I found an Earthstar in my yard.
Its rays were spread, its sac was flat, its spores were gone.
Its job was done.
I peeked into the mouth-like hole to see if I could spot a spore.
But all were washed away by rain.
This tiny barometer knew just when
to unfold rays and open its pore
to send its tiny jewels into the wet world
to be stars.
Well the honeymoon is over. I was hoping we could be friends.
But there are some habits that the Flower cannot tolerate.
At first the digging was a novelty. The excavation was a source of fascination.
It thought this was just part of getting settled in.
But its been months and the digging continues.
My new neighbor has an addiction to digging.
I did not mind its sharing my cold frame until the pots started sinking into the ground.
Now a line has been crossed. I was out with the bunnies when I noticed a pile of fresh rubble under the bunny hutch.
This is not their home. They, of course, have their own room inside the house.
This hutch is their outdoor retreat from wind and birds-of-prey. It is also their outdoor toilet.
This huge pile of rocks has been removed from under a slab of concrete.
We still haven’t met our new neighbor. I tried to get Charlotte to identify him from photos, but she refused to squeal.
Mr. Flower suggested trying a trap. What should we use for bait I asked, “Rocks?”
We borrowed a critter camera that did not work. I suggested purchasing our own. Mr. Flower said he did not wish to spend money on such a purchase.
I interrupted him to inform him that I was saving my money for new bikinis for our trip to Mexico. ( Pure fiction is the perfect distraction. It throws them off course. When they recover from the shock, they are so grateful that what you just said was a lie that they will gladly give you the original object requested.)
I am expecting that critter cam any time now.
FLOWER
Since I have a garden, not a groundhog, I tend to consult it as to when spring will arrive.
The first place I go for this information is the weeds. Yes, that’s right. WEEDS.
They know more than the hybrids. Their DNA has not been tampered with.
They use old school, and I do mean old, methods to determine when to start growing.
Well fellow Carolinians, the weeds say get busy.
The mint family(square stems) and dandelions are all ready blooming.
That means if you delay in weeding, you will be weeding mama weeds and baby weeds. Two generations! That’s way more than twice as many.
You don’t have weeds, you say? Lucky you.
Then consult some of your garden favorites.
The BULBS say spring is near.
Tete-a-tetes say yes.
The crocus concur.
The old daffodils on the hill are thrilled.
Bulbs are always ahead of the game you say?
Ask the PERRENIALS.
Foxgloves are growing foliage.
The columbines are coming out.
Perennial poppycock you say?
Then go see a SHRUB.
The Pieris are ringing their spring bells.
The Quince is quite convinced that spring is near.
If you still need to consult a CRITTER, or two.
The bunnies have some spring in their hop.
Get busy people. Being a gardener is like being part of a horse costume. If you’re not a head, you’re a behind.
I said spring is near NOT here. You crazy people better not set out tomatoes yet. They go out the third week in April.
P.S. I do have a groundhog. But we don’t mention such things around Mr. Flower.
FLING
My daddy gardens in the spring and summer.
https://floweralley.org/category/my-daddy/
In the winter, he builds planes.
This winter he is making the largest and most complex plane ever.
It is a model of the B-24 Liberator from World War II.
It has hundreds of tiny pieces
that must be precisely cut with an Exacto knife from balsa wood and glued into place.
He says that this is his last one. I hope this is not true.
If my eighty-six-year-old daddy can perform miracles with his crooked hands,
what excuse could I possibly use to not do amazing things myself?
I am his FLOWER.
Okay, so I made up a new word. It fits doesn’t it? A little, Italian winery.
Raffaldini Vineyards and Winery is in North Carolina,
but it did make me feel like I was in Italy or at least California.
Mr. Flower and I enjoyed a wine tasting here last weekend.
We sampled eight different wines as we learned about the various grapes and processes for creating the complex aromas, flavors and textures.
I did not know that some grapes are dried to enhance their flavors. This process is called Appasimento. Some of the wines were aged in stainless steel instead of oak barrels.
The lovely facilities are set up on a hill with a great view of the grape vines and surrounding farms.
It amazes me the vision and foresight some people have “to dream and then do.”
This is an impressive yet peaceful place to spend an afternoon.
FLOWER
I am fascinated by water. I call it the miracle molecule.
It is the only substance on Earth found in all three states (solid, liquid and gas) at natural temperatures.
Water molecules form a lattice as they freeze. This is why ice floats.
I have posted on snow several times. Here is some ice art for your enjoyment.
I could have stayed here all day watching the water flowing behind the ice sheets.
I love nature with all my heart.
FLOW
I just couldn’t leave it there with a long root reaching desperately out from the bottom of the pot.
That would be like ignoring a drowning person’s hand reaching out of the water.
I did not know that its name, Rooikappie, meant ‘Red Ridinghood’ in Afrikaans until I looked it up on-line.
I brought the aloe home and did some trimming before repotting it.
These little pieces will be left to harden off for a few days and then rooted. (Free plants.)
Little Rooikappie looks happier all ready.
My what big teeth she has!
FLOWER
floweralley 