Irises from my garden

I planted these irises last year, and now they're blooming! I found someone on Craigslist that was selling them very cheaply -- $2 per bulb instead of $4-6 per bulb. She also gave me some shoots that had very little bulb but that might grow. They did, so I got almost twice what I paid for. A few bulbs rotted into a yellow goo, but I had very good success.

I also bought some different-colored bulbs from a local place and ordered some from Gilbert H. Wild and Sons. I ordered them and them let them sit in a box for a long time. I panicked when I remembered about them but put them into the ground after the heat of summer let off some. They all survived, miraculously enough. They're still pretty small, but they all bloom mid- to late season. There's still hope for this year. I just hope the neighbor's tree doesn't block their sunlight too much.

Sad news: My uncle passed away this week. My mom went home to Louisiana, but I stayed home because of work. Grieving alone doesn't give you the same catharsis as grieving with your family.