Sojourn

Pooled

Memorial Day Weekend — three days that signal the official beginning of Summer — is on now … and already ticking away. My first official act is to get up early to appreciate what’s new in the garden. My friend, June gloom, has arrived early this year, so just as I like, it’s overcast;  the sun peeking through fitfully. The cup of an aloe leaf captures a sudden blast in a pool left from last night’s watering.

Coral

Nearby, a stout little aloe has produced an impressive display of coral-colored blooms.

Delectable

Our sometimes balky bougainvilleas have exploded with apricot-meets-salmon-hued bracts, their tiny white flowers barely noticeable in all the hot pink excitement.

Yellow-green

Our Desert Museum palo verde tree is also in full-bloom explosion mode …

Golden

… we’ve never had this much color up so high that it can be seen over the fence … The bougie’s hot pink and the palo verde’s gold are a stirring sight as one drives up the hill toward the Rancho.

Sharp

I’m sorry to say I don’t know what the name of this plant is, but it’s grown into spike-festooned towers outside the fence. Besides not knowing its name, I didn’t know it produced a deep magenta bloom, either. Can’t wait to see when they open …

Show-off

And speaking of openings: On the 14th Street side of the property, a cactus bouquet is being offered to passing drivers and Mt. Rubidoux hikers. I’ve never seen so many blooms on this specimen before! Every morning this week it was killing me not getting a photo of it before heading to the train. I’m glad they’re still here to show you …

Three-day weekends are short sojourns, but I plan to fill mine with enjoyable, productive pursuits … however you fill yours, enjoy!