Amazing Sunflowers

I am totally amazed by these sunflowers when I come across them at our public park today. This time they appear mainly yellow in colour varied with different coloured circular centres, green, yellow and purple. What colours of these centres of interest butterflies or bees perceive is a question, but such flat, spacious "pads" are perfect landing sites for them.

From now on, I cast my eyes on these interesting flowers at a new angle. In these few days, I shall keep watching their change in colours.

紅掌

最近我獨愛樓下公共花圃粉紅色的紅掌。其標緻的花形和單純的顏色在綠葉的襯托下顯得特別優雅!

以下是從網上找到的一些資料簡介一下：

紅掌(Anthurium)的葉從根莖抽出，具長柄，單生、心形，鮮綠色，葉脈凹陷。

花腋生，有蠟質，正圓形至卵圓形，色澤有紅、粉、白、綠、雙色等。其色澤鮮豔，造形奇特。

肉穗花序，圓柱狀，直立。

Children’s Art Gallery

On June 5th this year, I found this gallery in my grand-daughters’ room. The drawings were displayed on the widest wall. I was amazed by the perceptions of my grand-daughter(s) in their daily life and from stories they had heard or read about.

Here are my views of these drawings: (from left to right and top to bottom)
1.    A bearded man has hung up the washings at his verandah
2.    A cook is cooking some meat in a pan
3.   安徒生童話: 國王的新衣 (The emperor's new clothes)
4.    Three pigs at their house with a cunning wolf
5.    無國界醫生in Africa
6.    A child looking at the fireworks over Disneyland
7.    A girl walking against strong winds during a typhoon

In my opinion, the last one is the best of all the drawings.

Beijing Peaches

Yesterday in a nearby P-Supermarket, I found these “China Apples” (as printed on the label from supermarket) which were actually peaches from Beijing. The name in Chinese, 水蜜桃, is correct.

The price for three such peaches was $12 for 3, which I considered reasonable. Their pale red look and silky skin were attractive, so without a second thought, I bought a pack to eat after dinner. When I cut open one, the flesh appeared white, with small patches of red. The taste was not as expected, neither juicy and sweet, but it had already satisfied my curiosity.

A 2015 Calendar

Elly made and gave us a calendar on December 12th, 2014.

Being the grandparents of this little child, we are happy to see her draw a funny picture of both of us.

Elly loves sunny days, so she adds a Sun here.

She has close observation on our clothing. I often wear a charcoal-coloured T-shirt and my wife one with a butterfly. Perhaps it was still cold when she drew this, she gave us long sleeves.

My wife has short hair, so Elly draws her the correct style. To me, Elly gives me much black hair.

One thing is clear. Elly has a happy heart, so she thinks that we have too.

Finally what Elly misses in her drawing is the pair of spectacles on my nose.

Oranges from Spain

Thanks to the purchasers of fruits of both W and P supermarkets who order navel oranges from Spain in this month. They replace the Sunkist oranges as well as those from Australia.

I am quite satisfied with these oranges because they come as big, heavy, juicy and moderately sweet ones. The happiest thing to me is that they are sold at reasonably prices, around three to four dollars something, with brand names, Tono, Maxim (Barnfield navels) and Bella.