Macro Flowers ~ November 25, 2011

I'm digging around my archives to see what macro flowers I can offer up this weekend.

All of the flowers here are gone until the Spring. 

Flowers always make me smile and bring me jOy. 

I am not entirely sure what this flower is called but I believe it is a "wood anenome". 

Please join Tina at Pic Story and Maia at Macro Flowers Saturday.

A Wee Bit of Good News

Every third month I go to a diabetes workshop run by my doctor and the medical clinic's nurse. I missed the last workshop and so it has been six months already since I was there last.

At the workshop we get a little education and each member of the group is provided with their updated cholesterol, blood sugar, blood pressure and weight numbers. We are also given any shots we might need.

I was a bit anxious over my numbers as the last time I went my blood sugar was a little higher, again. My blood pressure was also a wee bit elevated. I had also gained weight since the last workshop I attended.

I was happy to find that my blood sugar levels have in fact improved and I am nearing normal. My weight has returned to where it was, however my blood pressure has gone up a bit more. I'm not sure if it was hidden salt in the breakfast I ate and the coffee I had within half an hour of being tested, the white coat syndrome or just rushing to get to the clinic on time.  They let me rest awhile when I told them I felt my blood pressure was high and that it didn't usually get that way. Sure enough my blood pressure was elevated. I guess this is what they call prehypertension.  My blood pressure is not yet at the level considered high but it has been elevated more than not, on my last several visits to the clinic and something I need to get a grip on.   Now.

I think if I continue with my new dietary habits, get more fibre and get a bit more exercise and practise deep breathing, my blood pressure should come down.  I guess my real challenge is that I continue to have leg and mobility issues and that affects my ability to exercise or even get around as well as I need.  But assuming I can do some light exercise and all the other "right things", my blood sugars should also continue to improve in addition to the blood pressure.

I also asked my doctor to reduce the cholesterol medication I have been on. I asked for it to be halved since I feel it is too high.  The medication is causing cramping in the legs and the problem seems to be getting worse after months of no side effects.  She agreed to reduce my dosage.  I guess we will see how this affects my cholesterol levels the next time I get a full blood work up next year.  I am really hoping by then that I can go off this medication altogether.

This bit of good news made my day.

 

HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND!

Macro Flowers, October 7, 2011

If you've been following my blog posts on macro flowers you will know that I often take photos as I go on short walks in my neighbourhood.  I don't have a big garden and I don't seem to have a green thumb either. It's probably because I spend so little time cultivating what I plant.  Some day I hope to take up gardening a little more seriously.  In the meantime, I'm fortunate that I live in a city of avid gardeners and I don't have to go far to enjoy flowering plants.

In one of my walks, I took these photos of the delightful little bush with small, white flowers. I was enthralled by the centre of the flower which if you examine it closely looks a lot like the daisies I featured in this post.

My hand wasn't steady enough for the first macro shot.

This shot is a little better. At least you can make out the intricate pattern. Isn't it lovely?

Macro Flowers, September 30, 2011

When out on a walk to the neighbourhood movie theatre I spotted this flower in someone's yard.  The gentle breeze was rocking the tall stalk of flowers back and forth and giving me a bit of trouble in capturing the flower.  Valiently I tried to capture a macro in fading light with a dying battery. I was trying to "see" inside one of the blossoms and capture the bumble bee without getting stung.

I finally did manage a glimpse of the prize; the bumblebee!

Macro Flowers, September 23, 2011

Purple flower Hostas and white Astilbis. Thanks to all who identified these.

Believe it or not these lovely plants are planted by the roadside on a quiet residential street near my place.  Isn't it amazing that people will plant small spaces in the city just to give the rest of pleasure?
I don't know what the white bush and the purple flowers are but they are lovely. I see there are also numerous varieties of hostas planted here. Maybe the purple flower is even from a hosta. I can't quite tell from my photos.

Purple flowering Hostas.

A Colourful Respite

The summer here is fading fast. We have had beautiful weather in the month of August and though my garden didn't do very well this year, I have enjoyed the beauty of other gardens.

