El Pescador

This was a sunny, but very windy, day at El Pescador beach in Malibu. As the name would suggest, there were indeed people fishing, but apparently they caught only seaweed. It was too cold there to swim, but the relaxing feeling of sun, sand, and sounds of water made it well worth the trip.

balcony garden

In the last week, my plants seem to have grown quite quickly-- is it the recent heat, or the rare rain yesterday? I have been watering more, maybe that helps too.

So far I have herbs, some greens, succulents, a strawberry, and now quickly growing black-eyed susan vine, and just-sprouted trailing nasturtium.

A bowl of opuntia, mammillaria, and an "old man cactus!" I've also been propagating some succulents from dropped leaves in the building's window boxes. It is amazing to see these determined plants regrow with almost no attention or input.

A bowl of echeveria, sedum, and an aeonium. I always wonder: enough water? too much? enough sun? too much? This is all new to me!

palmscapes

urban birding

I am getting to know some of the locals, including an endless stream of hummingbirds that drink from my feeder and chase each other around, chirping. There is also a hawk, perhaps a couple, that fly overhead and cry that piercing hawk cry, and are often chased by mockingbirds. Now I have to watch closely to see what species these all are...

aunt-in-residence

I was in Pittsburgh recently for the coveted aunt-in-residence position, which involves some serious playing, dancing, crafting, kitchen-duty, and some conflict resolution. It is all in a day's work for this hard-working family, and I was so pleased to be a part of it for a little while.

Luca and Camille tried out the whimsical fountains at the spray park. I remember going with Camille, what, two years ago? Then, she was a bit more reserved and watched from afar. These days, she generally dives right in.

Camille and I played with horses and little people. Usually the characters are working out daily-life type situations, like the mom or dad going to work or someone going to the doctor's or on vacation. This time Camille was particularly enjoying the sounds of words, describing how Mary Poppins "slipped her shoes on" and then of course "slipped them off" and perhaps "slipped them on" again. She also "slid" and "slattered" and "flattered." I think the latter meant "flattened," and when I inquired about "slattered," Camille told me it was Spanish for "to go."

Jennalee, Camille, and Luca had a great time making an awesome paper bag puppet.

We visited the wonderful Garden Dreams urban farm in Wilkinsburg and enjoyed seeing so many beautiful herbs, berries, tomatoes, and so on... Camille and Luca especially like the golden raspberries, and seeing a beehive. Camille held back,this time, on sharing her awesome rendition of the bee song and dance that she learned at nature camp. She has an ear for a tune, and a flair for the dramatic! Luca, too, has a musical ear, and treated us to some symphony-worthy bass drum percussion.

Melaleuca nesophila

This gorgeous plant, Pink Melaleuca, grows near my apartment. Its lovely peeling bark caught my eye even before it starting flowering. For a few weeks now, it has been sporting these wonderful light pink ball-shaped blooms.

Block party, Charlottesville

On a hot day, families of neighbors gathered to sit together, eat, and listen to music (that is my friend Emily singing, her advisor on violin, and other professor types rounding out the band). Kids ran and threw water balloons, and the sun kept shining.

Monticello twilight pt.2

Monticello garden, twilight

Up on Jefferson's mountain at twilight, it was peaceful, humid, and quiet. Gold finches and mockingbirds flew among the walking onions, poppies, dill, and on...