I had one project on the agenda for today, something that I had been thinking about for a few weeks. But before getting started on that, I noticed that all of the buds I have been seeing on the rose bush are now beginning to open. One of them is completely open and looks great.

This rose bush has done very well since I planted it two years ago.

Flower on the rose bush.

I've lived in this house for almost three years as of this writing. Until very recently, the only "adventures" I've had in the yard have been confined to what I'm used to doing - basic maintenance. I keep the grass cut and the bushes trimmed. The small amount of planting I've experimented with this year got me thinking. I have a large yard with nothing in it other than established trees and bushes that all seem to be doing well. The rest of the yard is mostly grass and weeds. If I wanted to try some actual landscaping, not only do I have plenty of room, I've got a proverbial blank canvas to work with. I actually made this observation not long after I moved into this house.

For someone like me who has a very limited background in the world of landscaping, jumping into it can be intimidating because my mind just doesn't work that way. But maybe it wouldn't hurt to plant a few things here and there and see what happens. Today seemed like a good day to start a new "adventure."

I've been thinking that having a little more shade in the front yard would be nice. Cutting the grass might be a little easier on the sunny and hot days. I headed to Lowe's today and picked up a shade tree.

Here is where having a convertible works to your benefit. Tall trees can be hauled with relative ease.

I chose an October Glory maple tree to get this adventure started.

According to the tag on the tree, it likes full sun, which is what I have in the front yard. It doesn't require a lot of water once established. And it can grow to more than 40 feet tall. But where do I plant it ?

I figured that I can start at the obvious spot and plant it in the middle of the yard.

I broke out the shovel and started digging.

And with that, I have begun a new "adventure" in the yard. This is all the further I have planned at the moment. But the season is still young. We'll see where it goes from here.