PATIENT DOG

This post is part of the Saturday Critters meme.

SUNRISE

This post is part of the Skywatch Friday meme.

ALSTROEMERIA

Alstroemeria, commonly called the Peruvian lily or lily of the Incas, is a genus of flowering plants in the family Alstroemeriaceae. They are all native to South America although some have become naturalised in the United States, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, Madeira and the Canary Islands. Almost all of the species are restricted to one of two distinct centres of diversity, one in central Chile, the other in eastern Brazil. Species of Alstroemeria from Chile are winter-growing plants while those of Brazil are summer-growing. All are long-lived perennials except A. graminea, a diminutive annual from the Atacama Desert of Chile. The genus was named after the Swedish baron Clas Alströmer (1736 – 1794) by his close friend Carolus Linnaeus.

Many hybrids and at least 190 cultivars have been developed, featuring many different markings and colours, including white, yellow, orange, apricot, pink, red, purple, and lavender. The most popular and showy hybrids commonly grown today result from crosses between species from Chile (winter-growing) with species from Brazil (summer-growing). This strategy has overcome the florists' problem of seasonal dormancy and resulted in plants that are evergreen, or nearly so, and flower for most of the year. This breeding work derives mainly from trials that began in the United States in the 1980s.

The flower, which resembles a miniature lily, is very popular for bouquets and flower arrangements in the commercial cut flower trade. Most cultivars available for the home garden will bloom in the late spring and early summer. The roots are hardy to a temperature of −5 °C. The plant requires at least six hours of morning sunlight, regular water, and well-drained soil.

This post is part of the Floral Friday Fotos meme.

SOCIAL DISTANCING

In these "interesting" times we are living through, it's important to stay safe, heed the advice of experts and your government. It's only then we can beat the virus that has so disrupted our daily life.

However, at the same time, you can do much to help others in your community who are less able to fend for themselves. Please do something to actively support those in greater need than you. Your local community group, council or local government representatives can give you many workable and safe plans of action!

This post is part of the Wordless Wednesday meme,
and also part of the My Corner of the World meme.

MELBOURNE EVENING

Melbourne Docklands is a waterfront development in the heart of Melbourne, located on the spectacular Victoria Harbour with three kilometres of Yarra River frontage. With extensive waterfront promenades, urban art, interesting architecture, historic and contemporary buildings, state-of-the-art marinas, stylish waterfront restaurants, cosy bars and active waterways, Docklands has plenty to offer.

The views on the water include, as well as the numerous leisure craft, the Bolte Bridge, which is a large twin cantilever bridge. It spans the Yarra River and Victoria Harbour in the Docklands precinct to the west of the Melbourne CBD. It forms part of the CityLink system of toll roads that connects the Tullamarine Freeway from the northern suburbs with the West Gate Freeway and the Domain and Burnley tunnels to the Monash Freeway and the south eastern suburbs.

This post is part of the Our World Tuesday meme,

and also part of the Blue Monday meme,

and also part of the Travel Tuesday meme,

and also part of the Wordless Wednesday meme.

GONE TO SEED

This post is part of the Mosaic Monday meme,
and also part of the Ruby Tuesday meme,
and also part of the Seasons meme.

DESERTED CITY

These are the days of COVID-19 when our cities become deserted more and more each day. The spectre of the virus hangs heavy in the air and few people brave the open air, foraging for essentials, always in a hurry to go back home. 

This post is part of the My Sunday Best meme.

DUCKLINGS

Now that we are trying to deal with the difficult situation of the COVID-19 pandemic, it's good to raid the archives and find images that make us feel better...

This post is part of the Saturday Critters meme,
and also part of the Weekend Reflections meme.

AUTUMN SUNSET

This post is part of the Skywatch Friday meme.

A TUSSIE-MUSSIE

A tussie-mussie (or nosegay) is a small flower bouquet, typically given as a gift. They have existed in some form since at least medieval times, when they were carried or worn around the head or bodice. During the reign of Queen Victoria (1837–1901), these small bouquets became a popular fashion accessory. Typically, tussie-mussies include floral symbolism from the language of flowers, and therefore may be used to send a message to the recipient.

Here is my tussie-mussie from our garden for you, a gift in these trying and sorrowful times, and I hope that it lifts your spirits somewhat. The plants it contains are:

Fennel for sorrow

Rue for suffering

Rose-scented geranium for preferred company

Lavender for grace and calmness

Diosma for breath of heaven

Mint  for protection from illness

Feverfew for safety and immunity

Peppermint for invigoration and inspiration

Ivy for friendship and affection

Immortelle for eternity

Laurel for triumph of humanity

Parsley for festivity

Sweet basil for my best wishes to you

This post is part of the Floral Friday Fotos meme,