A New Leaf

Jeb finds a katydid and we get the treat of inspecting its leaf-wings up close.

I am amazed at how this insect has adapted.  Survival insured through blending in to its surroundings.

And then I learn one more fact about the katydids, which helps insure their kind sustains.

The males have the largest testes in proportion to their body, of any animal in recorded history – equating to 14% of their body mass.  This delicate, incognito leaf-hopper seems to be born with a serious mission in mind.

Thanks Wikipedia for expanding my perspective on my backyard bush-cricket.

And that’s Entomology 101 for Monday morning.

2013-05-06leaf hopper

White Jade Orchid

Or Pak Lan, as it’s known in Hawaii.

A hybridized Magnolia, in fact.  And it smells (if only you could) divine.

Growing on trees, often planted near Asian temples, I’ve heard it also referred to as the Temple flower.

 

2013-05-03

Təˈmātō, Teˈmätō

How do you want to say it?

Half-full or half-empty.

It all depends on how you want to see it.

Yes, we are picking the last tomato harvest from this address. We could mourn the loss of our sweet home with each ripe cherry we pop in our mouths. Or with every juicy bite, we could consider the seeds we are sowing for a fresh garden bed in our new abode…which is yet to be determined.

I’ve said I’d keep the Archives abreast of my family’s moving process. And I’ll be honest. Craigslist remains a scant listing of resort-like condominiums renting at high rates in distant zip codes. Our friends offer encouragement and best wishes, but no leads.

We have 59 days between now and our move-out deadline.

I ask the Bohemian if he is nervous.

In his typical (and well-appreciated by me) fashion, he responds, “No. I’m not afraid.”

Seems you can only do so much to ‘control’ circumstances. How you see it makes all the difference, right? Perhaps all we can ‘control’ is our own mind.

The Bohemian, he’s out in the garden harvesting tomatoes. Working with what’s right in front of him. Grateful for an abundant crop.

He did the work. Put in his time and love to those tomatoes. Had the best intention. The rest was up to the garden gods.

Today, I’ll trust in that. Enjoy the garden abundance.

2013-05-02tomato_close