A Story: "Splash" and Air Plant Blooming

A Story

Splash

Beaming through bright blue sky patches, sunlight glittered on rain-washed scenery.  Olivia's mood was in sync with the weather.  She slipped on her low-cut rubber boots and danced outside.  Stretching up her arms, she pictured herself as Maria in the Alps.

"The hills are alive," she sang heartily, twirling her way across the lawn.  She closed her eyes, swept away with euphoria.  Then in slow motion time, her foot slipped, her body swirled and gently, incredibly, she splashed face down in a puddle.

Sitting up, she burst into a riot of laughter.  She wasn't Maria; she was Charlie Chaplin.

This air plant is blooming.  Air plants are amazing as they live with no soil.  I soak mine every week in rainwater for a few hours. When I take it out of the water, I turn it upside down and give it a shake to get excess water away from the base of the plant.  Then I put it back in its crocheted pot.  I have the plant in a south facing window but that window is shaded in the summer by the roof overhang so the light is bright but not scorching hot.                                

Once in a while, I will add a little liquid fertilizer to the water.  

I like the sculptural shape of the plant.  The two sections that bloomed other years stay green but do not grow anymore.  After this section finishes blooming in a couple of weeks, the plant will start to make another offshoot.

A close up of a bloom.  Each reddish point will send out a bloom. Funny looking flower that doesn't seem to match the red of the bud.  Each flower only lasts a couple of days.  This plant is about 7" tall.

 

A Story - "Lake Swim" and Cabbage Beef Soup

A Story

Lake Swim

Savannah was delighted at the sight of the lake.  After easing herself down the ancient rock that hugged the lakeshore, she pushed off into the spring-fed water.  She gasped with the cold jolt but it helped her to refocus.  Quiet breast strokes sent her gliding over the pristine surface.  Floating effortlessly on her back, she soaked up the unlimited blue of the sky.  Slowly she let her legs sink, treading water in a circle of stillness.  Her mind serene, shivers finally sent her on shore.

Suddenly she shrieked in alarm.  A blood-sucking leech was stuck on her leg.

Winter isn't over yet for us here in Ontario so it's still soup season.                                                              

Cabbage Beef Soup

1 medium onion, chopped

2 cups cabbage, chopped

1 large carrot, diced

1 celery stalk, chopped

1 medium potato, finely chopped

1 apple (I used McIntosh), finely chopped

1/2 cup sweet pepper ( yellow, red or orange) chopped

1 cup cooked ground beef

1 tsp. black pepper

2 tsp. salt or to taste

5-6 cups water

Saute onion in butter or oil.

Add the rest of the ingredients including the water and simmer for 45 min to 1 hour.

Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.

 

A Story- "Once Upon A Time" and Crocuses

A Story

Once Upon A Time

Once upon a time there was a little girl.  At bedtime, she always read her story books.

As the years went by, the sunshine of wonderful people and animals nurtured her.  Growing-green challenges and red-fired adventures added interest to her life.  There were dark purple times, too, sad and difficult.  This life was like stained glass, and reading was the lead between the pieces.

When she was old, she started to write a story a stained-glass window made from the rich, bright, dramatic colours of her life.  Books she read were the lead between the panes.  Once upon a time.

My crocuses are not up yet but it is nice to see a picture of them in anticipation.  Over the years, chipmunks have reduced the number of crocuses I have in the garden but there are still some that they miss. 

A Story - "Work" and Snowdrops

A Story

Work

The scribe memorized the decree stating that the priests supported the king.  It seemed like a waste of time to write out what was obvious to all.  Adding to the burden, he would have to transcribe it into, not just one, but three languages.  No mistakes would be tolerated.  The task would demand all his concentration and energy.  He groaned as he began his arduous work.

Two thousand years later, in London, a middle-aged tourist gazed at the Rosetta Stone awed by its beauty and importance.  Here was the key that finally unlocked mysteries of the ancient Egyptian world.

My snowdrops (Galanthus) are blooming.  What a welcome sight at the end of winter.  Some years they have even bloomed under snow, but this year the snow is gone and they are in full view.  I have some double ones which come out a little later.  They are pretty as well but not as vigorous as the single ones.  The single ones also multiply more quickly.  I like to put the snowdrops in an area that I can see from a window so I can enjoy them even if the weather is dreary.

I have had trouble with chipmunks eating crocus bulbs but I don't have any trouble with anything eating the snowdrops so that's another good reason for me to have them.

They are delicate, petite flowers and if you look closely at them, you will see how pretty they are.