- Signs of Fall

Originally published in On the Trail:

The real sign of fall is when the temperature dips below 100 degrees and stays there. We seem to be at that point, thank goodness. This year we have an abundance of Lindheimer's Senna blooming all over the yard along with a variety of tall grasses. As the grasses turn golden the fall should be too.

- B B B Busy

Originally posted in On the Trail

A limited flannel edition of four was just published by the Ackert Home Whinery. Two are currently winging their way to Virginia, while the other two will be hand- delivered to Austin and St Louis in the near future.

- Walk on

Originally posted in On the Trail

I've always preferred strolling to power walking, and now my osteoporosis diagnosis gives me the perfect excuse to go slow. The truth is you see a lot more that way, whether you're on a beach or a roadside.

I'm hoping that today marks the first of many such strolls, to be made with trusty iPhone at hand to capture whatever strikes my fancy. Unfortunately, I missed the opportunity to capture three turkeys running ... they were too fast for me.  But I did find a beautiful turkey feather, along with some grasses for my windowsill collection and a new (to me) wildflower that will hopefully survive a move into our garden.

- Motivated

Originally posted in On the Trail

On New Year's Day I wrote a one-word resolution: "Create."

Now I find myself with the time to do just that. Already underway is the embellishment of a linen top I bought last fall.

And the moth-balled project to hang a series of collages over the "fireplace" has been resurrected.

Of course, Jackson and Griffin have been motivation in more ways than one, giving my old sewing machine a workout.

And it feels great to be blogging again ...

- Cholla transplant

Originally posted by Don in On the Trail

Cholla cactus transplanted on the west side of the house last year.  It is a fast growing cactus that seems happy where it is!

- Blackfoot daisies

Originally posted by Don in On the Trail

Blackfoot daisies like the rock garden.

- Prickly pear

Originally posted by Don in On the Trail

Cactus flowers in bloom in the backyard.

- Thistle

Originally posted by Don in On the Trail

This is one of my favorite pictures Liz took of a thistle plant.  Four more work days and she can take more pictures like this! Click on the photo to enlarge it.  No photoshop here. Good camera and a better eye...

- Rain matters

Originally posted by Don in On the Trail

We had 3.25 inches of rain the past couple of days.  San Antonio had over a foot in places and some significant flooding. This is a picture I took when exploring Canyon Lake Gorge.  It's a good example of how the limestone has holes in it and how the water flows through those holes eventually recharging the aquifer. We hope...

- Prickly pear flowers

Originally posted by Don in On the Trail

The flowers on the prickly pear cactus this time of year are short-lived but beautiful.

- Patinated

Originally posted by Don in On the Trail

We bought this copper birdbath from Jill at our favorite spot in Wimberley, By the Bridge Antiques.  The blue patina of the bath really stands out. The birds seem to like it now that temperatures are in the 90's. Guess summer has arrived.

Rock from the property added by us

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- Rock garden cactus

Originally posted by Don in On the Trail

When we went to the nursery a few weeks back Liz picked out the horse crippler cactus. It now resides in the red rock bed behind the deck. The horse crippler cactus actually does get its name from the fact that horses have been crippled from stepping on it. It grows very low to the ground and is hard to see. I can see it just fine and it is not in the path of any horse...or human.

- Hat dancin'

Originally posted by Don in On the Trail

The wildflowers are not as abundant as they were last spring. Guess they are dependent on the late fall and early winter rains we did not have this year.  However, there are certain wildflowers we have seen this year that seem to be doing better than last.  An example is this Mexican hat that is found along the east side of our driveway. Since I was in among the flowers to take this picture you may have to click on the image to get one in focus.

- Sarah's garden

Originally posted by Don in On the Trail

I just finished the east side "red rock" garden I previewed yesterday.  This is a picture of the garden from the driveway looking up to the deck. The cactus in the background were given to us when we first moved here by Sarah N. At that point we did not really know what to do with them. We left them in buckets for weeks and finally planted them. Apparently cactus can take such abuse, and in fact, like it that way. They have grown quickly and are putting off pups to beat the band. The grass in the foreground is buffalo grass that grows very slowly and does not require much water. It looks equally good mowed or left to grow to 8-10 inches.

- Rock gardening

Originally posted by Don in On the Trail

We just got back from Austin after a day of  playing with Griffin and Skyping (twice) with Jackson and Melissa. You probably thought I'd skip today's blog post.  Oh ye of little faith...as Liz would say. Still highlighting pictures of new plants.  I promise I'll get some people pictures in here soon. These cactus are in a new rock garden on the east side of the deck made from red rocks found on the flood plain.  Liz had mined several piles of these rocks just waiting for a home. Note:  Be sure to click on the picture for a larger view to get a closer look at the rocks.

- Barrel cactus

Originally posted by Don in On the Trail

Planted a golden barrel cactus on the west side of the breezeway.  I still need to add some more grey rock around the perimeter. It is out of harm's (grandkids') way, unless they're climbing in the rocks, which should be off-limits for obvious reasons.

- Yucca

Originally posted by Don in On the Trail

Liz had the idea to post a picture a day so we would start getting back into the swing of our blogging days. This is a picture of the flowering stalk of a red yucca plant against the blue Texas sky.

Sunny, 82 degrees, 25% humidity, SW winds 10 mph