Monthly Archives: December 2015

Desert Flora

27 Sunday Dec 2015

Posted by in Arizona, cactus, Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix, Photography

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I’ve spent the past several days enjoying the stunning desert landscape here in greater Phoenix-Mesa-Tempe-Scottsdale area. Yesterday, my daughter took us on a tour of the Desert Botanical Garden where she has worked for the past year. Here are just some of the many plants located in this beautiful garden:

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Akimel O'odham house constructed from native plant life--cottonwood, mesquite, willow, arrow weed, agave and yucca.

Akimel O’odham house constructed from native plant life–cottonwood, mesquite, willow, arrow weed, agave and yucca.

Desert landscape with Hole in the Rock in the background.

Desert landscape with Hole in the Rock in the background.

Agave

Agave

One can often see other cacti growing epiphytically from cardon or saguaro cacti.

One can often see other cacti growing epiphytically from cardon or saguaro cacti.

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Cottonwoods

Honeybee on Fairy Duster

Honey bee on Fairy Duster

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Old Man of the Andes hairy cactus

Old Man of the Andes hairy cactus

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Immer Wieder Nichts

20 Sunday Dec 2015

Posted by in Arizona, Fantasy, Fiction, In Lonely Exile, Photography

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Laurel Grove angel.

Laurel Grove angel.

I have to apologize. I really meant to blog something meaningful this week, but to be honest, my time has been consumed by other things. From my headlong rush to complete this novel by the end of the year (crossed 102,00 words and I’m almost there) to getting ready for Christmas on the other side of this continent (Savannah, Georgia to Mesa, Arizona), my time has not been my own.

Perhaps, next week I’ll be able to post something a little more relevant from Mesa.

The Peace of Wild Things

13 Sunday Dec 2015

Posted by in Bonaventure, Cemetery, Flowers, Nature, Photography, Poetry, Wendell Berry

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CorinneDecember

Corinne in December’s morning light at Bonaventure, Savannah

When despair for the world grows in me

and I wake in the night at the least sound

in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be,

I go and lie down where the wood drake

rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.

I come into the peace of wild things

who do not tax their lives with forethought

of grief. I come into the presence of still water.

And I feel above me the day-blind stars

waiting with their light. For a time

I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.

BY WENDELL BERRY

December azaleas at Bonaventure

December azaleas at Bonaventure

The camellias are in bloom at Bonaventure

The camellias are in bloom at Bonaventure

As are the miniature azaleas

As are the miniature azaleas

The granite roses never stop blooming

The granite roses never stop blooming