May 2, 2005

  • Xanga Update: Wow - it's been a while since I've had the opportunity to say hi and update what's going on here in the city.  Usually I found the time at work (yes, it's true!) to post a hello but work has kept me pretty busy - which I do prefer, since everybody works for the weekend - and I've kept off the home computer to do lots of gardening then.  Here's a few pics of what's growing on these days.

    First off - lets find a pic of Rex.  I like this one but it came out a bit dark.  Rex is pretty happy these days.  When Hal and I get home during the week, we always ask ourselves if it is a bonus day, meaning Rex is going to greet us.  It's continues to baffle me that Rex is almost 14 1/2 and going strong.  He still has his strut and basically he and I negotiate that he gets a treat if he greets me when I get home.  That usually leads to a half hour (or more) of barky banter on his part.  Too cool his voice doesn't really seem to get past our place - the neighbors haven't yet disapproved. 

    Hal's had a weekend opportunity to make some fantastic macadamia/white chocolate/coconut cookies for our respected office mates.  See?  Still workin' on the weekends.

    While I continue to dwell on work late this evening.  I had this great orchid that captivated all who saw it.  Hiding behind files is my new beloved laelia/cattleya hybrid with the perfect name "Trick or Treat" - literally the color is an un-natural Halloween orange. The flowers played out pretty dramatically after several weeks and I brought it home to repot and join of the rest of the growing orchids.

    Okay - let's see.  What's going on in the garden...Well for starters one of the cactus bloomed beautifully.  We tried to guess the color since it was the first time blooming and I guessed red - wrong!  The most intense purple blooms made me wish of a trip to the desert to see a landscape of color.

    African violets indoors are blooming now - really all you need to do is water water water - after all, didn't they say we are 90% water or something?  Plants are the same.

    Hal's pal Jay went to Ikea and got these cheap slatted outdoor flooring so the plants wouldn't cook.  Being even a little raised prevents the urban garden from a slow crock pot cook. 

    One of the coolest appreciations of gardening comes from perennials.  Last year Hal planted lunaria seeds to my suprise (under the camellia) which is the perfect visual example of a  plant cycle growing the first year not doing much (yawn - boring!) except saving energy to flower and seed during the 2nd year of growth (Yay!)

    Speaking of the camellia is still flowering but on its way to a late pruning.  Lots of these plants remind me of what my parents literally landscaped in my youth.

    Speaking of what my parents enjoyed landscaping in our front yard was the same hybrid I enjoy here in the city - ajuga.

    Well, this was a short bit what's going on and I'll resume the gardening post.  Hal and I are planning the trip to France come late September - can't wait to see a few long time friends...

    nite nite!