Author Archives: Denise

Red Pig Tools

Posted on December 29, 2010 by Denise

Under a spreading chestnut tree, the village smithy stands. The smith, a mighty man is he, with large and sinewy hands. And the muscles of his brawny arms are as strong as iron bands. The Village Blacksmith by Henry Wadsworth … Continue reading →

Posted in MB Maher, shop talk | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Under Oxalis

Posted on December 28, 2010 by Denise

Sweeping up this morning’s clippings, the crimson reverse of Oxalis vulcanicola’s leaves released a startling infusion of color into the silver dustpan. This frost-tender “Volcanic sorrel” retreats almost to its crown in the heat and relative dryness of summer, just … Continue reading →

Posted in Plant Portraits | Tagged | 4 Comments

Season’s Greetings From AGO

Posted on December 25, 2010 by Denise

I was sent these images by MB Maher, who seems quite taken with this jaunty robot. But why the fish? Maybe it’s really Captain Nemo out on a scouting mission from the Nautilus, tangled in bioluminescent seaweed. (Jules Verne meets … Continue reading →

Posted in MB Maher | Tagged | 4 Comments

Is It Too Late?

Posted on December 23, 2010 by Denise

Too late to depose the poinsettia and install the leucadendron as the preferred bracts and leaves of Christmas? Please? Poinsettia has had a great run. Time for some fresh sap. (A sap that’s not caustic.) If the polls are still … Continue reading →

Posted in Plant Portraits | Tagged , | 7 Comments

Memories of Rain

Posted on December 23, 2010 by Denise

I didn’t get around to re-watching Blade Runner for the zillionth time the other night, that gorgeous cinematic meditation on memory. (“All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain.”) But these record-breaking rainstorms are doing a … Continue reading →

Posted in Ephemera, Occasional Daily Weather Report | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Another Seattle Export?

Posted on December 20, 2010 by Denise

The usual state of affairs, I’m told, is Southern Californian hordes invading the Pacific Northwest, or at least such was the case before the great real estate unraveling after 2008. This past week proves that Los Angeles can stay home … Continue reading →

Posted in Ephemera, Occasional Daily Weather Report | Tagged , , | 12 Comments

Wrapping Rainwater With A Bow

Posted on December 18, 2010 by Denise

There’s not much of a system in place here yet to collect the annual average of 15 inches of rainfall that arrives fall/winter in Southern California. This light but steady drizzle over the past couple days has already brimmed one … Continue reading →

Posted in shop talk | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Snowmen and Poinsettia Trees

Posted on December 17, 2010 by Denise

I bet my neighborhood is not unique in offering examples of a wide variety of garden styles. There is ample representation from the meticulous lawn-and-hedge contingent, a style that dovetails nicely into holiday decorating. Many argue that lawns, while not … Continue reading →

Posted in Ephemera | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

Foliage Follow-Up December 2010

Posted on December 16, 2010 by Denise

When asked only for a show of leaves, my zone 10 garden in December can give a much less angst-ridden performance than, for example, yesterday’s post, which was drawing solely on flower output. Today I realized I forgot to include … Continue reading →

Posted in agaves, woody lilies, Plant Portraits, succulents | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Bloom Day December 2010

Posted on December 15, 2010 by Denise

(Actor Slim Pickens riding the bomb in Kubrick’s Dr. Strangelove.) A December Bloom Day post begs for a little goofiness. No other word describes prowling a drizzly garden for photos in non-existent light searching for non-existent blooms. The roster for … Continue reading →

Posted in Bloom Day, Plant Portraits | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments