Spring Has Arrived Around the Botanical Gardens....

After a Long Hot Day of Work Around Bill's Botanical Gardens.....

..............there's nothing that quiet refreshes.....or..... HYDRATES.....like a tall cold thirst quenching drink of BOTTLED WATER! But never fear......I didn't BUY this bottle.....instead it was given to me as a gift in time of need by my dear Pastor and friend who walked away muddering some scripture about ..........and if a bottle of water I've given to one of the least of these my brothers.............

Just Had To Share This....

We just love my Brother and Pat's Sister and are so glad they get to spend time in real PARADISE........Hawaii !!! Look at this picture and you can see two happy people.....both with the environment......and each other!

OK...I Just Had To Do This....

Some years ago I saw something for the first time I just couldn't believe.....A BOTTLE OF WATER ON SALE FOR $1.00 per pint! It just blew me away. I vowed there a vow that I would never buy a bottle of something so free flowing and free on the planet! And then it went crazy! Bottled water everywhere.......
Although I have in a pinch drank water from a bottle in the convenience of the moment I HAVE NEVER PURCHASED A BOTTLE FOR MYSELF!

.....and today I recieved this from a friend.......

I'm afraid that I have some bad news. Although drinking bottled water may seem like a harmless, even a healthy, thing to do, it's actually a really bad habit. Those bottles of cold, crystal clear, fresh spring water may become considerably less appealing if you consider the following factoids (courtesy of the Center for a New American Dream, Grist, and Treehugger.)Purity* 25%-40% of the bottled water sold in the U.S. is actually just tap water (in a plastic bottle.)* Tap water is actually more strictly regulated than bottled water. The EPA monitors all tap water while the FDA regulates only some bottled water.* A four-year study of bottled water in the U.S. conducted by NRDC found that one-fifth of the 103 water products tested contained synthetic organic chemicals such as the neurotoxin xylene and the possible carcinogen and neurotoxin styrene.

Cost* Tap water costs roughly 1 cent a gallon; bottled water costs up to $10 a gallon (WAY more expensive than gasoline!)

Drinking* the recommended daily amount of water using bottled water can cost up to $1,400 per year; drinking the same amount from the tap costs around 59 cents for the year, according to the New York Times.* Americans spent $15 billion on bottled water in 2006.

Waste* It takes THREE gallons of water to produce ONE drinkable gallon of bottled water.

86% of plastic bottles in the United States never get recycled.* Bottled water has a huge carbon footprint both from the production of the bottles and from transporting them all over the country and world (water is very heavy).Okay, now that your eyes are open (and you're thoroughly depressed), here's the good news -- drinking bottled water is a pretty easy habit to kick!

This is one habit I don't need to kick.....how about you????

Bill's Botanical Nursery

..............We have about 250 plants sprouting under controlled environments in the kitchen......

.....eventually they will take their place in pots, planters and in the landscape itself..........

.......to provide beauty and tranquility to those of YOU who visit Bill's Botanical and Pat's Secret gardens........ And you're all invited my friend!

Bring the Spring....

....tulips are beginning to pop through the mulch along the front steps......

.....last year's primrose are beginning to bloom......

..........and Pat bought these jonquils to enjoy in the dining room and then find their place under the tree on the back hill.

Other Signs of Spring...

.....some primrose plants waiting on the porch to go into the ground next week......

.........and in the pond.......the fish become active......

..........they have grown and provide colorful accent and interest..... (I heard this language on HDTV!)

The Kids Trip To Chelseys

Wes, Cheryl, Zoe and Addy took a chunk of spring break to fly to California to visit Chels and Nate. Nothing like a Dad's boy with his boy!

.........loving adventure.........

....the GRANDdaughters.........

........and our "kids" enjoying time together.

After Breakfast With Tevis Today.....

....we went to Brendon's preschool chapel service. Brendon listened attentively to the story about fishing and fisherman and Jesus and Peter.... Megan....well....she just looked cute as always!

.......and then came the announcement that there was going to be a special upcoming Grandparents Day....this was his reaction.....I think I may get invited!

..........and then a few verses of that old favorite, "This Little Light of Mine" that brought back some fond memories!

..........I will say that as evidenced in this picture....Brendon put everything he had into this song....(unlike the young man to his left!!)