Over the past two days I’ve been tagged by two different people— MJD over at Return of the White Robin and Patsy at The Best of Times — for two different memes. I guess I’d better get busy and put my thinking cap on! So, since MJD was first in line, here is my response to the Rant Meme. I could have come up with more once I got started.

You’re supposed to tag five other people who will be annoyed that you tagged them, but I honestly can only think of three people to tag. Some of my blog friends don’t like to do memes.

Susan at Slice of Life just because I know she will truly be annoyed and because she gave me both my blogger awards. And she’s a nice person.
Krista at Coffeespaz because she’s a good sport.
Patsy at The Best of Times because she tagged me for the other meme and to keep it in the family (she’s Susan’s Mom).

4 things that should go into room 101 and be removed from the face of the earth. (I must admit I had to look up Room 101 to see exactly what it was.)

1. war
2. zealots (both religious and political) because they are the cause of most wars
3. cancer
4. puppy mills

3 things that people do that make you want to shake them violently.

1. Carry their dogs around in an open bed of any kind of truck; either loose or tied up.
2. Toss litter and cigarette butts out of car windows or on the street in general.
3. For not buying our beautiful custom home in Colorado.

2 things you find yourself moaning about.

1. Our house in Colorado is still unsold after over a year on the market. A real moaner. (see #3 above)
2. That the new momma bear and her three baby cubs have been sighted by our neighbor at the end of our street but she hasn’t brought them up here to see me yet!

1 thing the above answers tell you about yourself.

Gee, about the only thing that stands out is that I am really bummed about our house back in Colorado, oh and I am crazy for wanting the bears to come into my yard to visit.

RULES• I was supposed to link to the original meme, but that link kept locking up my computer and the first time I wrote this entry I lost it all because I tried to link to the original. So, I am NOT going to do that in case it locks up your computer too.
• Be as honest as possible so people get to know the real you!
• Try not to insult anyone - unless they really deserve it or are very, very ugly!
• Post these rules at the end of every meme.

So that it! That’s my Rant Meme.

To end my “in the garden” nature series, here are some butterflies. All were taken in my flower garden.

Last night’s orangey moon as seen through the branches of our trees was very cool. Add to that the fact that the cicadas started up (finally) and that was enough for me to try and capture them both in a vid for you. Do you have cicadas where you live? I love how they sound like they are having a conversation. I hope the motion of the camera as I am trying to hold it steady doesn’t make you motion sick, but just turn up your volume and listen ...

This hosta in my yard seems to be holding the other plant hostage.

In case you couldn’t tell, I’ve been spending a lot of time in our woods and garden. Having a camera in hand while communing with nature is therapy for me. I can lose myself for hours [if only my camera battery would hold out that long!].

The bee balm is on the wane in looks but very much a nectar magnet for the hummingbirds and hummingbird moths. The coneflowers are the favorite of the butterflies, and yes dear readers, soon you will be regaled with butterfly photos taken over the past week. Egads. I hope I’m not boring you with my “nature” series this week.

If only we had more rain the mushrooms would make an appearance and I’d have to photograph them as well and we have some interesting ones in our yard.

I now know that this little hummingbird moth is a Snowberry Clearwing Hummingbird Moth. What a delightful name ... snowberry clearwing. Sounds like something a celebrity might name their child! His little body looks similar to a lobster, don’t you agree? Look at the way his tail fans out! In the next photo I had no idea I was catching him with his little tongue—or proboscis— all curled up underneath him ... fascinating. I read that the length of the proboscis roughly equals the length of the flower tube that the moth frequents. Makes sense.

Click here if you want to know more about them.

I’ve tried to catch a hummingbird on the bee balm but they flit away as soon as they see me coming. Aren’t you lucky?