The winds have brought down a few (relative) giants in Piedmont Park lately, and this one is being replaced by three young B&B specimens.

B&B is “balled and burlapped”—a nursery term. No laughing.

Sometimes, this works for life, too—you bob your head a bit to the side (or up or down), and change the angle (or even the focal point), and pufffft, life is better.

As I strolled beneath a huge magnolia overhanging a walkway in the park, I noticed some fresh bird-waste smears at my feet. And became worried.

I was lucky; I emerged clean.

Vinca (didn’t check the leaf margins, although flower size strikes me as V. major, but that’s now how scientists do it…). Look at that ant!

I got excited about getting—as in buying—an edited volume, published by a university press, back I think in oh-nine, so not super-recent. Then, I discovered, no discounts, still $35 for the paperback. Something like 260 pages (including I’m sure the table of contents and index, all those extras). Yeesh.

I guess this is how publishers are staying in biz as bookstores fade?

Checked out the new Old Fourth Ward Park for the first time. It’s got amazing hydraulics that trap waters that used to flow south under what’s now City Hall East (has the name changed? developers have it now…) across Ponce and into…John says Clear Creek. I do so wish Google Maps did a better job with creek names….

Anyway, en route, we found a blooming cherry tree. When the temps drop, whenever that is, we’re going to see damaged plants, probably with obvious effects lasting through the summer.

The sun lit up this bloom perfectly, and it took me a long time to notice that it has a gimpy petal. Not that it matters….

Our continuing unseasonably warm weather mean the weeds are flourishing. And the dandies are blooming!

I couldn’t decide which photo to elevate to the status of Daily Blog Photo. I had so many interesting ones from a long walk-stroll-wander around Piedmont Park. Finally, I decided to select the last of the roll—from back at the house. It has the best energy.

I hear the weather’s supposed to turn crappy (sunny, with a high of 63°F, today), so maybe some of the unselected will appear later this week. Tune in and see….

I’m still enjoying the scent from the paperwhites I planted before Xmas (and took to MI and back). They bloomed like they were two different genetic batches (even though the bulbs came from the same box)—an early trio and the laggers that are still offering up their special fragrance.

Distracted by Lion upgrade* to laptop (only) and bulbs preparing to bloom, I “made” this picture at 6pm and forgot to post it until later. Hrrrumph.

Early report on scrolling reversal: give it a few minutes and stop thinking about it and your hand-eye coordination will kick in and make the change.