photography

Twofer Tuesday: Cacti edition

/ Tracy Abell

Yesterday I went for a run on the trails. While stopping to stretch at the top of what Zippy and I refer to as “the slog,” I spotted a splash of bright pink off to the side of the trail. At first I thought it was a candy wrapper and as I moved closer, decided it was a painted rock. It was neither. Sitting there all by itself was a perfectly round, perfectly lovely little cactus. **

Later, as I continued running, I noticed something sticking out of my shoe. I figured it was grass that’d gotten stuck in some mud in my tread, and promptly forgot about it. However, when I was home and taking off my shoes, I nearly impaled myself. Not on a wad of grass, but on the spiny cactus that had hitched a ride on my shoe.

Now I remember why it’s much more fun to run on the trails than the streets.

(** I didn’t have a camera with me, but when Zippy went out to do an errand, he drove to the nearest trailhead and photographed the beauteous cactus for me.)

Clematis Monday

/ Tracy Abell / 13 Comments

Here’s what’s growing on around here (get it? “growing on”?)
I crack me up.

This is the largest profusion of clematis blooms ever seen on this patio,
due to the sad demise of the neighbors’ crab apple tree which hung over this corner of the patio until the tree was mortally injured in an ice storm.

This clematis plant is also blooming more than usual due to Coco not barking through the fence at the neighbors’ dogs quite as much this year.

Less barking = less trampling.
Good dog, Coco!

The next clematis isn’t blooming any more than usual, but it is alive. We feared the closest plant to it had mysteriously died this winter (along with the vinca plants)
but has recently greened up so maybe we’re witnessing a rebirth.
Well, friends, thank you for touring my patio with me.
If you care to join me, I’ll be out there in a bit with my morning coffee.