It’s such a dull, dreary time of year, but kestrel has sent us some glamour photos of her orchids to brighten the day. Thanks, kestrel.
Phalaenopsis ©kestrel, all rights reserved
Zygopetalum ©kestrel, all rights reserved
Annie Elizabeth Harris. Hale Merrill’s Honey Quest. How One Girl Made the Best of Things. Boston, Lothrop, Lee & Shepard, 1918.
Gilbert Haven. Our Next Door Neighbor. Winter In Mexico. New York, Harper, 1875.
I’m dreaming about winter in Mexico today, because I’m going to Mexico on Feb. 13th. It would be an understatement to say that I’m excited. My girlfriend and her husband lived in Mexico for 11 years, but her husband died two years ago and she moved back to my city. She’s finally sold her home in Jacotopec and we’re going down to pack up the last of her things. We’ll also do a few other things that might be more touristy, but we’ll see what comes our way. I’ve never been to Mexico, nor had a winter holiday in the south so I don’t care what we do, as long as there’s no snow involved, I’ll be happy.
via: The Internet Archive
Thanks to Nightjar and her magic with a camera we have beautiful flowers to start the week.
I wanted to share these photos I took on my first walk of 2020. This is Fumaria officinalis, known as common fumitory or earth smoke, and one of the first winter wildflowers to bloom here in Portugal and give the fields some colour. They look even prettier covered in morning dew.
©Nightjar, all rights reserved
©Nightjar, all rights reserved
©Nightjar, all rights reserved
Bayard Taylor. Boys of other Countries. Illustrated by Frederick Coburn (and others) New York, London, G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1912.
Beatrice Harraden. Things Will Take a Turn. New York, Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1898.
Stella G.S. Perry. Girl’s Nest. New York, Frederick A. Stokes company, 1918.
Photo courtesy of Sharris, from Atlas Obscura
Say hello to Canada’s knottiest tree. This massive cedar tree has a giant burl growing out of its lower trunk and lives in a grove that was discovered in 2009 and has been protected from logging since 2012.
This lush grove near Port Renfrew is filled with large western red cedars and Douglas firs. Many trees seem to be growing out of each other, with knots and burls as if there was a struggle to break free of their bark.
The highlight of the grove is Canada’s gnarliest tree, a massive cedar with a giant burl growing out of its lower trunk. This whimsical giant stands tall, overseeing the cathedral grove.
There are walking paths into the grove and visitors are welcome, but the paths can be slippery and difficult to navigate. There are more photos at the Atlas Obscura link below as well as a small map.
via Atlas Obscura
Eliza Horn White. The Strange Year. Boston, New York, Houghton Mifflin Co., c1920.
I don’t know the plot of this book, but the title sums up how I feel about 2019. Here’s to a better 2020.
From Avalus,
I do have something to share, but it requires a bit of a back story. In June 2018 (has it really been that long?), Caine posted about hair braiding styles. (https://proxy.freethought.online/affinity/2018/06/14/sure-macrame-your-hair-why-not/)
I commented that I have a friend who likes to play with my hair, and I would post pictures of her handiwork.
Sadly, due to several sicknesses, we did not get together until earlier this week again for her birthday. And of course, she did something cool with my hair, which I now want to share.
I do feel very sad that I could not make good on my promise for Caine.
Have a good holiday season, stay safe and Fuck Cancer!
©Avalus, all rights reserved
©Avalus, all rights reserved
Josephine Daskum Bacon. The Luck O’Lady Joan. Illustrated by Clara Williams. Chicago, F. G. Browne & co., 1913.
