DESERT LOVE

See this?

It isn't too attractive, is it?

It kind of makes you wonder why I'd have it  planted in such a prominent spot in my back yard.

Look at this and you'll see why.

http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/1083875347048216361iLaGkB

That only happens in the hottest part of the summer when we get sufficient rainfall and it doesn't even last for long.  But, oh, the fragrance...to say nothing of that lovely lavender cloud of sheer beauty!  It is SO worth the wait!

I showed you our ocotillo the other day...looking all fancy in her Spring green frock!  When she blooms, she'll look like this...covered with spikey fiery red blossoms!

Most of the year, it looks like.....

I was going to insert a link into what it looks like most of the year, but it is so ugly...so unattractive...that apparently no one has posted an image of it in all of google-dom!  I have certainly never been moved to photograph that particular time in the life of an ocotillo.  But I will..and show it to you one of these days.

Just imagine 12-15 foor long dead looking sticks covered with deadly looking thorns and you've got the picture!

Prickley Pear Cactus...now there's another desert plant that is not terribly attractive most of the time.  But with sufficient rain...at the right time...you get this.

There's so many desert plants which will surprise you, given the right circumstance.  With all the winter rain and snow we've had this year, I think all the circumstances just might be perfectly in place to knock your socks off this Spring.  I will do my best to get photographs of her at her best and share them with you.

This desert is truly a magical place.  But, you have to be willing to be patient...to wait until she is ready to unfold her secret delights to your gaze.  She is  very secretive...very seductive...very sexy.  And if you don't pay her enough attention, she will NEVER show you her true self!  That is true of every smart woman, don't you think?

But watch out...'cause she can be a devil.  Just like a black widow spider, she'll kill you, if you allow yourself to fall completely under her spell!  She's dangerous....probably somewhat like the sea.  You NEVER  want to forget who's in charge!

But, also, you neve want to forget that she is really a beauty.....unique and wonderful in her own way!

I have lived on this desert for almost 20 years now.  I was completely enthralled with her from my very first visit and remain enthralled with her to this very day.

Spring on the desert!  It is almost here!

Oh!  I can  hardly wait!!!!!

I am so grateful to live on this Sonoran Desert!!!!!!

ON NEW YEAR'S EVE

Today was such a beautiful day here in Tucson, that I just HAD to get out of the house and into Mama Nature’s lap!

I needed to sit on a rock.

I wanted to go hiking to find the perfect rock to sit on and I didn’t want to go alone. There are many good reasons for not going hiking alone…especially for a 65 year old woman with wonky knees.

But, it being New Year’s Eve, most people already had plans and hubby is just not all that into hiking. He has a wonky hip. And it’s already bothering him, so I really didn’t feel like pushing him into going with me.

I was beginning to feel a little of that ugly old resentment rising in me. NOT a good thing. So, I chose to feel peace, joy and love…and gratitude…and I just hopped in the car and took off!

Besides, I really needed some pictures of roads and with all the photos I already have, I just didn’t have exactly what I wanted for my New Year’s Day blog entry, LOOKING FORWARD.

I had a fine time. I went to Sonora National Park-East (We also have a ‘West’ one) where I knew there would be plenty of people around to help if I, for any reason, needed some.

I took a bunch of pictures. It is always amazing to me how much color there is on this ‘brown’ desert…and on December 31st, to boot-the very dead of winter.

The mighty saguaros astound me…and they make me laugh. They are, I’m convinced, God’s cartoon characters.

And I found me a rock.

 It wasn’t much of a rock, as rocks go, out here. But, it was the right rock and I knew it. I sat down. I listened to the blessed quiet of this big ol’ desert. I played with the little mica flecked rocks at my feet. I turned them this way and that way and watched the sun strike light into them It was as if I had a handful of diamonds.

I sat there and let the sun give me kisses and the breeze give me caresses and just let my soul get filled with my Mother’s milk.

As you know, I don’t do New Year’s resolutions.

But if I did, I might resolve to take myself, more often, to places where my blessed Mother can nurture me, as She desires to do.

I am so GRATEFUL for this beautiful world I live in. And I am especially GRATEFUL for this day I spent really BEING in it.

WHO'S WRITING TODAY'S BLOG?

I want YOU  to write my blog today, OK?

Seriously.

In the comments, list at least five things you are grateful for today.

I'll start.

I am grateful for learning that I can choose peace over drama.

I am grateful for my BE GRATEFUL mug filled with good, hot coffee.

I am grateful for each person who reads this.

And men friends, too.

I am grateful for checks in the mail!

I am grateful that I live on this beautiful Sonoran Desert.

I am grateful for the gratitudes you will share with all of us.

I am grateful that you are writing my blog today.

Thank you.

I AM GRATEFUL!