La versión en español está después de la versión en inglés.
WHEN I STARTED WRITING TODAY, I became philosophical, reflecting on these past four heartbreaking years worsened by a year of pandemic. But, philosophical grew quickly depressing, and you can read better analyses anywhere. So, I’ll simply repeat what I said yesterday. The new leaders in the United States have restored my hope for the future. My mood is elevated.
Speaking of elevated: We have one shiny new elevator in our building. The contractors have moved on to the other, which by my estimation should be completed some time in April.
We’ve got flowers blooming on our terrace. I’ve been nursing the hibiscus and can understand why San Geraldo gave up and tossed them in the past. There’s always some bug or another attacking. Two share their blossoms with us while the other three (more exotic varieties) rarely do. After some loving care from me, they produce an abundance of buds that they soon drop. I’m going to give them one more round of systemic insecticide and will cut them back. If that doesn’t do the trick, I may get rid of the three that haven’t been happy since we brought them home and keep the two that do OK with the care I provide.
I was surprised a week or so ago to notice one of our two desert roses was in bud. I didn’t expect it to get very far in the bloom cycle because we’ve had some chilly days and nights out there. Desert roses like it warm. But one flower opened this morning and the other buds haven’t dropped. So there’s hope there, too.
Adding another bit of color are the shells I found on the beach the other day. It’s fascinating how the surf delivers different gifts at different times. During high surf before the storm, there were mostly clam-like shells, in perfect condition. After the storm, there was a lot of mother of pearl (nacre), but almost no sea glass. I collected some nacre and added it to what I’ve amassed in the engraved crystal bowl San Geraldo was gifted when he left UC San Diego. So, nothing but happiness from me today.
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CUANDO EMPEZÉ A ESCRIBIR HOY, me volví filosófico, reflexionando sobre estos últimos cuatro años desgarradores empeorados por un año de pandemia. Pero lo filosófico se volvió deprimente rápidamente y puedes leer mejores análisis en cualquier lugar. Entonces, simplemente repetiré lo que dije ayer. Los nuevos líderes en los Estados Unidos han devuelto mi esperanza para el futuro. Mi estado de ánimo está elevado.
Hablando de elevado: Tenemos un nuevo y reluciente ascensor en nuestro edificio. Los contratistas han pasado a la otra, que según mi estimación debería completarse en abril.
Tenemos flores floreciendo en nuestra terraza. He estado cuidando los hibiscos y puedo entender por qué San Geraldo se rindió y los arrojó en el pasado. Siempre hay algún error u otro ataque. Dos comparten sus flores con nosotros, mientras que los otros tres (variedades más exóticas) rara vez lo hacen. Después de un cuidado cariñoso de mi parte, producen una gran cantidad de cogollos que pronto caen. Les daré una ronda más de insecticida sistémico y los reduciré. Si eso no funciona, puedo deshacerme de los tres que no han estado contentos desde que los trajimos a casa y mantener los dos que están bien con la atención que brindo.
Me sorprendió hace una semana más o menos notar que una de nuestras dos rosas del desierto estaba en capullo. No esperaba que llegara muy lejos en el ciclo de floración porque hemos tenido algunos días y noches fríos. A las rosas del desierto les gusta el calor. Pero una flor se abrió esta mañana y los otros capullos no han caído. Así que ahí también hay esperanza.
Añadiendo otro poco de color están las conchas que encontré en la playa el otro día. Es fascinante cómo el surf ofrece diferentes regalos en diferentes momentos. Durante el oleaje alto antes de la tormenta, había en su mayoría conchas parecidas a almejas, en perfecto estado. Después de la tormenta, había mucho nácar (nácar), pero casi ningún vidrio marino. Recogí un poco de nácar y lo agregué a lo que había acumulado en el cuenco de cristal grabado que le regalaron a San Geraldo cuando dejó la Universidad de California en San Diego. Entonces, nada más que felicidad mía hoy.
it’s a beautiful day today. all is right with the world. INTELLIGENT ADULTS prevail.
Anne Marie,
We have hope!
I was relived to read that was a little shell in your hand. I saw that at first, and thought, what did Mitchell do to himself now? I love hibiscus plants, I have friends who have some and they have a terrible time with them too. But when I see the blooms, I always want to pick them and place them behind the ear of our Duchess Deedles.
Odd little fetish you got going there, Mads. Thank you, and I would wear them with pride, as long as there are no spiders hanging out in them 🙂
Deedles,
No spiders on my hibiscus. Everything else, though!
Mistress Maddie,
Yep, that DOES look like I did something again. Perfect coloring. Duchess Deedles deserves to have a fresh hibiscus bloom behind her ear at all times.
The world seems pretty and shiny on both sides of the pond today!
Bob,
I’m especially happy for you all in the States. It was hard enough watching from this distance!
I didn’t know that top picture was a shell. It looks like something I’ve had stuck between my teeth after a meal. The hibiscus is gorgeous, as usual. My new home has a big gardenia bush and a massive star jasmine thingy. I hope that even I can’t kill them. They are grown up plants and hopefully they can take care of themselves for the most part. Add to that fifteen rose bushes, two redwoods and a magnolia tree and I am in backyard heaven! I wish I could live there everyday instead of just weekends. Okay, rambling again. Hugs, kisses and best wishes, Scoot.
Deedles,
I like picturing what Maddie imagined was in my hand than what was between your teeth! Oh gardenias! Beautiful and fragrant! Your backyard does sound like heaven. So this is a second home until BH retires? Hugs and kisses to you!
many people are feeling likewise; I am glad to read you are feeling hope
Urspo,
Hoping for peace!
Hope is contagious! And you are living proof!…..Biden/elevator/hibiscus/rose/shells. hey, things are looking up.
Oh, give those three fussy hibiscus a little more TLC……they just may be a little high strung!! lol
So good to see some blossoms and beautiful shells.
Jim,
More than a little high string. Argh! I’ll have at them again today.
Nice elevator, pretty shells. I am banned from owning live plants – I let them bloom – then pass them onto others.
David,
SG’s mother had a black thumb. He bought her a house plant for her living room. Of course it died, so he bought her another the next year and told her that would simply be the routine. She felt guilty though, so it stopped. My mother on the other hand was the recipient of every neighbor’s and family member’s dying house plant. They always thrived and she was forced (ha) to keep them.
I have noticed that hibiscus plants like it “airy” rather than sheltered.
Your lovely translucent heart-shaped shell is all aglow! That is how my heart feels today, too.
Wilma,
That’s one of the things we deduced about the hibiscus. Our terrace is not airy much of the year. Oh well! Thanks for noticing the heart shape of the shell. That’s why I kept it.
I am glad that your mood is elevated, as is mine. I love the photo of the shells. Nature’s gift.
Mcpersonalspace54,
Wishing you good health and good news!
Plants and flowers can be challenging. Enjoy them when they cooperate, threaten them when they don’t, wait a while and sometimes they surprise you.
Frank,
Yeah, have been waiting a while already. But I’m more patient with plants than SG. We’ll see!
How beautiful all that mother of pearl is in the crystal bowl!
Debra,
I love it!
The shells are very pretty. I thought the one in your hand at the top was a piece of bacon !
Frances,
Thanks for that image! I’ve been craving bacon!
Happiness is a very good thing!
wickedhamster:
And it can be so fleeting.
For a second I was concerned you had the worst blister ever on your hand.
Love,
Janie
Janie:
No, on my foot from my 10 mile walk! But, yes, my cold hand was the same color as the shell.