tiger lilies

Tigers.  The tiger lilies are blooming like crazy - crazy tigers - in my mother's garden.  She doesn't really like them and when I asked her why, she said that it was simply because she didn't.

She didn't really need a reason I suppose.

So as I wandered around her garden, she asked me 'what do you keep taking pictures of, and why are you taking so many pictures of those ugly tiger lilies?'

I told her that I was intrigued by their spots.

So we sat out in two lounge chairs in the backyard, and as it got dark we played the game 'who spots the lightning bug first' which really is more about who best argues that they saw it first, because they start lighting up the lower woods like crazy and you can't even begin to keep up with them.  After the lightning bugs come out, the bats appear in the opening above the garden - first one, then a second - and finally a third - getting their evening meal from the cool breezes blowing through the oak forest.

Appliances.  So my architect architherapist emails me today and asks if I know what the dimensions will be for my kitchen appliances.  Huh?  Appliances?  Dimensions?  One thing that I've found very interesting about this whole process is that it's made me very aware of my movements at home - very aware of the space and spaces I occupy, how I move throughout the house - where I spend time and where I'm comfortable.  I like how it's made me slow down and pay attention - and I like how this new awareness is being incorporated into my home design in a practical sense.  This part of the process I enjoy - the thought of spending the weekend 'appliance shopping' does not sound enjoyable.  But I will.

I need to pay attention to these sorts of things, and I'll try.

Black Holes.  Today I received in my work Inbox about 80 pages of material to edit.  Before noon.  Today I edited five pages of material.  My one acre on the planet generates so much biomass, so much that it still surprises me.  I'm beginning to think that in my life, in it's current state, that I need someone following behind me - to pick up the debris field of, well, debris and thoughts and appointments and my life.

The mockingbirds go from the trellis that holds up the yellow roses of Mermaid to the dense leyland cypresses to the small grove of bamboo to the fig tree.  Happiness is being a mockingbird during fig season. 

       

Comments

[Annie in Austin]

My quarter-acre is generating plenty of bio-mass this summer and it dismays me somewhat, too. I must keep pruning and thinning just to keep some sun on the borders - there's been enough new growth on the old established trees and shrubs to put semi-shaded areas in deep shadow.

We've only redone one kitchen completely - back in 1983 - when the choices were less numerous and daunting. Those cabinets were cherry and I'd love to have them again.

Try to enjoy the luxury of having a choice, Pam!

Annie at the Transplantable Rose

[layanee]

A truly gorgeous picture and, you are right, the spots are so very intriguing! As for appliances, go for the basic, simple, easy to use...well, that's my advice because you will want to be watching fireflies and mockingbirds and it really doesn't take more than a campfire and bucket to boil water!

[Pam]

Annie: I keep telling myself that this is a good thing (a very good thing) - and I'm trying to feel grateful that I'm able to have this experience - but...I like the big picture stuff, just not the details. Oh - and the cabinets that I've liked best so far are cherry - they just warm up a room in such a nice way.

The biomass is nuts - you guys are probably just crazy with all of the rain, we haven't had much rain and it's nuts. I'm just amazed at how fast my trees grow - like you said, areas that aren't shaded are now in deep shade. It's hard to keep up with those trees!

Layanee: I'm finding that I go a bit overboard at first, when I start to look at something new, and then I reign myself in (thank God). Hopefully the process won't last too much longer (even though, as I type this, I realize that I've only just started! Yikes).

[John B.]

This post embodies why I visit your blog daily: a great picture (it's almost like you're channeling O'Keeffe here), joined by little vignettes that are connected because you are living them . . . and the topper for this one is the observation of the mockingbird in fig season: analogous to you, of course, delighting in the plenitude of living that is your existence just now yet knowing you can't "eat" all you'd want to.

Sorry for gassing on so. It was just a real pleasure to read this.

[The County Clerk]

I'm with you. Those spots are a fascination.

--
Too many thoughts... but... Miele makes a bitchin' dishwasher.

http://www.epinions.com/Dishwashers--reviews--miele

I'm not a kitchen guy... but I love this dishwasher.

[Pam]

John: Thanks. It's nice to know that my ramblings are enjoyed!

Hank: Thanks for the website suggestion - I just took a look at it, and it's really quite useful. It'll help (and the Miele's look nice too).