Times sure have changed since I got my first home computers over 20 years ago. They were big, slow, had limited storage and were not networked. These days, we each have a computer plus a laptop (with WiFi) for travel and to use other places around the property. Verna snapped this candid photo of me as I sat on the backyard swing uploading a post for our weblog.
California
Self-Portrait and Injury Update
I have a little decorative sculpture of a fish that sits on our fake waterfall. The sculpture is studded with nickel, dime and quarter-sized glass beads of several colors. I took this closeup of the sculpture and managed to get a number of self-portraits of myself.
The rip in my forearm is much better today. The stitches are in and the swelling is down. I think it’s healing OK. It certainly didn’t interfere with actuating the fore-end on our Remington 870 Shotgun when we went to the range today.
St. Patrick’s Day Mishap
Verna had a little accident today. We were working in the garden and she got a little too close to the thorns on a Mexican Palm. It was a pretty nasty tear on her forearm and deep too. No band-aid and Neosporin for this one. I took her to the urgent care center where they stitched it up (three sutures did it). While we were waiting to be admitted, this cute little hospital Leprechaun was spreading good cheer in the waiting area at the hospital.
Little Daisies
Every Spring I like to populate the garden with colorful flowers. We have several varieties of daisies growing out there. These are little delicate white ones that have been out there for a couple of weeks. We’re going to Lowe’s this weekend to get more since we’re making room for them by clearing out the flowerbeds of old stuff. Click on the image for full-sized picture.
Cymbidium Orchids
Cymbidiums became popular in Europe during the Victorian era. One feature that makes the plant so popular is the fact that it can survive during cold temperatures (as low as 7Ëš C or 45Ëš F). Orchid hobbyists in temperate climates appreciate the fact that they can bloom in winter, when few other orchids are blooming.
Only a few Cymbidium species are commonly grown in nurseries, due to the popularity of hybrids. Most are to be found in botanical gardens or in their ever shrinking natural habitat.
These were in the hot house orchid section at Lowe’s. Click on the image to enlarge.
Ice Plants in Bloom
When the sunlight hits them, these ice plant blossoms open their vibrant petals for all to see. The ice plant is commonly used as ground cover and to stabilize slopes. Originating in South Africa, large cells in the leaves of these plants sparkle like granules of ice in the sun, hence its common name. These were spotted in Lowe’s over the weekend. Click for a bigger view.
