bardsmaid's ongoing photo diary

After a dry winter with a total rainfall of only 4.21 inches, spring is showing itself, and the flowers volunteering in the various garden beds have fueled my latent desire to be outside and encouraging the color and beauty. We've had freesias, daffodils, the flowering of our willow trees and the odd tulip and hyacinth. Now California poppies are beginning to bloom, fruit trees are sprouting tender new leaves and avocados are growing to full size. The grasses in the back yard are gradually turning straw-colored, but we're keeping both weeds and grass (such as it is) mowed, and if it's kept neat, it looks pretty good. Meanwhile, new leaves on the trees are providing welcome shade and privacy that will allow us to keep the smaller garden areas green during the summer. Southern California is essentially a desert and 'green' is a state that must be carefully worked at here, since there will be no rain until at least fall.

Alyssum grows wild around here, and eventually covers many open spaces. Nasturtiums from last year have volunteered around the barrels in the front yard.

This rockrose outside my bedroom window has grown to be about 5 feet high and 6 feet wide. Right now it's filled with delicate, papery flowers that last only a single day

Nemesia at the edge of my dad's jardiniere. Above them one of the willows sheds its shade and privacy, our living screen from the property next door.

Nasturtiums come up every year on the protected east side of the house. They add greenery and color to what is for the most part a very dry area.

This wild linaria grows on two half-rural streets above us on the hillside. Residents will come out and encourage you to return once the flowers have gone to seed and get some to scatter in your own yard, a local tradition of neighborliness.

At Satwiwa, the grasses are green--however briefly--and the ap (pronounced 'op', the traditional dwelling of the Chumash people who have lived in the area for 12,000 years) has been refurbished with a new covering of tule, the local version of bamboo.

April 6th saw the arrival of Tina and Corrie (aka LoneGunwoman and Patterson) from the Cave for a visit. We'd had nothing but overcast for weeks, but the sun cooperated and our trip to the beach for lunch was beautiful. Even the color of the water was an especially delicate shade. Tina had come all the way from the UK to visit Corrie, who has just been hired by a small Hollywood production company. Amazing to think that an online discussion group such as ours has been the breeding ground for a number of very close real-life friendships.