I just dug up about a million crinum lily bulbs!
And Badger helped.
The Great Outdoors
Scorched Earth Style Gardening
StandardSince the plumeria and graviola are a memory I figured ‘wot the hell, Archie?’ and undertook a full sweep. Zero fucks given.
The lilies are to be dug up and relocated where they aren’t so close together (Crinum hari-kari).
Those idiots behind me are probably regretting cutting my beautiful ivy down now… heh…
Lots still to do, obviously…
Front to Back
StandardRoughly half my hopes for survival rested on this lovely front I’d named George.
And then he occluded.
We’re in the Fort Lauderdale area and have prepared as best we can… and are still working… but how do you really prepare for a Cat 4/5 storm?
Sure, we have brand new impact windows… but I’m worried about the old doors. I’m worried about the roof. I’m worried that the whole damn house will go. I saw it, after Andrew. It just took my roof and most of my stuff, but down in Homestead, entire communities were wiped from the face of the earth as though they’d never existed.
I know, just like Galveston. And every other place… And all I can see when I close my eyes is the Andrew devastation.
If you’re in this, know that I’m praying for you.
Bastard front.
Hurricane Prep/Disaster Kit
StandardThis is my master list so I’m dropping it here.
GENERAL
- Silicone caulking for bathtub drains to hold water. The caulk will not affect the taste of the water and cleans up easily. Just use a thick bead around the seams and it will pull away cleanly when dry.
- Manual can and bottle openers.
- Folding stove, oven mitts. Better to use a camp stove or grill; but don’t use them indoors. In a pinch, you can use ”canned heat” (Sterno, etc.) but it will only heat food; it won’t cook it.
- A battery-operated radio and/or television.
- Extra batteries.
- A windup clock.
- Battery-operated lanterns and enough flashlights for each member of the family, plus extra batteries and bulbs. Candles and kerosene lights can cause fires and severe burns. If you must use candles, never leave one burning unattended.
- Duct tape.
- Lightweight fire extinguishers.
- Wrench to turn off household gas and water. Keep it near the shut-off valves.
- Chain saw, gassed up, oiled and ready.
- Generator.
With and Without Feather
StandardWhich do you prefer?
I only noticed the Loggerhead Shrikes this year. They are suddenly abundant, loud and nearly completely fearless. I like them.
1 + 2
StandardOne planted, two of the unplanted garden variety.
A crinum blooming of course… I’m very consistent.
And two ‘weeds’. I like the weeds, actually. The birds and bees feed off them.
On the Wing
StandardYoung Ibis…
…and this magnificent dragonfly was sooo far away it was a dead cert I missed the shots.
As Shot
Standard
How often can I claim that now? Lightroom is my best friend.
Butterfly from 2012.
In My Airspace
Standard
Luna
StandardI captured (and subsequently released) a Luna moth caterpillar. Couldn’t help myself; it was huge. Easily the largest I’ve ever seen. And so close to his pupal stage.
He was the length of the mason jar.
His legs were nightmarish. Seriously. They have ‘faux legs’ that look harmless and then the things you see when he’s turned over, which grab leaves and… elongate.
Tell me that won’t give you bad dreams.
