Dani (L) and Middie (R) were two unlucky cats that ultimately lived very lucky lives. Both cats were rescues from two different shelters in Illinois. They shared a similar history being female, three-legged, special needs kitties. From what their respective shelters knew, Dani lost her hind leg after being hit by a car, and Middie lost her hind leg after being attacked by a coyote. Upon adoption, the two of them lived 'the princess life,' spending their days on soft pillows and warm blankets. They got lots of good food and love from Jade and Blake, our grands, along with their Mom and Dad. Dani lived 12 years, and Middie lived 17 years.

After Middie's passing earlier this year, Jade and Blake were finally ready to bury both cats' ashes so they could be together. They decided our house would be a perfect place, so we had a kitty burial for them. We put them in a safe, protected place so the urns with their ashes would never be disturbed. The kiddos painted a special memorial rock and placed it on top of the dirt as a remembrance of their two pets. Now when they come to visit they can always take a moment to remember Dani and Middie.

'Profound Mystery' is one of my transforming daylilies. It starts the day as rosy cranberry with a cranberry-lavender watermark. In the afternoon the petal color fades and the sepals stay the same color as in the morning, becoming a reverse bitone. You can see from the photographs how it changes faces throughout the day. Blooms on this daylily are consistent and look great in all types of weather.

Hybridized in Minnesota by Karol Emmerich and introduced in 2009, this dormant tetraploid grows 28 inches tall with 5 inch blooms. I have my plant growing at the front of a border because the unique blooms are so showy and attractive. Profound Mystery is a no-fuss, hardy grower in Wisconsin. Last summer, in my garden, it bloomed from July 7 through August 13.

As much as I love gardening, there are just a few things I wish didn't happen when I'm outside:

1. Getting a gnat in your eye. Activities come to a grinding halt. 
2. Getting a buzzing insect stuck inside your ear. Activities come to a grinding halt.
3. Finding a deer tick on your arm and wondering where else they might be.
4. Starting a project when it's bright and sunny outside, then moments later clouds roll in with an unexpected burst of heavy rain that completely soaks you.
   
5. Planting a large daylily and discovering that it's six inches off where you really wanted it and you have to re-do it. This is especially annoying if you've already watered the plant.
6. Wearing a bicycle helmet while weeding where the neighbor's walnut tree overhangs one of your gardens. Falling walnuts really do hurt.
7. Getting a hole in your garden glove and not immediately taking the time to replace the glove. Having instant regret after getting a big thorn in the part of your finger that sticks out of the hole.
8. Having a snake unexpectedly slither over your foot.
9. Finding a dead, rotting 'something' in between your daylilies while weeding.
10. Being dog-tired at the end of a gardening day and realizing you still have to clean up your mess and all your tools.

What's your gardening downer?