Prickly Subject

Soothing, calm

I hate to admit this, but the Spring time-change has really knocked me off my pins. To ease the adjustment I thought it’d be smart to adopt the new hour-ahead time change beginning Saturday morning, but I just got up, then went back to sleep; the rest of the day was a total snooze too … Sunday’s 5:30 a.m. walk left me exhausted rather than energized, and lunch provoked only a nap; my sister and brother stopped by but I was so tired I could barely visit with them … they left, and Paul became engrossed by a Terry Gilliam film, so I thought I’d rouse myself with another walk. I hit ‘go’ on my iPhone treadmill and shambled toward downtown. Really bright out, windy too, and already 5 p.m. … I thought I’d check in with Sherri at Old Glory antiques, but drat!, she closes at 4:30 on Sunday. Moved on to the antique mall on the promenade; nothing of interest and too many slow-moving tourists … Skirted the Mission Inn’s perimeter, the squeals of sugar-amped children compelling me to move over a few blocks … then, doubling back down Market, I headed toward a surefire feel-good destination: White Park.

Shapely trio

White Park is downtown, right off Market Street and shares space with some interesting neighbors: across the street from the entrance is a florist; to one side is an adult emporium; on the other, an empty building; a senior/recreation facility shares space at the rear. It’s a very pretty little park that is so old-fashioned it’s got a white gazebo in its center … the perfect spot for a wedding … or a charity 10K walk-athon, or a Fourth of July patriotic concert or RuPaul working it for a LGBT festival. Most days, though, it’s just a nice, soothing, uncrowded spot in Riverside’s downtown, just what I need this late Sunday afternoon. And, did I mention they have a cactus garden? It’s small, but I find monitoring its progress kinda fun … and what progress it’s made! The winter rains have triggered a major growth spurt, and everything’s bigger, taller and spinier than I’ve ever seen it. Walking down the path to the garden, the sight of a trio of agaves with matching-height stalks – one in spectacular bloom — calls to me and I have to investigate …

Sunny yellow

Now, this was worth hitting the streets for! Sunny-side-up, thick golden clusters are literally humming with circling, darting bees. I want to get closer and see if there’s a fragrance drawing the bees, but not being in the mood for a sting I reluctantly decide to take in the cacti instead.

Big 'n' tall

Clumps of cactus that previously stopped at waist level had really shot up and many were now taller than I. The cactus garden area is not large and all this new growth has filled the space to overflowing. I wonder if the landscaping staff would like to thin some of this overflow and maybe give some to a worthy local gardener with space to fill?

Sharp focus

The White Park cactus garden has quite a diverse collection of specimens. Looking at them closely – as closely as I dared without getting jabbed — the variety of needles, spines and prickles was impressive. The late afternoon sun passing through the pale needles is really lovely and I finally feel energized and uplifted this Sunday. Energized enough to head back home, toward the sunset and the first work week of Spring 2011.