Kobe Dog

Yesterday was one I had long dreaded. Even when you know this day is a part of life, a huge hole in the road, and will arrive no matter how hard you deny it, no matter how much you wish it wasn't so...it still came.

Unfortunately, it wasn't a horrible dream and when I awoke this morning, the reality of it smacked me in the face.

I can't even hardly make myself write about it...yet. So, I going to cheat a little, but I know you'll understand. I'm going to paste in the email I sent yesterday to my family members far away...please know that I'll write more later because more is so richly deserved. But, for now, this is all I can manage...


I just wanted to tell you that it's all over....and Kobe, ever the 'no trouble' dog, was no trouble in death. His last gift to me. Kobe died here at home in my arms. It was unbelievably sad, but peaceful. I'm filled with gratitude for having had such a wonderful dog.

I called White Oak in desperation as I saw no way we could make our appointment, he was really struggling...and asked if they could come out. They were very responsive and told me Dr. Dunn (the other Dr. Dunn, the husband) would come after surgery....which he did. However, Kobe was already gone.

It was like a full circle. Kobe didn't have to go be around strangers in a strange place and I got to pet him and whisper in his ear that I loved him and tell him what a wonderful dog he's been.

I didn't realize at first what was happening, I just knew he was having a difficult morning. However, in his last act, he launched himself over to me....imagine that, he wanted to be with me....and I held him and petted him and saw him take his last breath. It was amazing. As he left me, I felt peace and gratitude. Don't misunderstand, I'm unbelievably sad, but it feels like the circle is complete. He left me in the best way possible...

Yesterday, we had a nice day. And, last evening, I went out to do some weeding to help clear my head. I asked him if he wanted to come out and sit at the top of the deck stairs, as he has in the past, and watch me. He did and while I sobbed the whole time I was weeding, I have a beautiful memory of seeing him sitting up there...I would wave to him and he'd lift his head in acknowledgment and I'm sure, wag his tail. After I filled the bag, I came up and sat by him and talked to him and told him again how much I appreciated him and that it was okay, I understood that his time was limited.

My only regret was that as I weeded and looked up at him, that I didn't have a picture of him like that there...I will just have to keep the memory in my heart, though. That he will watch over me from heaven, as he did in life for almost 12 wonderful years.



Kobe, on a beautiful day last summer (061510) with his unforgettable smile and his wagging tail.

I miss you so much.

Daylily Views

A few views to enjoy...

Bee Business or Busyness

Fascinating....

A Saturday Seedling...

This morning, BI (Before Irene), I happened to glance out back and there amidst the knee high weeds was a beautiful sight....


Would you look at that! This is a seedling, blooming on its second scape. A few days ago while making an attempt to reclaim the backyard (or at least part of it), I noticed a pretty spectacular flower...but, alas, when you find it at 7:30 pm, it's a little late for a beauty shot.

The cross is Wonder of It All x Lacy Dusk, so, truthfully, the bloom isn't a particular surprise (not counting that...like I mentioned...it bloomed during the traditional bloom season) nor is it particularly distinctive. All that said, it's still pretty darn nice! I rather like it. (Laughing) Of course, it has almost no competition from fellow seedlings and very little left blooming (except some of those great lates) in the registered beds.

Just for grins and so one can appreciate the difference in lighting....the above shot is outside in natural light...the below one is inside (well, I couldn't just leave it out there for the wind and rain to blow apart, now could I?)...


Just yet another in the endless examples of why you should always see a daylily in person....would you have guessed they were the same daylily? Probably not.

It does make me look forward to next year! So much fun (and so much work) with seedlings!

FYI, from the AHS Daylily Database:

Wonder of It All (Carr, 2005) height 27", bloom 5.75", season E, Rebloom, Dormant, Tetraploid, 25 buds, 4 branches, Very pale lavender with yellow gold edge above green throat. (Mandalay Bay Music × Wonders Never Cease


Lacy Dusk (Stamile, 2007)

height 24", bloom 6.5", season EE, Rebloom, Semi-Evergreen, Tetraploid, 42 buds, 7 branches, Golden polychrome with gold edge above green throat. (Spectral Elegance × Winter Springs)

(Seedling 11-120)

Multiples...

It was a very good day...to look back upon...as we await the hurricane that will hopefully just bring us some rain (fingers crossed)...

Arctic Lace...a near perfect daylily...


From the AHS Daylily Database:

Arctic Lace (Stamile, 2003)

height 28", bloom 6.25", season EM, Rebloom, Semi-Evergreen, Tetraploid, 30 buds, 5 branches, Cream white with lacy gold edge above green throat. ((Lake Effect × Be Thine) × Chartered Course)


Such color, such a show...Joan Derifield...

From the AHS Daylily Database:

Joan Derifield (Hanson-C., 2000)

height 35", bloom 7", season EM, Semi-Evergreen, Tetraploid, Rose violet self above chartreuse throat. ((Julian Cohen × Royal Heiress) × Robert Lee Batt)

Alicia Rose Kissed...


