comfort flowers

Zinnias are comfort flowers - perfect to plant at the end of a hectic day.

[One student wasn't getting a signal - so wasn't getting detection - with a sample injected on our GC-MS...the GC-MS that just had a service call within the past several months.  Another might be needed.  The postdoc was frustrated, trying to work through some sequence data that didn't look good:  trying, ultimately, to troubleshoot whether it was something we messed up on our end (and if so, what?), or whether the folks doing the sequencing messed up (ditto).  Another study underway - a short study, data due in tomorrow.  Another study (and collaboration) proving to be a disappointment).]

So as the evening grew dark, I planted several rows of 'California Giant' zinnia seeds (scarlet).  I also filled in the gaps in the rows where I planted sunflowers several weeks ago (I got surprisingly poor germination - unusual, these guys are easy).  I love planting annuals in the middle of the summer season - if I keep them watered through August, they're usually gorgeous in September and sometimes until late October.  Halloween with the moon vines still blooming - that's what I call a growing season.

It's a still night, the air refused to move - and at one point I spotted a spider flying through the air, and when I moved to look at it's acrobatic feat from another angle, I could see a thread from the base of the purple martin house to the fig tree.  This observation makes me wonder about the true productivity of my own day, in comparison to that of the small spider.  They're amazingly hard-working, amazingly resourceful.  I wonder if it's all worth it - the spider works so hard for food, I work so hard for...something different.  Food of another kind I suppose.

Now it's time to start editing a draft of a manuscript that my laboratory is writing - a review of coral microbiology.  Our deadline is now the end of August for a (surprisingly) quick turn around (it helps to be collaborating with the editor) and an October publication date.  That would be nice.  There are too many manuscripts to keep track of right now - there was a meeting today on another (and still another) that I am writing - progress was made, but sometimes I think that I need to stay home for six months, alone, chained to my small wooden chair and a computer moniter.  Then, just maybe, I could put a dent in all of this.  Next, after corals, dolphin respiratory tract microflora.  Then that ship that sank out in Pearl Harbor (three manuscripts on this one).  I think I need a real vacation.

But tonight I planted zinnias and sunflowers, and feel much better.

   

Comments

[layanee]

That is one great bud! This buds for you! LOL The symmetry is amazing isn't it. Did you cook on that stove tonight?

[The County Clerk]

I love Zinnias. I didn't get many in this year (too focused upon establishing the garden). Next year there will be Zinnias. There is a variety that is "pale chartruese" (if there is such a thing). They don't perform very well but I love to sow the seeds in small containers where I can watch them "break out" - because (I suppose) due to the intense selection for color there is a very high incidence of what is (I suppose) a mutation where there are THREE embryonic cotyledon leafs (there should only be two). Tricots! The first time I saw this, I measured and photographed and thought it something spectacular and rare. Several seed packs later I realized it is quite common.

But they don't perform well. I love the giants. Good for you!

Butterflies love Zinnias.

I wonder if it is too late for zinnia up here? Maybe I'll start some.

As for the technical difficulties: I'm curious as to whether these kinds of things are "common" difficulties. Is this just a normal (if frusterating) part of practical science or are you experiencing frusteration because this is anomalous?

As for the spiders, I agree that they are hard working. But remember... this is a classic example of working smart. A little effort on the web this morning and then the rest of the day can be spent napping, awaiting dinner to be delivered. Room service.

Spiders provoke an irrational reaction from me. A negative reaction. But I am usually happy to see them in the garden.

As for the writing... you a bunch of to do (as you report). This sounds strange but... do have a pair of "writing pants?" I have a particular pair of pants that feels good. When I have pages to put out, I put them on and settle in. Maybe it won't be pants for you. Also... do you have a good chair? (Am I sounding COMPLETELY crazy?) Oh... also, when I have pages to put out, I typically listen to music in another language... preferably a langauge of which I know ZERO words. (So I don't get distracted.) There are some good Russian songs out there.

[Pam]

Layanee: Zinnias are incredibly photogenic. There's a crispness to them - I found them fascinating up-close. No - I haven't cooked in the kitchen yet. Trust me when I say that I'm cooking in my house's kitchen for as long as I possibly can.

CC: I wasn't aware of the whole 'tricots' thing - although it sounds specific to that specific color. Do you still have the pics? I'd still plant a few zinnias if I were you, and as for frustrating days in the laboratory, it does seem like things go wrong all at once - but fortunately today some troubleshooting made progress and we are digging ourselves out of the frustration (but it probably, in all honesty, isn't all that unusual). It's snakes for me. Tonight I was planting Kentucky Wonder pole beans and a small 2' snake went wiggling out of where I was working - it was just dark and boy that sent me inside for the evening. I got the ground worked up, but I didn't get the seeds planted. Hmmmm...no, I don't have any writing pants. So I'll think about that. As for my chair, I oddly like a very simple oak chair (straight back, no arms). I'm not sure why - it's like a simple school chair. Suggestions regarding good Russian songs would always be welcomed! I do listen to music when I write.