Stepshots
Cascade
It’s early January and we’re still enjoying our collective Christmas gift: Mild temperatures that are more late-Summer than wintry. Perfect walking weather! I slept-in this morning, but I’d mentally scheduled a late-afternoon walk; determined to rack up the day’s 10,000 steps. So, iPhone treadmill app tallying, house music pumping, I set out at 4:00 p.m. … and was stopped in my tracks by this cascade of buttery trumpets pouring over a neighbor’s fence. Beauty. I felt bad for stopping the counter to snap this hipstamatic shot, but told myself I’d now keep it moving …
Star
… then just steps away, across the street, I caught sight of this amazing soon-t0-be-in-bloom aloe. I’m loving all of my aloes right now as they’re either blooming or about to; I really liked this one’s tightly bunched flower head. It’ll be a sure-fire star in its space next to the street. Okay, walking, walking …
Torches
… what do you know? Our friends Bonnie-and-Bruce’s aloe is in full bloom, too. Spectacularly so! … I remember when this plant was in bloom last winter; this year seems even more showy. A quick glance at my counter and I notice my steps are a bit low … gotta pick up the pace …
Symmetry
A thousand steps on and I have to stop again: This tropical plant’s symmetrical game of peek-a-boo from behind this vintage lamppost was too weird to pass. Especially with the two odd-colored leaves at bottom … and … I’m walking, walking …
Columnar
Until this solid column of nasturtiums makes me gawk — it reminds me of Jeff Koon’s famous puppy sculpture. Smile – snap! … Must. Keep. Walking …
Urned
Up the hill and rounding the corner near a neighborhood of large historic homes, I see some of my favorite classic concrete urns. Planted with fetching black aeoniums, I think they’re amazing … I tell myself this is my last photo of the day (I’ve only done about 2,500 steps at this point), turn up the music loud and get to steppin’ … the dark is coming.
I arrived home just over an hour later: 9,400 steps. I guess the other 600 were lost playing plant photog. I’ll make ’em up tomorrow …
Rancho Reubidoux 
Your posts and photos always make me smile. Thank you.
Thanks, Carol! For reading (and commenting).
You live in a good neighborhood for walking. Who can stay inside when the weather practically pushes you out to enjoy it ……..
Very true. And one of the reasons we bought the Rancho in the first place! Plus: It’s walking distance from everything really.
I’m still stunned every time I see the blooms of an Aloe, so beautiful.
I’ve not yet managed to get a proper thank you in the mail for the post card, but it did arrive and in perfect shape…thank you so much!
Hey, Loree, we were at UCR’s botanic garden this morning and ALL their aloes are in bloom; pics coming up soon. Very happy to hear you got the postcard — enjoy!
If I got that app I’d probably have the same problem you do of constant interruptions. What nice walkabouts you get in your ‘hood. Can’t wait til my few aloes gain blooming size. Hope the sale went well yesterday. Boy, was I tempted…except I’m thinning out and purging stuff here too. Hi to Paul and the pups.
Thanks, Denise, great to hear from you! … I have to say I’m surprised at how great the purge feels. The sale went well and the focused buyers got exactly what they wanted — and early! Everything’s been spoken; all that’s left are the pick-ups now. Hope to see you soon.
Thank you for your 10,000 steps pics. And all the others that bring so many of us smiles.
Have a happy Monday…
Hey, Miss Vickie, thanks! And, prepare yourself … you figure in my next post! 😉