Finally! Some flower action!

I was about ready to give this plant the old heave-ho! I was getting sorely tired of the BIG GREEN FEATHERY MESS that seemed to be all it could manage. BUT, low and behold, perhaps it sensed that it was on the brink of being axed if it didn't produce.....
Now it has started what is going to be an absolute profusion of these pretty yellow blooms. (Which is what I have been waiting and waiting and WAITING for) (Once again patience pays off)

More Owl

Quick update.... The owl wasn't stuck, because later in the evening we checked and he had gone. We were glad he wasn't stuck but sad that we probably wouldn't see him again. BUT.... this afternoon we looked, and low and behold he was back. Just as before. Head out, kind of squinty-eyed. Keeping an eye on things. I let Lily out who, in her oblivious way, strolled over and scratched on the trunk of the 'owl' tree. I watched and the owl watched her every move, craning his neck and looking straight down at Lily and following her as she sauntered around the yard. I watched closely thinking, "o.k. if the owl climbs right out of the box I'll rush over and scoop Lily up and bring her in to safety." The owl just watched.

We think we will call the owl Archimedes (after Merlin's owl)(Max's choice). If at some point the owl becomes a girl.... maybe Athena... who knows.

OH! OH! OH! OWL!!!!

I can hardly write, I am SO excited. Joseph came running in to tell us that, well, see for yourself...

He/she(?) has been there all afternoon, and squinted at us impassively as we all trooped out and stared at it. We are hoping it is not stuck, or sick or something.

But it is such a thrill that an OWL has actually gone into the OWL BOX finally! I wonder if it will stick around.

We better keep an eye on Lily if she goes out, so that she doesn't become owl kibble.

Happy Poke-o-we'en

The more purple they get, the more poisonous they are....

Picture me with my gnarled and muddy, beckoning finger in the dim light of a Hallowe'en Eve, "come leetle children, for Hallowe'en I have a special treat for you, eat your fill of the pretty purple berries from our garden...." heh, heh, heh...

Mimosa Seed Pod

Even though the Mimosa is not long for this world, it manages, even while dying, to have some beautiful moments. I feel sad for it. I know it is on its way out, and is not a good Texan tree, but it tried and I understand why people are enamoured with them.

p.s. I totally stole this photo idea... I admit it.

Pictorial Ode to Autumn

I went for a walk on a trail nearby, and saw such autumnal beauty I had to share...

Favourite Weed identified.... (see post from Sept. 24)

See what pretty stages it has been going through... Well guess what?.........

It is called Pokeweed and it is a highly toxic plant: "If taken internally, pokeweed is a slow acting but violent emetic. Vomiting usually starts about two hours after the plant or parts of it have been eaten. Severe cases of poisoning result in purging, spasms, and sometimes convulsions. If death occcurs, it is usually due to paralysis of the respiratory organs. Because of the danger of human poisoning, pokeweed should be eradicated when discovered. If only a few plants occur in an area, pull them up and destroy by burning.....!"

Well, there you go. It was my favourite weed in the garden, and now I will have to pull it up and burn it!! Maybe I'll do it on Hallowe'en Eve. Or MAYBE, I'll get out my cauldron and boil it, and offer it out as a special treat for its medicinal qualities, for which it is also known.... hee, hee, hee.