Good Morning

Early this morning, saw a Coyote's breakfast, uneaten, bouncing
around the garden.

Run.

Pretty flowers at the school bus stop.

Yes, it's me. I still exist.

Off to Tempe today with Whippet Loving Girlfriend.

Have a good day.

Myrtle x

Baby Boojums

Don't get too close.

This tree is a killer.

Seriously.

It's just a baby, and it's dormant at the moment.

But don't be fooled.

In the midst of the word he was trying to say, In the midst of his laughter and glee, He had softly and suddenly vanished away-- For the Snark was a Boojum, you see.

Lewis Carroll knew something about Boojums.

Or did he?

Actually, the common name was given to this tree by Godfrey Sykes
of the Desert Botanical Laboratory in Tucson, Arizona.

He named it after a monster called a Boojum the the poem The Hunting of the Snark by Lewis Carrol.

I'm not convinced of the homocidal accusations aimed that this seemingly harmless tree. He has lived with us for a couple of months, and we are all still here.

But, I do put him out at night.

Coyotes, javelinas, and mountain lions avoid Boojums.

His posh, Latin name is Fouquieria columnaris and he is a member of the
Ocotillo family. (Very nice indeed).

These trees are amazing.

They are Sarcocaulescent. I love that word. It means that their stems are succulent (holding lots of water).

They grow up to 55 feet (about 18m) and live for a very long time.

They look like an enormous candle, with a few flowers at the top.

Fab!

But oh, beamish nephew, beware of the day
If your Snark be a Boojum! For then
You will softly and suddenly vanish away,
And never be met with again!

But if ever I meet with a Boojum, that day,
In a moment (of this I am sure),
I shall softly and suddenly vanish away--
And the notion I cannot endure!

I hope that my baby boojums is just dormant and will come back
to life after the summer.

Make sure you check you shoes for scorpions,
before you put them on.

Much love,

Myrtle x

Rubber Ducky, You're the One . . .

Yes, they are ridiculous.

We love them anyway.

The one on the left has built in disco lights.

Rubber duck with attitude.

One of the exciting things about Arizona, is the opportunity to grow citrus fruit.

I am busy.

One can never have too many lemons in the house.

Another shot of the strange pink orchid/runner bean tree.

Does anyone know what this is?

Trying to grow a few roses, but the buds dry on the bush before they open.

These aren't too bad, only a little crispy.

It's as if I left them in the oven a little too long.

Missing English roses.

A bit.

Love to all,

Myrtle x

Wildlife

I know I have to adjust my way of thinking.

Living in England for 20 years has made me soft.

There is something pleasant about living in a country where the wildlife have manners.

Cats wonder out into the garden freely.

There are no fire breathing hawks, owls, coyotes, javelinas, snakes, tarantulas, scorpions, let alone mountain lions.

Just the odd, maladjusted and drunken teenager with dyed hair.

And they rarely bite.

If they do, you phone their mum.

My little brother met a large javelina whilst on a mountain run recently.

It didn't say or do much, but made little brother,
who is not little by the way,
stop for a while.

Still, it is exciting to see new things and have new experiences.

Myrtle x

Come Visit and Swim . . .

I'm serious.

Come and visit.

Come and visit us and swim in our rat infested pool.

Ignore that last comment.

It really is lovely here.

Especially if you like small, furry mammals.

Ignore that one as well.

Please.

Here are some of the nicer things that we see everyday. . . .


We have several trees in our garden with this flower.

Any guesses?

Cannot find it in my books.
And I work in a book store.
Suggestions welcome.


As the blooms fade, long bean pods appear.
It's interesting to watch.
I don't get out much.

Help.

The winner gets a round of applause, adoration, a seat and . . .

an imported beer.

With a bull on it.


This flower is from a small, standard hibiscus tree.

From Home Despot.
Ooops, I meant Home Depot.

No prizes for this one.

Love you all,

Myrtle x

Rough on Rats

Rats.

One can never be too rough on rats.

If you love them, please look away now.

I don't care for them.

I tend not to be particularly generous towards them.

And yes, I have seen and enjoyed the film Ratatouille.

And?

Cartoon rats are lovely.

They talk and have feelings.

