tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22364801464254782002024-02-18T23:36:00.056-06:00on a hays county hillCentral Texas plants, animals and life!CWPickenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06116112697302206255noreply@blogger.comBlogger114125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2236480146425478200.post-57402883487433683642013-09-22T22:27:00.003-05:002013-09-22T22:27:46.483-05:00First day of fall - let's plant!Fall may be approaching.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5b9W8xcIrfzEcgNh1ynG7McLHZ8Eu1h40Yi5V2ByyJ21E3NXotbsBedLwJPtrGnPOj2KySKeq_aZ28k_ZScKCPjo4x4zPBgjqwlKlhq-HuAtMhYoNkK2Nh_grYUOSrcjkkRThVrvx-F0/s1600/Photo0275.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5b9W8xcIrfzEcgNh1ynG7McLHZ8Eu1h40Yi5V2ByyJ21E3NXotbsBedLwJPtrGnPOj2KySKeq_aZ28k_ZScKCPjo4x4zPBgjqwlKlhq-HuAtMhYoNkK2Nh_grYUOSrcjkkRThVrvx-F0/s400/Photo0275.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;">This cactus had no label. It's actually<br />
about 12 inches tall - looks huge here!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Don't get too excited. Don't put away the shorts and sandals just yet. <br />
<br />
Last night we slept with windows open for the first time in three months. It was lovely.<br />
<br />
Today, with birthday money in my pocket, my daughter and I stopped
at our local nursery. I found a cool columnar cactus and a beautiful
Buddleja or butterfly bush. She found the strangest little plant called a stone plant. She
told her Dad later it looked like a troll's toe. It does.<br />
<br />
This afternoon I spent time in my garden, doing some fall planting. I know that fall is the best time for planting in Central Texas. Unfortunately, I don't always do what is best. This extends to more than gardening. Hence the Friday night chocolate binges followed by Saturday morning migraines.<br />
<br />
But I had new plants! And it was beautiful outside! So I planted.<br />
<br />
I also piled up some topsoil in a mound and planted a desert willow given to me by my mother-in-law a few weeks back. It looks saddened by its sojourn in its pot, but I hope that it will perk up now that it has been permanently placed. I'm not showing you a picture of that - that's a blogger's privilege. We only have to show you what makes us look good.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI6H_jKsp8i3yzJR0b3hflQyDPG6gXZu9Ca8Yi7eG7SM70tX2iGILI6E0m5M2WkfTFkJ0TffYZj5LbB5bsLHNRYp2RE2Fq-OJaKc5mxAFib5pKKiyNm4oGBAQ4y9zG1v9sW8KPbsmCm_4/s1600/Photo0278.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI6H_jKsp8i3yzJR0b3hflQyDPG6gXZu9Ca8Yi7eG7SM70tX2iGILI6E0m5M2WkfTFkJ0TffYZj5LbB5bsLHNRYp2RE2Fq-OJaKc5mxAFib5pKKiyNm4oGBAQ4y9zG1v9sW8KPbsmCm_4/s400/Photo0278.jpg" width="366" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Buddleja did have an i.d. It was on the pot, which I promptly threw away.<br />
Guess I'd better dig that out of the bin. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
On another note, perhaps you have noticed it's been a long time since my last post. In July, I picked up a contract job that took a bit of time. A broken camera proved to be another obstacle to posting. I took the pictures here with my phone; the quality is, well, not good.<br />
<br />
About a month ago, I started work full time with Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. I am working on web content for the state parks division, and I'm tickled pink.<br />
<br />
Blogging will have to take a back seat to the paying job, but I will try to post occasionally.<br />
<br />
Happy first day of fall!<br />
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<br />CWPickenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06116112697302206255noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2236480146425478200.post-69737361872625682002013-06-28T18:05:00.000-05:002013-06-28T18:08:06.174-05:00Summertime . . . . <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7xNnxOBk8GoGpW2dL8zsB5VeuFTUKyaZ0nfEnGWv8O2suYBkAKJIsGZV9Gvs-t2OyrFcXi3B7YGjOKqfAmpofaSWdv3andGV7UqEhbfHAzyjeeCWXmfN2xx_1zXwo7MonEyx-6P-iFMA/s640/Photo0148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7xNnxOBk8GoGpW2dL8zsB5VeuFTUKyaZ0nfEnGWv8O2suYBkAKJIsGZV9Gvs-t2OyrFcXi3B7YGjOKqfAmpofaSWdv3andGV7UqEhbfHAzyjeeCWXmfN2xx_1zXwo7MonEyx-6P-iFMA/s320/Photo0148.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you can't read this, it says 105F.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Well, summer has arrived in Central Texas. It's even worse in other areas, but I'm not there, I'm here. And it's hot.<br />
<br />
Hot enough to fry an egg on the sidewalk, if we had one. Which we don't.<br />
<br />
Hotter 'n hell. Well, probably not.<br />
<br />
From my husband, master of colorful metaphors and similes: Hotter than frog legs in a frying pan.<br />
<br />
And appropriate for our house: so hot the chickens are laying hard-boiled eggs.<br />
<br />
Anyway, you get the idea. If you have any fun things to add, feel free. Keep it clean, though. This is a family enterprise.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR5kyYT2ch2JiELHMLYDALZGZE485pfMn40bpYgy09EceHSUgBh94lO0d45AdtEHgcKNB4jbq0DYcdKg2oeVgHw22p9NzAkiQY2De7PI8ZtI9we8ZjY-gEkwaePi5zGCCAsqkUefTy4YI/s640/Photo0143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR5kyYT2ch2JiELHMLYDALZGZE485pfMn40bpYgy09EceHSUgBh94lO0d45AdtEHgcKNB4jbq0DYcdKg2oeVgHw22p9NzAkiQY2De7PI8ZtI9we8ZjY-gEkwaePi5zGCCAsqkUefTy4YI/s400/Photo0143.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is what my east bed and my beautiful phlox look like after the sun has its way with them - taken at about 1 p.m.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH6hiOY0Abh0vWreJ9BaRhFBwXV4cVmvRGqHZgl-AFe5wT7CqHab19H0vbAvoQ1c2lxsw3S04ZL6ZyZhAnswBP_VMSktrbvbLbC3nMZXIO7R2M0dlpDvCbOI9uF_Eyut83j5AVdgxy354/s640/Photo0147.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH6hiOY0Abh0vWreJ9BaRhFBwXV4cVmvRGqHZgl-AFe5wT7CqHab19H0vbAvoQ1c2lxsw3S04ZL6ZyZhAnswBP_VMSktrbvbLbC3nMZXIO7R2M0dlpDvCbOI9uF_Eyut83j5AVdgxy354/s400/Photo0147.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We have to shade our veggies here in Texas. We learned this trick last year, and it does prolong the life of our garden a little while.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />CWPickenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06116112697302206255noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2236480146425478200.post-23230580677513687562013-06-19T22:13:00.001-05:002013-06-21T19:21:27.923-05:00A pond story<style>
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Last year we put together a small water feature outside our
living room window (you can read about that <a href="http://onahayscountyhill.blogspot.com/2012/09/you-just-cant-rush-these-things.html" target="_blank">here</a>). I thought it would be
pretty, and that we would enjoy the soothing sounds of trickling water, both
outside and, when we could open windows, inside.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCsbKdIVeb2g7e9KpOQg02wOjYiDXdX8Tx5dcXp2PRRz0wdAw8q2ReKt80HhHC3jO7MQwcmeKNn4oTFuajD60oj8lVuewmGKTQI5tmRUb41-GV1q_247ArQa0paIUtNj6Bw2bZGh0XYS4/s1600/Photo0133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCsbKdIVeb2g7e9KpOQg02wOjYiDXdX8Tx5dcXp2PRRz0wdAw8q2ReKt80HhHC3jO7MQwcmeKNn4oTFuajD60oj8lVuewmGKTQI5tmRUb41-GV1q_247ArQa0paIUtNj6Bw2bZGh0XYS4/s400/Photo0133.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
But it has been so much more.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Last week my daughter called me to come look at something. I
was halfway up the stairs toting the vacuum cleaner (why is that invariably
when someone calls for you?). Somewhat grumpily, I set the vacuum cleaner down
on the landing and trudged back down to my daughter, who was pointing out the
window at the new pond. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Look, it’s the snake,” she said.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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Sure enough, a checkered garter snake was swimming in the
pond.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have seen this
non-venomous snake in this area many times (see <a href="http://onahayscountyhill.blogspot.com/2012/04/just-member-of-family.html" target="_blank">Just a member of the family</a>). </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Grumpiness be gone.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We watched him as he swam around. Soon he began writhing
under the water splashing into the pond from the water spigot. He did this several
times – at first we thought he was trapped under it, but soon we concluded he was
doing this because it felt good.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The goldfish were also swimming about, no doubt
watching him warily. We decided this was a different, smaller snake than we’ve
seen here before, and that the goldfish are big enough to be safe. My daughter was concerned, however, about the small leopard frog who also lives in the pond.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bees drink from this pond all day long, gathering on the
edge in a cluster, and then flying off to their work. One day my daughter told
me she had touched a bee on its back – how cool is that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wondered if this snake might eat bees.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My nature lover daughter could only watch from afar for so
long, and then she headed outside. Mr. Snake watched her draw near, and then
beat a hasty retreat to the rock pile in the corner.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I swung by the window 15 minutes later, he was back,
swimming around, resting his head on the rock or edge of the pond, writhing under the waterfall.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Meanwhile, a female painted bunting came fluttering by for
the drink. I stood still, thinking, “Watch out for the snake, little bird!”
Instead of perching on the rock to get a drink, where she would be within the
snake’s reach, she lit on the water spigot about a foot above the pond. I
watched her lean over to snatch drops of water from the spigot’s spout. Smart
bunting.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I decided two things about the little snake:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>it was hungry and it was hot. The pond
took care of both of his problems, apparently.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We’ve not seen him since. Nor have we seen the little frog.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWX741cpfBNZBorwNwksd-bxwwt8N5et9jfVqlbG8eJuKAwhFA86xXlJQTZkwfJfV_G8PmPVkNM45i2Kfb153SIkIsxf89qpgHqoWje9cMkS42sE0yGAPFTfAK0E6IvT73HJ6kWN0J3hE/s1600/Photo0127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWX741cpfBNZBorwNwksd-bxwwt8N5et9jfVqlbG8eJuKAwhFA86xXlJQTZkwfJfV_G8PmPVkNM45i2Kfb153SIkIsxf89qpgHqoWje9cMkS42sE0yGAPFTfAK0E6IvT73HJ6kWN0J3hE/s400/Photo0127.jpg" width="300" /></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Favorite spot in the
garden: </i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Several years ago my friend Lona gave me some phlox
after I admired her very healthy stand. I planted them in the wrong place, with
too much shade. They did not thrive. After three years or so, I figured out the
problem. I moved them over about three feet to a sunnier location. This spring,
they are putting on quite a show for me, and I “ooh” and “ah” every time I walk
by. Garden success!</div>
CWPickenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06116112697302206255noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2236480146425478200.post-39593577462486720342013-06-08T22:42:00.003-05:002013-06-08T22:42:48.265-05:00Dodder must go.
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A scourge is upon my land.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A plague.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A pestilence.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Perhaps I’m overstating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let me backtrack.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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Several years ago one of my gardening gurus, while perusing
my garden, commented, “Oh, you have dodder.”</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIbm8AtWSzYq5qciI1DUD7kB9pEc_GlKHxKnFicqH1AJaG7awEi39UTo_gDJxfHKWk4vuk03jtw1-v1c7yjhURjsxXYpc2soVDRIQRRP00OUB6yIkXYOCt8nvtGgKnvasVnsmGH9U79Bw/s1600/Photo0097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIbm8AtWSzYq5qciI1DUD7kB9pEc_GlKHxKnFicqH1AJaG7awEi39UTo_gDJxfHKWk4vuk03jtw1-v1c7yjhURjsxXYpc2soVDRIQRRP00OUB6yIkXYOCt8nvtGgKnvasVnsmGH9U79Bw/s640/Photo0097.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I had noticed this plant (<i>Cuscuta sp.</i>), twining over two native black daleas (<i>Dalea frutescens</i>),
but was unsure of its identification. After ascertaining that it was also a
native, I just let it be. Periodically, I would pull off the vines and clean up
the daleas.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This year, I decided to be more proactive, and began pulling
off the yellow, stringy vines earlier in the process. But the strangest thing
happened. The more I pulled, the more the plant grew. Days after I spent 20
minutes pulling, the daleas were covered over again. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I looked around, and noticed small clumps of dodder in my
yard, draped over prairie fleabane (<i>Erigeron modestus</i>). </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was time for research. After said research, it’s become
crystal clear that I’ve made a terrible mistake letting dodder become
established.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dodder is a parasite. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It grows from seed, shooting up a small tendril. When the
tendril encounters something to wrap around, it does so. From the website for
the University of California’s <a href="http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7496.html" target="_blank">Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program</a>:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Seedlings are dependent on carbohydrates stored in the seed
(cotyledons) until they attach to a suitable host. When it contacts a host, the
stem coils around the host plant and produces little structures called
haustoria that penetrate the host’s vascular tissue. The dodder plant begins to
extract nutrients and water from the host, and its connection to the soil
withers and dries.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sounds kind of like a horror movie, doesn’t it?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
According to <a href="http://www.wildflower.org/expert/show.php?id=7998" target="_blank">Mr. Smarty Plants at the Wildflower Research Center</a>, about 24 species of dodder live in Texas. They
produce seed prolifically, and the seeds can lay dormant in the soil for 20
years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, if you remove a
tendril that has a haustoria, it remains viable for several days. It has lots
of fun names: <span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">love vine, strangleweed,
devil's-guts, goldthread, pull-down, devil's-ringlet, hellbine, hairweed,
devil's-hair, and hailweed. Some of these names are very apt.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dodder can only live on certain host plants, and apparently
dalea and prairie fleabane are two of those. I don’t have many daleas. I have
a whole lot of prairie fleabane. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yesterday, I yanked up every fleabane (also some Dahlburg
daisies) with dodder and tossed them in the trash. According to UC, I missed a
step. I should have sealed them in plastic bags, so they won’t root elsewhere. (You know it's bad when you are supposed to seal it in plastic before discarding!)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Unfortunately, the daleas must go, also. Removing the host
plants is the only way to get rid of this stuff, when it is so well established.
