• Cactus,  Plants,  quotes

    The point is…

    November 25, 2025

    I see that the life of this place is always emerging beyond expectation or prediction or typicality, that it is unique, given to the world minute by minute, only once, never to be repeated. And this is when I see that this life is a miracle, absolutely worth having, absolutely worth saving. We are alive within mystery, by miracle.

    Wendell Berry

    Cactus are adapted at living in very dry environments and because of this show many adaptations to conserve water. The cactus spines prevent cactus from losing water by reducing air flow around the cactus which can help reduce evaporation. The trapped air around the cactus can also create a buffer zone with slightly more moist air. In areas of fog cactus spines can also help collect dew, which will drop onto the dirt near the cactus and be absorbed by the roots. Cactus spines help preserve water by providing a bit of shade. Since a given cactus can easily have thousands of spines, the little bits of shade adds up. One of the most obvious benefits of cactus spines is that they keep predators away. Lots of desert herbivores love chomping on cactus just to get at the water stored inside so the spines can reduce this. The point is they help the plant survive in its harsh environment. And, the point of this post is… life is a miracle and worth saving!

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  • Cactus,  Plants,  quotes

    And yet we worshiped

    June 16, 2021

    “We had no churches, no religious organizations, no Sabbath day, no holidays, and yet we worshiped. Sometimes the whole tribe would assemble and sing and pray; sometimes a smaller number, perhaps only two or three.” 

    Geronimo

    Took this on my walk at Pineridge Natural Area this past weekend. Like how the plant, and I do not know what it is, was backlit just for me. If you look closely you’ll notice a dragonfly caught in mid-flight to the left of center and a few other insects which are all backlit. Gonna be another hot day with temperatures in the mid 90’s. Stay cool!

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  • Cactus,  landscape,  Plants,  sunsets

    Update on my trip

    May 8, 2021
    Sunset from my parents front porch

    Here’s an update on how things are going for my parents move. We have done a lot to clear out the house, getting it ready to sell and made a few minor repairs on the house. As you would expect after living here for the past 22 years there has been an accumulation of stuff, so we’ve made four sorted piles; one for trash, one for donation, one for us kids and one to take with them. I’ve had a wonderful time going through old photographs, albums, down memory lane.

    I am impressed with the assisted living facility my parents will be moving into. The facility is only a couple of years old and the staff were wonderful. In fact I would like to live there myself. They provide three meals a day and snacks all the time. Art room, library, music room, Yoga room, big dining room.

    Thursday and Friday were hot, 97 degrees, but much more comfortable today at 91 degrees. My sister and I flew down on Sunday and will rent a car to drive back to Colorado on Monday morning with the stuff we wanted to keep. Happy Mother’s Day!

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  • Cactus,  Humor,  Metro Parks,  Plants

    …pushing the sand button.

    March 23, 2020
    Cactus

    Horsing around yesterday and decided to send a silly test message to my family and friends. Thought maybe it could bring a smile to their day and maybe yours.

    “With all the isolation staff goingon,, Ive been texting a lot more and I’ve noticed the fallowing. Sendin text messengers require the need to reed them very carefuly, more than ounce., checking for any and ale erors before pushing the sand button.”

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