NOT wordless.  Again, I fail at wordless.

**My photos were taken the weekend of May 16th.

***Oh, and stay tuned, something new in the works for Reflections. 

Copyright 2010, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

.

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Tombstone Tuesday, Austin Minnesota

When afflicted by the family research bug, or as cousin Anne likes to call it, OCFRD, Obsessive Compulsive Family Research Disease, you end up visiting cemeteries, LOTS of cemeteries.  At first they may look similar, gates, roads, headstones, flowers, flags.  Then, you start to notice differences.  One cemetery might have only flat stones.  One may have a grand mixture of old and new stones.  Some are sadly, over grown.  Some may even have locked gates so you have to go hunting up the gatekeeper.  When you start realizing the differences, if you are like me, you start taking photos.  These were taken at Oakwood Cemetery, Austin, Mower County, Minnesota.  I had never seen floral arrangements displayed this way, the photos do NOT do this justice.  It was stunning!



And, the reason we visited:


Henrietta A. (ETTA) nee Lashbrook

born 27 Feb 1897 Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota
Married 1st, Clarence Raymond Barrs
Married 2nd, Arthur Dewey Jensen
died 8 Dec 1991 Austin, Mower County, Minnesota
buried Oakwood Cemetery, Austin, Mower County, Minnesota.


Copyright 2010, CABS for Reflections From the Fence.

.

Monday, May 24, 2010

Oh, Those Wild, but Fun to Research, Lashbrooks


From the April 8, 1884 issue of the San Francisco Chronicle, San Francisco, California

"THE PACIFIC SLOPE

A Prisoner Shot in Court - A Lively Blaze in Portland.

[Special Dispatches to the Chronicle]

Sprague (W.T.), April 7. - - J.W. Beckon was shot to-day by Edgar Lashbrook. The cause was jealousy. Lashbrook had Beckon arrested for adultery and while the prisoner was in court he was shot by Lashbrook. The ball entered the right shoulder and the wound is not considered fatal."

(Note: the paragraph about the fire in Portland not included here, as it adds nothing to this discussion, except for assistance in geographic placement of the characters in our story.) 
  
We believe this is Edgar Lashbrook born August 1849 in McHenry County, Illinois, son of Richard Lashbrook (the younger) and his wife Betsey (Mitchell) Lashbrook.
 
On 29 September 1877 in Bremer County Iowa, Edgar married his first cousin, Sadie Lashbrook.  We are sure he lived in Coeur d'Alene, Kootenai County, Idaho in 1893, and they are both enumerated on the 1900 census of Kootenai County Idaho, as a family/household. 

Sadie is also found enumerated on the 1900 census in Kansas City, Jackson County, Missouri.  She is living in the household of her father, Moses Lashbrook.
 
By 1903 Sadie is becoming the bride of one Harry Watson in Jackson County, Missouri. 

In 1917 in Bakersfield, Kern County, California, Edgar becomes the husband of widow Catherine Boderick Morris.  That marriage made the papers as well:
 
From the September 15, 1917 issue of the Mountain Democrat, Placerville, El Dorado County, California:

"Man of Seventy-Three Weds

Bakersfield - - Seventy-three is no bar to matrimony to Edgar Lashbrook of Seattle, who was married here last week Saturday afternoon by Judge George Florunoy to Mrs. C. Morris of Burbank. Mrs. Morris's age is 50."

Edgar died in May of 1929 at Piru, Ventura County, California.  He was a Civil War Veteran.  Catherine collected a widow's pension on his service and may (OR NOT, read comments of this post) have been one of the last widows to do so, as she did not die until 1955 in California, some 90 years after the end of the war.  Here is the formal suspension of her widow's pension.


All the wild twists and turns Edgar and his family make during their lifetimes sure make for some fun research.  They sure aren't boring!


Copyright 2010, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

.

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Reflection Quick Notes, I am Headed to the Garden

It rained here, over 4 inches worth, on Friday.  Yesterday was one of those mixing days, a little sun, then more clouds, then some spitting moisture (is that Mother Nature saying 'blah'??).  I spent most of the day surfing over at FamilySearch, filling in some MIA data and finding some marriages in places where I did not expect to.  Oh, and my to do list grew, of course, now I want IMAGES to go with those dates!

