The View from Harbor 550

A View from Harbor 550

 View of Milwaukee Art Museum from Harbor 550 © 2008

This lovely brick patio is right on the edge of Lake Michigan. We visited the Harbor 550 on an early morning, but I want to return for an evening visit so I can sit around the brick fireplaces, which are strategically placed along the shoreline, and look out over Lake Michigan and Milwaukee’s lakefront.

Delicious!

“Biscuit” Amaranth

Biscut Amaranth

“Biscuit” Amaranth © 2008

This ‘Biscuit’ Amaranth was just one of thousands of plants on display at the University of Wisconsin – West Madison Agricultural Research Station as they held their Annual Field Day. Trial fields of annuals, perennials, native grasses, vegetables and fruits were on display. Gardening tips and problem shooting were provided by the Master Gardeners of Dane County.

The gardens are open to the public every day from dawn to dusk. What a wonderful resource for area gardeners!

Riding a Harley

Hill Climber on a Harley

Hill Climber on a Harley © 2008

Milwaukee is readying itself for the descent of 500,000 Harly-Davidson bikers, all coming to town this Thursday through Sunday for the company’s 105th Anniversary party. Yes, the city will nearly double in size in a matter of days as half a million Harleys and their riders come together in one big demonstration of enthusiasm/love for the cycle that made Milwaukee famous. (Hmm, that might have been another product’s slogan, but the saying goes for Harleys too.)

This statue of a Hill Rider, modeled after a rider and his competition cycle produced in 1930, stands at the entrance to the new Harley Davidson Museum. An H-D artist and enthusiast, Jeff Decker from Springville, Utah, created the bronze sculpture by welding 200 pieces together. It was unveiled earlier this summer at the Museum located just south of downtown Milwaukee.

If you love bikes, it’s a museum well worth your time.

Balloonflowers

Balloonflowers

Balloonflowers © 2008

This softly focused flower photo seems to capture the spirit of this flower for me. Soft and beguiling. The balloonflower, named after a balloon because the unopened flower looks like a tiny inflated balloon.

I wrote a poem, kinda clutzy, last summer about this flower.

Flower Balloon

garden plants, tightly closed bud,
blues burst forth, flower as the balloon pops open
hardy
long-lived
dependable

bursting balloons make children cry
and adults scrambling to dry flowing tears

not so in the garden

this flower makes me happy
reminding me of you
hardy
long-lived
dependable

love, too, bursts forth in all its glory.

Black-Eyed Susans

Balloonflower

Black-Eyed Susans © 2008

Many things grow in the garden that were never sown there.  ~ Thomas Fuller, Gnomologia, 1732

I think Thomas Fuller made a very true observation.

Since it is raining, with some much needed rain, thought I would post some sweet Susans from my backyard garden. A touch of sunshine in these ladies, no matter how inclement the weather.