Grass 1
I came across this amusing sign, while sipping champagne under the oaks with my daughter.
Grass 2
Grass rejuvenation project. Please do not walk on the grass.
I thought it was a great way to phrase it!
You may remember the difficulty I am having with my lawn lately?
Little Monkey 2
This is how I shall think of it from now on. I am rejuvenating my lawn!
Grass 3
Now if I could just get this view too!
Muizenberg Beach
While those of you in the Northern hemisphere pull on another winter woolly, shovel snow and dream of summer sunshine, those of us here in the Southern hemisphere, in the Other Down Under in South Africa, take to the beaches for a little relief from the relentless heat. There is usually a strong off-shore breeze to cool you down, and of course you could always swim; though the water is icy cold.
What I like about here are the restful views of distant horizons, the long white beaches to walk on and the crashing waves on the rocks as the tide turns.
Rose on fire
Haiku 18
Scorching sun beats down
Petals burning lava bright
Fighting fire with fire
post script: If you really want to watch the rose catch fire, tilt your screen away from you slowly.
Frangipani 1
I’ve been searching for a heart of gold –
Frangipani 2
And I’m getting old!
post script: Neil Young singing Heart of Gold
Hanging Basket 1
You may remember that all the trees in my garden were heavily pruned last August (my winter)?
Since there was then no shade for my hanging baskets in their current position in my large Eugenia tree, I had to move them all around, finding any bit of shade that I could.
I duly continued to water all the plants in each hanging basket:
or so I thought.
Hanging Basket 2
Several months later, I suddenly noticed this extra basket, hanging high up, in the middle of the tree.
I had totally missed this pot and all the plants had died; making me a murderer and proving once again –
Water is life!
Dew 1
Put it in your pocket
Never let it fade away!
Dew 2
Early morning sunlight transforms the dew on this leaf into a myriad of tiny stars.
Isn’t Nature wonderful?
post script: Catch a Falling Star was written by Paul Vance and Lee Pockriss. It was released in 1957 and famously sung by Perry Como.
Oak Tree 1
Tiny acorns beginning to emerge on my oak tree.
Oak Tree 2
Well, you’ve got to start somewhere!
This oak tree was planted as an acorn in my garden, by a squirrel, about 20 years ago.
Silhouette Jasmine
Jasmine
Tiny stars against the sky
Send your fragrance way up high
Twinkle as the sun goes down
Till the moon shall be your crown
Striped Mouse 1
Twas the night before Christmas
When all through the house
Not a creature was stirring
Not even a mouse
Striped Mouse 2
This minute little Four-Striped Grass Mouse was spotted by my friend S at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens last month.
Striped Mouse 3
Active during the day, he was scurrying about his business, not a care in the world.
Striped Mouse 4
You can see the stripes quite well in these two photos.
Striped Mouse 5
Even for a mouse, he was tiny, and very hard to spot in the undergrowth. We think maybe he was a teenager, not a baby, as he had his stripes, but there was still something babyish about his looks.
Striped Mouse 6
See how quickly you can spot him in the photo above!
Nasturtium
Haiku 15
Heart lit from within
Brightens up a dreary day
A little sunshine
Mad Cap Dog 