The two plants to the right are Scheffleras.  The first one belonged to my Mom who died in 1992.  I had gotten it from her a few years before that.  The other one, which is the same age, is mine.  The difference in their shapes is because I tried to train mine to grow as a tree.  When that idea failed I just let it go.  Both these plants spend the winter in the dining/living room in the dome.  Each mid Spring we get the furniture dolly out and move them to the deck.  They remain there into the Fall.  However I have placed them out too early or left them there until late in the Fall and the leaves have withered and dropped.  But they survive to delight me once again. 

The Holly bush that Micheal and Darlene gave me is sitting on my counter waiting for me to decide where it will reside in the great outdoors.

The Clematis that daughter-in law, Debra, started for me will remain in the pot on the deck a little longer.  Then it also will be planted in one of the gardens. 

My flowers in the Northeast and Southeast beds are coming along great.  The Bleeding Heart and the Tulips are a joy to behold. 

I need to play “Where Is Waldo?” to spot Brandy in one of those gardens.

The Red Maple that sits beside the back driveway on the turn to go into the garage is also in full leaf.

I must digress a bit to tell you about a kind young man who delivered the softener salt yesterday.  I met him at the door and requested that he take it down the back drive to the garage where I would open the door.  I expected him to drive down so I took it a little slower going downstairs.  When I opened the garage door there he stood with the bag on his shoulder smiling at me.  I tried to apologize for the delay but he said not to worry.  I grabbed a jar of Cabbage Relish to give him explaining what it was made of and what he could use it in.  He was surprised that we canned so I showed him the food room.  He also ended up with a jar of Amaretto Peaches and a small jar of Cranberry-maple Chutney.  As we walked back up the side of the hill he offered me his arm to help me.  I thanked him and he thanked me then left.  A little while later I took Brandy out and found my garbage cart at the top of my drive.  He had walked it the two hundred feet back up before he left.  I knew that because the driveway alarm had sounded only once when the truck left.  A kindness rewarded with a kindness—don’t you love it?