May is usually my favorite month but this year it was cold and rainy. But this past week we have been spoiled with a nice stretch of good weather – sunny, low 20’s (70’s F), refreshing south breezes and no humidity. I wish it would stay like this but soon we will be complaining about it being too hot.

It’s always nice to see the grass greening and sprinkled with violets, even if it is also laced with creeping charlie. Some people are doing the No Mow May which is nice for the bees, but apparently stresses the lawn mowers, the people pushing the lawn mowers and the grass. We’ve had so much rain my neighbour has a meadow in his back yard – time to bring in some goats!

I was sure this new lilac tree was dead last summer, but it leafed out again, and even managed a few blooms.

But the bush beside it is covered, and look at the growth on the climbing rose bush behind it. These lilacs will bloom again in August, but never as many.

I often wonder what happens to the rest of the tulips in the bunch, leaving this poor guy all alone?

This guy is alone too, as I did not have any luck at the horticultural plant sale in finding a female gooseberry bush, so no berries for me this year.

These purple and yellow iris were donated transplants from last year. I was surprised how tall they grew.

I found one yellow iris tucked away under a rose bush. They say every garden should have a touch of yellow in it,

…and every neighbourhood should have a yellow car. I saw this impressive model when I was out for a walk. It was certainly eye-catching as you hardly ever see a yellow convertible.

These belong to a neighbour too…..if I ever see anyone from that house I’ll be sure to ask what they are.

The lily of the valley came and went quickly, but the scent was wonderful while it lasted.

This giant fuchsia clematis always blooms earlier than the rest.

The purple salvia is prolific this year….and the pink roses are just starting to bloom…..stay tune for June.

I bought 17 books for $17 at the annual May book sale – including a gilt edged collection of Jane Austen, and a few childhood favorites, A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens, The Diary of Anne Frank, and one of the Borrowers series, a children’s fantasy series, which I last read when I was nine. (The Borrowers – Wikipedia)

But my favorite is this collection of James Herriot stories from All Creatures Great and Small. I watch the PBS mini series, which is into Season 7 now but have never read any of his books.

I found this white wicker rocker at a thrift store for $15 – a coat of spray paint and a cushion and it’s like new again. I wish I could find a matching one, but the town wide garage sales are coming up. How delightful to be able to sit outside and read again after such a long cold rainy spring. Enjoy the season while it lasts!