Here are some photos I took when I went to my acupuncture doctor yesterday. This community garden was near to her parking lot and I went over after my treatment and snapped these photos. I couldn't resist.

The colourful flowers stood tall and were beckoning me come and stay awhile. Although the sky had been overcast, the sun peeked out as if to say it wanted me to see the garden in all it's splendour. 

(You can click on the photos to enlarge).

If you missed my update on food relief in the Horn of Africa, please read my previous post. Also consider leaving a word of encouragement for Jonah. Thank you so much!

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and experience some awesome flowers.

Macro Flowers, September 9, 2011

I captured these hydrangeas a few months ago. I was intrigued by the colour because they seemed to be light green and turning blue.  I know little about flowers so perhaps blue hydrangeas start out green.

There seems to be an over abundance of wasps in the area this year. I'm not sure why.  They even came into a restaurant when a friend treated me to dinner last week.  The owner had to scurry around trying to kill them and shoo some out the door.

Please join in the Weekend Flowers and Macro Flowers memes for some true beauty.

A Daisy Will Do You

 

As I was taking photos one day not so long ago for my macro flower submissions, I spotted a nice grouping of daisies.

As I got closer, I saw a few ants enjoying the daisies as well.

Ponder the ant a bit. Such a tiny creature and sometimes a real nuisance in your garden or house. They can damage crops and invade buildings. How many of you have ever had your garden or your home over run with ants?

Yet ants are very social creatures and very industrious too. Apparently ant societies have division of labour, communicate with one another and have an ability to solve complex problems. This makes ants quite fascinating. 

Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:  Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,
 Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.
Proverbs 6:6-8 (KJV)

I bet some of you remember your fascination with ants as a child. Or perhaps you have a child or grandchild who watches the ants and sees how they work so feverishly; marvelling at the heavy loads ants can carry on their backs as they prepare for the winter.  I think we can all learn something from this hard working little creature.

The daisy is such a simple flower but yet so intricate and beautiful at the same time.  Look at the fascinating centre of the flower. Such perfection!


I learned that the daisy has some medicinal properties. I believe this daisy is called an English daisy. 

It has the following properties:

• anodyne - pain relief
• antispasmodic - suppresses muscle spasms
• antitussive - cough suppressants
• demulcent - agent that wraps around mucus membrane to relieve minor pain and inflammation to the area
• emollient - softens or soothes skin
• expectorant - to helps remove mucus from lungs, bronchi, and trachea
• laxative - induce bowel movements or loosen stool
• purgative - helps induce vomiting
• tonic - improve health

It can be well tolerated in homeopathic remedies but since the daisy is a diuretic, there can be dangers of toxicity when taken with anti-inflammatory painkillers. Don't try to self-medicate. Get some professional help if you want to consider an herbal remedy.

I will be travelling for a family funeral so I apologize in advance if you visit  my blog and I cannot comment right away. I may have one or two pre-scheduled blog posts if I have enough time.

Please join in to the memes, Macro Flowers Saturday and Weekend Flowers of Friday. You will see some beautiful flowers.  Thank you to Maia and Tina for hosting these beautiful memes.  Happy weekend!

Lily Macro Series

The lily was beginning to fade when I photographed it.  But I found it quite beautiful as I got closer to it. It was amongst a group of flowers planted around a post on the street.

The young shopkeeper came out to water the flowers as I was photographing them. I thought it was very charming of him to tend to flowers that are growing on the side of the street.  Perhaps he planted them.  Anyway, they make a nice touch in an otherwise not so pretty area.

Enjoy your weekend and enjoy more flowers and beautiful scenery at the following links (click badges).

Scenic Sunday

Pretty in Pink ~ Macro Flowers

"A rose by any other name would smell as sweet."

Famous line from Shakespeare's, Romeo & Juliet

 

I've always loved roses of any kind and especially if they are fragrant. These ones are located along a busy road way at the edge of someone's garden.  

Even when the rose begins to wither, it's beauty is still there.

 

 

 

 

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