Pic Today 5/15/11

BLUEBERRY HILL:

WHERE LEGENDS STILL PLAY

The legendary Blueberry Hill is a renowned

bar, restaurant and venue in St. Louis . . .

in the very "hip" part of the city known as "The Loop."

World famous musicians and legends have performed

in the cramped basement room of Blueberry Hill,

simply called the "Duck Room."

(There's low ceilings downstairs, so you better duck!)

One such legend, whose roots are firmly planted here,

is Chuck Berry, who also resides in the St. Louis area.

In fact, Chuck still rocks the house each month to sell-out crowds.

Blueberry Hill is worth a visit,

just for the rock-and-roll memorabilia,

including Chuck's original guitar

which brought him fame in the 50s and 60s . . .

plus a collection of music, baseball and TV show collectables.

It's become a "memorabilia museum" that attracts visitors nationwide.

There's always someone famous performing at Blueberry Hill,

or a serious darts competition in the back room.

"Maybelline, why can't you be true?"

Pic Today 5/14/11

FLOWER PORN

Let's face it . . .

survival and procreation in the flower world

is based on sexual attraction and pollination.

No flower is unabashedly more sexually obvious

than the magnificently endowed hibiscus!

There's no missing the prominent and protruding

hibiscus pistil and stamen,

especially if you're a passing bumble bee.

(Its pollen-engorged stigmas are aching to discharge,

and the bee is just the one to "do it.")

Aaaah . . . the sex act is consummated.

Future generations of the beautiful hibiscus are assured.

The hibiscus is a generous summer time bush

generating flower blossoms until the first frost,

but it demands full sun and lots of "attention."

Health note:

Hibiscus flowers make a beneficial tea,

rich in anti-oxidants, vitamin C, and

able to reduce blood pressure and cholesterol.

While living in Bogotá, Colombia,

street vendors would sell dried hibiscus flowers

which they call Flor de Jamaica (shown here.)

Pic Today 5/12/11

WHAT JAMES BOND

WOULD BE DRIVING THESE DAYS

The ultimate in British auto craftsmanship . . .

behold the 2011 Aston Martin "Vantage" Coupe,

supreme example of modern automotive design.

Still hand crafted, one by one.

Every detail a masterpiece of design.

All 8 cylinders delivering 420 horse power.

Zero to 100mph in a scant 4.8 seconds.

Fewer than 100 cars made-to-order each year,

this is a rare one . . .

nothing but the best for James Bond,

and some wealthy visitor to my neighborhood.

(Note my elegant 2007 white VW Jetta

parked just beyond this sleek beauty!)

Ha!

Pic Today 5/11/11

MAY IS MOST aMAYzing MONTH

FOR SPRING FLOWERS

A walk through the garden this month

is a showplace for Spring flowers . . .

early hybrid roses, pink peonies,

the most amazing iris, late tulips,

pink and white flowering dogwood trees,

magnolias and every shade of azalea.

May is truly aMAYzing.

(All photos taken at Missouri Botanical Garden.)

Pic Today 5/10/11

POM-POMS IN THE GARDEN

A sure sign of a May garden is the giant allium,

a member of the onion family.

These 6-foot tall sturdy stems are beautiful

before, during and after their 2-week lavender bloom.

The tight round buds form elegant sculptures

as they gradually open to form purple "softballs".

Seed heads then make impressive displays after flowers die back.

(Every part of the giant allium smells like onion if bruised or bent.)