Then I will need to replant the area with something dodder can’t use. If the
dodder seedlings can’t attach to a suitable host in 5 to 10 days, they will
die.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then all I have to do is spend the next 20 years or so
diligently removing new plants and their hosts. </div>
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Good grief.</div>
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<i>Favorite spot in the garden:</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipnHM5SskI2tEFj5w4oZZk9Dhoy4Fg2mPwLy60vAZ5Mnvw-GABhWzDnT9TYd7ar6Lpt9LWg-ZULhamrPpeDJBTdCJXR8kYlubyUNeS_uqIete8EJd0mbzwXSfDdo_fBU7hwwZ8znfZFqo/s1600/Photo0101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipnHM5SskI2tEFj5w4oZZk9Dhoy4Fg2mPwLy60vAZ5Mnvw-GABhWzDnT9TYd7ar6Lpt9LWg-ZULhamrPpeDJBTdCJXR8kYlubyUNeS_uqIete8EJd0mbzwXSfDdo_fBU7hwwZ8znfZFqo/s400/Photo0101.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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The zexmenia (<i>Wedelia texana</i>) have taken up with the narrow-leaf dayflower (<i>Commelina erecta </i>var. <i>angustifolia</i> - I think) outside my kitchen window, and it's a very serendipitous pairing. These are volunteer natives. Aren't they lovely? </div>
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CWPickenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06116112697302206255noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2236480146425478200.post-2091612569555159892013-05-25T14:25:00.002-05:002013-05-25T14:25:49.372-05:00Life's Wheel<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlcYUoyDHVlfWhVlZd3MXzLQ8s6LSPcNaE4Ads5mQHIYVh4LwqidMxJdVBW5y9JKlufCBwBUMz9lbezHFdQG145NkEIROjPiLYKe8lNFFC5gn1elM35VsDrYHLJhD-6etuLnioXWNH8ug/s1600/IMG_6822.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlcYUoyDHVlfWhVlZd3MXzLQ8s6LSPcNaE4Ads5mQHIYVh4LwqidMxJdVBW5y9JKlufCBwBUMz9lbezHFdQG145NkEIROjPiLYKe8lNFFC5gn1elM35VsDrYHLJhD-6etuLnioXWNH8ug/s320/IMG_6822.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This plant is unknown, but seems<br />
to enjoy our woods!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
These past few weeks in my English Honors class, we have been reading Tuck Everlasting, by Natalie Babbitt. Frequently used throughout the story is the metaphor : "Life is a Wheel." These past few weeks, I for once decided to actually try to LEARN, and READ (shocking, I know) in Mrs. H's class, and I discovered that it was slightly (okay maybe REALLY) worth it.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbtxy-6ES4Y2siOTxJaMxLa-2-Ukj5_t6hiVLbl4tsiPOUAQ8xl-6QAuKYDXZeeH9lDN5x2h6oDeTq6xqgFzCYRMwoopx1Ur61uf4uD32hF6U_pFC7xyPj0W9F2pxvZcXJYR1K77rxfCo/s200/IMG_6796.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="200" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peach. sadly not ripe.</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKN6LVtLXCIw9Jitk0ivo5EHRJKwKYfWyNhmTRNz396KL4SOJJmBjVYK1iGS_m7ZHNNz02YQkPphRn6cl6l0r1yplRKLKcHEGmXkIcfQ1ngMsEHnosARivL8zRIgOl5tL9F_P1qyx_7uk/s1600/IMG_6854.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKN6LVtLXCIw9Jitk0ivo5EHRJKwKYfWyNhmTRNz396KL4SOJJmBjVYK1iGS_m7ZHNNz02YQkPphRn6cl6l0r1yplRKLKcHEGmXkIcfQ1ngMsEHnosARivL8zRIgOl5tL9F_P1qyx_7uk/s200/IMG_6854.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our squash plant's leaves<br />
after a good drink</td></tr>
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Today, I went out to cater to my chickens, and decided to take a while, and ride my life's wheel. I lay with my back to the ground, and stared up at the sky, partly obscured by jealous trees. I took deep breaths, and felt the woods hum about me. The ash junipers stood still, moved by the occasional rogue wind, and the summertime air was hot, and dense. It was glorious. There is almost nothing better in this life, than standing in the woods, oblivious to human nature, and society, and listening to life itself. <br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoBL5m58CpJ7DVZSym7eB9rvs9JM1a0d8puCTZeKhpX5Ocua9h7LIOS9-JLs5zEPIBLmQDVPKX6t4cV-33c4WBJNtDSMyyyxmT36Lo0hHSO6jwMhp1ZF7mj_-WLiJ2Eb0meFGajrYNq6Y/s1600/IMG_6824.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoBL5m58CpJ7DVZSym7eB9rvs9JM1a0d8puCTZeKhpX5Ocua9h7LIOS9-JLs5zEPIBLmQDVPKX6t4cV-33c4WBJNtDSMyyyxmT36Lo0hHSO6jwMhp1ZF7mj_-WLiJ2Eb0meFGajrYNq6Y/s320/IMG_6824.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ashe Juniper (cedar) trees. Again, in the corner, is the mystery plant.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUpk4Tpyw2kTxaE3fQNRnWVzVGlhs0-O3xu5psH1SzIYUtvI6plKh3Nb23pFQ-gbiQyJEtj0E2pQ6sT-6vgF-3i1F_66f-75sB6Vn2eRswKZ9orQB8TdrAGlINQfv8v2uFw-zMv355qLM/s1600/IMG_6819.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUpk4Tpyw2kTxaE3fQNRnWVzVGlhs0-O3xu5psH1SzIYUtvI6plKh3Nb23pFQ-gbiQyJEtj0E2pQ6sT-6vgF-3i1F_66f-75sB6Vn2eRswKZ9orQB8TdrAGlINQfv8v2uFw-zMv355qLM/s200/IMG_6819.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is our peach tree's trunk. Oddly enough, it seems to enjoy growing in our chicken pen!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBTVTv53QnGzSfKqQUh-Pe68LCr5GZUFriK1SpKg5-sooOfRDpIL1ZVxHyixKWqQggtzo-x0NiwyI-HfL9BIhwUGF7DzYUTRll0vwZGPxN-RLMv8bXzCG5-pEaolG_0yz7L-5BPy_UBbQ/s1600/IMG_6869.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBTVTv53QnGzSfKqQUh-Pe68LCr5GZUFriK1SpKg5-sooOfRDpIL1ZVxHyixKWqQggtzo-x0NiwyI-HfL9BIhwUGF7DzYUTRll0vwZGPxN-RLMv8bXzCG5-pEaolG_0yz7L-5BPy_UBbQ/s400/IMG_6869.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gray Santolina, ever cheerful.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8gQpUMfsRpN4eJy_LhtSWAPRhEXcqC4b6RYY0lhOYqiMw5v4dSrVFFvv-clE80Y-HfNtF6Jl50DOtiDYg3ZpbjXtms5Oe_UzArQ-XpQiAlJpFNDkcAxZfMWlWv7SNpIAd3jjeUQhbFss/s1600/IMG_6833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8gQpUMfsRpN4eJy_LhtSWAPRhEXcqC4b6RYY0lhOYqiMw5v4dSrVFFvv-clE80Y-HfNtF6Jl50DOtiDYg3ZpbjXtms5Oe_UzArQ-XpQiAlJpFNDkcAxZfMWlWv7SNpIAd3jjeUQhbFss/s320/IMG_6833.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mexican Hat. We happen to have a ginormous patch of it near<br />
our veggie garden.</td></tr>
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So now the yuccas bloom, the verbena flower, the bees cluster around the ponds, and I head for my 12th summer vacation. I suggest, this summer, that you all take a minute or two, to simply ride life's wheel, instead of driving.CWPickenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06116112697302206255noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2236480146425478200.post-42960044184112860252013-05-15T11:19:00.000-05:002013-05-15T11:21:21.838-05:00Scenes from the Wildflower Center's Garden Tour<style>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCHsJG6ThNlqBLAappdNnYRq5PnUjRaerqHZWYNhisSa6CAFN043RKybwHdmAbrfofJ4OBoQo6BdSRJ9cFid8ASdCYDdsElMqx_gPF4xdsSM1VkuW7UTrLHHjN-9MgiXHYUBnUpj-LXWw/s1600/IMG_6729.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCHsJG6ThNlqBLAappdNnYRq5PnUjRaerqHZWYNhisSa6CAFN043RKybwHdmAbrfofJ4OBoQo6BdSRJ9cFid8ASdCYDdsElMqx_gPF4xdsSM1VkuW7UTrLHHjN-9MgiXHYUBnUpj-LXWw/s400/IMG_6729.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">This garden's standing cypress was stunning.</td></tr>
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While we were on the <a href="http://onahayscountyhill.blogspot.com/2013/05/nursery-tour-2013.html" target="_blank">Great Nursery Tour of 2013</a> (last week),
I commented to my friend that we should definitely go on the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center’s next Garden Tour. It was sure to have many interesting
gardens, and would feature lots of native plants. </div>
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Later that day, I popped open Facebook, and a notification
jumped out at me:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the Wildflower Center’s tour was the coming weekend (May 11). Mind you, my entire family was coming to celebrate my dad’s 75<sup>th</sup>
birthday on this day.</div>
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<tr align="right"><td class="tr-caption">I love this combination!</td></tr>
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Did that deter me? Oh no.<br />
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Bright and early Saturday morning, we (Lona, my dad and I)
jumped in the car and headed to Austin on a schedule. We were determined to see
two, maybe three of the gardens and be home by lunchtime.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrueM6H7XTZB5GdWzJ7hjaZpv4mkSb0jC669Gcid0vGaLGw-26hgmH2MoSiiL4aQjQnoQDQRXeLqEXjgm_Hay7kS6dQZvWpBPKv2M2xVNyNoOIosdJaMGhXBRxvTd9OKO1QudJx1dUDfw/s1600/IMG_6739.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrueM6H7XTZB5GdWzJ7hjaZpv4mkSb0jC669Gcid0vGaLGw-26hgmH2MoSiiL4aQjQnoQDQRXeLqEXjgm_Hay7kS6dQZvWpBPKv2M2xVNyNoOIosdJaMGhXBRxvTd9OKO1QudJx1dUDfw/s640/IMG_6739.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkongMViEoL35xezlEkhZtKbpZ5zgKXMed6wGTnUzRkkKBxjuvYUl7GkfoB2k2PR08Pa1p6O0c4i7G4IvzJ2DoshKoft-EvVNnyfzW_d3BRdTlmJISVb4_8isQsoyc4dzuqWQ-oT6KTP8/s1600/IMG_6737.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkongMViEoL35xezlEkhZtKbpZ5zgKXMed6wGTnUzRkkKBxjuvYUl7GkfoB2k2PR08Pa1p6O0c4i7G4IvzJ2DoshKoft-EvVNnyfzW_d3BRdTlmJISVb4_8isQsoyc4dzuqWQ-oT6KTP8/s400/IMG_6737.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;">Detail of the fern wall (on the left under the porch<br />
overhang in the large photo above). A/C condensate<br />
provides water for this feature, according to the handout.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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After a lengthy discussion, not only about which gardens to visit and in what order,
but also about how much trouble we have making decisions, we made a plan and
then executed it. We managed to visit three gardens, and had a lovely morning
communing with plants and other gardeners. <br />
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And yes, we made it home by lunch and before the other
guests arrived. I even had time to spiff up the bathroom!</div>
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Hope you enjoy a few pictures of what we saw. I really would like to
visit more of the gardens on next year’s tour.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This area is beyond the pool in the photo above.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkofwkcvUmakaMz9r_avX8vlo-QkN6ZA_-mQxGokueK-_e-cKhINsYAjJ03g-CmhVswZifEGmS8bSKH7BR_0kc3AaY4OWRuoLrgMfd3hly0o-XnxBG8RhiLSMDNYmiHtbMa5tjH7xBoGs/s1600/IMG_6733.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkofwkcvUmakaMz9r_avX8vlo-QkN6ZA_-mQxGokueK-_e-cKhINsYAjJ03g-CmhVswZifEGmS8bSKH7BR_0kc3AaY4OWRuoLrgMfd3hly0o-XnxBG8RhiLSMDNYmiHtbMa5tjH7xBoGs/s200/IMG_6733.jpg" width="174" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More detail from the same garden.<br />
Because the lot was steeply sloped,<br />
the garden required extensive terracing (left).<br />
I really liked this bird watering station (above). </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA1wDJKEdysAn_L7ArjymOvtsZf2ObvJRvMW6rVhsAx9u4eHKNsG1b8jW-PlZ1wfRauP8pw89sXZGiACyVETv9WIz68yAhYtsnKu_nq9Ovwt39skDD9LigzUgqLYVG-hXhtRE8HMCv1GM/s1600/IMG_6732.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA1wDJKEdysAn_L7ArjymOvtsZf2ObvJRvMW6rVhsAx9u4eHKNsG1b8jW-PlZ1wfRauP8pw89sXZGiACyVETv9WIz68yAhYtsnKu_nq9Ovwt39skDD9LigzUgqLYVG-hXhtRE8HMCv1GM/s320/IMG_6732.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbcqRl2s3eu3I9WIlm345yhzg5oqEzIgRmnW-Asli6YvXHEqNjKzqpR3Hg1ZsfmTIKdJO0-KNT5LueEwry0N4df7daWLQDYvCy62qWSWKFBTIfsNK4IgMiEKVVWbbrQ93_T9DkUya3fH8/s1600/IMG_6742.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbcqRl2s3eu3I9WIlm345yhzg5oqEzIgRmnW-Asli6YvXHEqNjKzqpR3Hg1ZsfmTIKdJO0-KNT5LueEwry0N4df7daWLQDYvCy62qWSWKFBTIfsNK4IgMiEKVVWbbrQ93_T9DkUya3fH8/s400/IMG_6742.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My dad, enjoying the deck. Behind him is a view of the Austin skyline.<br />
We also liked the succulent garden centerpieces.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHCLhZd6KR2tqgrobuwdi3evw0ZeS0ShmZT38hkU58v1yhvOoM4zx3uDRhxD-4Bw3F0-TS7dx0rFIvFMm5MIBFLETqF2IvD3WVi7ojlZ-kOFH1C8Obi1L7WKEVYfqeQvPN22yb6ejxO_M/s1600/IMG_6744.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHCLhZd6KR2tqgrobuwdi3evw0ZeS0ShmZT38hkU58v1yhvOoM4zx3uDRhxD-4Bw3F0-TS7dx0rFIvFMm5MIBFLETqF2IvD3WVi7ojlZ-kOFH1C8Obi1L7WKEVYfqeQvPN22yb6ejxO_M/s640/IMG_6744.jpg" width="358" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This succulent garden literally stopped me in my tracks. It greeted visitors at the last house we visited, which also was sited on a steeply sloped lot, with a wildflower meadow, orchard, vegetable garden, pond, buffalo grass lawn, etc.<br />
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</tbody></table>
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</div>
CWPickenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06116112697302206255noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2236480146425478200.post-15270593940418466162013-05-09T22:12:00.002-05:002013-05-09T22:12:13.047-05:00Nursery Tour 2013<style>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEyoKavEnhGN_sozV-V0WqqvWt2lbcHvviabpYTNcXljxopYm2IchrBiumA6EOFj_DmpS5QDV-73FZ8hGzzD2mGrFUb6wxDBo1W3AN2xQ5CFuHV3Y3Erk8IeLfUOBgmDc-y1_fKCb5qaw/s1600/IMG_6693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEyoKavEnhGN_sozV-V0WqqvWt2lbcHvviabpYTNcXljxopYm2IchrBiumA6EOFj_DmpS5QDV-73FZ8hGzzD2mGrFUb6wxDBo1W3AN2xQ5CFuHV3Y3Erk8IeLfUOBgmDc-y1_fKCb5qaw/s320/IMG_6693.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="right"><td class="tr-caption">"This one? Or this one? Hmmm."</td></tr>
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Many years ago, a dear friend and I began a tradition of
visiting a new nursery each spring. We would spend hours at our chosen
business, looking at demonstration gardens and debating the merits of this
plant versus that plant. I would soak up her plant knowledge.</div>
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We had children in tow
(her youngest is 15, mine 11) until they started school. Luckily, many nurseries supply little red wagons
just for entertaining small children. Oh, those are for hauling plants? That works,
too. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhojme1zgza4Jh7jh2zR_IoFzzVVdJ-6qvLzoo4xuUXhtCmPTkLqL7f9fYTqIt5R0RxKCOCMR7PVa10driBbSkDD312T-VKHleW3W_V3QkYCf8UVFEAyovljGqX_ApzOvjecu2hbstHB60/s1600/IMG_6690.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhojme1zgza4Jh7jh2zR_IoFzzVVdJ-6qvLzoo4xuUXhtCmPTkLqL7f9fYTqIt5R0RxKCOCMR7PVa10driBbSkDD312T-VKHleW3W_V3QkYCf8UVFEAyovljGqX_ApzOvjecu2hbstHB60/s320/IMG_6690.jpg" width="240" /></a>Over the years, we have visited every nursery we could get to during
the school day. </div>
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On our trips, we talk about all manner of things:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>children (our oldest sons are best
friends and have been since kindergarten – they are men now), careers (she is a
fine artist, and you can see her work <a href="http://lonaflocke.com/" target="_blank">here</a>), and husbands (no comment). </div>
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And of course, we discuss and admire lovely plants. We
are not landscapers, but plant collectors. Usually we discover some new plant to add to our collection. Because we are frugal, each plant choice requires
much thoughtful debate and consideration.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAaPIt7SyNdyJklSpzVe0ZfrsWoLQwS9C4zdGM1jfZt9687HlHHXazvRJ19C2K884aDpUoV62HPNkvCNsCwITxboyCRMWP9QGg29mnJ0pHzgLshG_oKLSN7W8S7IiD3FjSDfalJbwYEVU/s1600/IMG_6695.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAaPIt7SyNdyJklSpzVe0ZfrsWoLQwS9C4zdGM1jfZt9687HlHHXazvRJ19C2K884aDpUoV62HPNkvCNsCwITxboyCRMWP9QGg29mnJ0pHzgLshG_oKLSN7W8S7IiD3FjSDfalJbwYEVU/s400/IMG_6695.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Audra made us feel welcome at Bloom.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Yesterday we visited two nurseries, beginning with <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bloom/211136115017" target="_blank">Bloom</a> in
nearby Dripping Springs. I had been there many years ago; this was Lona’s
first visit. The nursery surrounds an old house. As is practical in a small
town, the business has two sides: the house holds a bakery and lunch place
called Thyme and Dough. We found some plants we needed that we hadn't seen elsewhere. We also found some sweets. We give the nursery and bakery our seal of approval.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtT8lRCDcUdQT6VUYczeSWWsdEzQef_qOGjv-6y_HYiZsma3q5Q5E8tvyfufbSs9nNktNqcW-jwtOgJh2Z33muW7o-ELBWJFk0ltA1Jn-ZZMgkRRHqajYgii3lVe8ghCJemtBLdlntpsw/s1600/IMG_6710.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtT8lRCDcUdQT6VUYczeSWWsdEzQef_qOGjv-6y_HYiZsma3q5Q5E8tvyfufbSs9nNktNqcW-jwtOgJh2Z33muW7o-ELBWJFk0ltA1Jn-ZZMgkRRHqajYgii3lVe8ghCJemtBLdlntpsw/s320/IMG_6710.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">Wildflower meadow at The Natural Gardener.</td></tr>
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Next, we headed north to <a href="http://www.naturalgardeneraustin.com/nursery.html" target="_blank">The Natural Gardener</a>, one of the
premier nurseries in Austin. We visited here last when my daughter was young.
Truth be told, we did not love this nursery. It sold plants mostly in 1-gallon
containers – too pricey for us. But it had some nice demonstration gardens. This made it the perfect destination for this year’s excursion:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a place with things to look at, but not to
buy.
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Or so we thought.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK-q6RPXCewFTNztTp5jQnTbdSLIB3Bmi9yrp-5qfDgbqBLenEF2rbvoxvYpUhNhdkvRyniN3z9H6-QwWuLC-zSSpysRnQLwOzXFBMhwfVtVnm9nwsEzStPz_jxRM_-Th0T58dAuIXEt8/s1600/IMG_6708.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK-q6RPXCewFTNztTp5jQnTbdSLIB3Bmi9yrp-5qfDgbqBLenEF2rbvoxvYpUhNhdkvRyniN3z9H6-QwWuLC-zSSpysRnQLwOzXFBMhwfVtVnm9nwsEzStPz_jxRM_-Th0T58dAuIXEt8/s640/IMG_6708.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="right"><td class="tr-caption">I was wowed by this garden art at The Natural Gardener. I am standing under a cedar gazebo.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaGQMrpsZFxsoRzWzcT4hZ6Ek_AD87-q2HRH7jUpMYjQzVPJyPUNSsUSZO2at52khcro-CyOh6M7nGFAHFQPNH3gMNccGpbexOVn_WbrnwL49pWfaq0aJ50jAhVSOYmlBo_nWd8W3HKFU/s1600/IMG_6716.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaGQMrpsZFxsoRzWzcT4hZ6Ek_AD87-q2HRH7jUpMYjQzVPJyPUNSsUSZO2at52khcro-CyOh6M7nGFAHFQPNH3gMNccGpbexOVn_WbrnwL49pWfaq0aJ50jAhVSOYmlBo_nWd8W3HKFU/s200/IMG_6716.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">This is a good use of a water feature<br />
for a drought-prone area!</td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td></tr>
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We spent quite a bit of time wandering through the
demonstration gardens, much expanded since our last visit. We saw a labyrinth, a ground guitar surrounded by grass plots and a wildflower meadow, a kitchen/medicinal garden, animals (chickens and goats), a vegetable garden, and much more.<br />
<br />
Then we headed over to the sales area.
