Spectacular Zinnias

Well, it's Monday again -- what a quick weekend!  Did you all have a good one?  Friday, September 18th, was my birthday, and I have to tell you it was one of the best birthdays I've had in years.  I officially joined the senior citizens club (the big 55) and though in some ways it's hard to get older, I'm just very happy to be here.  As George Burns famously said, "It's better than the alternative."  ;)

I went to my parents' house for a visit and lunch.  My mom made homemade chicken salad and the most delicious homemade chocolate pie with fresh whipped cream.  Yum!!!  My sweet neighbor, Nancy, sent me a Jacquie Lawson birthday e-card and so did my dear friend, Kitty, who blogs at Kitty's Kozy Kitchen.  I also had a long-distance birthday message from my in-laws, who are traveling right now.  My husband came home from work with 18 red roses for me, and our son played a dedication song for me on his Friday night jazz radio program (didn't expect that at all!)  Yes indeed, I have a lot to be thankful for.

Today, Hal and I drove to the mountains, with Duncan in tow, and Hal took some pictures of these roadside flower beds.  This is a very common site in North Carolina alongside highways and interstates, thanks to the N.C. Department of Transportation Wildflower Program.

These are red Zinnias, and if you look in the background, you can see a bed of pink Zinnias. 

A closer look at the pink Zinnias.  This is a diamond-style intersection, and there is a flower bed planted in each of the four triangles.

I added a bit of softening effect in the above picture because the sunlight was bright and rather harsh.  You can see how dry the grass looks here; they've had very little rain in this area all summer.  I know this because my parents live about three miles from this spot.  This is the exit we take to get to their house.

On the other side of the bridge is a bed of yellow Zinnias.

 

The fourth bed is white Zinnias --

with a few pinks and yellows mixed in.

Some close-ups of the red flowers.

I always enjoy seeing the wildflowers at this intersection.  In the past, they've planted Lupins here, which are just spectacular -- wish I had some pictures of those.  A big thank you to my husband for photographing these flowers for me -- hope you enjoyed seeing them.  :)

Thank you for visiting and have a terrific week!

Blessings,

Denise