April 27, 2008

Donkey Tail Blooms -- Alert the Press!

I learned something new and rather shocking today -- the donkey tail (succulent) I bought six years ago is blooming for the first time ever! Funny, really, because I had no idea this little sedum bloomed at all. But there they are -- little pink flower clusters perched on the end of each "tail." I happened to notice them when I was out this afternoon, watering the strawberries.

Perhaps DT just likes his spot outdoors. I moved him from his shelf near an indoor window about a year ago, when his tails stretched maybe 12 inches in all directions, like studded green snakes. He lost the majority of his nubs in the transfer, so I stuck a bunch of them back into the pot, figuring I'd wait and see what happened. Well, flowers is what happened, and I was so excited that I called Steve to give him the good news.

He was excited too!

It was like learning Parmesan cheese is supposed to melt when grated onto hot food. Until I was 32, I had no idea Parmesan came in anything other than a tall green can, and no clue whatsoever it was supposed to melt. The surprise I received with the donkey tail today was much the same. Who knew? Best, it really made my day.

Guess the small things really do matter most.

April 23, 2008

Fiery Tulips, Fantastic Photo!


Just wanted to post this beautiful photo, taken by my friend, Kathy Landis, at Keukenhoff Gardens, near Amsterdam. Thanks for sharing, K!

April 22, 2008

Which Wolf Are You Feeding?

Marci Shimoff and Carol Kline share the secrets of happiness in their book Happy for No Reason. To demonstrate the difference between negative and positive thinking, they offer this example:

"One evening a Cherokee elder told his grandson about the battle that goes on inside people's heads. He said, 'My son, the battle is between the two wolves that live inside us all. One is Unhappiness. It is fear, worry, anger, jealousy, sorrow, self-pity, resentment and inferiority. The other is Happiness. It is joy, love, hope, serenity, kindness, generosity, truth and compassion.'

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, 'Which wolf wins?'

The old Cherokee simply replied, 'The one you feed.'"

Which wolf are you feeding?

April 20, 2008

What's Up for Earth Day?


Earth Day is Tuesday, April 22. Aside from the everyday effort we make to ensure we're doing what we can to protect and enhance our environment, we can do more: offset our carbon emissions by planting trees. Planting even one tree makes a difference.

Check out The Conservation Fund's Go Zero program, which provides a carbon calculator, as well as the opportunity to donate a few dollars to plant trees.

If you'd rather plant a tree on your own, that's great too. Just do something -- walk to work or the store or the gym instead of driving; make a commitment to give up your disposable plastic water bottles once and for all; pack your groceries in canvas bags. Then breathe the air, prays it's clean, and continue to slay some dragons.

April 14, 2008

Sunday Omen


Yesterday, while I was walking, a ladybug crashed into my palm. I lifted my hand and carried her a while, thinking the landing a lucky omen, a sign of the great day to come. (And it was beautiful; 88 degrees in the evening!) She stayed a while, then lifted her wings and took off, heading for a stand of willows. Later, in the backyard, a female lesser goldfinch nibbled a bit of seed, then flew to this nesting ball, hanging in our maple. The material is lamb's wool, and this is the second ball we've put out for the finches. (A ball will last two seasons, if you bring it in during wintertime.) She plucked a mouthful, and then she too was off, to build a nest somewhere. Click on the pic for a hawk's eye view. (Photo by SPT)

April 7, 2008

Ahchoo Haiku


Oh, pretty daisy,
Click on photo to enlarge.
Inhale, sneeze, bless you.