This nursery offers lots of xeric plants, with a wide selection of yuccas, agaves and succulents,
as well as some of the usual annuals. Soon we came to those perennials
sold in one-gallon pots. </div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2F-thxiQGEff4moxvzb_o4UJeLdpI09TOB5mNw_3qvqlaadPUY0q-kXbCw_y7k-BaSlla78jfzdb8JfgkqxV2IdDSjyGvI4UGrx4QMOKxithGYo037oEuFtuQLI8CEjXixpCgCeN03v4/s1600/IMG_6721.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2F-thxiQGEff4moxvzb_o4UJeLdpI09TOB5mNw_3qvqlaadPUY0q-kXbCw_y7k-BaSlla78jfzdb8JfgkqxV2IdDSjyGvI4UGrx4QMOKxithGYo037oEuFtuQLI8CEjXixpCgCeN03v4/s400/IMG_6721.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at all the lovelies!</td></tr>
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But wait, what was this?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A whole row of perennials in 4” pots – oh nooooooooo!</div>
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Overall, we were proud of our restraint. We came home with a
reasonable amount of plants to fill existing holes in the garden. I have
already put most of mine into their holes (supposedly rain is on its way!).</div>
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More importantly, we enjoyed a lovely day catching up on
each other’s news and admiring beautiful plants and gardens. I think we should continue
this tradition. What do you think, Lona?<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvaksjisq35sEPiXW1FZgbNDqUXfde3Af6LlfgbNMr8tmXq99H3PETKWws_1zmEAd4qU2W6gWeNJkQXHhPsly8jdM2YJwVV24XzUZi2afECchBlPt6bTlL2cXf_-ViSsk_ne1v7FUZOZ4/s1600/IMG_6717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvaksjisq35sEPiXW1FZgbNDqUXfde3Af6LlfgbNMr8tmXq99H3PETKWws_1zmEAd4qU2W6gWeNJkQXHhPsly8jdM2YJwVV24XzUZi2afECchBlPt6bTlL2cXf_-ViSsk_ne1v7FUZOZ4/s640/IMG_6717.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="right"><td class="tr-caption">Kitchen/medicinal garden designed by Austin designer Lucinda Hutson.</td></tr>
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CWPickenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06116112697302206255noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2236480146425478200.post-68484812543514728892013-05-01T15:42:00.000-05:002013-05-01T15:45:38.921-05:00Where the wild things are: on the hill!<style>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Ibl0J0Lw035Ql6LI_rrCOzFjSBlnxs7jx-6Rrt9ci7ONkzfDlcxQR4hagwI6Vd6aOoQKV2i76l3Y6GXB2ALW7gKNlYBSvORXQMHcJYBUUK3G8QOMebcYRgDrfiZ0aJRBNeDhfpLnbYA/s1600/IMG_6573.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Ibl0J0Lw035Ql6LI_rrCOzFjSBlnxs7jx-6Rrt9ci7ONkzfDlcxQR4hagwI6Vd6aOoQKV2i76l3Y6GXB2ALW7gKNlYBSvORXQMHcJYBUUK3G8QOMebcYRgDrfiZ0aJRBNeDhfpLnbYA/s200/IMG_6573.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="center"><td class="tr-caption">Walking sticks have appeared<br />
on our porch.</td></tr>
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It must be spring, because all kinds of wild creatures are
presenting themselves for observation at our country home.</div>
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We’ve seen some rare-to-us birds in the last few weeks. A
<a href="http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Golden-cheeked_Warbler/lifehistory" target="_blank">golden-cheeked warbler</a> perched on a branch outside our picture window a week
ago, begging to be observed. These warblers actually are rare: they are listed
as an endangered species. They only nest in the oak-juniper woodlands of Central Texas, and boy, do we have lots of home sites for them! We have
continued to see him occasionally, and this morning we saw two––maybe a pair
nesting nearby? This is the ultimate for an amateur naturalist––providing
habitat for an endangered species!</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV2t4ADlNQhSgcbqbv0V5zzNbskWcfkBIzzFvylUfzsnAPQV0LpVoyeompWUk_ncOHi9RVQlABCKeWoIEf-jNGFU5WrCC7JJPa4iWXsoGyoHwe8-Uy1yS_brB3tfhwQ0ZXLsg61qL4YpU/s1600/IMG_6571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV2t4ADlNQhSgcbqbv0V5zzNbskWcfkBIzzFvylUfzsnAPQV0LpVoyeompWUk_ncOHi9RVQlABCKeWoIEf-jNGFU5WrCC7JJPa4iWXsoGyoHwe8-Uy1yS_brB3tfhwQ0ZXLsg61qL4YpU/s400/IMG_6571.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Although this is a terrible picture, perhaps it's the perfect picture of a rare, shy endangered bird. Can you find him?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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A Nashville warbler has been hanging around for several
weeks, enjoying the birdbath. On Sunday, a summer tanager spent the day with us.
We heard his call and knew he was not one of our regular visitors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He finally landed on our picnic table
so we could identify him. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQi657YmxhyphenhyphenviZEpfAIEAU3oMs71BD3h6tKB4IUkN147_5frSDNNww1NAtNn0IzD4xCtCpUYCYTyPRZb-dc9WIF6u_3mEvYNFeDT7l6tBZR20cKyExKgfUXNWou6P5RN-MrEHWE_UZy7Q/s1600/IMG_6567.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQi657YmxhyphenhyphenviZEpfAIEAU3oMs71BD3h6tKB4IUkN147_5frSDNNww1NAtNn0IzD4xCtCpUYCYTyPRZb-dc9WIF6u_3mEvYNFeDT7l6tBZR20cKyExKgfUXNWou6P5RN-MrEHWE_UZy7Q/s320/IMG_6567.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="right"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pine siskin (left) and Carolina chickadee<br />
enjoy the seeds.</td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Another harbinger of spring (not at all rare) has arrived: chuck-will’s-widows. We’ve been hearing their <a href="http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Chuck-wills-widow/sounds" target="_blank">night calls</a> for several weeks. </div>
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<br /></div>
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A cottontail has been hopping around the yard. When we first
moved in, many cottontails lived here. But we brought two cats and a dog with
us, and the rabbits moved out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We’re down to one rickety cat now, and this dog isn’t interested in
chasing them. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess the rabbits
(or at least this one) decided it was safe to return.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our resident checkered garter snake finally woke up from his
winter nap. My daughter and I startled him this weekend as he swam with the
goldfish. He leaped out of the pond, and then slithered away slowly, and if to
say, “Yeah, I’m back. It’s no big deal.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That same afternoon, I walked out into a field to inspect the
first prickly pear bloom and heard a rustling to my left. I looked over to see
a rather large snake crawling up a cedar tree.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I came back with binoculars and my budding herpetologist, and
we spied him lounging on a branch about 40 feet high. We think he was a coach
whip.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvlqy4l_9xEhcSqsjeVGRZ8QsTCgAGT7_SvLzHAmYsX55opYsr7hScjclcbJqCwOmrAAeX_jjld31LUZfZN4OF_AqBmrh5MaFbiRvLgaP8OuxBIrwCV6xrOEnBkSAJ6gdCE9k2S4TSluw/s1600/IMG_6556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvlqy4l_9xEhcSqsjeVGRZ8QsTCgAGT7_SvLzHAmYsX55opYsr7hScjclcbJqCwOmrAAeX_jjld31LUZfZN4OF_AqBmrh5MaFbiRvLgaP8OuxBIrwCV6xrOEnBkSAJ6gdCE9k2S4TSluw/s400/IMG_6556.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fire ants are busy making trails across the driveway.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Of course, the whitetail deer are ever present. A pair
skittered away as I went to my car one day last week. We don’t usually see them
near the house, thanks to the presence of our dog, Iris. </div>
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<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis1an4awI6GJ_Am3xSc3Mw6CCZ2kwZTfUsHUJrRJMwCslCJwGbSjIvPpzFPfNmi5AFNeyAN5EqVdhb3aMF8pdyhq8yRr_rj-jbn739DJLeYiC8rhYjPUVx9XjMrG4Q8V2Hpbn1ZhHsO30/s1600/IMG_6576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis1an4awI6GJ_Am3xSc3Mw6CCZ2kwZTfUsHUJrRJMwCslCJwGbSjIvPpzFPfNmi5AFNeyAN5EqVdhb3aMF8pdyhq8yRr_rj-jbn739DJLeYiC8rhYjPUVx9XjMrG4Q8V2Hpbn1ZhHsO30/s320/IMG_6576.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bees!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Other recent sightings include a leopard frog squatting on
the edge of the minnow pond. He appears to be dozing, but I’m sure if something edible came within reach he would leap into action. Lots of squirrels have been raiding our black oil sunflower feeders.
My husband has harvested a few of them for our table. Free range, hormone-free,
and . . . free! And before you ask, they taste like chicken––little bitty
chickens.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Night before last, a coyote chorus serenaded us. We were
sleeping with the windows open, on a quiet spring night. We awoke to the sounds
of yipping and howling from the next-door neighbor’s property. I lay there
smiling, because their song was so clear and distinct and perfect for the
night. They sang for only a few moments, and then slipped away to their next
engagement.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Oh, how I love living in the country!</div>
CWPickenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06116112697302206255noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2236480146425478200.post-65586869490394253812013-04-25T14:05:00.000-05:002013-04-26T20:27:54.947-05:00Cool plant #2: Escarpment black cherry<style>
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Shortly after we built our house, we noticed an interesting
tree tucked into a live oak motte down by the shack – er, Men’s Institute of
Higher Learning. We didn’t recognize it, and neither did our family plant
expert, my mother-in-law Mary Anne Pickens. Ah well.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdO0R5YBMNJ59Zbu7ae3jW1R5SgYNn4NFhbdDYq9OUQSm5kWvtCUYg73ryomSMOZvlARqwqpzoSWK5A3cXnWq3EwGz2EAWVNWS7eY1sqbOOnh-vW9tNs6yEMm-F24QwqDR946NgVSSKec/s1600/IMG_6478.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdO0R5YBMNJ59Zbu7ae3jW1R5SgYNn4NFhbdDYq9OUQSm5kWvtCUYg73ryomSMOZvlARqwqpzoSWK5A3cXnWq3EwGz2EAWVNWS7eY1sqbOOnh-vW9tNs6yEMm-F24QwqDR946NgVSSKec/s400/IMG_6478.jpg" width="300" /></a>Several years ago we noticed it blooming in the spring, and
as a result were able to make an identification:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Escarpment black cherry (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Prunus
serotina </i>var. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>eximia</i>). So far as we know, it is
the only one on our property. Our specimen is 30 feet tall and lovely.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Voila! I present the second in my occasional series on
species endemic to my area!</div>
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<br /></div>
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According to the Wildflower Center website, the <a href="http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=PRSEE" target="_blank">escarpment black cherry</a> is a “distinct and isolated geographic variety of black cherry (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Prunus serotina</i>) found only in the
calcareous soils of central Texas.” It is naturally occurring from Burnet and
Williamson counties south to Comal and Medina counties, and west to Kimble and
Kinney counties. We are in the middle of that area.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP31GQAJR7cc7z7aSa0xqdf8nkhkcOZs7VWIyplLG5FE8aOWoVPdsXEguwQPKajOr679eqTHxDCF-L3W6L3XH0LRKIvFx92oSgIXhl0NaOlTDP-ept2saYJ4Pmq160NLiZGmcJnaXYbTU/s1600/IMG_6544.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP31GQAJR7cc7z7aSa0xqdf8nkhkcOZs7VWIyplLG5FE8aOWoVPdsXEguwQPKajOr679eqTHxDCF-L3W6L3XH0LRKIvFx92oSgIXhl0NaOlTDP-ept2saYJ4Pmq160NLiZGmcJnaXYbTU/s640/IMG_6544.jpg" width="358" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The escarpment black cherry is the white multi-trunked tree behind the live oak leaning across in the front.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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As you can see from the picture, it sports light green
leaves with light-colored branches and an open structure. It has lovely blooms
in April and May, fruit, and leaves that turn yellow in the fall.
We get really excited about fall color here, where our most common trees are
evergreen.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Its cherries are edible, but other parts of the tree are poisonous
(possibly fatal) to humans and herbivorous animals. Birds and mammals like the
fruit, and a number of moths and butterflies enjoy its nectar and use it as a
larval host.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The Wildflower Center notes that furniture makers like its
wood for its “lustrous, dark red tint.” We have two very dear friends who make
furniture. We steer them away from this tree when they visit. They can’t have
it.</div>
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<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk3iYl8Ty6H_9onwMLMleLCFiVGpAB7qFN1D4tVTh7tak6Zcxt55N6kn0Dlg35-p3rErkv4pS2_F1vKMv87x8SeMAXI2zkmGQx6y9bcNrOpNsmcZxUNlh96m7qEP5DjmpcbP8q94MwzYo/s1600/IMG_6546.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk3iYl8Ty6H_9onwMLMleLCFiVGpAB7qFN1D4tVTh7tak6Zcxt55N6kn0Dlg35-p3rErkv4pS2_F1vKMv87x8SeMAXI2zkmGQx6y9bcNrOpNsmcZxUNlh96m7qEP5DjmpcbP8q94MwzYo/s400/IMG_6546.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="right"><td class="tr-caption">Here's a closer shot, with the gray water drains<br />
coming out of the shack behind the tree.</td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I’ve just figured out something else about this tree. The Wildflower
Center says it needs moist, but well-drained soil. At first thought, this
tree’s home would not seem to be moist. Ah, think again. The tree grows
near the end of the gray water pipe from the shack. When we bought the
property, renters lived in the shack, which had water but no septic, only a
gray water drain from a kitchen sink. Also, they used an outdoor shower (no hot
water!) located nearby and slightly uphill from the tree. </div>
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<br /></div>
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It’s a wonder the beauty didn’t perish after we booted the
renters and the shack sat empty. I guess the tree was established enough that
it could survive without those water sources. I did water it in the terribly
dry summer of 2011. It is one of my prize botanical specimens, and I want it to
live!</div>
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<br /></div>
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Click here to read about another plant native to my
geographic area, <a href="http://onahayscountyhill.blogspot.com/2013/02/cool-plant-1-twist-leaf-yucca.html" target="_blank">the twist-leaf yucca</a>.<br />
<br />
<i>Favorite spot in the garden:</i><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ntMtmM6kIqnprTiAQ3PZR3fPg7EMvmFdtJvCUzksZOjtrlsr-YY6xkg49q8lXqTX5eLJLiWAMKcFSS7ZQxWkHPUCxli7t3HCr5d-_XJA4R38q29HZNZqDMbAYljqSMxzRXYdhkNC-Bs/s1600/IMG_6548.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ntMtmM6kIqnprTiAQ3PZR3fPg7EMvmFdtJvCUzksZOjtrlsr-YY6xkg49q8lXqTX5eLJLiWAMKcFSS7ZQxWkHPUCxli7t3HCr5d-_XJA4R38q29HZNZqDMbAYljqSMxzRXYdhkNC-Bs/s400/IMG_6548.jpg" width="300" /></a>While hanging laundry today I looked up and saw this phalanx of twist-leaf yucca bloom stalks. My young garden helper and I gathered rocks earlier this year to put around the base of the yuccas for a rock garden effect, which makes the group stand out. I don't remember so many blooming together before. Aren't they cool?<br />
<br />
Now some folks would wait until they bloom before taking photos. However, savvy central Texas gardeners know that deer particularly enjoy yucca bloom stalks. I imagine they taste like asparagus. There is no guarantee these will make it to full bloom. If they do, I'll take another picture!</div>
CWPickenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06116112697302206255noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2236480146425478200.post-1389917346999782942013-04-18T17:49:00.003-05:002013-04-25T10:04:15.874-05:00April showers bring . . . April flowers<style>
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<a href="http://www.maydreamsgardens.com/2013/04/garden-bloggers-bloom-day-april-2013.html" target="_blank">Garden Bloggers Bloom Day</a> has come and gone, but since so
much is blooming at my house right now, I’m posting for it anyway! I took these
pictures on April 16, on a beautiful, sunny spring morning. It’s a good thing,
