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Peace & ponyshoes

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When I glanced at this Leonotis yesterday, it looked like it was saying "Peace".  I just searched 10 minutes for this photo, and I don't think my big ponyshoes story is going to be as good as I thought.  I moved this Aloe in March (probably ferox hybrid) from the slope to next to the pool full sun area.  It was reaching for the light so strongly, I felt bad for it.  After a month of no effort, and NO thank-you's for all the spring sunshine  - I jumped in to help the plant "open up". I put these tiny horseshoes -ponyshoes on some of the leaves.  I imagined this to be a dramatic reveal of my efforts, but it didn't really pan out that way.  I promise you the shoes worked! I have had to tune out the news, especially recently.  I checked in for a minute yesterday, and thought "wait, when is his term over".  It took me a second, then I realized - it's still the first year.  Ay yi yi.  Our town has a lovely tradition, a little flag is plac...
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Monkeying around

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 I had a great week relaxing with a friend, now I need to get myself back in gear! Not my home, but Jacaranda trees are in bloom everywhere and gorgeous.   I know they are very messy, still wow.  I'm tempted to guerrilla garden one into the empty planting space in the fire lane, so I can enjoy it and not clean up after it (much). The sunflowers have reached Jack & the Beanstalk heights!  At least 10'.   The goldfinches sit on the stems and rip at the leaves to eat. We've had a week.  Poor Doctor had a "winky" eye, so took him to see the vet.  He had an ulcer removed, and is sporting an Elizabethan collar for a bit.  Along with 2 different eyedrops several times a day.  It's much better today, and he's getting back to normal - restless, and wanting outside.  Sorry buddy.  And I fell at the end of a run yesterday, hard on my knee & hands.  I felt mostly fine, I mean it hurts to fall but I was o.k. and finished r...
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The Acquisition

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The San Francisco Succulent Expo was June 13-15, and I wanted to go on Friday.  However, I was busy getting ready for Father's Day family dinner- and mostly prepping for a friend coming to stay this week.  Sophia thankfully taking over the fussy part, I was getting frustrated.  I grabbed a ravioli and fried it in butter, just to test it out!  Mmmmmm. Olivia made the Tiramisu the day before so it could set.    It appears I didn't do anything, I assure you I was busy. As luck would have it, Ivan would be at the SFSCS show working with Martin Grantham.  He offered to shop for me, YES PLEASE! He was texting photos, and I'd reply with a thumbs up if I was interested.  He sent the photo below of Aloe Pachydactylos hybrid, to which I immediately thumbs up'd.  Then received this text! Fortunately, Ivan was able to nab some great things for me.  Even with eagle eye  Gerhard  shopping like it was Black Friday! First box from various vend...
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