Today, is sunny and, yep, it is gonna be warm (maybe even hot), but, I am going to try to do some yard work and gardening anyway.

Tomorrow is Karen's turn for Relatively Speaking.  I just know she has something interesting to tell us, she has been away researching and cemetery stomping (in the rain) all week.  Can't wait to read what she has to say.

In the meantime, a columbine from my flower beds, I love columbine, but, they sure don't stay where you put them! 




Copyright 2010, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

.

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Reflection's Week in Revue, the Critters

The gozlings are growing, they are at least twice the size they were at birth.  Here are mom and baby, who still has a bit of yellow around his head, down by the edge of the pond.  Ya, I know, you cannot see the water in this photo.


This cute little guy/gal paid a visit last night, he/she shall remain cute as long as he/she stays out of my flower beds.  He is about 6 foot from the edge of the flower bed, about 10 foot from the window.   I shot this from inside that window.  (I had to do some heavy duty adjusting/tweaking to this photo to get it sharp/in focus.)


And, who says an old dog cannot learn new tricks??  This is Gallagher, aka, Mr. G, sitting on one of my end tables!  He has NEVER done this before.  Maybe the bright late evening sun shining in was more than he could resist??  You can see, he was lying right IN the sun.




*Coming soon, more Iris photos.  My almost black but really a deep purple is starting to bloom, as well as some of the others in the Iris flower bed.

Copyright 2010, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

.

Friday, May 21, 2010

Every Once in a While, They Fall Out of Somewhere

Yesterday afternoon, after a long cemetery stomp, lunch with friend Mary, and shopping, I came dragging in the house.  Catching up on my email I found a note from cousin Anne, referencing some records on the FamilySearch site.  I eventually went to see what she was talking about and ended up fussing with this and that, not really looking for anything in particular.  I'll fess up, it has been a few weeks since I have done any serious research, other matters have been taking preference.

For some reason in my fussing I did a search in the Kansas marriage data base, searched Lashbrook and found:

Henry O. Yeager, born 1867 married to Carrie Lashbrook born 1874, married April 4, 1890 in Fort Scott, Bourbon County, Kansas. (No image is available.)

Next I wandered over to Illinois records, marriages, deaths, births.  WHY??  Because I have this Carrie Lashbrook, born about 1875.  Her first hubby, has remained nameless on my data base for years.  By 1910 she is married to a Edward Sheehan.  So, after snooping around in these 3 data bases I find:
  1. Death in 1911 for a Charles E Yeager, parents listed as Henry Yeager and Carrie Lashbrook.  Ok, this is interesting, as Carrie and Edward Sheehan have a child Charles living with them on that 1910 census and my notes indicate that I felt this Charles was NOT a Sheehan child.  Per 1910 census: Charles [Sheehan] was 16 and born in Kansas. 
  2. Marriage for Edward Sheehan and Mrs. Carrie Yeager in 1905 in Cook County, Illinois.  Yep, this works for me too!  Can you see the genie happy dance starting??
  3. Death for Carrie Elizabeth Sheehan in Cook County Illinois in 1922 (a date I had been considering for quite a while and needed to verify with a document/image.  FamilySeach now has 1922 Cook County Illinois deaths online!  Now I am doing the full genie dance, or at least as full as I can muster up after all that cemetery stomping and shopping.
This is how the record is indexed (note, I have removed any fields that have no data in them):

Name: Carrie Elizabeth Sheehan
Death Date: 19 May 1922
Death Place: Chicago, Cook, Illinois
Gender: Female
Race (Original): w
Race (Standardized): White
Death Age: 48y 8m 21d
Birth Date: 26 Aug 1873
Birthplace: Harvey Illinois
Spouse: Edward Sheehan
Father: Moses Lash Wask
Father's Birthplace: England
Mother: Christina Lush
Mother's Birthplace: Nebraska
Occupation: housewife
Street Address: 214 w 43rd
Residence: Chicago, Cook, Illinois
Cemetery: Mt. Olivet
Burial Place: Chicago, Cook, Illinois
Burial Date: 20 May 1922
Film Number: 1378964
Digital Folder Number: 4005232
Image Number: 960
Reference Number: cn 13521
Collection: Illinois, Cook County Deaths, 1878-1922