as today it is drizzling and much cooler after the passage of a late cold
front.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Although we are in the middle of a drought, we have received
just enough rain to fuel my garden and wildflowers. The grass is green, and not
just over the septic tank. The oak trees have leafed out for the most part
(though a green haze of oak pollen continues to build up on cars and inside
surfaces). In summary, it is a beautiful spring in Central Texas!</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIBYxXn1US9r_sd93mo337hieCztV5Ejfz9J_Ek1KX48CCnfYBH5b6m5nOf4aGb-S7-B9TWtjxRw4cd_Jc42qPRSWL7aUDCOEV_ldYtTd4fCXWrmb0a8ENymPaQb1ECnWYVWX4TXXe1lY/s1600/IMG_6516.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIBYxXn1US9r_sd93mo337hieCztV5Ejfz9J_Ek1KX48CCnfYBH5b6m5nOf4aGb-S7-B9TWtjxRw4cd_Jc42qPRSWL7aUDCOEV_ldYtTd4fCXWrmb0a8ENymPaQb1ECnWYVWX4TXXe1lY/s400/IMG_6516.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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This scene is just purty:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Nierembergia (<i>Nierembergia gracilis </i>"Starry Eyes") blooming in the pond bed. Do you see the tiny yellow flower in
front? That is common groundcover called straggler daisy (<i>Calyptocarpus vialis</i>). In places, it
is my lawn – and it does not need mowing.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUHWaGRPEApSHiinIqcq6vqrvJ6aFUkT4qwjDqvrVf734U4Xf3vBS8Ch4uuzNOokUy-DxfPbN9MF2xDzbfmcADGEn5kwhj5xxJhCj_psZqGEV-oKtHAg-p6d3OpvpX0wdvg28lsoWfIyc/s1600/IMG_6526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUHWaGRPEApSHiinIqcq6vqrvJ6aFUkT4qwjDqvrVf734U4Xf3vBS8Ch4uuzNOokUy-DxfPbN9MF2xDzbfmcADGEn5kwhj5xxJhCj_psZqGEV-oKtHAg-p6d3OpvpX0wdvg28lsoWfIyc/s400/IMG_6526.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It's spring in Texas so there must be bluebonnets (<i>Lupinis texensis</i>). Our best bluebonnet patch is out by the burn pile. It was
looking puny until a good rain three weeks ago. Now, as you can see, the bluebonnets
are happier. Blooming alongside them is our main resident wildflower, the
prairie verbena (<i>Glandularia bipinnatifida</i>). </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwWMwBjQzuvOrOz_fvlcmabLfxlG-Tzlxs3TXjFWcMHS9MItmBVoGsjywGAyhJPSOkz9S6_LLaVrWINgONVr-W9c1ed2CrdrKpVS5b0bOJIBh2VWyGMS-XSeLrPrzv6SJ45GLUx24SJW4/s1600/IMG_6490.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwWMwBjQzuvOrOz_fvlcmabLfxlG-Tzlxs3TXjFWcMHS9MItmBVoGsjywGAyhJPSOkz9S6_LLaVrWINgONVr-W9c1ed2CrdrKpVS5b0bOJIBh2VWyGMS-XSeLrPrzv6SJ45GLUx24SJW4/s320/IMG_6490.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfEZBfHYs6wCi6fE27Z0FqgVNWwwcQt87sAHDOsb640YP1Ivgfpv55lNI0j0B4zXzERb0AIqtnJa0MG3W3P21260HCBd96w7sj1Eoth-QQCZIZELBS1ZuPiriSzk-tqVKEbubn_9vn7OA/s1600/IMG_6489.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfEZBfHYs6wCi6fE27Z0FqgVNWwwcQt87sAHDOsb640YP1Ivgfpv55lNI0j0B4zXzERb0AIqtnJa0MG3W3P21260HCBd96w7sj1Eoth-QQCZIZELBS1ZuPiriSzk-tqVKEbubn_9vn7OA/s200/IMG_6489.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
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On the left is some sort of wildly beautiful iris. My iris
bed has donated and one-off purchased irises, so I’ve got no idea what this one
is. That does not stop me from appreciating it. On the right: columbines (<i>Aquilegia chrysantha </i>var. <i>hinckleyana</i>, I think)!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW8YirPA-qTB40XCwwO15McYXosQiuGgdKGSFgmYxftpPosHsh2LQhmN7f87KlRxsabQaaHdieCAIsmjjtDqeqS1UYsQzJ4h9vJ2vRlBdavWs2wjeY_zgJKEoHlXkf0RHJJUPbSYil65M/s1600/IMG_6515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW8YirPA-qTB40XCwwO15McYXosQiuGgdKGSFgmYxftpPosHsh2LQhmN7f87KlRxsabQaaHdieCAIsmjjtDqeqS1UYsQzJ4h9vJ2vRlBdavWs2wjeY_zgJKEoHlXkf0RHJJUPbSYil65M/s400/IMG_6515.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I’ve posted a picture of this area recently, but since then these Texas
stars (<i>Lindheimera texana</i>) have taken over their corner of the bed. You get to see them again. These grow in uncultivated areas of my yard, also, but do not get quite so large.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh54P2J2accqkPDSpr3RHBJEWV28lOQEj0LcnV7oBTkzhmIlQYoREZcB2yhPpo38euMOxZ82lSutS81B4_4hhOltzoF1SaBOlDWDASLN3vMnK9KRJ8VFaupfit9_3R9jut7V2vH-UPubDg/s1600/IMG_6498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh54P2J2accqkPDSpr3RHBJEWV28lOQEj0LcnV7oBTkzhmIlQYoREZcB2yhPpo38euMOxZ82lSutS81B4_4hhOltzoF1SaBOlDWDASLN3vMnK9KRJ8VFaupfit9_3R9jut7V2vH-UPubDg/s200/IMG_6498.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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Last year I noticed this plant blooming in the wild area in
front of my house. On closer inspection, I realized it was a damianita (<i>Chrysactinia mexicana</i>). It was
the only one on my property, to my knowledge, and I did not plant it. This year
a second one has appeared in the same area. Yay!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY2IbgRrnZZkZhv_5HjTF30O_wtkM3yq4DfUEYwrxYE4O00wh6_i57YXdeXmmpavvBZGXu4_R6aA66QPHNylGMsqNgtPzRhTGiZM8Y_OGNQOudon7KafUXZ403D7SEz26RnLeDdhUN7ug/s1600/IMG_6513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY2IbgRrnZZkZhv_5HjTF30O_wtkM3yq4DfUEYwrxYE4O00wh6_i57YXdeXmmpavvBZGXu4_R6aA66QPHNylGMsqNgtPzRhTGiZM8Y_OGNQOudon7KafUXZ403D7SEz26RnLeDdhUN7ug/s400/IMG_6513.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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The anacacho orchid tree (<i>Bauhinia lunarioides</i>) is lovely, as it is every year,
with its spring blooms.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH9Y9RGBTJEXX_QRkFUTGuQBfnQ4_RcbHWRwQhRPYYREgtg2yr8fG9-OaYhfwRYRDf-C4UPtRGj4ltz4EqKjh8TPxYhKrrjg9z_1yTQXx5eA8HzjVMeHoYHpBfUN-2B7upXm79_Osq-H4/s1600/IMG_6509.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH9Y9RGBTJEXX_QRkFUTGuQBfnQ4_RcbHWRwQhRPYYREgtg2yr8fG9-OaYhfwRYRDf-C4UPtRGj4ltz4EqKjh8TPxYhKrrjg9z_1yTQXx5eA8HzjVMeHoYHpBfUN-2B7upXm79_Osq-H4/s400/IMG_6509.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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This little area is one of my favorites right now. In front,
cedar sages (<i>Salvia roemeriana</i>) shoot up stalks of deep red, with yellow accents from the
four-nerve daisy (<i>Tetraneuris scaposa,</i> I believe) against a backdrop of white autumn sage (<i>Salvia greggii</i> cultivar).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgScfiXWM0PLyLNrnv0rD1kgkw3VboqQNWSuLMrubqEhvDg1btwst-BE7CAudosZE3BrZj2zhfHO96N8eqK3n6GvEoDPPnsbj7-ufx7Q74RxAB7PvWjJKXQL6rFVbQgYmOIs1S2LCpgq04/s1600/IMG_6506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgScfiXWM0PLyLNrnv0rD1kgkw3VboqQNWSuLMrubqEhvDg1btwst-BE7CAudosZE3BrZj2zhfHO96N8eqK3n6GvEoDPPnsbj7-ufx7Q74RxAB7PvWjJKXQL6rFVbQgYmOIs1S2LCpgq04/s320/IMG_6506.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Out in the rock bed (which looks rather grassy at the
moment), a volunteer fragrant mimosa (<i>Mimosa borealis</i>) has put on its pink and white puffballs. This plant occurs naturally on my land. Yellow Dahlberg
daisies (<i>Thymophylla tenuiloba</i>) are blooming all over my yard, as is prairie verbena. The daisies are not natives, but after I planted some one year, they have self-seeded all over the front yard. This is okay by me, as I like the wildflower meadow look.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Dbb6T16vF3KuUophhjHU_7jOLqaAFdqkPoB23aT2puieNQzO96d_r4D2hqbvkqKFICLWBMUJVuOYUSUZChRCMEYTLM2x-y0qQdNI5te5muTPZP_6lq9_WHVzRcvTuHgjflgeKF3SjEE/s1600/IMG_6540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Dbb6T16vF3KuUophhjHU_7jOLqaAFdqkPoB23aT2puieNQzO96d_r4D2hqbvkqKFICLWBMUJVuOYUSUZChRCMEYTLM2x-y0qQdNI5te5muTPZP_6lq9_WHVzRcvTuHgjflgeKF3SjEE/s400/IMG_6540.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Looking out
my French doors yesterday, I noticed the sun shining through the fresh green leaves of
the crape myrtle and ran for the camera. Yarrow (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Achillea millefolium</i>), purple oxalis (<i>Oxalis triangularis</i>?) and wandering Jew (<i>Tradescantia pallida</i>) live underneath. The red bloomer is tropical sage (<i>Salvia coccinea</i>). This and the following picture are really more foliage shots, so I will be posting on Digging's <a href="http://www.penick.net/digging/?p=21234" target="_blank">Foliage Follow-up</a>, also.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7R_iJR7GVo58a_uXLqc_6scfXtS9lHrSWL31sxb12nXBXcXFP-xcopFDhv_UZlGAkVUqp6X6sOyA9VZjmP6ul4YQqZC-oZE3dgnDhv3iCNXULjDdzglOEF1Z7pvjwvb1CAf4VFhCdLno/s1600/IMG_6502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7R_iJR7GVo58a_uXLqc_6scfXtS9lHrSWL31sxb12nXBXcXFP-xcopFDhv_UZlGAkVUqp6X6sOyA9VZjmP6ul4YQqZC-oZE3dgnDhv3iCNXULjDdzglOEF1Z7pvjwvb1CAf4VFhCdLno/s640/IMG_6502.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Last but definitely not least, I present this grouping out by the
parking area. The only plant blooming here is the Jerusalem sage (<i>Phlomis fruticosa</i> - not a native), but isn’t it
pretty with the century plants (<i>Agave americana</i>), nolina (<i>Nolina lindheimeriana</i>), woolly butterfly bush (<i>Buddleja marrubiifolia</i>) and cenizo (<i>Leucophyllum frutescens</i>)? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
CWPickenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06116112697302206255noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2236480146425478200.post-36049180636152046362013-04-06T14:54:00.000-05:002013-04-06T14:54:37.248-05:00If you like cool maps . . .
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I saw this cool map recently, shared on the <a href="http://www.wildflower.org/" target="_blank">Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center</a>’s Facebook page from the <a href="http://www.bonap.org/" target="_blank">Biota of North America</a>’s Facebook page. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimasMlHNHJZp8Faehh7XhZnph1U61nUxC_1Iv2qexr_bpKpc4LZGdiu6-CS93CA3bINwOh3qRT8gzXwkcq7YGemERgpdI2VogUTi7EPLPBWiDB_-SvjMjcLmK63ySKnbS0XUvV9GXN3gs/s1600/flora+map.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimasMlHNHJZp8Faehh7XhZnph1U61nUxC_1Iv2qexr_bpKpc4LZGdiu6-CS93CA3bINwOh3qRT8gzXwkcq7YGemERgpdI2VogUTi7EPLPBWiDB_-SvjMjcLmK63ySKnbS0XUvV9GXN3gs/s400/flora+map.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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Verbiage from that Facebook page explains the map as follows:</div>
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<span class="hascaption">Relative
distribution of species found primarily in the Great Plains/Prairie region.
Blue areas have the highest number of species per 10000 km2, whereas the brown
areas have very few. Contour interval of 10 species; Facebook does not allow
the display of the full resolution of these maps.</span></div>
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<span class="hascaption">A further description posted on the
page by Chris Durden goes as follows:</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">The map is
based on distribution of woody plant species that occur in this region but not
in the other identified "hot spots". Most occur together in central
Texas. Even more occur across the Rio Grande in Coahuila. The Balconian
"hot spot" is located at the southern end because that is where the
biota survived the last and previous glaciations. Leaf through the other maps
in this series and you will see similar treatments for our other regional woody
floras. An illustrative species is *Berberis (Mahonia) swaseyi* of Travis,
Hays, Comal, Kerr, Bandera and Real Counties in Texas. A species with very
similar morphology was described from 38 million-year-old Florissant (National
Monument, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/colorado.bob.3"><span style="color: blue;">Colorado</span></a>) volcanic ash lake beds where it was
part of the "Madro-tertiary Flora". There are many more species of
animals (mostly invertebrate) with this distribution because they are adapted
to life on and among these woody plants. The Barton Springs Salamander and the
listed endangered cave arthropods are part of this set of relict communities.</span></div>
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I had to read this about six times, but as I understand it,
this map illustrates the distribution of woody plant species that occur in this
region (Great Plains/Prairie region), with the highest concentration occurring
in Central Texas. (The other maps the passage refers to are on Biota of North America's Facebook page.)</div>
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You wouldn’t know it from my property, which is overrun with
Ashe juniper and live oaks. But these seem to be really smart people, so I
believe them!</div>
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I like maps; I hope you do, too.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfEVPx_X8WHSDannWbKAby6BCfprL1qbvnldpXmRJs3EZvj_r2D3YUo22kNo2cAwU3CrjqXls4JgiTwW3GV3ZhxQuRXnGkVAot2jZ2OGXjr6IgdmvkUO_JkjkbZPolDLc9QBXR1ui4NE0/s1600/IMG_6246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfEVPx_X8WHSDannWbKAby6BCfprL1qbvnldpXmRJs3EZvj_r2D3YUo22kNo2cAwU3CrjqXls4JgiTwW3GV3ZhxQuRXnGkVAot2jZ2OGXjr6IgdmvkUO_JkjkbZPolDLc9QBXR1ui4NE0/s400/IMG_6246.jpg" width="300" /></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Favorite spot in the
garden today:</i></div>
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My favorite spot today is out in a wild area. My daughter
and I were mining for rocks last week when we both noticed and admired this
grouping of <a href="http://onahayscountyhill.blogspot.com/2013/02/cool-plant-1-twist-leaf-yucca.html" target="_blank">twist-leaf yucca</a> (<i>Yucca rupicola</i>), prairie fleabane (<i>Erigeron modestus</i>) and prairie verbena (<i>Glandularia bipinnatifida</i>). </div>
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CWPickenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06116112697302206255noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2236480146425478200.post-82411090355306692652013-03-19T16:34:00.001-05:002013-03-19T16:35:49.883-05:00Spring blooms in my garden<style>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5VGnXJjNQMj-5KKOJBQmAV76Pnk4mSqjP6aaT1zEQrMQFdaUJhvqXpwsJKTAzlY6HbRqmAuGbRVy-0botJQkqNNsiWZL6sgC0IafiDIhDNNFvFeUIRF9yEGPqpL4NpTdWo8c8V-B4Bro/s1600/IMG_6086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5VGnXJjNQMj-5KKOJBQmAV76Pnk4mSqjP6aaT1zEQrMQFdaUJhvqXpwsJKTAzlY6HbRqmAuGbRVy-0botJQkqNNsiWZL6sgC0IafiDIhDNNFvFeUIRF9yEGPqpL4NpTdWo8c8V-B4Bro/s400/IMG_6086.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="right"><td class="tr-caption">Bridal wreath (<i>Spirea prunifolia</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Well, I really missed Garden Bloggers Bloom Day this time. I
meant to post on the 15<sup>th</sup> . . . no, really, I did! But a family
emergency put the kibosh on those plans.</div>
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And yet . . .</div>
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Plants are blooming in my yard, despite our drought. Truly,
nature is amazing. Plants will bloom in spring, no matter the lack of rain or
unseasonable heat or drying winds. Some of my bloomers are rather exciting (at
least to me), so I'm posting today.</div>
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Spring! Hurrah!<br />
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<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0jDY32KW41OxBPosadiKivDRV4u2p13jCSywUhr7ISGDwjq-zt_eCcqnYAU7hiNoAT1fzQuQWeXey9LaX-R19PnlY1IL_Cz8DM5YU-4fsKnDMc-MX9d38mw5Vpo3b_aHTIJJ_03281ig/s1600/IMG_6089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0jDY32KW41OxBPosadiKivDRV4u2p13jCSywUhr7ISGDwjq-zt_eCcqnYAU7hiNoAT1fzQuQWeXey9LaX-R19PnlY1IL_Cz8DM5YU-4fsKnDMc-MX9d38mw5Vpo3b_aHTIJJ_03281ig/s200/IMG_6089.jpg" width="155" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">This is one of my prizes:<br />
I think it's a potato vine<br />
(<i>Solanum jasminoides</i>). It<br />
grew over winter, and is<br />
blooming gaily now! </td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCISpRYQ4MtwitKQwVJq8R7dnUT9vxHOIe70w1kzs9ftsWJJaN7-iNtqng4Z4WzNxFawNEmbIttwP3mH8fONkq9vmQdI2C20saty528EanA2qTc3ayTUILZhg-r58U0JXj26AdloarZyE/s1600/IMG_6103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCISpRYQ4MtwitKQwVJq8R7dnUT9vxHOIe70w1kzs9ftsWJJaN7-iNtqng4Z4WzNxFawNEmbIttwP3mH8fONkq9vmQdI2C20saty528EanA2qTc3ayTUILZhg-r58U0JXj26AdloarZyE/s320/IMG_6103.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="right"><td class="tr-caption">We are on the tail end of bloom time for the agarita<br />
