GARDENS
ABUNDANT BLOOMS
If I were asked to name the most common flowers in this part of Maine, it would be daylilies and black-eyed Susans. Native to North America, Black-eyed Susans or Rudbeckia hirta are now found in the lower 48 states.
A close third would be the many varieties of cone flowers.
We made another visit to Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens this week. After checking off another troll on our list (we’ve seen three of the five), we enjoyed wandering in the children’s garden and through the senses garden. Everything seemed especially lush and leafed out (probably all the rain here in July) and as always, it was lovely.
Here on Southport, there are daylilies in the garden and when we walk the neighborhood, we spy more of them. Especially prevalent are the yellow and cream ones.
CHALLENGED DETECTIVE
The Cuckoo’s Calling by Robert K. Galbraith
I missed some of the hoopla when J. K. Rowling published her first crime novel as Robert K. Galbraith. I’m only now discovering this work, thanks to the recommendations of Patricia and Rebecca. The Cuckoo’s Calling is the first of five novels featuring detective Cormoran Strike. Strike is a former soldier who served in Afghanistan. At the outset, he is hard up, soon to be homeless, and slowed down by the loss of part of one leg in the war. After the apparent suicide of Lula, a famous model, Strike is hired by the model’s stepbrother to investigate her death. His new temp Robin is efficient, motivated, and tactful in ignoring the travails of Strike’s personal life. Together they wind their way through false leads and questionable tactics to arrive at the truth.
I enjoyed getting to know both Cormoran and Robin but was less taken with the unsavory characters of the celebrity world. The book is very well-written (one probably wouldn’t expect any less) and clever, but long. I picked it up and put it down and then resumed. The more I got into it, the more I found it satisfying and engaging. Therefore, after a break, I will probably read the next title in the series.
Note: All photos ©JWFarrington (some rights reserved).
