About four years ago I had a flat tire during one of my sunrise bike rides. Always a challenge to change a tire while on the road… but even more so when it’s still dark out. But I did… and this morning I had a chuckle to see that the punctured inner tube I wrapped around a fence post is still there just north of North Avenue Beach at Lake Shore Drive… and now host to a little morning glory fun! Mother Nature always finds a way to win!

GOOD MORNING morning glories!
These beautiful “weeds” are growing all around us…
up fences everywhere… blooming & greeting the day!

The forecast was rain overnight followed by clouds all day. Forever optimistic… I got up early and decided to go for my morning bike ride even though it was VERY dark & cloudy still. So glad I did… as we had a few moments of STUNNING!!! Incredible colors sweeping across the sky before the sun went behind the clouds for the day!

Another beautiful floral display on the street corner… but for some reason these hollyhocks always remind me of my Grandma Kitty. I’m not sure that she even had them in her garden?… it’s just that I kinda think they’re somehow “vintage” flowers?! Kinda like “everyone’s” Grandma should have had them!!!

On my way home, I also saw this guy cooling off at Jackson Harbor. Always fun to see a Great Blue Heron hanging out in the water fishing. Keenly watching the water waiting for breakfast! I’m always amazed at how large they are, kinda prehistoric… and that we have them in the City?!

So I met a friend down along Montrose Harbor this morning while taking pictures of the clouds moving in! And by friend, I mean a high-spirited squawking & chirping red-wing backbird making quite a ruckus to show me I was in HIS area… and should move along… complete with a flew “fly-by’s” as he swooped around my helmet!

Looks like my coleus cuttings are really taking hold… who knew it was this easy??? Just water! I think I’ve just effectively doubled the number of coleus plants on my front porch!!!

Thanking Mother Nature for another beautiful surprise on TEXTURE TUESDAY. Who knew that cactus like these could grow naturally in Chicago? I didn’t think they would survive our harsh winters… but I found these growing around Montrose Harbor!

While the clouds roll through today, it was a beautifully sunny day yesterday… perfect for a bike ride up to where the “path ends” and back again. Such a pretty day pedaling north to the Great Lakes Naval Base, through Fort Sheridan, Openlands Lakeshore Preserve, the Chicago Botanic Garden and the Chicago River North Branch Trail.

Great fun to find my friends Allison & Terry at Openlands…
while he was busy trying to balance more rocks along the lakefront!

Pretty pinks & vivid red lilies in Peoria this weekend. Such wonderful colors in the garden,