(<i>Mahonia trifoliata</i>) and the berries are forming.</td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjNsrnNuMOIFJ2IwHhVy2Ze8dzyN-zqfhHDbLXyWOGKbNEgRWYmeW246ckzhNUA3ZQp2X5Sb1LIR3xLNZ9W6OEAEmPVmMKrlWgwFSPn_ORKhS_ecZGqeoYAkLIAPv98WnoH1fN8LGCoq0/s1600/IMG_6101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjNsrnNuMOIFJ2IwHhVy2Ze8dzyN-zqfhHDbLXyWOGKbNEgRWYmeW246ckzhNUA3ZQp2X5Sb1LIR3xLNZ9W6OEAEmPVmMKrlWgwFSPn_ORKhS_ecZGqeoYAkLIAPv98WnoH1fN8LGCoq0/s400/IMG_6101.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Texas stars (<i>Lindheimera texana</i>) reseed freely in my beds and yard. These are native wildflowers.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhijeO1nxIXB1ayXNtE8sMPQcli7xuUHf71N-Tv_Vl8RQx8UEuZ_Wx0Hv4wi4BiR5R3W3LjZqoWO5Hn4pKcg2VqvJG8I1ni8ybiTTZMDX2rG5htRfxU_Bc1WK8Z53b3IWZwosax0aEEfVo/s1600/IMG_6092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhijeO1nxIXB1ayXNtE8sMPQcli7xuUHf71N-Tv_Vl8RQx8UEuZ_Wx0Hv4wi4BiR5R3W3LjZqoWO5Hn4pKcg2VqvJG8I1ni8ybiTTZMDX2rG5htRfxU_Bc1WK8Z53b3IWZwosax0aEEfVo/s400/IMG_6092.jpg" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The irises responded nicely to their spa treatment last fall.<br />
These are the first blooms I've seen in three years.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh122LhETH8iC5Xzr1BzdVoCxR8IFlGjKwwSrOex7ytBqkU86DOV6ES5TnZWacJZnNRf9IRZrQfNHg6KKkVIOdcm5wVbVL8orZNBEa1e5XSFDNaW4fum2PbprURlt1Ytt2Qoqtawv8XpBU/s1600/IMG_6098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh122LhETH8iC5Xzr1BzdVoCxR8IFlGjKwwSrOex7ytBqkU86DOV6ES5TnZWacJZnNRf9IRZrQfNHg6KKkVIOdcm5wVbVL8orZNBEa1e5XSFDNaW4fum2PbprURlt1Ytt2Qoqtawv8XpBU/s400/IMG_6098.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blackfoot daisies (<i>Melampodium leucanthum</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfnCyTebNZwfOzGU5LS5hlwCiiQWWLFe-Z6qOe2ryyZwSSaYhYhLVUQ8mx7opUG43Y-kRj566drs3tApGmjd2JnidOagwnLu_Jx3gizny1I0kv5T8S6B4Q7xPF7olF3p2AOPHtXH1pPYs/s1600/IMG_6122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfnCyTebNZwfOzGU5LS5hlwCiiQWWLFe-Z6qOe2ryyZwSSaYhYhLVUQ8mx7opUG43Y-kRj566drs3tApGmjd2JnidOagwnLu_Jx3gizny1I0kv5T8S6B4Q7xPF7olF3p2AOPHtXH1pPYs/s320/IMG_6122.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="center"><td class="tr-caption">This is my other prize! A neighbor bought this for me last year and it's finally blooming.<br />
The desert globe mallow (<i>Sphaeralcea ambigua</i>) is native to the southwest (not Texas). </td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQJTHhA2aFjfx9AYnJ5R4-teYxH6rH6mPLQ6SNG-WO_SKyehgAWFW7vxA_SHirQJAzmuz6MGWIoorLlFByHOQ3tKim49XxgQlj1GoehrKQuDh6czJmLbV18zOXQ57yFTvCJBtYjOacAY8/s1600/IMG_6113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQJTHhA2aFjfx9AYnJ5R4-teYxH6rH6mPLQ6SNG-WO_SKyehgAWFW7vxA_SHirQJAzmuz6MGWIoorLlFByHOQ3tKim49XxgQlj1GoehrKQuDh6czJmLbV18zOXQ57yFTvCJBtYjOacAY8/s320/IMG_6113.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This awesome plant is death camas (<i>Zigadenes Nuttallii</i>). Yes, it's poisonous.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
What's blooming in your garden? To see other GBBD reports, visit <a href="http://www.maydreamsgardens.com/2013/03/garden-bloggers-bloom-day-march-2013.html" target="_blank">May Dreams Gardens</a>.</div>
CWPickenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06116112697302206255noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2236480146425478200.post-11700906698395641402013-03-09T14:26:00.001-06:002013-03-09T14:30:53.351-06:002013 Great Backyard Bird Count results<style>
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Several weeks ago we participated in the Great Backyard Bird
Count for the second time (see <a href="http://onahayscountyhill.blogspot.com/2012/02/counting-birds-for-fun.html" target="_blank">Counting birds for fun</a> for last year's report). As I wrote last year, I am not much of a bird
watcher, but the tallying and submitting appeals to my accountant’s soul. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPXOh4RnoROtBXK0zRCQGIZN5HBpCNU7bKUw7kXJ-DndzhWhFOdOmWRZXAxacq0FAipJ4bFg-aGivlUmykQLBNm2JVNIUuEz2TW7jkMJ42dyuorLIFswDarH5_iGkRFeISFRmeBIvU9AA/s1600/IMG_6070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPXOh4RnoROtBXK0zRCQGIZN5HBpCNU7bKUw7kXJ-DndzhWhFOdOmWRZXAxacq0FAipJ4bFg-aGivlUmykQLBNm2JVNIUuEz2TW7jkMJ42dyuorLIFswDarH5_iGkRFeISFRmeBIvU9AA/s400/IMG_6070.jpg" width="241" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="right"><td class="tr-caption">Look - there's some birds!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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It is fun to see what’s out there, but it can also be
frustrating. I ventured away from the house at one point, to see what was in
the woods. I could hear a bird, but could never find it with my binoculars. I’m
sure a real birder would have been able to track down her quarry. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Also, someone scheduled this event on a weekend when I had
another activity on the agenda. They should have checked with me first, darn
it. As a result, I only counted for two of the four days. So if you’re reading,
GBBC, please be sure to check with me before you set the date for next year’s
count. Thank you.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We had three watchers this year, as my dad was visiting. Here’s
how it works:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You count birds for
at least 15 minutes at a time, marking down the most birds of a species that
you see at one time. So the numbers below are the most we saw at a time during
the two days of sporadic counting.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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We saw 14 species of birds. Here are our results:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwGg9rs4d_w5zZOviGXNrSZErTdZ6dr8tIzoG0j9_SY49SjG_ztlSx1W-m0klS2rZa_FZEEh1G9dzuMPu8Tn21KMOeUFLmtWkShfu-KRbLSQtYgdqw7dR_n_tKUnWVR2w1JgnNRSyoBf4/s1600/NorthernCardinalMale_Jennifer_Taggart_PA_2012_High.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwGg9rs4d_w5zZOviGXNrSZErTdZ6dr8tIzoG0j9_SY49SjG_ztlSx1W-m0klS2rZa_FZEEh1G9dzuMPu8Tn21KMOeUFLmtWkShfu-KRbLSQtYgdqw7dR_n_tKUnWVR2w1JgnNRSyoBf4/s320/NorthernCardinalMale_Jennifer_Taggart_PA_2012_High.jpg" width="246" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">I don't think these photographers use a<br />
point and shoot! <i>Photo by Jennifer Taggart, </i><br />
<i>from the GBBC website.</i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Turkey Vulture (5)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Red-shouldered hawk (1)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
White-winged dove (5)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mourning dove (1)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Greater roadrunner (2)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Carolina chickadee (2)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Black-crested titmouse (3)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
American robin (3)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cedar waxwing (6)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Chipping sparrow (2)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Northern cardinal (8)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
House finch (2)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pine siskin (12)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lesser Goldfinch (2)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Last year we had oodles of lesser and American goldfinches,
and a few pine siskins. This year, we saw only one pair of lessers, but oodles
of pine siskins. I really liked these pine siskins at first, until I realized
they were sitting on the bird feeder and throwing seeds out like a toddler
throws cheerios. I don’t know what they are looking for, but there are only
black oil sunflowers in that feeder and no prize at the bottom.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The cedar waxwings heard through the grapevine about the
count and very kindly dropped by so that we could admire and add them to our
list. We had not seen them before the count weekend, nor have we seen them
since.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For 2013, counters have submitted 134,935 checklists,
identified 3,610 species and counted 34,512,432 birds. <a href="http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/" target="_blank">Click here to learn more about the GBBC</a>. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And in looking up this information, I see that they have
already set next year’s date, Feb. 14-17, 2014, without consulting me. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, at least I have a year’s notice.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
CWPickenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06116112697302206255noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2236480146425478200.post-75284161030521767722013-02-27T16:57:00.000-06:002013-02-27T16:57:45.473-06:00Windfall (not the monetary kind)
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Wow, it was blowing dogs off chains a few days ago! If you
live anywhere in the middle of the country, you know exactly what I’m talking
about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not complaining, mind
you. Compared to the blizzard conditions experienced in other places, we got
off easy.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wind gusts exceeded 50 mph in our area. According to the
National Weather Service (From <a href="http://blogs.kxan.com/2013/02/25/peak-wind-gusts-monday/#more-15345" target="_blank">Jim Spencer’s weather blog</a> on KXAN), Hays
County’s highest measured gust was 53 mph.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh966FYwpzsUyqaFXaKAyYWI7o5xs5xbjtB4jAKysBSVnjtm83W2K3WJxWKtlQYpBUSIM6sqYa9VdfMCOAbRIAjyze9rj6c4wfO9kT2EoGwXaTVZoVbnv0b49QG_QmvHK3P9uY5xdJ24KI/s1600/IMG_6050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh966FYwpzsUyqaFXaKAyYWI7o5xs5xbjtB4jAKysBSVnjtm83W2K3WJxWKtlQYpBUSIM6sqYa9VdfMCOAbRIAjyze9rj6c4wfO9kT2EoGwXaTVZoVbnv0b49QG_QmvHK3P9uY5xdJ24KI/s640/IMG_6050.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am amazed at how strong trees are, and how much movement
and stress they can take. Looking out the window the other day at the trees
thrashing about, I expected more damage. But those trees are tough. Our damage
was limited to occasional broken Ashe juniper branches, though one of those was
quite a large branch in a tree directly in front of the house.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGgaPeX8jH1fIqyBTqZEtJ9dWJNMihtuZDtKlDFomQCwonCo289KBWAypdEao6PgXtWe_UlDm_r7-gAHGpi6AmonyHdvTxjcWYAJDZU6TeHZs0ltR66z_S90w27a1e1cT3COlfKcxdRZQ/s1600/IMG_6051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGgaPeX8jH1fIqyBTqZEtJ9dWJNMihtuZDtKlDFomQCwonCo289KBWAypdEao6PgXtWe_UlDm_r7-gAHGpi6AmonyHdvTxjcWYAJDZU6TeHZs0ltR66z_S90w27a1e1cT3COlfKcxdRZQ/s400/IMG_6051.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Besides the woodpile, a few branches fell, also.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One unforeseen problem emerged. In a recent tree-cutting
spree we stacked wood five feet high between several moderately sized cedars.
When the winds started gusting, the trees started swaying – and a good bit of
our woodpile toppled. Now we get to stack that wood twice. Live and learn.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Did you notice the noise of the windstorm? Even inside the
house, I could hear a low sustained roar. Outside, the roar was intense:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>an amalgam of wind whistling through
branches, leaves rustling, limbs crashing against each other, and trees
creaking and groaning – for miles around. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Awesome” – though overworked – is just the right adjective!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYmIfNN5GXRtUhDhE38UDEJZgJ2h5fGHdI88HE3bYi5NG_JsIHAc3-wqYp7vIx27C3MZbjMCcCc5ypKnxD1Lefz-e5ysgtj8lrlyNwrqh3sD-0HZr3-ZlMQDrnBqkZvgm3BLQ4efRWw0g/s1600/IMG_6053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYmIfNN5GXRtUhDhE38UDEJZgJ2h5fGHdI88HE3bYi5NG_JsIHAc3-wqYp7vIx27C3MZbjMCcCc5ypKnxD1Lefz-e5ysgtj8lrlyNwrqh3sD-0HZr3-ZlMQDrnBqkZvgm3BLQ4efRWw0g/s320/IMG_6053.JPG" width="320" /></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Favorite spot in the
garden:</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The violets have begun blooming, few and sparse right now. These
little darlings appeared without my help and began proliferating under the roof
overhang and live oak tree. According to the <a href="http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=VIMI3" target="_blank">Wildflower Research Cente</a>r they
are “Good for the moist but well-drained woodland shade garden.” Well, that’s
not exactly what I’ve got, but I’ll take ‘em! I think they are Missouri violets
(<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Viola missouriensis</i>).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For some reason, I thought of poetry when writing about the
violets, and I found this sweet little poem to share.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Who hath despised the
day of small things? </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">By Cristina Rossetti</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As violets so be I recluse and sweet,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Cheerful
as daisies unaccounted rare,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Still sunward-gazing from a lowly seat,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Still
sweetening wintry air.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While half-awaked Spring lags incomplete,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>While
lofty forest trees tower bleak and bare,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Daisies and violets own remotest heat</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And
bloom and make them fair.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
CWPickenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06116112697302206255noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2236480146425478200.post-42545340351506357162013-02-22T11:14:00.000-06:002013-02-22T11:14:27.126-06:00Garden book review: Yard Art and Handmade Places
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<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Today I am
joining a garden book review meme hosted by Holly at <a href="http://dreamingofroses.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Roses and Other Gardening Joys</a>. I wrote a review for the first month of the meme, and have not
participated since. There's really no excuse for this, as I love books, all
sorts. This meme is made for me!</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT56Oh6nzHGyI9-iousaMDjQV0spSxf-2Q-yCHfhr-a0zJ6bBkBQpRHZz8wGgBjxPjg9KYI50-81hpEq76erDj_FLTCH6zE5gmSNHrNfbWx-LrPgFJjtmcPICY6ejadRZfNrjolozKXSI/s1600/yard+art.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT56Oh6nzHGyI9-iousaMDjQV0spSxf-2Q-yCHfhr-a0zJ6bBkBQpRHZz8wGgBjxPjg9KYI50-81hpEq76erDj_FLTCH6zE5gmSNHrNfbWx-LrPgFJjtmcPICY6ejadRZfNrjolozKXSI/s400/yard+art.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Several years
ago, I received a gift book entitled <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Yard-Art-Handmade-Places-Extraordinary/dp/0292716796/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1361547718&sr=1-1&keywords=Yard+Art+and+Handmade+Places" target="_blank">Yard Art and Handmade Places, Extraordinary Expressions of Home,</a> by Jill Nokes with
Pat Jasper. Nokes is a family friend. Well, I don't actually know her, but other
family members do. She is a landscape designer in Austin, and my
brother-in-law, who is a landscape architect, worked with her for a while.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Each chapter
features a different yard and gardener, from all over the great state of Texas.
These gardeners use a wide variety of materials to make a personal statement in
their yards. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">According to
the book jacket:</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">"<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Yard Art and Handmade Places</i> celebrates
the fact that, despite the proliferation of look-alike suburbs, places still
exist where people with ordinary means and skills are shaping space with their
own hands to create a personal expression that can be enjoyed by all."</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
gardeners use materials ranging from rocks to collections, statuary to junk.