Issues with indexed data: 
  1. Birthplace, Harvey Illinois, not bad, sorta close, she was born in Harvard Illinois, that is McHenry County.
  2. Father: Moses Lash Wask, OKKKKKK, her father is Moses Lashbrook, and he was not born in England, he was born in New York, but BOTH of his parents were born in England.
  3. Mother's Birthplace: Nebraska, nope, mother, Chestina, Christina, Tina (and several other spellings) was born in New York.  However, the family did live in Nebraska for a few years, Moses, Chestina and a houseful of kids.
Now, here is the document image (image was darkened by Moi, I felt I could read it better this way):



Several of my items of concern, are written the same as they are indexed, place of birth, does read Harvey.  However, I did find at least 2 other points to ponder, Moses Lash Wask, nope, make that Moses Lashbrook.  I am having trouble understanding how his name got indexed as Lash Wask.  The index shows death on May 19, and I see May 17.

No matter, I have been looking for Carrie for well over 10 years, I guess if you wait long enough, they fall out of somewhere - - -

Excuse me, I got a bit of genie dancing to do here. 


* (Discovered this AM in review that the death certificate informant for Charles Yeager was one Carrie Lashbook.)


Copyright 2010, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

.

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Happy Grad, Proud Family

Tis the season, lots of graduations, and our clan is celebrating too.

This is my nephew.   Now a graduate of Arizona State University, Economics, Finance Major, Math Minor Graduating Summa Cum Laude in his class.  He is headed next for University of Rochester, PhD Finance Program.


I am led to believe from his Facebook entries just prior to the graduation ceremonies, that this grin may be in part due to lack of sleep.   Something about exams and parties!

Congrats from a proud auntie!



*Grinning photo courtesy of the grad's mom!

Copyright 2010, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

The Rest of the Story, Sapper Percy Fenton

This post is offered with some trepidation because some may judge my choice of words.  I hope the truth, presented in the most honest and caring way I know of, will suffice.

For the CoAAG 3nd Edition I wrote about Percy Fenton. The question has been asked, how is it that I came to know about Percy? The answer is, Percy is in my data base, he is a half great-uncle to Man.

I chose NOT to go into the relationship in my post for the CoAAG 3nd Edition because it may have over shadowed Percy’s story. He deserved a post all to his own, paying honor to his service.

So, here is a bit of the back story.

Man’s great grandfather was William Franklin Fenton (1861-1939). William married first, Fannie Hurlburt (ca 1865- 1898). When William was left a widower, he married again, Ida May Jarvis (1875-1959). Nothing different here, except for one small fact, Ida was of black heritage. I have been told she was of black and Indian heritage, but, my research is a bit thin here, someday, I really need to do some more.) William and Ida had 5 children, Percy was their first born.

Place this in the time frame, around 1900. Even though this family lived in Nova Scotia, there was racism there too.

From what I can tell in my research and talking to living family members, this marriage created a huge chasm in the Fenton clan. The truth of it is simple, not nice, but, simple. William Franklin Fenton was cut off from the rest of his family. I have proof of some and stories of more. Telling them here in this format, will not change things, and may only create more friction for the some of family, so, I choose not to tell them at this time. They are ugly and this family deserves better. That said, the story is spelled out quite extensively in my data base, because I don’t want to ignore it either, and I don’t.

Man and I have been aware of this half of his family for a number of years, our children know about it, and have not expressed any opinions other than, WOW, that is pretty interesting. I have shared phone calls and letters and email with a number of Ida’s descendants. They are such interesting wonderfully warm people. Man and I are delighted to have made their acquaintance and the ability to share their common ancestry.

We are after all, family!


* I have also been asked how Percy's medal ended up on EBay, and, I have to say, I am not quite sure, but did find this quote, "The seller of Fenton's medal, who lives in Nova Scotia, refused an interview with CBC News", at one of the news stories I quoted in the original blog post.

**Percy left no heirs when he died, as far as I know, he never married.

Copyright 2010, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Tombstone Tuesday, Shell Banks Cemetery, Fort Morgan, Baldwin County, Georgia, Part 2

More interesting monuments and memorials found at Shell Banks Cemetery, Baldwin County, Alabama. Also see my post here.

