New Beginnings

Today, I announce "New Beginnings" on my blog.  I had recently become disillusioned by Blogland, as I seemed to be attracting more spammers and scrapers than real followers.  Yes, my blog was being repeatedly copied by scrapers, as well as being linked to on numerous sites, some of which I couldn't access, due to the requirement of a login.  I reacted the only way I knew how...adding watermarks and copyright verbiage and monitoring my hits on Statcounter.  But it just seemed to be getting worse.

Blogging Blahs

My garden has been good to me.  This year promises to be the best ever.  The blog...not so much.  I do believe the passion has fizzled. 

February is Bustin' Out All Over!

Spring is bustin' out all over here at PITV!  Oh, yeah!  With a whole month of 70- and 80-degree days behind us, I think it's safe to say winter is officially over.  This has been the best February here in my neck of the woods since 2008.  : ) 

Flexin' the Mighty Micro on Macro Monday

Today, I'm joining in on my first Macro Monday post.  I often check out the meme participants, but I've never actually posted one myself until today.   : )  Macro Mondays are hosted by Lisa's chaos.  This is one of those well-rounded memes that encompass all sorts of blog genres and photo subjects.  Pop on over to check out all the other fascinating photos.

GBBD: February 2011

Today, I'm joining in on the Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day, hosted by Carol of May Dream Gardens.  I am sooooo lovin' my February garden!  The garden flowers--and the weeds!--are proliferating this month.  Seriously, I need to get on that weeding.

Face Value

Quadratics.  Parabolas.  Imaginary Roots.  Tesla coil.  λ.  Frequency.  Hz.  Ionosphere.  300 µm.  Ugh.  Does it all make you want to scream?  I have glanced down at the myriad notes spread all over my desk, and these are a few words that pop off of them.  My desk and my mind seem always to be in a state of clutter.  I try to clean and straighten the workspace, stand back and gaze in awe, and I swear, in two or three days, the books and notes have piled up again, and it's all back in a state of nightmare!  

Wonders of Winter

On this beautiful Saturday morning, my camera's attention was drawn toward some winter wonders that I have in my garden.  Fortunately, while the perennials and tropicals sleep in the ground, a few beauties utilize this season of the year to do their thing.

Gentle January

With a cold and frigid December...one for the record books actually...I had really dreaded what January might have in store.  But in the end, it was such a soft, gentle January, as January's go, with so many spring-like days to enjoy.  Today, there is evidence that the garden has begun springing back to life.  There are little leaflets peeping out of the ground beneath dead branches of pentas and clerodendrum.  Brightly colored foliage is rising out of the stems of the crinums and bananas.  If February holds out for us, and it does look promising, I do think we shall have a splendid and floriferous Easter this year.  (It's been a while!)

Foliage Follow-Up: Tropical Quintessence

Every month, Pam over at Digging hosts a Foliage Follow-Up to all of the Bloom Day postings on the 15th.  It's been so long since I participated in either of these, but I'm trying to get back on board.

What's Going on in the Garden?

Join me on a walkthrough in my garden today, where springy thoughts abound!

I love birds.  I love cardinals.  Aren't they just the quintessential songbird?  They delight us year-round with their delightful chirps, and the garden just wouldn't be the same without them.  But, tell me, what would you do if a cardinal pair decided to build a nest in your entry portico? 

Fairest Blooms of Spring

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Awake, thou wintry earth,

Fling off, fling off thy sadness.

Ye vernal flowers, laugh forth,

Laugh forth your ancient gladness.