Some of the gardeners used plant choices to create an oasis. Other gardens
celebrate a gardener's Mexican heritage or reflect the owner's religious
beliefs. It's no slip of the pen when Nokes calls these gardeners
"artists.' </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">One of my
favorite chapters is about a gardener in San Antonio (pictured on the book's cover), Jesus Zertuche, who built
a waterfall in his front yard from white limestone with black mortar, and
decorated it with rocks collected over a lifetime working on a ranch in south
Texas. He posed the animal-shaped rocks around the pond and waterfall. He also
populated the urban property with trees and plants, to soften the hard edges of
the limestone and provide shade on hot south Texas days.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg48xoaz99va_18oMgS4S8j93sNnP06owHSRSIEQ_yc-1HU1KqyGNStKjVIgzrWWRBhi-Sxi4cLQG4bCGy8_Z_mkXENfGMdxt1JFgPYHvU71FBVThPOpohYq8Yys26pBL5ewve7Z5uLgDY/s1600/yard+art+page.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg48xoaz99va_18oMgS4S8j93sNnP06owHSRSIEQ_yc-1HU1KqyGNStKjVIgzrWWRBhi-Sxi4cLQG4bCGy8_Z_mkXENfGMdxt1JFgPYHvU71FBVThPOpohYq8Yys26pBL5ewve7Z5uLgDY/s640/yard+art+page.jpg" title="" width="433" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Another
chapter features Cleveland Turner's yard in the Third Ward of Houston. He has filled
his yard to the brim with brightly colored found treasures and colorful
flowers. From the book: "Like many folk artists, Cleveland receives
a lot of attention simply because his home and garden seem so wonderfully
outrageous and free from convention."</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I loved
exploring these creative gardens; I often wish my garden was more whimsical,
but it just may not be in my nature. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The stories
Nokes tells about the gardeners are fascinating, but I did wish for larger
pictures, since I will most likely never see these gardens in person.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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This book is pure fun. If you enjoy quirky yard art
interwoven with beautiful and interesting plants, you might want to track down
this book. To see more garden book reviews, click on this <a href="http://dreamingofroses.blogspot.com/2013/02/garden-book-reviews-february-2013.html" target="_blank">link</a>.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO-9US4gbhaA1JmyTI1ns9KoG5T6JVT7aFnBxcjZ38qe24WFX7fI6KIsWTtULrTw-rMOH4AQ7QxvJlFIp1PxY5_2eqKtZT4Zf3ePHc8ltG9t6sY4eq2xvX7tb9MEemSXzVYMKNYBVc-YE/s1600/IMG_6023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO-9US4gbhaA1JmyTI1ns9KoG5T6JVT7aFnBxcjZ38qe24WFX7fI6KIsWTtULrTw-rMOH4AQ7QxvJlFIp1PxY5_2eqKtZT4Zf3ePHc8ltG9t6sY4eq2xvX7tb9MEemSXzVYMKNYBVc-YE/s320/IMG_6023.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Favorite spot in the
garden:</i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Spring seems to be peeking out in my garden. I’m ready, how
about you? The snowdrops (<i>Leucojum aestivum</i>) or snowflakes have begun blooming. I'd never noticed the tiny green spots at the base of each petal - very cool! Some of my snowdrops came from around an old house on property where my sister lived for awhile. My mother-in-law recently gave me more, from her grandmother's garden. Both of these were in southeast Texas, but they seem to be doing alright here in central Texas, too!</div>
CWPickenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06116112697302206255noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2236480146425478200.post-77932741637474557912013-02-12T11:42:00.000-06:002013-02-12T11:42:27.936-06:00Cool plant #1: Twist-leaf yucca<style>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUOGug7s3uzS6HIcuUF_lXTf-HtQbt3uNtseyzCqRkx2jWzYmApv_Xtd7PYAZQKb9fGk9z7Cf-EcKv91glj-2zJrLFNyeHNpWu-ThiVlTNbIlUcufyW865TYzFiPwTkjhRZ44afleyQsA/s1600/IMG_5973.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUOGug7s3uzS6HIcuUF_lXTf-HtQbt3uNtseyzCqRkx2jWzYmApv_Xtd7PYAZQKb9fGk9z7Cf-EcKv91glj-2zJrLFNyeHNpWu-ThiVlTNbIlUcufyW865TYzFiPwTkjhRZ44afleyQsA/s640/IMG_5973.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
Today I bring to you the first in an occasional series on
interesting plants endemic to my area, the Edwards Plateau located in Central to
West Texas. What characterizes the Edwards Plateau? I’m so glad you asked! From
the <a href="http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/landwater/land/habitats/cross_timbers/ecoregions/edwards_plateau.phtml" target="_blank">Texas Parks & Wildlife Department:</a></div>
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<br /></div>
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“The Edwards Plateau is an uplifted and elevated region
originally formed from marine deposits of sandstone, limestone, shales, and
dolomites 100 million years ago during the Cretaceous Period when this region
was covered by an ocean. The western portion remains a relatively flat elevated
plateau whereas the eastern portion known as the Hill Country is deeply
eroded.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We live in the Hill Country sector. What an odd idea, that
we live in what was once an ocean. Proof is all around us, however, with sea
creature fossils decorating many of the rocks we find – and we find lots of
rocks here.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZXGVYCu1_Fu3xQF1Xnmy2mAT7-Nc0ICnzKffpATA7f27Z8agDZcANVQ8c0J6DNvuT5O9lm4SH-HbRvvYlAnA_v3TKdTXJQDYc-QUhDbsFHcXaoo3rwv8h8PMNIilBxxAKaP87b5E9j18/s1600/IMG_5978.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZXGVYCu1_Fu3xQF1Xnmy2mAT7-Nc0ICnzKffpATA7f27Z8agDZcANVQ8c0J6DNvuT5O9lm4SH-HbRvvYlAnA_v3TKdTXJQDYc-QUhDbsFHcXaoo3rwv8h8PMNIilBxxAKaP87b5E9j18/s320/IMG_5978.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Our featured plant today is the twist-leaf yucca (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Yucca rupicola</i>). This is a cool little
yucca with - you guessed it - twisty leaves! Its leaves are one to two feet
long, with a colored margin, which can be light brown, yellow, orange, red or
white (depending on the source consulted). Tiny sharp teeth march along those leaf
margins and thin white curly hairs cover the leaf. The bloom stalk shoots up in
the spring (April to June), and can be up to five feet tall, with large,
heavily scented white or greenish white petals.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfEFtE8zc-0cbFX_Vs_q0hh3j2FAF2rKwKls3Le4mjj04NGvUC0KgHe4o4myCEJbnMN5SXEtxYrXULcMNzc1syFFALCiJz54XFen5Bvb7mnDOI7ZLTIgoL2gteA70kJ-aTJ_GWdfwYMPI/s1600/IMG_5989.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfEFtE8zc-0cbFX_Vs_q0hh3j2FAF2rKwKls3Le4mjj04NGvUC0KgHe4o4myCEJbnMN5SXEtxYrXULcMNzc1syFFALCiJz54XFen5Bvb7mnDOI7ZLTIgoL2gteA70kJ-aTJ_GWdfwYMPI/s400/IMG_5989.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">If you look closely, you can see the tiny teeth at leaf's edge. <br />
Also, notice yellow leaf margin on the upright leaf,<br />
and red margin on leaf at bottom right. </td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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And boy, is it tough. The twist-leaf yucca grows in full sun
or part shade and on shallow rocky soil, is heat and drought tolerant, and is deer
resistant (except for the blooms). Some years the deer leave the yuccas alone,
but when food is scarce they will top them all. This is a sad sight to a
gardener, but part of the natural cycle, after all.</div>
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<br /></div>
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These yuccas grow fairly commonly on our property. One has
popped up in a flowerbed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
could be an unwelcome addition, but the plant only gets up to two feet in size
and is manageable in its volunteer location.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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If you live in the Hill Country, I hope you have some of
these neat plants growing on your property. If you don’t, maybe you can find
one at a native plant nursery. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Favorite spot in the
garden:</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4oYyBLwEg7GLnb4WtrxbgQZYUdDpSpt8pdhYNCuJRWdPslto14oP4RRE1eqLx1Ywu3eRIHJSnuVndTENweJGCq0-IT1PI31rXvmPvR_d1qRKbcW89qvNTvrR0ys5sOg7DDVH8ZZkCT6g/s1600/IMG_5972.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4oYyBLwEg7GLnb4WtrxbgQZYUdDpSpt8pdhYNCuJRWdPslto14oP4RRE1eqLx1Ywu3eRIHJSnuVndTENweJGCq0-IT1PI31rXvmPvR_d1qRKbcW89qvNTvrR0ys5sOg7DDVH8ZZkCT6g/s640/IMG_5972.JPG" width="640" /></a>Well, I haven’t added this feature lately, but today I have
such a spot. This area is outside the living room French doors, and catches the
sun so prettily (though it is cloudy today). Newly planted snowdrops (<i>Leucojum aestivum </i>from my
mother-in-law's grandmother's house) surround the area, with rich purple oxalis (<i>Oxalis triangularis</i>) and wandering Jew (<i>Tradescantia pallida,</i> I think) in
the middle, backed by a lush spread of yarrow (<i>Achillea millefolium</i>).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love this color combination!</div>
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CWPickenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06116112697302206255noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2236480146425478200.post-47126410839088540352013-01-24T14:49:00.001-06:002013-01-24T14:55:04.333-06:00Pruning my physical and mental gardens.<style>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIkRwC_A_ZQ3ux1QGIc30JjE3ChsAn85Tvr885PjRFbOdi0vpK_Q-pAzeXR5DUBkFVO-vgPFqex5ENeJ7AvPC3Krz-65xQLKtN8EADW5_i6WW46ejb_ECK8QpH62EyIr-yOHHl52IiKwQ/s1600/IMG_5943.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIkRwC_A_ZQ3ux1QGIc30JjE3ChsAn85Tvr885PjRFbOdi0vpK_Q-pAzeXR5DUBkFVO-vgPFqex5ENeJ7AvPC3Krz-65xQLKtN8EADW5_i6WW46ejb_ECK8QpH62EyIr-yOHHl52IiKwQ/s400/IMG_5943.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="right"><td class="tr-caption">Rock rose (<i>Pavonia lasiopetala</i>) in front.</td></tr>
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I’ve been tidying the flowerbeds and yard this past week. </div>
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It had crossed my mind in recent years that some of this
work need not be done by hand, though of course that is the most peaceful
way to accomplish the task. However, as my gardening time is limited this year,
on Sunday I gassed up and restrung the weed eater and took the tops off of
zexmenia, dried out grasses (trying to avoid the little bluestem), blue
mistflower, live oak seedlings and anything else in my path. </div>
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Yes, it’s faster, and yes, it’s less peaceful.</div>
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I’ve trimmed by hand, also, cutting back the lantanas, flame
acanthus and autumn sage. There is more to be done, and I’m looking forward to
getting back out there.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA8L9c9YjPpgjVyxQub_lUXRrCmYBZZwAiliF5WQw-SgY_7CeKoGYuK0zxZEO_6eQrfQgSwT7-n43nw4G2DYynMJ1dHVnE3ppoSQ7E9GNR8d0Wzh81mWiLVDjNKpjzengMy-f_5JFx-Jo/s1600/IMG_5938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA8L9c9YjPpgjVyxQub_lUXRrCmYBZZwAiliF5WQw-SgY_7CeKoGYuK0zxZEO_6eQrfQgSwT7-n43nw4G2DYynMJ1dHVnE3ppoSQ7E9GNR8d0Wzh81mWiLVDjNKpjzengMy-f_5JFx-Jo/s320/IMG_5938.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">Narcissus (<i>Narcissus tazetta italicus</i>) with<br />
Mexican feather grass (<i>Nassella tenuissima</i>) behind.</td></tr>
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I really enjoy this time of year in the garden. Removing
brown, shrubby, messy foliage and leaving behind bristling clumps (a.k.a.
dormant plants), variegated brown mulch, and small sprigs of green poking their
heads up here and there is rewarding. After cutting back a large area of new gold lantana, I
discovered the narcissus bulbs planted a few months ago have come to life, with
leaves several inches high. Big smile.</div>
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I can see clearly the limestone outlines of the beds, rocks
painstakingly collected and arranged. Later in the year, plants will spill
exuberantly out of the beds obscuring those borders.</div>
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I wish I could enter my mind and clear it as effortlessly. </div>
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Wouldn’t it be lovely if one could prune the mental deadwood
away?</div>
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(One would have to use hand clippers; a weed eater would be
entirely too ruthless for this job, and the noise would echo off the inside of
one’s skull.)</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMy6jnTsF35HfUCg0w_KzzP5KWUtXk9eYnrSm5f76Rcwn6tCPEjCWjgbb1JbAr_x8gsW96EcELFPg4BtxfzB9BqNMuObWKK68CFmxfbZPg4hIS_j5txgzaNUTBD_wqPTsoaTjyx-K01ys/s1600/IMG_5945.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMy6jnTsF35HfUCg0w_KzzP5KWUtXk9eYnrSm5f76Rcwn6tCPEjCWjgbb1JbAr_x8gsW96EcELFPg4BtxfzB9BqNMuObWKK68CFmxfbZPg4hIS_j5txgzaNUTBD_wqPTsoaTjyx-K01ys/s400/IMG_5945.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="right"><td class="tr-caption">The sticks you see are new gold lantana (<i>Lantana </i>'New Gold'). <br />
Cutting back the deadwood exposed violets (<i>Viola missouriensis</i> -<br />
I think) and oxblood lily foliage (<i>Rhodophiala bifida</i>), </td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td></tr>
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Imagine cutting away dead limbs of imagined insults, useless
worries, baseless grudges, unpleasant memories. Imagine leaving only useful knowledge, hopeful plans and lovely
memories, in a clean, organized and peaceful
mental garden. Imagine hauling all that ugly stuff far away to decay.</div>
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Imagine a brain like a Zen garden.</div>
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Stepford wives probably had Zen garden brains.</div>
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All that ugly, unpleasant stuff contributes to who I am, of
course. The trick is to encourage that stuff to compost internally and enrich
my little brain. To keep it from poking and prodding here and there,
interfering with healthy, positive thoughts.</div>
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When next I am working on cleaning the garden, I think I’ll visualize
tidying my mind, also. I won’t try to clear-cut either one, but will prune and
neaten as necessary to encourage beautiful growth.</div>
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I know this works in the garden. We’ll see if it works in my
head, as well.</div>
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CWPickenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06116112697302206255noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2236480146425478200.post-77360112945195770462013-01-18T21:29:00.000-06:002013-01-18T21:29:03.399-06:00My daughter's view of nature<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSyoqNgo-gOgMttIhg-mzYnYA_1uax9PT6BANy5-tMthiHJSVYkRalwhBA907p7WEff4xBwRVaHaXTkPThSQmq1ptRi5Dctvx7PC2FgpPMnP29k8UGfDdURRk45OTlJF1teVnjVGzbD3U/s1600/IMG_4745.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSyoqNgo-gOgMttIhg-mzYnYA_1uax9PT6BANy5-tMthiHJSVYkRalwhBA907p7WEff4xBwRVaHaXTkPThSQmq1ptRi5Dctvx7PC2FgpPMnP29k8UGfDdURRk45OTlJF1teVnjVGzbD3U/s320/IMG_4745.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tree frog found when we were cutting drought-felled trees.</td></tr>
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My daughter (age 11) has been roaming the great outdoors with a digital camera in hand over the past several months. She likes getting very close to her subjects, and she's gotten some nice shots. I like that she is outdoors exploring nature up close and personal!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIQFn6OqNhrN4QLowb5wGGHkF3HeBClKAGo51Kja-2PRgDLNGvedmUgdJkupnRO1eIGA4rqXt_hrIab29_JRvTwsiU1AU6nw80r4d4HbpMQtP8E3uZu7rTA5bbStfyik7tIJcQl_S2gSw/s1600/IMG_5387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIQFn6OqNhrN4QLowb5wGGHkF3HeBClKAGo51Kja-2PRgDLNGvedmUgdJkupnRO1eIGA4rqXt_hrIab29_JRvTwsiU1AU6nw80r4d4HbpMQtP8E3uZu7rTA5bbStfyik7tIJcQl_S2gSw/s400/IMG_5387.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silver ponyfoot (<i>Dichondra argentea</i>) (above and below)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wood-sorrel.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Nn3jfMAZCK3sN2Y_9M-lMRINfrGzsGVciTzhezKhyWLED0tstP3UFx9UynxtKqECvyOGS3uwnVTfAW6tdo6XkmdTJeGmcnel6J3-R5eSIiAdCATWCeAUhBbrhRknBcZ0msVv3-MAo4E/s1600/IMG_5773.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Nn3jfMAZCK3sN2Y_9M-lMRINfrGzsGVciTzhezKhyWLED0tstP3UFx9UynxtKqECvyOGS3uwnVTfAW6tdo6XkmdTJeGmcnel6J3-R5eSIiAdCATWCeAUhBbrhRknBcZ0msVv3-MAo4E/s200/IMG_5773.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="center"><td class="tr-caption">Ashe juniper berry.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivek9d9rnE-Z4zuFDb7gb7X3u-Idv7EXMpZdsDQM4hdovBbgg26IiMprT60JGQ-ZOGEbYei6RwIOUdZ8m9H3HwbARZSVphVs1egwpG-kCbR_cBxOOCQAh1gvMa6UGuUkZBa6t7i9jjqdk/s1600/IMG_5450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivek9d9rnE-Z4zuFDb7gb7X3u-Idv7EXMpZdsDQM4hdovBbgg26IiMprT60JGQ-ZOGEbYei6RwIOUdZ8m9H3HwbARZSVphVs1egwpG-kCbR_cBxOOCQAh1gvMa6UGuUkZBa6t7i9jjqdk/s320/IMG_5450.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="center"><td class="tr-caption">Yarrow (<i>Achillea millefolium</i>).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6X0S90QAZCJVEg2gIKtO-oSgc9Ncul8goNMMLc5F6GkdWfwRe7sc-mb1kZr5kCJncKo0zIfDf6obsHsLs0DQ28PBEd22SD0Cctuake5AC0V0ceFuhJ-9zud4BpTw0FWDfcagBYLaYwVQ/s1600/IMG_5874.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6X0S90QAZCJVEg2gIKtO-oSgc9Ncul8goNMMLc5F6GkdWfwRe7sc-mb1kZr5kCJncKo0zIfDf6obsHsLs0DQ28PBEd22SD0Cctuake5AC0V0ceFuhJ-9zud4BpTw0FWDfcagBYLaYwVQ/s320/IMG_5874.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wood-sorrel (<i>Oxalis drummondii</i>).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Since so many of these are foliage shots, I am linking to Pam at Digging's <a href="http://www.penick.net/digging/?p=19942" target="_blank">Foliage Follow-up</a> meme. Foliage is an excellent thing to focus a camera lens on at this time of year, when blooms are few and far between. <br />
<br />
We hope you enjoy!<br />
<br />CWPickenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06116112697302206255noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2236480146425478200.post-83749839957892875912013-01-16T19:08:00.000-06:002013-01-16T19:09:39.635-06:00GBBD: A day late and many blooms short.<style>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPhcjihV3LhRuv1lDLF9EfN5pMeQZLAlEagv28bB9pOz8cGmPg2YMyXlHzmtqSKiIGnlz1rIcmf56B5SDqHSgZostIcFh29Ys0liXgLSFry20X5a5ClGGDv2J7gGrVqvU3j0_fOEW__K0/s1600/IMG_5904.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPhcjihV3LhRuv1lDLF9EfN5pMeQZLAlEagv28bB9pOz8cGmPg2YMyXlHzmtqSKiIGnlz1rIcmf56B5SDqHSgZostIcFh29Ys0liXgLSFry20X5a5ClGGDv2J7gGrVqvU3j0_fOEW__K0/s400/IMG_5904.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption"><i>Lantana montevidensis</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As usual, I am posting for Garden Bloggers Bloom Day a day
late, and this time it’s many blooms short, too.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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Yesterday was very cold and gray, and I chose to stay inside
near the woodstove. The lighting was terrible for photography, I told myself.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today is still cold but quite beautiful and sunny, so I set
out in search of blooms. They were sparse. I guess that’s to be expected in the
winter, especially in a drought year.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Last week I saw a lone prairie fleabane bloom, but found none
today. I’d hoped to see a wood sorrel blooming, but alas, it is too early. The
only wildflower even attempting a bloom was a thistle I’ve yet to identify,
because it is pesky and I don’t like it. No identification.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibKE-4fpy6ME4bG7WuMER9D20FhUz8OOUxMiQTViqi1gf1ojO5xMaIEDRFN9nAgb2aUp0H3e-_T3hC4BPFXI0eufylvo8hBQm8CEBscB0XzUGuvyyDqKRT76L5rhlsfucphzPiUYvfrwA/s1600/IMG_5918.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibKE-4fpy6ME4bG7WuMER9D20FhUz8OOUxMiQTViqi1gf1ojO5xMaIEDRFN9nAgb2aUp0H3e-_T3hC4BPFXI0eufylvo8hBQm8CEBscB0XzUGuvyyDqKRT76L5rhlsfucphzPiUYvfrwA/s400/IMG_5918.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="right"><td class="tr-caption">White trailing lantana.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDmwNbzLmeTlZrWZEyrR0vd302F7MuIRdc7BtSeo_Gni9NS3boO9BxMqn1POUuo_dt8_cmr52BDXLsYyExFvH_uJB3TwbE8_3dXd6Mgy5Z8Jcrs-rWLVyShGu51wtEpnrl8eWBKDcvG28/s1600/IMG_5910.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDmwNbzLmeTlZrWZEyrR0vd302F7MuIRdc7BtSeo_Gni9NS3boO9BxMqn1POUuo_dt8_cmr52BDXLsYyExFvH_uJB3TwbE8_3dXd6Mgy5Z8Jcrs-rWLVyShGu51wtEpnrl8eWBKDcvG28/s200/IMG_5910.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
The only other blooms were in my garden and on my
porch:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>trailing lantana. A freeze
nipped the white awhile back, but it continued blooming. It is quite striking
with its white blooms and blackened leaves. The purple lantana grows in pots by
my south-facing front door, where it has been just warm enough to weather the light
freezes we’ve received so far.</div>