You can turn off the telly when you have had enough.

I understand that some folk keep them as pets.

It's the wild variety that make the hairs stand up on my arms, legs, back of my neck, on top of my head, as well as other places.

Anyway,
Little One found a dead rat in the pool yesterday.

A big rat.

A big, dead rat.

Yuck.

So, I phone my wise and knowledgeable little brother.

When is it safe to swim in a pool in which a rat had died
(and sunk to the bottom?)


He was very reassuring, but didn't have a definitive answer.

Yuck.

I have many more rat stories to tell.

But, enough for now.

Myrtle x

Arizona

Life leads one in different directions.

My life has a sadistic sense of humour.

It has landed me in the desert.

My life knows that I love flowers, plants, and lettuce.

I am sure that I hear spiteful laughter as I sprinkle seed around.

It hasn't rained here for months.

Still, my laundry dries in 3 minutes outside.

I had a t shirt shatter into pieces yesterday.

'Dry heat' they said.

???

I hope that that sort of thing doesn't happen to humans.

Tell me it doesn't.


Water

I love water.

Myrtle x

I'm Back

I'm back.

Sort of.

We now live in Arizona.

Scottsdale, Arizona.

It's a long story.

I won't bore you.

It's beautiful and dramatic. The mountains are spectacular.
The saguaros defy words.
Spring here is wonderful, the colour is indescribable.

It is hotter than the hammers of h%$l.

But it's a dry heat.

???

That means if you don't drink four gallons of water before you leave the house, your dry bones will be found outside your car.

Don't leave the house without drinking four gallons of water.

Ever.

It's life or death.

It's dry heat.

It's Arizona.

I do have the cutest nephew, a pool, and watch hummingbirds in my yard.

We are happy to be here.

(There are other good things too).

Like flamingos at the zoo.

Have missed you all.

Myrtle x

Last, but not Least

This is the last batch of flora photos from Lanhydrock.

This impressive Dogwood - Cornus ??? is smothered is blossom
(actually, they are white leaf bracts, but, this is a light hearted blog).

Cornus up close.

Pink Kalmia - commonly known as the Calico Bush.

Ligularlia - loves living near a stream or damp place.

Flag Iris - also adores boggy abodes.

Yellow Loosestrife - Lysimachia vulgaris

Dahlia

A dozen Dahlias.

Lilies

Globe Aliums - massive.

I love plants. The gardens of Lanhydrock are exceptionally well cared for, everything looks robust, healthy and happy.

I highly recommended it as a day out.

Myrtle. x

Ladies in Red

My companion doesn't like red flowers.

We are still talking, but only just.

How could anyone not like red roses?

Okay

Dahlias aren't everyone's cup of tea,
but these red ones were very smart, if a bit buttoned up.

This acid coloured Rhododendron was screaming RED, in a high pitched, hysterical voice.

We didn't hang around for long.

This demure, delicate Scabious merely murmured 'red', as we passed.

This husky, dark red Rhododendron wanted to meet up later for a glass of Merlot.

This sunny Aqueligia seemed happy to just smile.

A shy, little pheasant hen. This seems to be my week to snap birds.

Selection Box

Zantedeschia - Look into my eye.

Rodgersia and Zantedeschia

Rodgersia

Cistus - Rock Rose

Eremurus - Foxtail Lilies.

One of my favourites.

Strelitzia - Bird of Paradise.

Phlomis, soft and a bit furry.

Eremurus, again. Aren't they pretty?

These are just a few shots I took at Lanhydrock at the weekend.

More to follow.

Myrtle. x

Lanhydrock

This is Lanhydrock, near Bodmin in Cornwall.

It has excruciatingly beautiful formal gardens, well stocked mixed borders, a mature
woodland walk with trees from around the globe,
as well as jolly nice lunches.

My Companion and I had Robartes Pie, which is a thick, wholemeal crust filled
with a layer of apple, West Country ham, topped with
cheesy mashed potato.

Mmmmmm

The proportion of the yews and landscape is not unlike something
out of Alice in Wonderland.

A rose covered seat.

The rose close up, red buds with fragrant, pink blooms.

A beautiful door - locked, unfortunately.