Earth Day reflections from the front garden

I use this beautiful photo of my mother, Betty, in the north woods of Minnesota as an introduction to my post for Earth Day.  The Ladyslipper is of the orchid family and this variety is the State Flower.  I associate orchids with greenhouses, but these grow 'rough' in the woods!  Creation is full of surprises, and my mother helped me to see and appreciate the beauty of nature.  Thanks mom!  (RIP 1995).  The rest of the photos are from the front garden of our home, where Joanne is the chief architect of the beauty there.