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That’s all I’ve got.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You should visit <a href="http://www.maydreamsgardens.com/2013/01/garden-bloggers-bloom-day-january-2013.html" target="_blank">May Dreams Gardens, host of GBBD</a>, because
I’m sure flowers are blooming somewhere in the world, and her site will lead
you to them! </div>
CWPickenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06116112697302206255noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2236480146425478200.post-92099590728972430772013-01-10T15:58:00.000-06:002013-01-10T15:58:19.177-06:00Here comes the sun.<style>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
After two weeks or so of cold, gray, drizzly weather,
followed by a nice rain, the sun has emerged! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3-dGAaR2RQwx3RwP_h-Je0coNwlsg8E2UsYnU6M0iRrrkH72yBy8XJj1d7NRxLfQl4cCXvjxF6CAKJAvbVHhcpIJr1DHFxjvnnF3vp9hcxp5zfwHIfY9TjmTki0l2cQfwQzp4Jd7SVNk/s1600/IMG_5809.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3-dGAaR2RQwx3RwP_h-Je0coNwlsg8E2UsYnU6M0iRrrkH72yBy8XJj1d7NRxLfQl4cCXvjxF6CAKJAvbVHhcpIJr1DHFxjvnnF3vp9hcxp5zfwHIfY9TjmTki0l2cQfwQzp4Jd7SVNk/s640/IMG_5809.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of my favorite parts of winter: the little bluestem (<i>Schizachyrium scoparium</i>) turns rust! I did not realize this grass grows nationwide, and throughout much of Canada.<br />
I bet it's lovely against a white backdrop . . . </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sickness engulfed my household over the holiday break. Day
after day of that Oregonian weather did not help matters. I would go off the
deep end if I had to put up with such weather for months on end. Apparently I
live in the right geographical state for maintaining a healthy mental state.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm6QrVrpPAflk0UyVBgQE8Q0tPFC5w_zxdPgMCBDmL9AvAzj9ZvO_kH3AgLhlsuJdUIgFNqr1pFGxRcs_UhB_bOqvQgGUBtd0kF1zQuCmnCIUQYW8pVm9aEKUZFxODam_qjnajRqc2ugc/s1600/IMG_5788.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm6QrVrpPAflk0UyVBgQE8Q0tPFC5w_zxdPgMCBDmL9AvAzj9ZvO_kH3AgLhlsuJdUIgFNqr1pFGxRcs_UhB_bOqvQgGUBtd0kF1zQuCmnCIUQYW8pVm9aEKUZFxODam_qjnajRqc2ugc/s320/IMG_5788.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">Some thistle - this is likely its prettiest phase.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9toGMFpOObe8ZG0XotjDSX32bjedaKqEhuAq66VHPQ8NL67bdk2HPk3RAPeP1JS32LmIchz4Sk9JqQL0Izq38T60asW4XtaQ_EwpyvXaoqyvLfoM6XSKlBEK_vZoX86sl3f_2VeQWpBw/s1600/IMG_5795.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9toGMFpOObe8ZG0XotjDSX32bjedaKqEhuAq66VHPQ8NL67bdk2HPk3RAPeP1JS32LmIchz4Sk9JqQL0Izq38T60asW4XtaQ_EwpyvXaoqyvLfoM6XSKlBEK_vZoX86sl3f_2VeQWpBw/s320/IMG_5795.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="right"><td class="tr-caption">Spider web adorned with moisture.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
But a bountiful rain (a relative term) over the last two
days has led to a beautiful day, with everything looking fresh and clean and
sparkly. My sense of well-being is directly related to the amount of sunshine
I’m exposed to, so I’m feeling pretty good right now! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnBG1gYCk86jKj4W45QUHF4wWxGNCIkaI5V82xHeEQopnBvKnEzyfhmFsyRrNaSPDNrfl2Ab6EOHXXLhFpkhoV-qJixIXkqsy2oR9gxwabfXuL4AWqKcpQ99tzcQcWdy9SSTQYQsVjQA8/s1600/IMG_5794.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnBG1gYCk86jKj4W45QUHF4wWxGNCIkaI5V82xHeEQopnBvKnEzyfhmFsyRrNaSPDNrfl2Ab6EOHXXLhFpkhoV-qJixIXkqsy2oR9gxwabfXuL4AWqKcpQ99tzcQcWdy9SSTQYQsVjQA8/s400/IMG_5794.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;">I have always just called this nolina<i> </i><br />
<i>(Nolina lindheimeriana</i>), but it has a really fun<br />
common name: Devil's shoestring!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This morning I ventured out with the camera to see the
sights and enjoy the sun and cool breeze. I was astonished to find a single
wildflower in bloom, took pictures of drops of water beading on leaves, checked
on the bluebonnet seedlings (yes, they have germinated!), listened to a few
ecstatic birds, and thoroughly enjoyed communing with nature.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Winter is not over, of course. More rain is forecast for
this weekend along with a “polar” cold front, as a weatherman termed it. Of
course “polar” in Central Texas does not mean the same thing as it does in
Alaska. Perhaps we will get a freeze out of it, perhaps not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My daughter might feel moved to wear
her boots rather than her preferred footwear: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>flip-flops. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or
not.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr8gGkbJGukFwiid9gthu4AHB4HFb90s_DCDg1uYljyOu7oVLbXk5O_ut96sCfDAIKsEfWfrsZ0tPoja9PboRZ7sAOE0dE1i8Ij1lqV2JySegQjlu99H1IU3Y-qC_TnsPJYfsi73c_518/s1600/IMG_5813.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr8gGkbJGukFwiid9gthu4AHB4HFb90s_DCDg1uYljyOu7oVLbXk5O_ut96sCfDAIKsEfWfrsZ0tPoja9PboRZ7sAOE0dE1i8Ij1lqV2JySegQjlu99H1IU3Y-qC_TnsPJYfsi73c_518/s320/IMG_5813.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Texas redbud (<i>Cercis canadensis var. texensis</i>) is so confused.<br />
It normally blooms in March, but it misunderstood the recent warm weather!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I hope wherever you are the day is as gorgeous as it is
here, and you get to spend some time enjoying it!<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi09bFFVIHoqi07gSKFDgK0mrpvEPSmprD5s6j3CPdvZvqYogObEHd4tA-SKrK09V4r-MLELierePVvKrh9bvkY_1l9RX3Soou9zJQjluRSXS5IOKi-tS4LsCB13Y7Pmk5YzcHNanr2O0U/s1600/IMG_5826.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi09bFFVIHoqi07gSKFDgK0mrpvEPSmprD5s6j3CPdvZvqYogObEHd4tA-SKrK09V4r-MLELierePVvKrh9bvkY_1l9RX3Soou9zJQjluRSXS5IOKi-tS4LsCB13Y7Pmk5YzcHNanr2O0U/s200/IMG_5826.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;">Plains or prairie fleabane <br />
(<i>Erigeron modestus</i>) -<br />
the first wildflower<br />
of the year!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw6Lbv0skAxOqQ5iGw8j3ysA6wV1hjArcXxk1376hy-IGkIrTF4nyQmXeZ_Z4FBKmfq17chObhYFTHSxQXqS2d5RQWDXWR3RppM04iWa01NLwMObI_H4QucLw8ocyF2LseIN_9FCgGiWU/s1600/IMG_5818.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw6Lbv0skAxOqQ5iGw8j3ysA6wV1hjArcXxk1376hy-IGkIrTF4nyQmXeZ_Z4FBKmfq17chObhYFTHSxQXqS2d5RQWDXWR3RppM04iWa01NLwMObI_H4QucLw8ocyF2LseIN_9FCgGiWU/s320/IMG_5818.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Prairie verbena (<i>Glandularia bipinnatifida</i> - left) and<br />
bluebonnet (<i>Lupinus texensis</i>).</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
CWPickenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06116112697302206255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2236480146425478200.post-84437305001089868762012-12-31T18:25:00.000-06:002012-12-31T18:29:45.549-06:00Rounding up the year - garden projects completed.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjszi9JQTREzuJ796ml0yjeZfgbTXqgJIYFBvZX_99Mo-TQULYlw8rTC6mo40HN6d6m86DEs7Yk-3dU2oVg6nbrent37XggCxeRMss3MFeLkw2k2Xkpums57Va58HThC3aYd-l3vx91JDI/s1600/IMG_5585.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjszi9JQTREzuJ796ml0yjeZfgbTXqgJIYFBvZX_99Mo-TQULYlw8rTC6mo40HN6d6m86DEs7Yk-3dU2oVg6nbrent37XggCxeRMss3MFeLkw2k2Xkpums57Va58HThC3aYd-l3vx91JDI/s320/IMG_5585.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;">Can't wait to see if cleaning and amending<br />
the iris bed pays off with spring blooms!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It is gray, foggy and drizzly outside, and a cool 58
degrees: perfect weather for reflecting on garden accomplishments of the past
year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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Nearly a year ago, I posted about my <a href="http://onahayscountyhill.blogspot.com/2012/01/weather-has-been-nice-on-hill-and-when.html" target="_blank">garden plans</a> for the
year 2012. Four projects were on my list, some in varying states of completion.</div>
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You know how these New Year’s Resolution lists are.
Generally they end up making one feeling inadequate, lazy or incompetent. Take
your pick.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZqqs5RJGYz6_wjig9Z2-c8s1bHSLX1Xa-4D-QNvPke-HyD68AzU9zaIqX7Nj6hhcAyUGZTkJH29nrdFKdJqy8qPS5_wWCjkEQ2L_Tjd8jtUj5dyGuYAbx9qVtmQ455vZQgty3UNryyOw/s1600/IMG_3993.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZqqs5RJGYz6_wjig9Z2-c8s1bHSLX1Xa-4D-QNvPke-HyD68AzU9zaIqX7Nj6hhcAyUGZTkJH29nrdFKdJqy8qPS5_wWCjkEQ2L_Tjd8jtUj5dyGuYAbx9qVtmQ455vZQgty3UNryyOw/s400/IMG_3993.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I blogged about the completion of this project in September, <a href="http://onahayscountyhill.blogspot.com/2012/09/you-just-cant-rush-these-things.html" target="_blank">You just can't rush these things.</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I am pleased to post, however, that I actually completed
every project on my list.</div>
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This is probably the first time in my entire life that a New
Year’s Resolution list has been fulfilled completely. If I had known this would
be such a successful list, I could have added additional, important items to
it:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>GET A JOB<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(oops, sorry, did not mean to shout
that), finish a cross-stitch project (underway since at least 2010), write a
novel.</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmElLk7hwNYToBG8T72noOdZBYjQkVEv8XrHHNQIcMDrEpbkMVqhnCAdbq2GA7QR0cjl4lrsWbT6P0-kPZAsKLg71jPukNV26x05F6k9Vp5DeM6sdNIQsY_pUiKPwAdxDwQmv1Zb_70eE/s1600/IMG_5589.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmElLk7hwNYToBG8T72noOdZBYjQkVEv8XrHHNQIcMDrEpbkMVqhnCAdbq2GA7QR0cjl4lrsWbT6P0-kPZAsKLg71jPukNV26x05F6k9Vp5DeM6sdNIQsY_pUiKPwAdxDwQmv1Zb_70eE/s320/IMG_5589.jpg" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Completed rock garden out front;<br />
apparently I never blogged about this! </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmSvqCr7OushwOZfFCZBxcbc7N2wR-lpKnYjR4HsNFPXg1R_-7xC9Wajp4B9KAvvwLeWLl60sfSoXCkHtpmFFxVe2T6-OiFa9S1gYTTfV9Hn8rgULIlJ1YYiSxMgl9YCAyR3avt_hOqSM/s1600/IMG_5590.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmSvqCr7OushwOZfFCZBxcbc7N2wR-lpKnYjR4HsNFPXg1R_-7xC9Wajp4B9KAvvwLeWLl60sfSoXCkHtpmFFxVe2T6-OiFa9S1gYTTfV9Hn8rgULIlJ1YYiSxMgl9YCAyR3avt_hOqSM/s320/IMG_5590.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;">More of the rock garden, which extends<br />
across the front yard and parking area.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ybLm1WOrlUunmfg6g3uB7AFxGuBgRXkWHdK7WB6NCp1p5H32b2wji9M5QQnrq01BtjG8h-iYlkEZOJUC3jNlnopRywwvjwl_ECjVrL9_KKxBwb1dbF98mRsUSyv_mAwUExqw9E6rxZQ/s1600/IMG_5595.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ybLm1WOrlUunmfg6g3uB7AFxGuBgRXkWHdK7WB6NCp1p5H32b2wji9M5QQnrq01BtjG8h-iYlkEZOJUC3jNlnopRywwvjwl_ECjVrL9_KKxBwb1dbF98mRsUSyv_mAwUExqw9E6rxZQ/s400/IMG_5595.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;">Bed populated with blue mistflower. If you are familiar with this plant, <br />
you know that it will fill in the bare spaces very quickly!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Perhaps it is best to keep the list small and manageable.</div>
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I hope you were equally productive with your projects. Even
if you weren’t, I hope you had a wonderful time dreaming about your projects
and spending time in your garden. After all, that is the most rewarding part of
gardening, is it not?<br />
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CWPickenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06116112697302206255noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2236480146425478200.post-57873254918431615952012-12-23T17:44:00.003-06:002012-12-23T18:39:04.088-06:00Ode to the modern Santa.<style>
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</style> ‘Twas a few days before Christmas, and all through the
house, <br />
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all the creatures were stirring (though we don’t have a
mouse).</div>
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The stockings were hung on the staircase with care, </div>
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In hopes that Saint Nicholas would soon be there.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg98ewsCRObmEBOQoCQ7gSVoTuj_PFPEAbD_CpRGp8kxdct6E07wSGyZd61n-vQUwk4Dn2VOHT5YtOYuE2R5lhs_fcodBC19AESZZHFmDJ4Hm5Kh6GnGBPJB8ogps3UBx-o2TOHYfHkvpA/s1600/IMG_5303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg98ewsCRObmEBOQoCQ7gSVoTuj_PFPEAbD_CpRGp8kxdct6E07wSGyZd61n-vQUwk4Dn2VOHT5YtOYuE2R5lhs_fcodBC19AESZZHFmDJ4Hm5Kh6GnGBPJB8ogps3UBx-o2TOHYfHkvpA/s400/IMG_5303.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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The children were rushing hither and yon, </div>
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Visiting friends, buying presents, and eating bon-bons.</div>
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And Dad in his flannel shirt, and I in my sweater,</div>
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Were working last minute to make Christmas better.</div>
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In the kitchen, I’d been baking: cookies and bread</div>
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While Dad sawed and created out in the shed.</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0mkagvZg8uFUdamDEO7bJxK7hp9zaqjF_RdYCiwQwsyi-FXBr0Zj0FuZrRc9lNu4DN3jCKL3CVMgAgEvMngcCh0SRD6EOzboRF6bI7JbH6q3p0ABWRTzapaPhsMR4wEI1hQxr4BuWO40/s1600/IMG_5297.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0mkagvZg8uFUdamDEO7bJxK7hp9zaqjF_RdYCiwQwsyi-FXBr0Zj0FuZrRc9lNu4DN3jCKL3CVMgAgEvMngcCh0SRD6EOzboRF6bI7JbH6q3p0ABWRTzapaPhsMR4wEI1hQxr4BuWO40/s400/IMG_5297.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Liebkuchen!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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When out on the yard there arose such a clatter, </div>
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I threw open the door to see what was the matter.</div>
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Outside on the lawn, dusty grass and limestone </div>
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Helped to create a dry, Texas tone.</div>
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The wind tossed dried leaves up and around,</div>
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And the sun lit up grasses, green and brown.</div>
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What to my wondering eye should appear </div>
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But a large brown truck drawing quickly near.</div>
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With a shorts-clad driver sporting a tan,</div>
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I knew in a minute he was the UPS man.</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimJoVrFmcONjAqpOdHUuTqhDop5Eb_Od29YSuUrrVJJc6D6YvDsQO0-VEhb4pbmfsgnbi0T_NB7EvJ-QqRktdTIfVrLF1NF3mch0b6ubOVFqokjfj6Na6gK3gHqvKP0nHinckN5sNfa48/s1600/ups-man1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimJoVrFmcONjAqpOdHUuTqhDop5Eb_Od29YSuUrrVJJc6D6YvDsQO0-VEhb4pbmfsgnbi0T_NB7EvJ-QqRktdTIfVrLF1NF3mch0b6ubOVFqokjfj6Na6gK3gHqvKP0nHinckN5sNfa48/s400/ups-man1.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">This is not my UPS man, but an apt photo<br />
from the <a href="http://lodi360.com/2011/04/18/free-public-art-on-school-street/#" target="_blank">Lodi, California website.</a></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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He was dressed all in brown from his head to his foot, </div>
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His arms were quite brawny from lifting his loot.</div>
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His smile was so friendly as he asked if my name</div>
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Was Cynthia, and I told him it was the same.</div>
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He spoke no more words, but handed it over:</div>
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A box filled with presents for all my book lovers.</div>
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Stuffing his hand-held device in his pocket,</div>
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He turned and was off at the speed of a rocket.</div>
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He sprang to his truck, turned the key and backed out,</div>
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Waved jauntily out the window as he headed south.</div>
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But I heard him exclaim ere he drove round the bend,</div>
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“Merry Christmas to you, and to all of your friends!”</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhATyGbPJq5U26YvEFsWBfzBs2p0UaiOL2HdRez4OXUVdbsKQXUax97V0R_jSfVa1svJqkZQGhBzmqW9ogxDKRZwFJ9oZ4WtK84lX9QMQ1ezJl1bnQB8vbGCi0sGch6pB1YJ_lubed8nE/s1600/IMG_5300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhATyGbPJq5U26YvEFsWBfzBs2p0UaiOL2HdRez4OXUVdbsKQXUax97V0R_jSfVa1svJqkZQGhBzmqW9ogxDKRZwFJ9oZ4WtK84lX9QMQ1ezJl1bnQB8vbGCi0sGch6pB1YJ_lubed8nE/s640/IMG_5300.jpg" width="388" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">Ashe juniper Christmas tree, cut from our property.</td></tr>
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CWPickenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06116112697302206255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2236480146425478200.post-41521277367572563912012-12-11T16:11:00.001-06:002012-12-11T16:11:27.881-06:00Where's the rain?<style>
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</style> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYs_Ccr6V-goTz7CvViqGqJSQk7GSTESrJ_VjwtQlMFAi63eRaFOloAV4Qdm6vp2PLjL0LF1hecx3u5agNO7YOX2j4F1ID_IoDSbhXt8qt6zX30TRrIXqCmto6-uJue52G2uYfuIoNqMM/s1600/IMG_5256.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYs_Ccr6V-goTz7CvViqGqJSQk7GSTESrJ_VjwtQlMFAi63eRaFOloAV4Qdm6vp2PLjL0LF1hecx3u5agNO7YOX2j4F1ID_IoDSbhXt8qt6zX30TRrIXqCmto6-uJue52G2uYfuIoNqMM/s400/IMG_5256.jpg" width="310" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;">It's a good thing to have drought-tolerant plants<br />
when you garden in a drought-prone area: Silver pony-foot<br />
(<i>Dichondra argentea</i>) under Lindheimer's muhly<br />
(<i>Muhlenbergia</i> <i>lindheimeri</i>), with spineless prickly pear<br />
(<i>Opuntia ellisiana</i>, maybe).</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We just wrapped up a November totally devoid of measurable
rain. I can’t find any records for Hays County, but in Austin where they track
such things the last dry November was in 1897.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As you know, this part of the country recently endured an
extreme case of the dries during the summer of 2011, culminating in the
terrible fire near Bastrop. The next summer and fall were reasonably wet. We
gardeners were ecstatic! Probably the farmers and ranchers were pretty happy,
too.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But anyone who has even a passing acquaintance with history
(which accurately describes my acquaintance) knows that droughts can be
multi-year events. The drought of record in Texas happened in the ‘50s, and
lasted seven to 10 years (depending on the source). And when you see a factoid
like this – the last dry November was 115 years ago – well, your heart sinks a
little.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUmjjgGlSubQrOq15mEj_TPrItJpnddN2v9Rb2wyNqH5l_qvaFld9wN5vtAFrMcqQ_WGMDSHGdalMytQrweVAyg_TPffa3BulemuID9UQyaH63sRfmcSJsxDCnDCIQUzXJQiocR9rN26A/s1600/IMG_5258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUmjjgGlSubQrOq15mEj_TPrItJpnddN2v9Rb2wyNqH5l_qvaFld9wN5vtAFrMcqQ_WGMDSHGdalMytQrweVAyg_TPffa3BulemuID9UQyaH63sRfmcSJsxDCnDCIQUzXJQiocR9rN26A/s400/IMG_5258.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I read somewhere (and now can't remember where) that when very thirsty, the <i>Agave americana</i>'s leaves start opening wider. These are pretty wide.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
According to the <a href="http://www.drought.gov/drought/area/tx" target="_blank">U.S. Drought Portal</a>,
82 percent of Texas is in moderate to extreme drought as of Dec. 4. Hays County
is in the “moderate drought” category. To my recollection, we have been categorized
in some drought category or other since 2011.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Keetch-Byram Drought Index measures forest fire
potential on a scale of 0 (saturated soil) to 800 (completely dry soil). The
majority of Texas counties, including Hays County, appear to be in the 500-600 level.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I may have posted this before, but I still find it
fascinating so here it is again: an animation of the drought index:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58S0cmdfoKg">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58S0cmdfoKg</a>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m not a meteorologist, nor do I play one on television, but
I’m beginning to wonder if drought is just Texas’ natural condition in the
brave new world of climate change.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Days with 20%, 30% and 40% chances of rain continue pass by dry.
