Category: SA Times

Our first Grady flower blossom of the season appeared Sunday, May 3.  It was on a volunteer I let grow in the xeriscape.  There are several other volunteers that sprouted in acceptable places around the front yard, even a couple in one of the flower  beds.  Some six or eight years ago Grady Howard gathered seeds from a wildflower he saw on a golf course somewhere in the Panhandle, sprouted them in his greenhouse, and gave some of the seedlings to Joyce.  We’ve been enjoying them ever since.  Joyce first planted the sprouts given her in front of the kitchen window.  The next winter was a wet one and they came back in profusion.  We began to refer to them as Grady weeds.  Since then we’ve learned how to control them and have changed that to Grady flowers.  They are perennials, put on a nice daisy or galardia-like yellow flower and aren’t too bad about reseeding themselves so if one sprouts in a good spot it is welcome, but if not, well, those are easily eliminated.  It is sort of handy to have some nice flowers on the cheap. Continue reading “Grady flowers” →

There are two hummingbirds of the black chin variety, I believe, that are taking advantage of the hospitality at 1911.  One may be Pondacherry who was with us from about this time last year through September.  We were a little more on top of things this year and have had the feeder out since the first of the month.  There are also a couple of things blooming in the xeriscape that they should find attractive.  We welcome them and hope they stick around all season to quarrel over the feeder. Continue reading “Dueling hummers” →

Chris got his panties in a twist over two mallard drakes together in the pond.   He suspects them of the love that dare not say its name.  I like to think they are brothers, yearlings, yet to take a mate, just hanging out, two young bachelors doing the bachelor thing.  I haven’t seen the mallard pair together lately though I think I’ve seen the drake by himself.  I conclude that because he isn’t as skittish at my presence as the bachelor brothers.  I seem to remember a similar pattern from previous years.  At first it was the pair, the drake and the hen.  Then we wouldn’t see much of the hen.  Maybe she’s sitting on a nest somewhere.  If she is, hubby ought to be staying close by to protect the family, but maybe they’ve got it handled.  They’ve been doing it for several years now and no doubt know better than I how to proceed. Continue reading “Odd ducks” →

Joyce and Rebecca spent Saturday planting oregano and lavender in the garden.  Rebecca said Grandma was a lot of help.  Also, Rebecca played “hello Grampa” with me.  I think she said hello to me more than seven times through the day.  Meanwhile I worked on improving the bed at the end of the dry riverbed in our xeriscape.  Several of last year’s plantings survived the winter and are looking good, blooming even.  The grass had taken over between the plants, though, so I dug it out and replaced it with dirt from the patio excavation.  The wild kitties are so excited to have a new potty. Continue reading “Planting time” →