Do you designate a folder or a notebook (online or physical) to save pleasant experiences you don't want to forget?
As a blogger, I often set aside photos that capture "magical" moments I'd like to remember. They're hard to put into words or fit into a blog post. I'm sharing a few here that remind me of special days and unique experiences during the past year.
I've placed them roughly in the order they occurred. The first six, including the top photo of the bumble bee exploring White Wild Indigo (Baptisia alba), greeted me on one of those partly cloudy, perfect days in mid-June. The final three are early October memories, when the garden, nature, and local harvests were full, colorful, and plentiful.
There are many more memories, of course, but these were specifically placed in my "Miscellaneous 2025" folder.
A stem of Golden Alexander (Zizia aurea), about to pop and declare the joy of summer.
Blue Flag Iris, at peace within its marshy home. I believe this is Southern Blue Flag (I. virginica), because it displays more yellow on its sepals than Northern Blue Flag (I. versicolor). Both are native here.
A redwing blackbird nestled among the grasses and forbs of its favorite prairie.
Oxeye Sunflower (Heliopsis helianthoides), ready to burst in the warm sunlight.
The solid, yet graceful and fascinating structure of Foxglove Beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis).
Bird's Foot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), declaring the growing season extending a bit longer into autumn. Introduced here, this plant can be invasive in some settings. But it certainly is bright and cheery on a warm autumn day.
Locally grown apples (Malus varieties), crowned by a delicious apple cider donut.
And finally, a bright Zinnia bloom (Z. elegans 'State Fair Mix'), started from seed in the sunroom in late March and sparkling through October.
Do you have special memories of gardens and nature from the past year? Please share them!
