Success on the Window Sill

Rooted and roaring to go

It worked.  Well, part of the experiment worked.  The stalk did not grow roots or leaves, but the pretty green top grew the finest set of roots I ever seen. Even a wisdom tooth would be envious of these.

Before:  cut free of the shriveled neck but not
ready to quit.  Two months in water did the trick.

Around the first of February this blog described the demise of part of my dracaena plant.  One of the stalks just hung its head over and gave up.  The national/world news is bad, but not so awful as to cause house plants to throw in the towel.  I was certain that with a good dose water and hope that at least part of it would be willing to have another go at life.

Very short, but filled with hope and vitality

Now after two months, the rescued green top is filled with life and light and is going strong.  I've planted  this healthy top back in its pot with the taller brother and sister--so thrilled that this is one of the Things I get to do today.

The Push Mower

Grass in our lawn never takes a vacation.  We went away, but the lawn stayed home, got drunk on rain and reached for the sky.  Well, seven inches is not the sky, but you know what I mean.

The power end of the mower

So as soon as it could be stuffed into the Things I get to do today, I mowed the lawn.  It was damp and supposed to rain. Tall grass is difficult.  Wet, tall grass is close to impossible.  And it did, indeed, rain.  But I've got one of those mowers that isn't broken unless I am.

Well-coated with long, wet grass

Trusty piece of equipment it is. Never runs out of gas, or oil, or breaks the starter cord, or has a dead battery, or picks up rocks or wire bits and hurtles them dangerously at the unsuspecting. Nope, this mower goes when I say go and stops when I need a rest. But mowing the lanky green was very hard work.  Fortunately, it's done now. The henny pennies have small mountains of clippings to hunt, peck and scratch through. In a few days, we'll cycle this job through the "get to do today" list to clean it up proper like when the rain takes a break. But for now the old push mower performed beautifully.

Welcomed Home

Callas greet with grace at the front door

Home feels good.  The welcoming committee of yard growies done good!

Blue Borage

Even though the back lawn has grown three inches too long to cut with the push mower and will be on tomorrow's Things I get to do today, all the plants and flowers got drunk on the abundant rain that fell while we were away and decided to throw a party for me.  It is glorious.

Rosemary's delicate dance

I'm wrapped in the surprise of
beauty around every corner on every plant.  I am home and I am loved.

Welcome Home!

Mountain High

They are over 10,000 feet at the top. As I sorted through the Things I get to do today, finding my way into the high mountains felt like the best choice.  From the eastern edge of the L.A. Basin, the mountains rise up in a massive ridge across the northern skyline.

In less than an hour, we found our way from the 2100 ft. floor to over 8000 ft.  The temperature was 37 degrees, and snow hung in the shadows beside the road.  The air was clear, fresh, fragrant.  We followed a little road down to an area called Seven Oaks and explored a segment of the Santa Ana River.  Boulders delineating the parking area caught my attention.

Textures and lines

Shapes and squiggles

I've found my mountain high.

Work the Wind

One could get dizzy looking at them. Rows and rows of blades moving circularly rather blow the mind, so to speak. But it makes sense to use what is normally just a nuisance in this area--the wind. The turbines gather the winds. That work creates electricity.

I'm fascinated by the dancing patterns and documenting them will be part of The Things I Get To Do Today.

Bing Bling

Sometimes the world loves a show off! Spring is that time. Perhaps the plant devas work over time in February and March to get ready for the extravaganza. Bling is all over my cherry tree.

Even if there are no cherries, the tree is worth having for the display. It's a grafted tree with four or five different cherries. Last year I ate two, not quite ripe, in a race with Nature and the jays and squirrels. This year there'll be protection over the small tree. For now, I'm reveling in their gaudy glitz.

Naked Lady in a Bathtub

Eight-year-old boys blush, but I ask them any way. When the opportunity strikes, this is always the most fun of the Things I Get To Do Today. "Would you like to see a naked lady in a bathtub?" I pluck a flower and gently pull down the brilliant pink sides. There before God and all of us is a pale-skinned woman, serenely sitting in her elegant bath. I hand the flower to the young boy, pleased with myself for corrupting his young mind with the mysteries and delights of Nature who is not the slightest bit shy about exposing its beauty.

I had to buy a vigorous, new plant this spring to replace my older Bleeding Heart. Each year for some time it has diminished in size and health. Such an old-fashioned favorite belongs by my front door to greet visitors and to be handy for informing grown-ups and embarrassing small children in general. We're ready to go now for many more springs to come.