First up, two men obviously loved and admired, and accomplished as well.


Devoted Husband
And Father
Officer and a
Gentleman & Phd'


Beloved Husband Father
And Grandfather
(If you look closer you will see he was a
US Treasury Special Agent and a
Member of the Fraternal Order of Police)


Above: This Daughter of the Confederacy
marker was found on the plot of
Genevieve Courtney
Jan 14, 1914 to March 18, 1980


Above: No concrete ledger here,
one made of bricks and shells instead.
Monument reads:
In Memory Of
Joseph L. Strong
Mar 23, 1890
Jun 25, 1892


Above: Believe this to be the marker for a burial,
but I do not know for whom.
The silk poinsetta blooms are tucked between two sea shells.
Man spotted a small reptile who had claimed one of these shells as a good hiding place.


Above:
Barbara A. Ewing
(Nearby is Harold F. Ewing, his marker is identical, yes, wood,
appears to be a 4 X 4, names painted on, and fading.)


Above, Cinderella Hanson.
Love her name, so sad, only 4 years old.


Above:
Our Little
Bradley
Age
(Note: Nothing more is known by this blogger about Bradley.)


Copyright 2010, CABS for Reflections From the Fence
.

Monday, May 17, 2010

Officially an Old Person?? And Other This 'N That Stuff

Today, I applied for Social Security.  I am pretty sure that means, I am officially an old person.

Today, I did laundry and picked up the little tornado messes left behind by L & M, the twin granddaughters.  We had such a nice weekend.  Favorable weather (as in NO rain).  Only disagreement they had (hey, they ARE siblings) was over Wii.  They even went to bed AND to sleep with no stalling games.  There were the incessant questions, many of which I could not answer, like do any of you understand that new math stuff??  And, girls, I have NO idea which dog loves me more, snicker, you expect me to have an answer??  LOL They did spy a bunny in the yard and geese and gozling too, they could not run between windows fast enough, bunny, gozling, bunny, gozling - - - -   And, of course, they got their yorkie fix, and the yorks were all tired out and sure slept good last night!  LOL

Man will be moving his Mom into a different living situation later this week.  A very trying time for all of us, as anyone who has been through this well knows.  Many tears, meetings, phone calls, more tears, more meetings, more phone calls.


Wedding events are starting to fill my calendar.  Yep, I am grinning!  Cept for the fact that I am gonna have to go shopping cause I cannot wear jeans to the wedding I am grinning.  (Can you tell, shopping is not something I LOVE doing??  LOL)  OK, it will be fun, shopping with the new gal in our lives! 

This 'N That from Reflections.


*Clip art of lady in purple, thanks to Hasslefreeclipart.com.

**Clip art of blue jeans, thanks to hscripts.com.

Copyright 2010, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

.

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Sunday Sighs

The lawn is cut, the gazebo cover is up, some of the marigolds are planted.  Busy weekend here, and, then the payoff, a few moments to sit and just be.




*Anne, over at Gene Notes, is up tomorrow for Relatively Speaking, Cousins That Blog.  Pay a visit!

Copyright 2010, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

.

Saturday, May 15, 2010

It's Iris Time

My iris are just starting to bloom.  My first bloomers are these smaller pale purple ones.


Leaf structure is about 12 inches tall, the bloom itself is about 3 inches across.  Look, close, I caught a bug in there dining.  See:




This yellow/white iris is about twice the size, leaf and flower. This beauty is so heavy when they are in full bloom, they have a very hard time staying upright.  I have tried to tie them up, with little success, best solution, cut a HUGE bouquet and bring them in and ENJOY!


This sunshine hurt your eyes yellow iris is a new purchase/addition
 to my flower beds.  Photo does not do justice.

*Photos taken with the new Sony, on macro setting.  I have been a tad unhappy with capturing flowers when trying to stand closer than 5 foot.  Not sharp enough for me, and quite hard to get in focus.  So, the other evening I tried something new, use Macro setting, for 1 to 5 foot distances. Seems to be the answer for me, that said, I am still experimenting.  Practice, practice, practice.  Tough assignment, but someone has to do it!  LOL

Copyright 2010, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

.