Pic Today 5/5/11

MISSISSIPPI RIVER MANSION

This fabulous mansion overlooks

the mighty Mississippi River in St. Louis.

Built on bluffs, overlooking the river

in an historic part of the city,

there are still 19th-century "captain's mansions"

side-by-side with modern estates, like this one.

At a recent dinner reception and barbecue,

a wealthy gallery owner showed off his new home,

which included a spacious living room,

well equipped kitchen and bar,

modern art in every nook and cranny,

multi-level balcony and patio area

for riverside dining and a magnificent view.

With the Mississippi at "flood stage",

the river barges were a stone's throw from every vista.

Less than 100 years ago, mighty "paddle wheeler" steam boats

churned up and down this great river,

carrying freight, passengers and a gambler or two.

My favorite touch . . .

a 100-year old oak tree next to the dining porch.

What a house. What a river. What a view!

Pic Today 5/4/11

IRIS:

THE RAINBOW FLOWER

Despite our wet and violent weather here,

iris flowers are now in bloom.

And what a magnificent show it is.

Aptly named the "rainbow flower",

with over 260 species and color variations,

the iris takes its name from the Greek word for rainbow.

Iris was the Greek goddess, the "messenger of love."

These flowers are the ultimate pollination "machine",

with brilliant colors that call insects in for a landing

and sophisticated "landing pads" that ensure pollination.

The 3 sepals (petals hanging down, some with beards)

alternate with 3 petals (standing upright).

Insects carrying pollen will, upon entering,

deposit their rich load on the bearded stigma;

and when backing out, the pollen which it now bears

will not be rubbed off on the stigma of the same flower.

"Perfect pollination" ensured by the iris' design,

for a fresh crop of brilliant crossed colors . . .

new rainbows for the next season.

Pic Today 5/3/11

THE SYMMETRY & SENSE

OF NATURE

When the world grows intense and violent,

and the news is bad, with too much rain . . .

there's peace and sense

where the wild things grow.

It was time to take a break today.

Peace.

Pic Today 5/2/11

STORMY WEATHER

When you see clouds like these,

it's time to remember where the cellar is.

(Our changeable May skies in Missouri.)

"Don't know why there's no sun up in the sky,

Stormy weather.

Can't go on, everything I have is gone.

Stormy weather.

Keeps rainin' all the time.

Keeps rainin' all the time."

Pic Today 5/1/11

EXTREME TREE HOUSES

The Missouri Botanical Garden is proud

to host a TREEmendous summer of activities

in celebration of the U.N. International Year of Forests.

A juried selection of extreme tree houses is now on display,

together with a weekend of artisanal tree crafts and design,

including wood turning, violin making and

a chain saw artist who will turn a 5-ton oak tree trunk

into a carved grizzly bear (in 2 days time).

Come celebrate the beauty and importance of trees.