Repost of My First Drabble

 Well apparently my Books at Large site has been hi-jacked by not so nice site.

So I am reposting my first drabble to my main blog. Without further ado (or not family friendly photos) here it is....

   Rayna from Coffee Rings Everywhere, dared everyone to write a drabble based on her picture.  I decided ever though I have never attempted a drabble I would try it.  I had so much fun writing it I think I will write more.
   A drabble is a story told in exactly 100 words, no more no less.  Try it you might get hooked.

Here is my drabble....

                                                        I am Cat



I live in a temple, as it should be.  My ancestors have been worshiped since the beginning of time.

I have been adored and pampered by kings and rulers through out the world.  I have had my own servants and cooks.   I decide who I will favor with my attention.  Who will be allowed to wait on me.

I chose when, where and what I will eat.  I have crowds coming daily to see me. They call for my attention.  People of all ages try to  entertain me.

 I am cat.  I live in a temple, as it should be.

                                     This photo is by Rayna M Iyer
                                      of Coffee Rings Everywhere


 ©2010 Pamela Jo

What the heck Gaia

So I saw this posted on Facebook....





And after the summer we have had with 40 days over 100 degrees. I was sooo excited.

Yes cooler weather on the way .

Then I watched the news today and saw this....





Oh yeah. I live in Texas. And in central Texas now where drought conditions rule and temperatures are high.

When I moved here last August it was an unusually wet year and the average temperature 87. My brother said the east Texas weather must have followed me to Austin.

Well this year was unusually mild through June. The normal first 100 degree day is June 29th but this year it was July 14th. The weatherman said we might not even have 32 days of 100 or over this year. 

But it was a trick. Austin had NO rain at all in July. We even had 19 days in row over 100 that was the 3rd longest in record keeping history. That is hot. Where is a tropical depression when you need it.

I really was hoping to be able to break out the sweaters and hot chocolate soon. Well maybe in December I can put up the shorts and flip-flops.


Until then I will just have to be content with this....








#AustinTxWeather #AustinTx

I blame Geoffery

Remember this commercial



I do. And everytime I don't want to adult I sing this song.

There are many times I am just tired of making all the decisions that we all must make everyday. Most of the time I just knuckle down and get it done.

But there are times I think of this and Geoffrey's message of not growing up. I then put off my work and play.

Yes there is a lot of benefits doing just that. But if you do that to much, you get in trouble. Bills don't get paid. The house doesn't get cleaned. Dinner doesn't get cooked. Clothes don't get washed. Plans for the future don't get made and you slip into the limbo between childhood and adulthood.
 
As I look around the house at the clothes piled in front of the washer, bills piled on the table, and dishes in the sink. I hear my mother's voice in my head saying to just get to it and get it done.

 So I might as well get to it.... but wait. What is that I hear? 

"I don't want to grow up. I'm a Toys for Us kid..."

It's been awhile and a roller coaster of ride...

 
I haven't posted a blog in quite awhile. There has been a lot going on since. I was last on here. There has been so much going on.

I finally married my soul mate and the love of my life after 26 years. (He has been proposing for the last 15, I was the one who hesitated. I really don't know why).

Our wedding

We found out Jack had cirrhosis of the liver, from a blood transfusion back in 1989 that saved his life, but gave him Hepatitis C. He took medication and was pronounced Hep C negative.

We found out he qualified for a liver transplant. (Good and Bad news).

We then found out he had developed liver cancer from the cirrhosis.

3 months later we were told it might have spread outside the liver, so he was taken off the transplant list.

Then there was a Doctor who didn't think there was anything to worry about, so refused treatment. A discussion with the insurance allowed us to go outside of network to MD Anderson where we found a wonderful Doctor and staff. But the 6 week wait for treatment allowed the cancer to double in size and spread to the lung.

The only treatment available was given to him. By the time we found out it wasn't going to work. There were no trials available.

We were told the cancer was spreading so fast that he would probably not make Christmas.

