Sometimes I think nothing is going on around here
and then I look and realize I have been missing things.
My expensive stick ( Edgeworthia / Chinese Paper Bush) that turned into a lovely shrub over the summer has become a decorated stick.
Its leaves have dropped to reveal silky white buds hanging down like holiday baubles.
These glow in the morning sunshine.
Things happen in the garden year-round in the south.
You just have to pay close attention to notice.
Flower
My life has punctuation points. Beginnings, pauses and endings.
I mark time with events.
One of my punctuation points is the Blowing Rock Christmas parade.
Every Saturday after Thanksgiving I try to get there.
I start my Christmas season with a parade, not a shopping trip.
I like how folks come together in the streets to celebrate the season.
The firemen start the procession.
There are costumes and characters
dancers and drummers
bands and ballerinas
horses in hats
and swinging bears.
Both naughty and nice flow past.
Santa comes at the end waving and pointing at children while smiling.
That’s how I know the season has started.
Standing on a sidewalk with strangers.
There together waiting and watching and waving.
The parade makes me pause.
When the procession ends. The pause is over.
We all break ranks and get back to our busy lives
with smiles on our faces.
Happy Holidays
Flow
I can’t just leave my green babies outside to freeze!
So they come in every November.
Every fall I chant “Honey, I need a greenhouse.”
Mr. Flower’s response is, “Deary, you need fewer plants.”
What is a “plant mama” to do?
Every eastern or southern facing window has plants in it.
My workshop is a jungle.
My foyer is full.
I am not complaining, mind you.
Why else would there be a pink Hoya hanging among laundry?
My world is small, but it’s very green!
Flower
I hate to admit this about myself, but Las Vegas was 2 much 4 me.
As we drove south from lovely Utah, I examined my hands and nails.
This will never do in the party city! Dry skin, short nails with no polish.
Then I looked in the mirror. Wind-burned face, chapped lips and wind-blown hair.
Spa emergency? In my dreams! No time for such indulgences.
The “country mouse” was about to enter the big city looking disheveled and dirty.
Would I stick out like a sore thumb? Hiking boots among the spiked heels? Wool within a sea of sequins?
Within minutes of entering Treasure Island, I no longer cared how I looked.
There was a parade going on. I was an insignificant bystander.
We merged into the fast-moving flow of folks moving forward.
No one looks where they are walking. No wonder. There is too much else to see.
All eyes are on the bright lights, the flowing fountains and flashy folks.
Even the ceilings are decorated.
I had to swing to the margins of the herd to take pictures.
We had a short list of places to visit before our Cirque du Soleil show started.
The up escalators were strategically turned off, so we had to take the stairs.
First was the fountain show and Conservatory at the Bellagio. Music and dancing water are magically choreographed.
Next we strolled through the Venetian under the perpetually sunny skies.
Dodging people, crossing streets, horns blowing, engines revving.
Mr. Flower and I were happy to board our plane and skedaddle back to North Carolina.
Flow is 2 old 2 party. My fast and flashy days are over. (If I ever had any?)
Give me my garden!
Slower Flower
Sometimes I do not listen to Mr. Flower and it gets me in trouble.
As we were enjoying the views of Canyonlands from Island in the Sky visitors’ center , he pointed out a narrow road snaking down into the canyon. “Look at that car going down through there.” he would say as he pointed out a tiny moving speck.
I had paused and wondered, “What’s up with that road?” It never occurred to me there was a plan involved.
I knew I was in trouble when he mounted the Go-pro camera on the dash of the truck.
Yes, folks. There is a video. I am thankful that most of my comments and squealing are not audible.
The road less traveled is Shafer Trail Road.
It zigzags perilously close to open canyon.
It was a thrilling trip down.
It was an adventure. I did get to see the Bighorn Sheep. I did get to see canyon rocks up-close.
I did get to see the Potash pits up close and take photos of potash crystals. (Future post)
I did learn to listen to Mr. Flower’s casual comments…once in a while.
FLOW
I was in awe of the powers of wind and water this whole trip.
Looking over the rim of Bryce Canyon was like looking into another world.
The different areas are called amphitheaters.
The formations have names like chimneys and hoodoos.
Utah was formerly a desert (erg) on the equator.
I have had to go back and brush up on my geology.
The fractured layers of sandstone, limestone and mudstone are differentially eroded.
This leads to the hoodoo formation.
These processes continue today with freeze thaw cycles, rainwater and wind erosion.
Another beautiful example of nature’s art.
Flow
I took my camera to the Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens to photograph plants.
I should have known that this would include over-the-top displays like everywhere else.
Everything is bigger and brighter in Las Vegas.
Do not think that I was disappointed to find giant tigers and elephants.
I was just in shock and awe. I was wide-eyed the whole evening.
I loved the life-sized fairy flying among the colorful kalire.
The huge tigers had wagging tails.
The elephants nodded their heads.
The colorful trees were perches for giant peacocks.
There was a huge lamp large enough for a genie.
I guess the fox wanted to do some wishing.
This “Indian Summer” display was a bit overwhelming for the Flower.
I am happy to be back home where everything is life-sized and accurately colored.
One crazy day in Vegas was enough for Flow.
Stay tuned for a lot more of UTAH.
Flower
My coffee beans are finally starting to ripen.
A few are a lovely red hue.
The little tree is full of beans.
It will be brought inside before freezing temperatures hit.
The beans will be harvested later this month.
I plan on roasting them and grinding them
to make my first cup of tree-to-cup coffee.
What a treat that will be!
Flow
There will be NO Fairy Halloween Party due to last year’s bad behavior.
https://floweralley.org/2018/10/29/fairy-halloween-party/
We plan on having a quiet night at home.
Ruth has flown off to a retreat for some rest.
HAPPY HALLOWEEN to all the little good fairies.
Mama Flow
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