fall colors in orange county california

michaelmass day



speechless

A week ago, a woman stopped her car, walked into my garden and calmly stole bags of ripe pomegranates.

My husband happened to come out when this woman was coming  back with two plastic bags to load up on more pomegranate and Meyer lemons. He was so stunned at the outrageous behavior of this unknown woman. What does one do with this kind of broad daylight thievery. We are still speechless at this outright

thick-skinned aggressive  behavior.

I do not know what this plant is. It is so airy and so short-lived.

amaranths

you  melt-my-heart
kick-ass bitchin' you
coming here
where
i kneel
weeding
smudged-faced
mud-caked hands
unkempt hair
i hide among
between
green leaves
you
embrace
kiss me
and whisper
the amaranths are
on fire !

(c) z m evensen
16 march 1995

transplanting

What do you know? We are having too much merlot grapes on the vine. So, we uprooted a couple and replaced them with raspberries -- gold and red. Hope the berries will fare as well as the merlots. I can't bear throwing away good heirloom plants -- so I transplanted the vines in my  "farm". 'Twas back breaking work -- since the soil is parched by the recent heat wave in the valley.

Another experiment. 

I do not know if the Black Krim tomatoes which I grew from seed will survive when the weather turns "cold" in Southern California.  I transplanted some today  along with  red hopi amaranths . I started the season of 'reds'  -- brilliant red lettuce, red spinach and red hopi amaranths and merlot grapes  :-)
Will post  some pictures later. 

Heard it is raining in the Sierras.  It is time to  bury the bulbs for springs up there.

moon calendar

moon calendar

moon of drifting shifting ice crystals

moon of winter-stars and ice sundancers

moon of waking seeds and sweet greens

moon of shy daffodils and arrogant poppies

moon of crimson strawberries and white corn

moon of warm night winds and hungry fires

moon of wild rice and dandelion wines

moon of haunted pumpkins and old myths

moon of dark chestnuts in burning ashes

moon of sugar dusts on chocolate furrows

moon of hoof prints on frozen lichen

moon of warm-den sleep.

( moon is out tonight in the high sierras. reminded me of the poem above which i wrote a long time ago. cool and windy today. )

z m evensen
13 july 1993

where's summer ?

photo copyright z m evensen

This is what I woke up to this morning! This is a few days before the official start of summer!  What the ... ?To top it all, I just planted munstead lavender last week. Hope they survive.  The grape hyacinths , alliums, and  tulips are just about to bloom. The daffodils are really showing off their bloom.  Will they survive the storm? I also see a lot of pine seeds germinating. Maybe I will try to save some and see it they survive.

Our house furnace is not working -- so I will have to bundle up and rely on space heaters today.

To think I watered the lawn yesterday because the sandy soil was dry. Am waiting to see whether the wildflower seeds I planted last fall will come out. I noticed that yarrow, lupine, and  echinacea have started to pop their leaves through the soil. The catrmint, russian sage and lilacs are alive and well. Planted another lilac -- california rose- last week. Hope it survives this surprise later spring storm.

wild ramps !

wild ramps --- photo copyright z m evensen

Wow! What a find!  I found these near a stream under aspen and pine trees. We actually went fishing in the high Sierras -- hoping to have enough catch for dinner. The fish was not biting -- not at the lakes nor the streams. So, we went off road to follow the small streams still with batches of snow here and there. That's where I spotted several bunches of beautiful wild ramps! What a find!  I knew about wild ramps before but I did not know they grow in the western United States. To make sure, I checked out pictures on the 'Net before I started cooking them. I tasted the fresh ramps which had a delightful peppery garlicky oniony flavor.

As soon as I got home, I braised  chopped ramps in butter, added king trumpet mushrooms and red and yellow chard ( chiffonade). No salt, no pepper. (see king trumpet mushrooms below). A perfect lunch!

z m evensen

15 may 2010

daffodils in the snow

daffodilas in the snow photo by z m evensen

Arrived in the Eastern Sierras just before a fast moving blizzard dumps five inches of snow . Was hoping I'd see more bulbs in bloom. My daffs were battered by the  pummeling winds and the blossoms barely survived the storm.  If the weather cooperates, I hope to see more plants wake up. This is my first garden venture in the high country. I scattered  red poppy seeds, packets of wild flower seeds, anemonies and ranunculus bulbs. Hope these were not eaten by deer or gophers.

colors!

photo z m evensen

spring

comes

without warning

unfurling hues

of willow celadon

and shamrock jade

flutters

on soft wings

at dawnlight

airbrushing the valley

with apple pink

hyacinth amethyst

and heady white

orange blossoms

mists

new leaf with dew

caressing rain

carefully undoing

winter's cover

wakening

sleeping passions

bows

earth's heartstrings

softly playing

hummingbird minuets

and  moves on

z m evensen

10 march 1993  rev 5-9-2010

 this is turn around month into summer in southern california.

the daffs, freesias and grape hyacinth have since stopped blooming. i planted different bulbs which  flower at different times.

the rock garden does provide warmth for the early bulbs. now the calla lilies are taking over. in the garden trug are flowers from my garden -- sweet peas and roses.

the roses are hot cocoa, mom's rose, scentimental, and betty boop.on the background are volunteer calendulas as well as key lime, cancan orange trees.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY !

blue iris

PLUM BLOSSOMS

plum blossom   hurry

before rain showers dilute

watercolors of a kurosawa spring !

z m evensen

14 march 1998 rev 2 may 2010

IMPROVED MEYER IN ROCK GARDEN

Early spring bought out the best improved meyer lemons we ever had. Very juicy and sweet. Turned this area into a rock garden and am experimenting with several plants . It seems that citrus loved this environement and  have been acclimated to the rocks. One great 'bonus' is that my tomatoes over-wintered -- even when we have light frost in So Cal.