Seems like there’s a good chance this drought is not through with us.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFcKDsH3njfderDBpuXMyTsvXgLrfn51NdIigFExn9ecmYQeAtfsUWGQgw5q578kadb01SJx-TAG8tkVJt7vHqvpepZ46130fsQepfm6XXyt2VU0aDtS1BQJgx2x6jOx-1NJeQQTFkZrA/s1600/IMG_5264.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFcKDsH3njfderDBpuXMyTsvXgLrfn51NdIigFExn9ecmYQeAtfsUWGQgw5q578kadb01SJx-TAG8tkVJt7vHqvpepZ46130fsQepfm6XXyt2VU0aDtS1BQJgx2x6jOx-1NJeQQTFkZrA/s400/IMG_5264.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<i>Favorite spot in the garden: </i>The white crape myrtle behind my porch swing is at last bowing to the season, and losing its leaves. The fall color of its leaves, decorating the tree and the ground underneath, really accentuate the red of its trunk.</div>
CWPickenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06116112697302206255noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2236480146425478200.post-71848575688162058982012-11-26T11:42:00.000-06:002012-11-26T11:44:52.564-06:00What is going on around here?Something is going on around here. I'm not sure what it is. Something is different. Hmmm.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwQmGoSC3kxm6r6tsOKuBqaEBA7-JKod02WhAW-S4ugArT0VUhYfSuomyItq-jyILCw75G1tKmXRJHtvjCaGniv-hg0WrXsJ3_rFKwpSULCmMy6t13JuWXBWPfGWHlJKrMvRM9vAIYgno/s1600/IMG_4979.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwQmGoSC3kxm6r6tsOKuBqaEBA7-JKod02WhAW-S4ugArT0VUhYfSuomyItq-jyILCw75G1tKmXRJHtvjCaGniv-hg0WrXsJ3_rFKwpSULCmMy6t13JuWXBWPfGWHlJKrMvRM9vAIYgno/s640/IMG_4979.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="right"><td class="tr-caption">Flame-leaf sumac (<i>Rhus lanceolata</i>) is - well - flaming.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFdKMezOidYY-cFjzsdHU-B0Y_zgs23nd6MApl7eDOenOTa2Zp-wPG7-17qr57UicC2QUOAhK61zRymkb2piJ92iCjVT78DrbnPJih58xKTCS9WRqEq8N5FzBjv7y-drkJxnGvnfhmiOY/s1600/IMG_4967.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFdKMezOidYY-cFjzsdHU-B0Y_zgs23nd6MApl7eDOenOTa2Zp-wPG7-17qr57UicC2QUOAhK61zRymkb2piJ92iCjVT78DrbnPJih58xKTCS9WRqEq8N5FzBjv7y-drkJxnGvnfhmiOY/s320/IMG_4967.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="right"><td class="tr-caption">Fall-blooming Copper Canyon daisy<br />
(<i>Tagetes lemmonii)</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Let me lay out the clues for you.<br />
<br />
Strange colors have appeared out in the yard and woods. The normal greens have been interrupted by occasional oranges and yellows. Very odd.<br />
<br />
The wicker rockers have disappeared from the porch. I've so enjoyed rocking in those chairs these past few months - feeling balmy breezes on my bare arms while gazing out at my colorful domain. The rockers have been replaced by a wood rack half-stocked with oak and cedar logs. This is not near as comfortable for domain gazing. Sort of knobbly. Strange.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBxnQqs0rvWWcT1p_78FnTAa4WoSYGy1Tqje_Nh-jLJn3fLeCY7-TS3pFae3VFdtMgnp5syRzN9ieCx_TJtOCw9jcPRKW7fosBXRBZyvlDLGyCwLwPuJgP9tuWwiyRL9AyK45BzK_IQTY/s1600/IMG_4980.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBxnQqs0rvWWcT1p_78FnTAa4WoSYGy1Tqje_Nh-jLJn3fLeCY7-TS3pFae3VFdtMgnp5syRzN9ieCx_TJtOCw9jcPRKW7fosBXRBZyvlDLGyCwLwPuJgP9tuWwiyRL9AyK45BzK_IQTY/s400/IMG_4980.JPG" width="400" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiunViZF7VYMkSxdCvtNO08mo4r8T5wxN25WV9a65H6N9VCyVEnvv1d5TiWvko69tANmSzxq25XNmmvqh1B2CNyQ8SqvNpwZrjYqGoMRrJNvZ2Klgj3URIA4AY7wP7kYCDahPOOrF2cUKA/s1600/IMG_4983.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiunViZF7VYMkSxdCvtNO08mo4r8T5wxN25WV9a65H6N9VCyVEnvv1d5TiWvko69tANmSzxq25XNmmvqh1B2CNyQ8SqvNpwZrjYqGoMRrJNvZ2Klgj3URIA4AY7wP7kYCDahPOOrF2cUKA/s200/IMG_4983.jpg" width="150" /></a> My laundry has become bulkier, recently populated by sweatshirts and blue jeans, instead of t-shirts and shorts. Bizarre.<br />
<br />
Here's the real kicker: it is cooler outside than it is inside. I know! What the h-e-double-l is transpiring here on the hill?<br />
<br />
What? Fall? You mean, autumn? That elusive season that sometimes appears after the marathon that is summer in Texas, and before the sprint that is winter? <br />
<br />
Oh.<br />
<br />
Never mind.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOVTM4v5tS8H118PZQx_zJR6pUW4Q2COewodcJ8VyHe48lHRUph_QRw9svkI59dE0xluZ-Fqo-9FdKaa6voxp8a1rPm9GRzOJFXU480qSiZkZW9FmYOlXfqOf9_XBeI2B6_7ObEIADf4w/s1600/IMG_4977.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOVTM4v5tS8H118PZQx_zJR6pUW4Q2COewodcJ8VyHe48lHRUph_QRw9svkI59dE0xluZ-Fqo-9FdKaa6voxp8a1rPm9GRzOJFXU480qSiZkZW9FmYOlXfqOf9_XBeI2B6_7ObEIADf4w/s400/IMG_4977.jpg" width="332" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little bluestem (<i>Schizachyrium scoparium</i>) <br />
is going to seed.</td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />CWPickenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06116112697302206255noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2236480146425478200.post-55289948687631970162012-11-14T10:48:00.000-06:002012-11-14T10:48:55.981-06:00In the woods<style>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr8omI32KzxpTDeQsjhiL8spaKYQwj7-zdlKYfpAdynNUsTUkaohDcdlrapk3R6dFxwC4ZIb-bHg17ONvWx-6F_20SeWH0rjDIOP7cOhdfQFIxgW68cD3hHwgHeYYGsY1Fwuby4LOhzkQ/s1600/IMG_4725.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr8omI32KzxpTDeQsjhiL8spaKYQwj7-zdlKYfpAdynNUsTUkaohDcdlrapk3R6dFxwC4ZIb-bHg17ONvWx-6F_20SeWH0rjDIOP7cOhdfQFIxgW68cD3hHwgHeYYGsY1Fwuby4LOhzkQ/s400/IMG_4725.jpg" width="281" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="right"><td class="tr-caption">This was the tallest tree we tackled.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sunday we spent some family time in the woods. We were doing
a job that I enjoy, that exhausts my husband, and that really annoys the
children:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>slaying cedar.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Technically, we weren’t slaying cedar (Ashe juniper is its
correct name), as they were already slain – laid low by that terrible foe, the
drought of 2011. A belt of trees were geographically challenged in their quest
for water, and a number of them – Ashe juniper, live oak and yaupon – perished.
This left an unsightly mess next to the driveway. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And according to our calendar and much to our dismay, it
will get cooler here soon and the firewood supply was perilously low.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinyhajdgu8vCm5M2Z5P1uNH2hr9LMwU0gCAGx9Ad0gkamv1s2in71fQt84518N8kggtdIqctrXLBcdQsBN_OeYlkXlONeeTL7sgg_RgyH6oG374Xa0VU6rsvt2DnnrcKqd-gl4CaL_cdk/s1600/IMG_4729.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinyhajdgu8vCm5M2Z5P1uNH2hr9LMwU0gCAGx9Ad0gkamv1s2in71fQt84518N8kggtdIqctrXLBcdQsBN_OeYlkXlONeeTL7sgg_RgyH6oG374Xa0VU6rsvt2DnnrcKqd-gl4CaL_cdk/s640/IMG_4729.jpg" width="398" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And it's down, destined for firewood.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was time to take action. We donned long pants and boots,
and gathered chain saw, fuel, bar oil (or as my husband says<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">, </span>bahr awl), gloves and loppers, and
ventured out solve two problems at once.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My boys were enlisted to drag brush frequently when we first
bought this land, and it was a battle every time. Now they are out of our
clutches, and we have shifted our sights to the little daughter. She has begun
exhibiting the same reluctance her older brothers did. On Sunday I heard things
like, “I don’t have any shoes” and “Can I make a pie, instead?” No.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyYjgAKcPnA96x0C8FtA-EPoZQwkDWMg-a65S4ENmrS7Ey4ufHuGxCTkmagBHu1jtEJ1o6V0g0LFSSwU4-ZcYagpWnBno4cOPeRkV-j_u5ClrFxcWBUJN1Aqsd8NCaBdgogZwNkpDQD5g/s1600/IMG_4731.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyYjgAKcPnA96x0C8FtA-EPoZQwkDWMg-a65S4ENmrS7Ey4ufHuGxCTkmagBHu1jtEJ1o6V0g0LFSSwU4-ZcYagpWnBno4cOPeRkV-j_u5ClrFxcWBUJN1Aqsd8NCaBdgogZwNkpDQD5g/s320/IMG_4731.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">Iris the dog is site supervisor.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I set her to using the loppers to break off dead branches
and cut small cedars; she prefers this to dragging brush. Dan wielded the chain
saw, while I stacked firewood and piled up brush.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In addition to the reward of how the area looks when we are done, we usually find a few surprises or treasures to make the job more enjoyable. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The first thing we saw was a giant pink and cream lantana,
escaped into the woods and twining up through a cedar tree. It is far from
where I had planted one in my garden. The thing is at least six feet tall! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGsU0bKJ37OtSUUIl42eHAllnztV7-NRP0aj-u7LyL2xyxxTGO1SEylInR7yt-9rNDBJ8XYd6on81rPHb83RFAQ2YnUdy41sKFq_MfsduuzNTyhb18cUYdkt8YivBqQ8nDX-3lEVvNkv8/s1600/IMG_4720.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGsU0bKJ37OtSUUIl42eHAllnztV7-NRP0aj-u7LyL2xyxxTGO1SEylInR7yt-9rNDBJ8XYd6on81rPHb83RFAQ2YnUdy41sKFq_MfsduuzNTyhb18cUYdkt8YivBqQ8nDX-3lEVvNkv8/s320/IMG_4720.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;">Green tree frog and daughter's hand against<br />
freshly cut Ashe juniper stump.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A while later, Dan called our daughter over. As he was prepared
to take down a dead cedar, he discovered a bright green tree frog on its trunk.
My daughter was entranced, of course, and carried the frog back to the house
where she constructed a home for it near the new pond - deluxe accommodations
that I’m not sure it will appreciate.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
(Have I mentioned how much I love having a daughter who is
not afraid to pick up a frog or toad?)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3QEWUrJQGRPdJ6d4Sr4ILIIkRu7miEDzPiPiHLSVk_4w1-nYlDjJ6NvyxYEoIwlaqbeBPDbYy6zgSuFUk3yMEQEPNNtX_tVYGEKZmRdpYIvFAlGTKNnheKGNCiHSAERT6mtcH9e7kfx4/s1600/IMG_4736.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3QEWUrJQGRPdJ6d4Sr4ILIIkRu7miEDzPiPiHLSVk_4w1-nYlDjJ6NvyxYEoIwlaqbeBPDbYy6zgSuFUk3yMEQEPNNtX_tVYGEKZmRdpYIvFAlGTKNnheKGNCiHSAERT6mtcH9e7kfx4/s400/IMG_4736.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tote that wood, sister.</td></tr>
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It was a productive day:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>dead trees cleared away, firewood stacked, brush pile
created (which may be chipped sometime, but until then will be home to sundry
critters), unexpected plant found, frog examined and relocated, fresh air taken
in, muscles used, pre-teen ejected from the house, sense of accomplishment felt
all around.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwb03eIoQdVfUFuOZMokfY2suNm7fI2IDoDxX7T2RWZN8b9UR9zDJuJ2XSFTwIf9mPwW5l3YbkAT6Y05RSPyDgvjThU-yo3jsOznrHvKQAynU2xV0EohrijHTN-Pl3DYLuQhWxo0snVHc/s1600/IMG_4740.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwb03eIoQdVfUFuOZMokfY2suNm7fI2IDoDxX7T2RWZN8b9UR9zDJuJ2XSFTwIf9mPwW5l3YbkAT6Y05RSPyDgvjThU-yo3jsOznrHvKQAynU2xV0EohrijHTN-Pl3DYLuQhWxo0snVHc/s640/IMG_4740.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="right"><td class="tr-caption">The finished-for-today product - more dead trees remain for another day.</td></tr>
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CWPickenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06116112697302206255noreply@blogger.com6