Sorry Texas, Pennsylvania wins.

Mystery PA location

Moi at Dairy Barn opening

Callas on the slate in our side yard

Waterfall at Ohiopyle

Random view on our way to Ohio

The callas Michael bought me to replace the Mother's Day ones I killed

So sorry, Texas. But big news flash. Pennsylvania wins hands-down on natural beauty. Here are a few photos from our recent trip and of the yard after we got home. There's really not much contest. 

When we first moved here we had no idea where we might retire, and we talked about how beautiful it was here and when the first summer came, we decided to enjoy every minute of it as it was so gloriously moderate in temperature and so very green.

Now we know that Texas will be our home when Michael retires, but we also talk wistfully about how nice it would be to keep this house so that we could come here for the summers. 

Not all of these photos are in PA, but enough of them are that I think you can see what I mean about wanting to be here forever.

The mystery location is that beautiful Frank Lloyd Wright home we visited. We're not allowed to post photos of it, but I think we can safely post this one as no one is going to recognize it.

The Dairy Barn photo is obviously in Ohio but all the rest I think are in PA. Not quite sure about the view as we crossed through Maryland and Kentucky to get to Ohio. 

We hope the weather will cooperate when our grandkids, daughter and son-in-law arrive on Tuesday. We've had some uncharacteristically scorching days. Michael has actually had to water a few times!

Me and Monet

First shot is Rita's. It's the most amazing ice and frozen custard imaginable. Michael had cherry ice and I had vanilla custard with hot caramel. Very nice. The yard looks great with all our iris by the road. We have lots of different colors. The bearded ones which are lilac and purple are beautiful this year. Michael took his life in his hands to get the flower pictures. Behind the photographer is a blind curve and people whiz by very fast.

I feel very Monet-ish since we have more iris than the rest of the folks in the neighborhood. Our town is a riot of color right now. The rhododendrons are blooming as well as iris, flags and even some late tulips. Our poppies are going to be good this year as they have lots of enormous buds and the daisies, roses and mums are still to come.

My back continues to improve which is good news. I have a big Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators meeting in Bethlehem, PA on Tuesday and I want to feel good for that. I get to meet three children's book editors. Imagine! My big project right now is a nonfiction book related to brass band music. Wonder why I'm interested in that? Could it be the continual tuba playing at my house? I wonder. Michael has a concert with the Liberty Band of Hazleton in a church tomorrow. I'm looking forward to that.