I’m bouncing back with a typically mixed bag of pictures (including one approaching a red herring) for the last gasp of Becky’s red-themed July Squares.
You’d be excused for thinking this was a corner of Texas, from the lone star flag and the car tag on the door, but no.
Suzie’s birdhouses have had at least one lick of paint and perhaps two since my original post.
I’ve not been taking as many pictures of late, so to encourage myself to do better, I’m only sharing ones taken in the last few months.
As you see, I’ve been away, but got back to the UK in plenty of time to enjoy the drama of watching our Lionesses bring home the European cup (a football reference, for those who are not fans). I wish the rest of the news was half as uplifting.
I hope everyone reading is OK – sending my very best wishes and thanks for sticking with me through my lengthy blogging droughts.
If you have a moment to spare, check out some of the other SimplyRed submissions. Thanks for hosting, Becky!
Susan Rushton 
Very glad to see a post from you! Yes, what a lot of dispiriting news from around the world but especially from the U.S. Love the bursts of red featured in your photos, a much-needed reminder of how gardens can bring delight even when times are hard.
Thanks, Laurie. Last week, a gardener explained that she lived on her own while standing amongst flowering plants she was tending. I replied, “You’re never alone when you have flowers”, then wondered, that’s not true, is it? There’s something in that idea though. It surely applies to a good book.
I think it might be true. When I am in my garden, I am aware of all the life around me plants: birds, insects, amphibians, little mammals. I certainly don’t feel alone.