Backyard Bliss, Even in the Drought

June brought us hardly any rain, yet our Florida backyard continues to thrive. Even during the drought, nature has found a way to flourish. Every day brings the cheerful songs of birds, the graceful flutter of butterflies, and the sweet reward of homegrown treasures.

Zebra Longwing and Monarch butterflies dancing around. 🦋

Zebra Longwing butterflies love this firebush plant

bleeding heart

Bluejay and rabbit

My aunts' four mango trees are absolutely loaded with fruit this year. My own mango tree, on the other hand, had a much smaller harvest, producing just ten mangoes. The tree is the Thai variety Nam Doc Mai, prized for its rich sweetness, smooth texture, and thin pit. Something—most likely squirrels—helped themselves to two of them (sigh!), but we were able to enjoy the remaining eight, and they were incredibly sweet. Moments like these are a reminder that even during a Florida drought, nature still offers delightful surprises.

cherries and strawberries are store bought

The two mangoes on the left are from my tree

Our mango tree has a story of its own. About ten years ago, when we bought our house, my aunt gave us a young mango plant she had started from a pit. It was only about three feet tall at the time, but with a little patience, it has grown into a beautiful tree.

For much of those ten years, we were living aboard our boat, so we rarely had the chance to enjoy its harvest. Now that we've sold the boat and traded our sea legs for gardening gloves, we finally get to savor the fruit of that little seedling.

The mango tree in 2016

Blue skies after the rain—a happy mango tree (2026).

Not many mangoes this year, but every one is a treat.

While we're looking forward to the return of Florida's refreshing summer rains, I'm grateful for the life that continues to fill our backyard. Even in the stifling heat and dry conditions, there's still so much to appreciate—from colorful birds and butterflies to the simple pleasure of picking a perfectly ripe mango straight from the tree.

Just thinking about those sweet, juicy mangoes is making my mouth water!

How's your summer harvest coming along? I'd love to hear what you're growing this season, Stay cool and enjoy the rest of your summer!

This post is shared on Skywatch Friday.

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Montpellier: A Sunny Gem in Southern France

In mid-April, we embarked on a two-week transatlantic cruise from Port Everglades, Florida, to Barcelona, Spain. Since we'd already explored Barcelona on a previous trip—and hotel prices were especially steep this time—we decided to skip the city and head straight to southern France by bus.

We'd always wanted to visit Provence, so this was the perfect opportunity to explore its charming villages, medieval architecture, and beautiful countryside. Our cruise had ended, but a new adventure was just beginning. 

Our first stop was Montpellier. While it isn't in Provence proper, Montpellier sits just west of the region and makes a convenient gateway to Avignon, our next stop. Before planning this trip, we'd barely heard of Montpellier, but it turned out to be a delightful surprise. A lively university town with a rich history, Montpellier is home to the oldest medical school in France. Who knew?

The medieval-looking medical school

We found the people to be especially friendly. My husband, who studied French from first grade, was a bit rusty after not speaking it for years. As we puzzled over Montpellier's tram routes, a kind local came over and pointed us in the right direction.

Colorful tram

One of Montpellier's top attractions is the Jardin des Plantes, the city's botanical garden. We took the tram there, only to discover it didn't open until noon. While waiting, we wandered around and stumbled upon the University of Montpellier's Faculty of Medicine, housed in a striking medieval-looking building.

Narrow, winding streets led us to Place de la Canourgue, where we stopped for coffee.  

coffee break at a cafe in Place de la Canourgue

From there, we walked to the Arc de Triomphe. A flea market had been in full swing earlier that morning and was just packing up as we arrived.

Arc de Triomphe

Aqueduc Saint-Clément

The aqueduct—an engineering marvel that continues to amaze us.

Promenade du Peyrou

Place de la Comédie, Montpellier's main square, was quiet when we arrived. Since it was Sunday, most shops were closed, though the restaurants were open. Later in the day, the square came alive as a group gathered to dance to lively Latin music.

Place de la Comédie

Les Halles Laissac, a covered market filled with local food vendors, was open, so we stopped in to pick up a few snacks. One surprise was meeting a young woman selling nuts and dried fruit who spoke Chinese!

Chatted with this young lady in Chinese

Outside the market, we took in the area’s distinctive architecture, pausing to admire the striking murals that adorned the surrounding streets.

creative street art mural

We strolled along the Esplanade Charles de Gaulle and enjoyed a crêpe from one of the many vendors along the promenade.

Yummy crepe

Pretty pigeon house.

We ended the day where we started—the garden. One day in Montpellier, especially on a Sunday, barely scratched the surface of this vibrant and captivating city. We'd happily return for a longer stay. Stay tuned—our next stop is Avignon!

This post is shared on Skywatch Friday ThroughMyLens and Monday Murals.

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