I went for a walk today.

Still looks like Delphinium to me. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delphinium.

The leaf really looks like Delphinium.

Aw, heck, if they live that wet, they'll never make it here in our desert! Just another thing I enjoy from afar. LOL
There's a blue flower thread going on - I think it's in the Garden Talk forum - for blue flower lovers.

Sally, I'm thinking of you!! A friend of mine just posted her launch pictures on Facebook. It's a whole lot different to have that perspective.

Delphiniums can take dry, I think. They like sun - Soferdig has great ones in Montana. Hmmmm.

What launch? I've tried Delphiniums in my yard, didn't make it through the winter.

Nice rocks.

That is a pretty blue!

They are gardenias, but I have no idea what type. They are a smaller and neater bush than one I have in the back yard, and the leaf is different.

Lynn

The shuttle launch?

I keep trying delphiniums here, too, and can only keep them one or two years. At the house in EWA they are more successful. Colder winters and lots of sun and heat in the summer.

Yes, the shuttle launch.

'Pacific Giants' delphs do really well here too. They do dry just fine but I'm not sure how they'd like your heat KaperC

I was looking back through these pictures. I love the picture of the native Dicentra, too. I have these in my back flower beds, but they're pinker. I love the white color of the ones from your walk, Sally.

There was another launch last week, so I wasn't sure which one she saw. I never got to see a shuttle launch. Atlas, Delta and Ariane, but never shuttle. boooo My work always had to be finished way before launch, so I was long gone. Almost saw one once that had been delayed and was to happen while I was there. Packed my camera, borrowed a super lens, got up early, stacked out a spot on the causeway (employees got to be a little closer) and waited. Down to the nine minute hold.......that never picked up again until after I was on a plane for home. I wanted to cry. But just being up close to that beautiful bird is thrilling and I actually had to work on our sat. while it was being staged once. waaaaaaaaaaaay up high. And meeting and working astronauts and being in the control room are memories I won't forget.

If you're interested in space stuff here's a diary of a first time member of the press at this launch. Sounds like me the first time I went to cape. LOL You have to go to the bottom to read it from the first day.

http://blogs.nasa.gov/cm/blog/watchlaunch

I'll have to go take that walk again soon, there were lots that hadn't opened yet and some were just starting to bloom. Our weather is finally warming up, still getting showers, but warmer. Yeah!!!

It's so exciting to hear YOU talk about the launches. I can hear the love of it in your voice. Thanks for the link. I'll check it out.

Katie, we all enjoyed her work - vicariously! She always had neat stories. I'll never forget watching the moon landing at, what was it - 3am or something? Then there were the spies that worked in her building and the notorious trip to China and those elevators that 'rested' at night. Oh yeah, she was way up high working on that sat - but ask her why the cameras were there.

Yeah, I'm still awestruck. LOL

nasa.gov is a fun place to look around. That's the first time I ever saw the blogs. Interesting.

KaperC - these are clearly some stories we need to hear. Are you sure you don't want to come up for the roundup in August to share them with us?

Don't I wish, Katie! They are her stories - just nudge a little 'til she gives forth!

Will do. Just so I know, is there a (ahem) beverage that she likes that makes her more likely to share these stories?

Well, there is something she used to like in the evening, but for the round-up, you'd better keep to water or lemonade! LOL There is a pie she really likes and only has for special occasions, though!

Sorry, I can't make the roundup. Too far for a day trip.

But I will tell you about the cameras. The stage I was working in was already fueled, so was our satellite. Soooooo, they take your picture badge before you go in, video everything and you have to tell them everything you do so they know what you were doing if things went wrong. The badges were so they knew who was in there when it blew up. Sounds more awful than it was, you have hours and hours of safety training, and are REALLY careful not to do anything wrong. The spooky part for me was being up on a catwalk in a harness and a clean suit, way up high and all by yourself. Safety does a check before you start, to check for leaks, then they leave. Needless to say this is only done if absolutely necessary for the lifespan of the satellite. Only twice in 35 yrs. for me.

This message was edited May 13, 2009 6:42 PM

Oooooooh, would love to have you at the roundup, you know.

So, about the cameras. It sounds like food for one of those recurring dreams one has (no clothes in public, forgetting your classes in college). Creepy is right. Glad nothing went wrong for you. :-)

Too bad it's not closer, Sis. You would love it. No chance you can do an overnighter?

It would be a long drive, and you know I don't like being gone from mom. I know it sounds like fun. Another time maybe.

Could you bring your mom? We would love to have you here for the RoundUp. We do have sleeping accommodations for a few people here at the house.

Thanks for the offer but Mom just turned 95, she couldn't take the drive.

Where's Scotty when we need him? Knowing Mom, if you said she could be beamed to the RU, she'd go for it. Sally and DBIL take the most excellent care of her.

BTW, just heard one of the astronauts is on Twitter and several hundred thousand people are following his messages. I think I'll go find him and sign up.

Did you find him? Wanted to go for another walk today, got home to late, too much to do.

Yes, I did. He's posting under the name Astro_Mike. Do you have a Twitter account? I don't post, but I follow a few.

I'll check it out. Thanks!

Nope I haven't done that one.