Fifty Years Ago Today

I've been reading about today and hearing about it for weeks now.  There are stories in the newspapers, specials on TV, a docu-drama opening on Tuesday, radio reports....  It's too much.

Fifty years ago today I woke up on Sunday morning and was informed by my Dad that they were rioting in Detroit.  But when I turned on the TV and radio.. nothing.  He said he heard it on the radio when he awoke very early that morning.  By the time I awoke there was a news blackout.  It would remain that way until late afternoon.

I was twenty years old and a senior in college.  On July 1, I started my laboratory internship at Detroit General Hospital, now Detroit Receiving.  The old hospital was located in downtown Detroit across the street from Police Headquarters.

I called a friend of mine who lived in the city and was also an intern.  She knew nothing of what was going on but was going to call her boyfriend who lived in a fraternity house on the Wayne State campus.  When she called me back, she confirmed what my father had said that morning.  Later that evening I would watch National Guard troops travel down 8 Mile Road (we lived in the first house on a block in the suburbs  just over the city line) after being called in by the Governor.

When Monday rolled around I found myself at home.  The hospital was arranging for police to pick up hospital workers but only if they lived within city limits.  At the time there was a residency requirement for city employees, but laboratory workers and nurses were exempt.  But transportation was erratic and some lines did not even run.  I am not sure if all transportation was eventually shut down, but for a time all gas stations were ordered to close.  And I really do not recall when we were required to report that week.  It was a long time ago.

I worked in the city for the next ten years.  I was never scared to be there.  I would cringe when I heard someone brag that they never crossed 8 Mile.  What?  No Tiger ball games, no Art Institute, no plays at the theaters, no concerts, etc ?????

My Sunday paper is still sitting in the kitchen with today's section on 'the disturbance' still unread.  I can only read so much at a time.  There is much to read online if you are not familiar with what happened.  I leave you to search on your own.  For me, I need to take a break.

Wordless Wednesday

Niagara Falls, January, 1970 - I believe this is the only photo of my platinum blond hair that I had for one year.  Too much work.  Those sunglasses are the same ones in the July, 1973 photo I posted.

Garden Bloggers Bloom Day July 2017 Edition

Welcome to Garden Bloggers Bloom Day hosted by Carol at May Dreams Gardens.  I have so much blooming right now I do not know where to start.  But I do know that I am not going to sit here and label every photo.  I will be happy to identify them in comments if anyone so desires.  Trying to take and edit pictures was daunting enough.  Especially since with the wild grasses blooming I am paranoid about another episode of hives.  Ick.  So, here we go starting with various daylilies:

Arriba

Oriental Ruby

Chicago Rosy  

Sing Holly

Chicago Regal

Jolyene Nichole

Frosted Vintage Ruffles

Red Cherry and Royal Flair

 Siloam Amazing Grace

Creepy Crawler

Green Flutter

Mary Todd

Sunset Sonata

Then we have some hostas:

 Christmas Tree

On Stage

Ventricosa

Blue Umbrellas

Dream Queen

Various ground covers.  My goal is to one day not have to buy anymore mulch with ground cover filling in.

 

Northern Sea Oats which is coming up all over.  This year I will have to cut all these seed heads.

Ripening berries on viburnums.  The birds are already attacking them.

Lots of daisies blooming that haven't yet been eaten by rabbits, but these Broadway Lights in the late afternoon sun are making my day even when it rains.

Astilbe 'Visions' below

Hydrangea - a plant that has been moved around and finally started blooming last year

Quickfire hydrangea:

A garden visitor on the Quickfire:

A border of yarrow.  Another plant that loves to take over.

A quiet place with ferns:

My peaceful paradise (when no one is shooting off fireworks):

Thanks for joining me.  If you want to see what other have blooming in their gardens, head on over to May Dreams Gardens.  And thanks to Carol for hosting.