One of the mysteries found at Mama’s house was this old, blue music box. It was on Daddy’s side of their closet. Mama does not remember it, but dementia has erased things.
It is a swiss music box by Thorens.
It has a well-worn cover. It is small like for a male or for travel.
The music is lovely. I have played its tune over and over.
I love this iris because it blooms again in the fall after blooming in the spring.
I would have named it ‘Second Wind Iris’ but that is less poetic, although more accurate.
I do not crave immortality, but I would like a second wind in my sixties. I am too old to be me!
I have too much left to do to be huffing and puffing and stumbling up and down the hills. The next life doesn’t concern me. I am trying to get through this one.
I must admit the sight of this iris blooming causes a pause. I admire its glowing white blooms reflecting the sunlight. I appreciate its blooming when most plants are shutting down in the cooler weather.
It does make me think about a continuation of life. It also reminds me that life has its own schedule.
I do not know where I am trying to go with this. I guess I am at a cross-roads in my own life. Hoping to bloom one more time before going dormant.
Maybe, deep down I feel like I haven’t bloomed yet and I am hoping for another chance.
I went for a walk on the Boone Greenway and discovered a wetland created in the middle for teaching about nature and controlling the mosquito population.
This jewel was created in a low spot next to a stream to control runoff.
I recognized many wetland natives and spotted two deer living right in the midst of folks out walking.
This type of thing makes me very happy. The more people learn about nature the more they will appreciate and respect it.
Fall is a busy time for anyone who collects seeds and cuttings. It is also a time to prepare house plants to go back inside. I have been doing my fall tasks early this year. There have been busy years when no prep was done.
This Ric-Rac has not been trimmed in three years. It will get a good cut and cleaning today.
These traumatic falls involved my whole family hastily hauling in all house plants the afternoon or evening before an early freeze. This resulted in bringing in stow-aways such as worms, spiders, and lizards. The unprepared plants were too big and crowded. Air flow is essential to prevent diseases. Crowding results in deaths over the winter.
This epiphyllum is a tangled mess from neglect. Unhealthy parts will be removed.
House plants grow quickly while outside in the sun and rain. They get so large that they must be pruned and purged. This is also a good time to take a last batch of cuttings. Succulents and cacti pieces need to lay flat and callus over. I keep them separated and oriented in paper bags.
Hoyas need purging also, but do NOT cut the ends off. New blooms form there. Remove whole shoots and root them.
Purged pieces that are unhealthy are composted.
These pieces were damaged, diseased or deformed.
After several weeks of callusing, the pieces of plants may be potted and sparingly watered.
Cuttings from (L to R) Ric Rac cactus, Dragon Bones Cacti, Night Blooming Cereus, Epiphyllum(red), Pencil cactus, Hoyas
I am getting my supplies for mixing my rooting medium of potting soil, perlite and orchid mix for these cuttings. Good drainage is essential to prevent rotting instead of rooting.
I give away or sell these new plants once they are established.
floweralley 