A good day.

Yesterday turned out to be a fine day. First, I got a lot of things done in the yard. I direct sowed marigolds between some of my tomato plants. I planted out some perennials and the cherry tomatoes in a small bed in the back yard. I planted out several wintersown cups of nasturtium and direct sowed Black Eyed Susan vine near the birdfeeder in the perennial bed. I walked around and looked at everything. I was surprised to find a lot of growth on many plants I have been ignoring for just this occasion. The coreopsis Full Moon that I divided this winter is going nuts. The Shastas are getting huge. Wintersown sprouts have become plants seemingly overnight.

Dame's Rocket


Cupid's Dart


Linaria Flaming Passion has a bloom


Coreopsis and shastas


The knockout roses are looking really good


"Sunny" yellow knockout


The clearance rack wigeila is blooming


Golden Jubilee Anise Hyssop - the foliage jumps out at you


The red dogwood is in full bloom


Old oaks and maples out back are filling out


A volunteer buddleia is returning


The newly planted lantana is happy with the rain


The irises I brought back from my sister are planted. Lantana in the cloner has roots. Petunias are just starting to root. Everything is loving the cool weather, rain, and spotty sunshine. In fact, I took a few minutes yesterday to lay in the hammock and watch the birds. I saw an owl steal a baby squirrel from a nest. Normally I would feel bad about it, but I have some missing crocuses that I'm pretty certain one of these squirrels had a hand in.

But the best part of the day, without a doubt...six percent. That's my new interest rate. All I have to do is sign the paperwork. History: When I got the mortgage in June of 2007, I was self-employed and considered a risky borrower. Long story short, I accepted a higher interest rate just to buy a house. It's been a challenge to say the least, but now, my mortgage payment is more in line with what it should be for this house. Better yet, it's finally cheaper than renting.

I almost forgot, I received two calls yesterday about new model projects. One is a project in San Diego. A college buddy called and asked if I was interested. The other is another house project that should be ready to build in a couple to three months. It's going to be another busy summer. Yes, I know I said I was tired of doing it, but paying off debts and installing a new kitchen is never far from the front of my mind.

Can anyone identify this plant? I let it grow to almost 4' last summer and it never bloomed. I moved some of it this spring since it was growing beside the walkway and eventually I mowed it down. I want to see what it is. There are clumps of it all through the yard.