Splendor

Magnificent is my all time favorite tree that I transplanted from a gallon container purchased from California Flora Nursery. It is growing on the west side of my house near the air conditioning unit. As it flourishes with each passing year it is the epitome of splendor.

Desert willow (Chilopsis linearis)

I was introduced to this tree while traveling in the interior of California with a friend who had previously lived where this tree thrived. While living in New Mexico there was a plethora of these trees, both available for purchased and flourishing in various yards, gardens, museums and places to purchase art. In fact I planted one in our back yard in Santa Fe, New Mexico. 

Many bushes, plants and herbs are blooming at PageRefuge.

Comfrey
which seems to have
a wide range of colors:
(pink to deep purple)
for its flower.

Bees of a wide variety seemingly love the nectar gathered from the flowers no matter the color. When this picture was taken there was a very dark colored bee . . . to my naked eye the bee was black.

It seems there was a nest built by Black-capped Chickadee parents in the tall hedge located along the east side of the backyard.  There is presently a plethora of these birds eating from the seed cylinder. What an absolute splendor to watch all of these birds scarfing up the seeds and nuts as fast as they can.

In the arena of food growing for humans here, the two raised beds are beginning to come to life with the possibility of foods in the not to distant future. In the east most bed carrots and lettuces are now recognizable. In the west most bed corn is evident as is radishes; however the melon and mini pumpkin seeds have yet to germinate. Often I admonish myself that one cannot hurry along the nature process of seed germination.

Several friends from the neighborhood in Santa Fe, New Mexico, have recently sent pictures of the front and side yards that I planted with natives. Oh my gosh, I said to myself, the result is filled with splendor.

We have been experiencing some hotter than normal temperatures of late here in Northern California. To cool off after basking in the sunshine outside Shasta often seeks the room with the coolest floor.

Now the temperatures seemed to have returned to more seasonally correct temperatures. The weather person to whom I listen in the evenings predicts they will remain so.

As the laundry dries on the retractable clothesline and I complete this  post of "Splendor", I

And may each and every one of you who read this post do so also.

The First

The first tomato to appear on
the many tomato plants
started from seed
here at PageRefuge

This early setting tomato plant is named Stupice. Usually as they ripen they are roasted, peeled and placed in quart jars that are then "stored" in the freezer located in my garage. These jars are often used to make spaghetti sauce or eaten as tomato soup.

The Cascadia peas are immensely productive this year. They can be eaten raw right off the "vines", 

or steamed

In years past some have been frozen in bone broth made in my clay pot. This makes a delicious soup during the colder months of the year. And resurrects the remembrance of indulging in an abundance of peas during the season past.

As some of you are aware May marked the happening of my 80th birthday.

The celebrating took place in Pt. Reyes Station. And a walk about in the stunning gardens surrounding the house was enjoyed by all.

The following day this bouquet arrived from my long time dear friend who lives in Tempe, Arizona. She thought my birthday was on the 15th not 14th as did my friend who lives East of Santa Fe, New Mexico. m-m-m-m-m-m a mystery to me.

As The First post comes to an end may we all enjoy a 

 

Again

What a surprise when while watching my favorite program (taped of course) on this Saturday morning past, the television went dark. So as is my practice I called PG&E and was assured that the power would be on by 1 pm. Nada. Then it was 5 pm again Nada. Then the time was 10 pm. Nada since by then I had retired to my bed for sleep. At 11:30 pm I was awakened by the television blaring so I climbed out of bed to turn it off. While I was up I reset the clocks then was unable to go back to sleep.

 

Culprit 

Sunday mornings Shasta and I take a more abbreviated walk. We past this HUGE oak tree that had succumb to Sudden Oak Death. Sad, sad, sad to see! It was such a stunningly magnificent specimen. This tree Saturday fell on the power line which broke the pole holding the lines. It seems to me that this house in Cotati has been without power more than any other house I have ever lived in. 

Returning we quickly consumed "a quick bite" for breakfast since Sundays are going to the Sebastopol Farmers Market. This Sunday past there is a plethora of vendors from which to buy fresh veggies and fruit. It is then a short drive to the Community Market to complete the shopping. 

Yikes . . . returning home there is the ensuing project of putting all the purchases away. In my opinion the best part is placing the purchased flowers in a vase usually on created by Dwight. The flowers are a cheerful addition to any meal eaten here.

Shasta on a recent sunny and warm day got a bath. She is so easy as she hops into the bathtub and patiently stands while I douse her with water, apply Dr. Goodpet pure shampoo which is hypo-allergenic for dogs and cats and then shower off the soap at which time she jumps out of the bathtub to be toweled dry. We then have a short walk about so the breeze helps to dry her fur.

Shasta in her favorite napping

spot . . . the guest bed

in the large room 

which was added to the small original house.

On this day not cluttered with numerous tasks I take the opportunity for a frequent hardy 

First day of May

May Day is the halfway point to summer. The first day in May often finds children delivering baskets of flowers to friends and neighbors or school mates.

As you identify each flower to be added to the basket, may you enjoy a hearty

Stunningly

Stunningly beautiful flowers have appeared on two of the three apple trees. The Spitzenberg tree has way more leaves which are bigger than on the other two trees. It also has fewer blossoms. 

Cox’s Orange Pippin

Pink Pearl

Spitzenberg (Thomas Jefferson's favorite apple)

Now I am wondering if it would be best for the development of the tree to pick off all the apples that appear this season. Last season I did so but perhaps leaving a few to ripen would not hinder the trees development?

Calylophus drum mondianus (Sundrops)

And while these are not as spectacular as the Sundrops I planted at SantaFeRefuge they are a welcome brightness to the landscape of my front yard. As I look at the two pictures of Sundrops it is difficult for me to see a lot of difference. However, the green leaves are not the same shade nor is the flower. Of course, each of you can discern for your self.

Fendler’s Sundrops

(Calylophus hartwegii fendleri)

My dear, dear, dear friend arrived from the Santa Fe, New Mexico area Friday

for a short visit. She had never taken a vacation, never been in an airplane, never seen the ocean. Shasta and I took her to Bodega Bay. We walked along the sand for a good distance.

and she would NOT go forward
until her friend arrived
who had stop to get the
sand off her feet so she
could put her shoes back on.

Shasta got eat before we had our lunch. My friend had fresh oysters which she had never before eaten.  Monday we took her back to the airport. She is now on her way back to New Mexico. Oh dear, how sad! Our house now feels SO VERY EMPTY without her.

To dispel some of the sadness she is no longer her I have had a good