Verna and Bob's Weblog

Verna

A New Rock and Cactus Garden Accessory

Radio Flyer Toy Wagon

There is a new addition to my rock and cactus garden west of the RV drive; it’s a toy replica of a Radio Flyer wagon that has been popular for many years. I put some of my cactus cuttings in pots in the wagon to see how they will do out there.

According to the Radio Flyer website, they have flourished for almost a hundred years and are still going strong:

An American Icon For 98 Years

Just like our original red wagon, the Radio Flyer brand has become an American icon. It began with a classic story of humble beginnings, where Antonio Pasin was in search for a better life, and came to America where he found his calling. Not only did he find a better life for himself, but his dreams put a smile on the face of millions of children across the nation.

For 98 years, countless voyages of childhood fantasy have been launched with Radio Flyer toys. Their beauty, simplicity, and standards of safety encourage adventure, discovery, and capture the wonders of youth. Antonio created a legacy of toys that continue to spark the imagination, as Radio Flyer is rediscovered with each new generation.

With a solid commitment to creating the best childhood experiences, we are developing tomorrow’s innovative toys with the same classic quality, and sense of outdoor, active play that have been our trademarks from the beginning.

Radio Flyer is dedicated to delivering smiles and warm memories that last a lifetime, and we are proud to be a timeless symbol of childhood freedom.

May 19, 2015 by Arizona Home & Garden Nostalgia

A Gnarly Antique Wagon in Sepia

Gnarly Wagon

Some things seen in the old west like this old wagon just have to be rendered in sepia. This old beauty is located in Congress, AZ, in the compound of Mike Yacos who has an eclectic collection of old stuff, old-looking buildings and a ton of wonderful art.

One of Mike’s guys, Roger, is building a custom gate for the back of our courtyard. We visited with Roger today and gave him some specifications on how to finish the gate which should be ready to hang in a week or so.

Click on the image to enlarge.

May 13, 2015 by Photography

Red Bird of Paradise Spring Revival

Red Birds Growth

Every November, our Red Bird of Paradise shrubs go dormant and we cut them down to just a few inches above the soil. Each April or May, they start their comeback. We have three of the Red Bird shrubs in the courtyard that have been there for four years now.

Two of the three started their revival a couple of weeks ago. At the lower left, is the west side of the courtyard shrub, at the right is the center and the top is the eastern shrub. You can see that the two on the bottom have a good start on revival, but the top one has only one tiny bipinnate leaf pair, which we hope is revival and not a weed.

In a few weeks, we should have our first bright Red Bird of Paradise flowers. We should be getting them all summer long. Click on the image to enlarge.

May 4, 2015 by Arizona Home & Garden Photography

Lawyer’s Tongue Cactus Flower

Lawyer’s Tongue Cactus Flower

This is a flower that opened today on our “Lawyer’s Tongue” cactus near the west edge of the lot. Although this cactus was started from a rescued paddle that we picked up off the ground at a local park in town, it can be considered natural native vegetation to this area since there are many others of this variety of prickly pear cactus growing within walking distance from here.

This cactus originated from a paddle small enough to fit in a red solo cup. I planted it in a pot filled with local soil and within two years it had sprouted enough paddles that I had to put it into the ground. It is now over three feet tall and has numerous more paddles that will continue to produce flowers and fruit and more paddles as this cactus grows. Click on the image to enlarge.

May 1, 2015 by Arizona Flowers Home & Garden Photography

Saguaro Buds

Saguaro Buds

Everybody loves spring, including us. The “big guy” saguaro out front loves spring so much that it is budding up like never before. The large bud near the center of the image above will likely open up in May while the smaller bud to the right may not open until June.

This cactus was transplanted here from our friend’s place in Aguila, about 25 miles west of here along US 60. The same guys that planted the original “big guy” planted the new one in August of 2012 and it has been healthy and happy since.

The cactus has had flowers for the two spring seasons in 2013 and 2014. This year looks to be no exception other than maybe having many more flowers than in the previous two years. Click on the image to enlarge.

April 28, 2015 by Arizona Flowers Home & Garden Photography

Ocotillo Flowers

Ocotillo FlowersThe first flowers are opening at last on our new ocotillo. The landscape guys replaced the old one last year when it died. The new one is finally getting flower buds, some of which are opening.

The ocotillos are sometimes completely without leaves or flowers. After the winter rainy season, the canes are covered with leaves and in the spring, the flower buds develop at the tips of the canes. We currently have two canes with flowers on the tips, one is a double where there are flowers on two branches near the tip.

If you click on the image to enlarge, you can see several flowers open with yellow stamens extended from within. The rest of the buds should open shortly.

April 27, 2015 by Arizona Flowers Home & Garden Photography

Avalon 1998

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