HUMMINGBIRDS

Hummingbirds are said to be territorial. Sometimes, one bird totally dominates the feeder. However, I think if they are thirsty and hungry enough they will share. I caught this four birds sharing . Kind of nice.

growing up poor in a rain forest

we are probably the poorest in our village --a small barrio in a third world country
quite unconsequential to the civilized world.
our home is of  coconut tree trunks supporting a raised bamboo floor.
the walls are woven palm tree fronds which allow the breeze to enter
as it pleases -- as do dragonflies, butterflies, geckos and mosquitoes.

we decorate our lives with leis of bromeliads and orchids -- so rare and so free.
mornings would be cool and fresh. no need to cook breakfast --
when there are jackfruit and plantain for the picking.
if you want know how these taste,
check your local "foods-from-the-rain-forest' store
and be ready to pay several  paper images of dead presidents.

how about roasted breadfruit for lunch and  perhaps leftovers
from last night's dinner of  definitely  wild and free-range chicken,
and some roasted locust ( note: you will find canned ones
in your gourmet section -- usually dipped in chocolate).

dinner menu: roast wild boar, wild fowl, catfish seviches, wild rice
and fresh palm 'wine'. salad:  heart of palm, banana blossoms
marinated in calamondin ( tastes like artichoke -- only better ).
palm hearts are now available in your local upscale supermarket.
my favorite dessert is fried bananas lit in rice wine.
i think they call it banana foster.

at night, sleep  inside a gauze mosquito net of pineapple cloth --
so fine you can see the stars peeking through the jig-saw
of canopy trees. someone strums a guitar from afar,
someone chants a love song and the rain forest joins in
with its enigmatic hum.
no electronic synthesizers, no mp3s, no ipods.

we are quite poor in the rain forest.
we do not have a penny to our name.
if you would like to help us, do not bring money.
bring salt.


z m evensen
1 sept 1993 rev  28 apr 2010

heartbreak green again

we will meet once more when the hills

are heartbreak green again

when the burned trees begin to leaf

and the land is sweetened by heather

and wild flower pastels   -- and

when the sea smooths obsidian arrowheads

and fashions them to wishing stones.

we are rivers, you and i

and we will whitewater

when the hills are heartbreak green

again.

z m evensen

revised 4_28_2010

photo  the meadows mammoth lakes california

ORANGE BLOSSOMS

no one's here

except sunshine

a book of poetry

and

i

bathing in the scent

of orange blossoms

z m evensen

27 apr 2010

A FRIEND'S GARDEN

Judy's Garden -- Nature's Palette

 I love the archway of pink roses and the abundance of colors. I haven't seen my friend Judy's garden in a couple of weeks. What an amazng transformation! Everything seems to grow gloriously as if each plant is in competion with its neighbor. Wonderful !  Judy and I have garden spaces in a community garden center in addition to our home gardens.  In this place, we have a very international  and very friendly group of gardeners who share gardening wisdom and fine cuisine expertise. Where else can one have authentic borchst or  spaghetti with heirloom san marzano tomatoes during our get togethers.

z m evensen

26 apr 2010

SPRING AGAIN

On the other hand, here are my daffodils this April at 8500 ft above sea level.  Huge contrast from the vibrant spring colors of Southern California.  I wasn't sure whether the bulbs would survive being buried under ten feet of snow and it is snowing off and on.  Another interesting experiment. Haven't seen the lilac bushes and catmint come out from under the snow. I also planted grape hyacinth , dutch irises and ranunculus as well as red poppy and bachelor button seeds.Hope these will survive the deer which will  to be out in force soon. One thing I know, chives seem to be coming as 'volunteers'.  I heard Munstead lavender can survive -10 Celsius weather. Will try that this spring. Moreover, I can't wait for fishing season to open soon!

grapes in spring

photo z m evensen

Spring  in Southern California!  Almost every garden I see have grapes growing vigorously!   The recent rains most certainly helped. My grapes are  growing on a hillside.  We planted this little 'vineyard' last spring and as you  can see  below was our merlot last summer. Actually, we had so much grapes the first year -- thanks to the birds and  squirrels  that the fruit did not go for naught.

It would be interesting to be a vintner . A grand experiment, I must say. I have 14 vines -- half table grapes and have wine grapes -- merlot, sirrah, cabernet, zinfandel . We did this on  a lark -- our soil being mostly clay.  Right now, the young leaves are huge and  abundant -- great for stuffed grape leaves recipes.

photo z m evensen

geraniums

photo z m evensen

Looking for diesel oil for my thirsty persimmon truck,

I drove into King City -- crossed the tracks

next to rusty dilapidated buildings and fallowed fields.

Town folks in white sombreros walk in bunches --

as if walking alone is penance at high noon. 

The town sighs under the weight of purgatory --

its billboards and store signs frozen.

Time seems to move in foggy circles.

Yet, as I got lost  past the labyrinth
of small streets and narrow driveways,

homes explode in an allelujah
of red geraniums and life!

z m evensen

27 jun 1998 -- re  24 par 2010

____
Botanical Note:  This geranium is supposedly relatively new. I got a cutting from an friend. To my surprise, the flowers are variegated  as well as solid.

arrogance!

photo z m evensen

hibiscus flaunt haughty colors

at elegant monarchs.

such arrogance!

Gardening to me is an exercise in curiosity and surprises. So, my gardens are  very much that. Most of the time, I do not listen to  thou-shalt-do-this advice of garden gurus. Indeed, it has been a grand experiment  and so much fun. Hope you enjoy this blog as much as I enjoy sharing it with you!