In recent months I broke two of my favourite mugs, so had room for a couple more. Thank you Annette for filling the gap!
new mug
Author: Hashi
Crassula ovata
Crassula ovata, commonly known as jade plant, lucky plant, money plant or money tree, is a succulent with small pink or white flowers, native to South Africa and Mozambique. It grows as an upright, rounded, thick-stemmed, strongly branched shrub and reaches a height of up to 2.5 metres (8.2 ft).
Here in Southern California, it propagates easily and grows happily with minimal water. Our neighbour has covered her steep downslope with jade by merely tossing cuttings down the hill. It produces small white or pink, star-like shaped flowers in winter, which we’re enjoying now.
gleaning
We never give Bodie human food, but sometimes she helps herself to garden crops. She’s particularly fond of strawberry guavas.
Salpinctes obsoletus
The rock wren (Salpinctes obsoletus) is a small songbird native to western North America, Mexico and Central America. They are apparently common and widespread, but this was the first time I’d ever noticed one.
I’ve learned that rock wrens usually build their nests in crevices among boulders or beneath large rock ledges, typically on the ground or just a few inches above it, resting on a foundation of small rocks. Uniquely, they create a “paving” or “front porch” at the entrance of the nesting site, often lined with small stones, bones, and various debris. The purpose of this “paving” remains a mystery, but it is evidently significant, as rock wrens construct it before building the nest itself.
The other fun sighting on this hike was a bobcat, calmly crossing the trail quite close to humans. I’ve seen these gorgeous cats in the same area of the Park on several other occasions; they are clearly habituated to hikers.
happy garden
back in the kitchen
home again
It’s good to be home for so many reasons. One being that I only took a single travel brush with me; it’s nice to have options again.
south head
Last day in Sydney. I caught the ferry to Watsons Bay and walked to the historic Hornby Lighthouse at South Head. Then I enjoyed a late lunch with a distant view of the city skyline before heading back to my hotel and then to the airport. What a wonderful holiday this has been!
yininyadmemi
My flight home was cancelled and re-booked for 36 hours later, so I suddenly have some bonus time in Sydney.
I found myself in Hyde Park, the oldest public parkland in Australia. After re-visiting the Anzac Memorial—I have childhood memories of this place—I discovered another war memorial nearby. Erected in 2015, YININMADYEMI – Thou didst let fall pays tribute to the courage and sacrifice of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women who served their country.
The artwork, created by Sydney-based Aboriginal Girramay artist Tony Albert, draws inspiration from his grandfather, Private Eddie Albert, who served during the Second World War.
In April 1941, Private Albert was captured following a German armored assault in Libya, where he was serving with the 2/15th Battalion. He was among the many prisoners sent to Benghazi before being transferred to a prisoner-of-war camp in Italy. After two years in captivity, Albert escaped in 1943 and joined the local partisans.
In April 1944, his group was recaptured by Italian Fascists. Three of the seven Allied soldiers were executed, while Albert and the remaining captives were handed over to the Germans. He remained in captivity until the war’s end.
The sculpture features four upright bullets, symbolising those who survived, and three fallen shells, representing those who were executed.
grevillea
After a visit to the markets, a walk around the wetlands, and lunch by the lake, we went to the nursery to select a native plant for my sister’s yard. I love this tradition; checking on “my” trees and shrubs each visit is part of the joy of arrival.
Fare thee well, family and gardens! Till next time!
hashiworks 