Sonny's May 2008 visit

Paul's brother Walter's (1949) nickname is "Sonny". He visits with us on holidays.Pictured here in front of his apartment in Florence. He considers Elgin his new home after his parents have gone to assisted living. We welcome him and his "sunny" disposition !

Amanda

Amada has been my hair stylist since 2001. She has become a good friend. She's cheerful, friendly, an excellent stylist and a lovely person. She does Paul's hair also. Her office is in Lugoff.

"Green Acres "

"Green Acres is the place to be "! Bought on the last day of 1999. Moved here from Atlanta townhouse to wooded half acre in Elgin. This is home !

House rear view

Rear view of "Green Acres".

Cryptomeria

This cryptomeria was the first plant I planted in 2000. It was purchased from Home Depot and was about 3 feet high. It obviously likes hot dry sandy conditions as it is now taller than the house !

2001 tree

This is the 2001 tree. I was so broke in 2001 (bad year for the car business) that the only thing I could afford to do to the yard was to transplant this pine. It was poor and spindley for years and looked like it was going to die but lately has decided to prosper and grow. Hooray for the "2001 tree" !

60 TH. anniversary commemoratrive birthday tree

Red maple tree given to me by my children and planted by me and my children and grand children to celebrate my 60th birthday in 2000. It has bright yellow leaves in the fall (not all red maples have red leaves in the fall). I also have a large red maple called October Blaze that has red leaves in the fall.

Japanese maples

These are a couple of Japanese maples. They seen to do well and there are 4 survivors.(Lost two to drought).

Three bought pine trees

One of three purchased pine trees. They were bought in 2003 from "Crazy Blooms Nursery" in Elgin for $ 7 each. They were about 3 feet high then and are now about 8 feet. There is one more I bought a "black hawk" pine from Camden.

Tree sculpture

Tree sculpture is a 2006 gift from daughter Kim. Note it is the same color as dried pine sap.

Golden raintree

Golden rain tree was planted in 2003. It's an import from Orlando, Florida dug up by Bud Segars, of New Hampshire, and given as a gift. It's a hardy little tree surviving several droughts and complete lack of attention.

Chinese dogwood

This is a "Chinese" dogwood, planted in 2005. It was purchased from "Crazy Blooms " Nursery in Elgin (non defunk). It has never bloomed. Maybe that's why they call it "Chinese"!

New arbor

This is my new arbor. It's my 68th birthday present to myself. The vine is purple wisteria. Stephen says it's going to take over the whole yard. 'Course he's also the one who said I couldn't do a blog!!

Latest plantings

Latest plantings in the back yard are 8 pine seedlings dug up from Kim's yard in Lexington and planted in mine in Elgin. She has rich clay soil and everything thrives in it. Mine, on the other hand is endless sand and will only grow pine trees. So I plant, nourish, and love pine trees !

Back yard neighbor

This is my back yard neighbor. It's name is "Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad". I know that because I saw it printed on one of their cars.They are good neighbors. Only make noise once or twice a day and always keep their yard neat, if a little rocky.

2008 Toyota Yaris - front view

This is my current car. It's a 2008 Toyota Yaris. It's equipped with automatic transmission, power steering, abs, side curtain air bags, and cruise control. I bought this car in October 2007.

Rear View

This is the rear view of the Toyota Yaris. Yaris is the highest gas mileage non-hybrid regular gas model listed in 2008 Consumer Reports. I get 37 MPG average !