From the AHS Daylily Database:

Alicia Rose Kissed (Quarry, 2001)

height 26", bloom 5", season M, Rebloom, Evergreen, Tetraploid, Fragrant, 25 buds, 3 branches, White cream with double rose and gold edge above green throat. (Glacier Bay × Comtessina)

A favorite for the last few years....Peppermint Pinwheel...


From the AHS Daylily Database:

Peppermint Pinwheel (Salter, 2005) height 30", bloom 6", season M, Rebloom, Semi-Evergreen, Tetraploid, 30 buds, 3 branches, Rose pink bitone above green throat.

Tuxedo Junction...


From the AHS Daylily Database:

Tuxedo Junction (Schwarz-B., 1999)

height 30", bloom 7", season M, Dormant, Tetraploid, 20 buds, 3 branches, Parchment with pink edges above olive throat. (Elegant Finale × Lavender Light)

Just Plain Bill, certainly not plain, one of the last Munsons, registered by John Rice...


From the AHS Daylily Database:

Just Plain Bill (Munson-Rice, 2002)

height 27", bloom 5.5", season M, Rebloom, Semi-Evergreen, Tetraploid, 22 buds, 3 branches, Lavender blend with large cream watermark above green throat. (unknown × unknown)

Red Skeletons....moved out by the driveway as I had not been pleased with it..where it has thrived and is very impressive now...


From the AHS Daylily Database:

(Hanson-C., 2000)

height 40", bloom 10", season M, Dormant, Tetraploid, UFo Cascade , Red self above chartreuse throat. (Freak Show × Ruby Spider)

Victorian Lace....thought by some to be Stout Medal worthy....I like it, but it probably wouldn't be my candidate or would depend on the competition...


From the AHS Daylily Database:

Victorian Lace (Stamile, 1999)Aubrey Johnson (Joiner-J., 1998)

height 26", bloom 6", season M, Rebloom, Semi-Evergreen, Diploid, Fragrant, 30 buds, 5 branches, Double 90%, Soft pink self with green throat. (sdlg × sdlg)

Michigan Magic, a lovely pink...


From the AHS Daylily Database:

Michigan Magic (Carpenter-J., 2004)

height 33", bloom 6.5", season M, Rebloom, Dormant, Diploid, Fragrant, 36 buds, 5 branches, Pink self above green throat. (unknown × unknown)

Worlds Collide...


From the AHS Daylily Datebase:

Worlds Collide (Hanson-C., 1999)

height 34", bloom 6", season EM, Semi-Evergreen, Tetraploid, Lavender rose blend above chartreuse throat. ((Ocean Rain × Bookmark) × (Otavalo × Court Magician))

Now...don't we all feel better...beautiful blooms for a beautiful day....

I'm Liking Them....

New to me is Fiji Mermaid. It was sent to me as a bonus plant by Linda Michaels, the hybridizer. I really like it!


From the AHS Daylily Database:

Fiji Mermaid (Michaels, 2009)

height 35", bloom 6.5", season MLa, Dormant, Diploid, 18 buds, 2 branches, UFo Crispate , Flesh pink with large creamy yellow to chartreuse green throat. ((Prague Spring × Banshee Whisper) × Flamingo Lingo)

Another daylily I am liking is this one, Shepherd's Crook...


From the AHS Daylily Database:

Shepherd's Crook (Kendig, 2004)

height 26", bloom 5.25", season M, Semi-Evergreen, Tetraploid, Fragrant, 14 buds, 3 branches, Pink with rose eye and rose gold edge above yellow throat. (Initial Public Offering × Strawberry Lace)

The hybridizer of Shepherd's Crook is here in Region 3 so I knew it would perform well for me. I'm partial to pinks, can't help it.

I hadn't expected to like this one, Hologram, given its description and the photo in the AHS Daylily Database, however....it's really nice!


From the AHS Daylily Database:

Hologram (Rice-J., 2004)

height 30", bloom 5.5", season MLa, Rebloom, Semi-Evergreen, Tetraploid, 24 buds, 4 branches, Light orangey mauve with violet eye and edge above green throat. ((Admiral's Braid × Arabian Magic) × sdlg)

What a Daylily Should Be...

One of my favorite daylilies, Claudine's Charm, has it all.



Here's the information from the AHS Daylily Database:

Claudine's Charm (Sellers, 2000)

height 26", bloom 5.5", season M, Rebloom, Evergreen, Tetraploid, 16 buds, 2 branches, Raspberry purple with large pale raspberry watermark with thin white band above white to green throat. (sdlg × Tet. Morning Mood)

The hybridizer was a bit modest, in my opinion, as I get much better branching and bud count than he listed in the registration...but, how nice to have a daylily do even better than you expect.

Take a look at all the buds to come and how well placed they are (or were as this picture was taken on June 27th):


And, on top of outstanding performance, it's a simply beautiful daylily. What's not to like?