Select Page

Spring front yard flowers and one annoyed kitty

I’m just a blogging fool today. That’s because I should be cleaning and running errands and packing before my trip.

Here’s what’s blooming in my front yard right now. Had gone out to check the mail and couldn’t resist grabbing my camera.

Emily rarely smiles for the camera. In fact, she rarely sits still for the camera. It’s difficult to get good pictures of her because the moment she knows you’re paying attention to her, she jumps down and starts rubbing against your leg. When I was photographing poppies this morning, she bit me to get my attention.


yellow ‘Lady Banks’ rose


Pink cyclamen

Ixia

Calif. Poppies against Western redbud (Cercis occidentalis)

More Lady Banks

Poppies and Ixia, both of which get by on natural rainfall

Buzz Kill by Novella Carpenter in Salon.com

Buzz Kill

I enjoyed this piece, and it relates to recent news regarding bee die-offs across the country. I’ll be looking for bees when my lavender blooms. I’m pretty convinced my veggie garden productivity last year was aided by the constant buzz around my lavender plants. It wasn’t an intentional planting arrangement, but it seemed to help and it sure beats having to hand-pollinate.

If you’re not a paid Salon subscriber, you will have to sit through an online ad or two before reading the article. Such is life in the frugal lane.

Mendo or bust

I’m going to Mendo next week. Will check in from Moody’s if there’s anything horticulturally significant to report. Yes, I’m bringing my camera. Not sure what the weather will be like, though. I’m hoping to get in some good bike rides, but if it’s raining we’ll have to go to plan B, which is to eat and lounge by the fire. It’s all good.