Jack made Christmas and New Years, but passed away at home on January 12th.

I have been just kind of drifting these last few weeks. I have gained weight and cry at the drop of a hat. So I have decided I need to get back to my writing. I know that is what Jack would have wanted. He was after me for quite awhile to get back to writing and drawing. So I am going to try to do that.

I can't promise I wont vent my anger and frustration at life, but I will try to not be a downer all the time.

Jack on the Tall Ship Elissa at our daughter's wedding

Another Character development story

  Here is another short story for character development. We were asked to develop a character by choosing a method we either haven't used or have used the least.

So here is my story. Let me know what you think.

Ice Cold Killer...

   The tall amazonian blond walked in the door, her short red dress drawing an admiring glance to her figure and long legs. Her ice blue eyes searched the dimly lit club until she spotted her prey sitting in the back corner. Quickly scanning area around him she easily spotted his muscle-bound guard dogs in their black suits with conspicuous bulges. A small scornful smile turned up the corners her red lips as she saw Liam and his men checking her out. “This is going to be easier than I thought”

   She made her way to the bar and ordered a Margarita on the rocks, she would have preferred straight Tequila, but she need a clear head. These preppy bars always watered down their mixed drinks so she could drink all night if she had to. She turned around on her bar-stool and studied Liam Williams. She knew him by reputation but had never meet him and that's why his bosses hired her. He would never see her coming. His file was in her purse, but she could recall what it said. Dark-haired man in his early 30s, married with 3 kids, mother still living. He goes to visit her at the Sullivan nursing home everyday at 10 in the morning. Spends most nights at the Culture Club on 8th street. Looking at him she could also tell he was a narcissistic middle man with dreams above his station. If he hadn't been here tonight she would have had to catch him at the nursing home tomorrow. He was due to testify before the grand jury at 9am on Friday. The burner phone in her purse lit up to show another urgent text, she had no idea what Liam knew but it sure was making the wrong people nervous. That was the 3rd text she had received since 5 o'clock this evening. “Their going to have a nervous break-down if they don't calm down. They know I always finish what I say I'll do. That's why they pay me the big bucks.” she mumbled to herself.

   Through the flashing lights and cigarette smoke she saw Liam and his entourage making their way to the dance floor. She palmed the small atomizer of cyanide solution and made her way to the floor. She danced her way over to Liam, and pretend to stumble. She apologized purposely slurring her words and sprayed him quickly in the face as she pretended to hang on for balance. One of his bodyguards helped her off the floor and back to the bar, to make sure she would be okay. When he headed back to his boss, she collected her purse and headed for the door. As she left, the door was closing behind her, she heard a scream and a yell “Call 911 he's having a heart attack.”

   She hailed a cab and climbed in the back. She sent the text: 'DONE' smiled and threw the phone out the window. She leaned back against the seat of the cab humming to herself. The other $50 thousand would be in her account by morning.

2nd Draft of a Starry Night Suprise

Okay here is the 2nd Draft...

What do you think???

Night Sky Surprise

After the last game of the season, John and Amy decided to spend the night stargazing. Even though he was on the team and she was in the cheer group, they much preferred a quite night spent studying the constellations to the loud, mindless parting of their peers.

By the time they reached the hillside, the faint sliver of moon had just set. The night was clear with a darkness so thick you could feel it. A perfect night to watch the stars. John easily swung the backpack with the telescope and blankets off his broad back. After handing Amy the blankets, he turned to set up the telescope. Amy spread the blankets on the ground, her mom's yellow patchwork quilt seemed to glow against the dark grass. This had always been her families favorite spot to stargaze, and ever since she meet John in Astronomy club he had joined her. The temperature was making a quick run through the 40s as it headed for the upper 30s. Amy shivered in John's leather varsity jacket and wrapped it tighter around her body. Pushing her long brown hair back inside her knitted cap she re-wrapped the long scarf her Aunt made her. Grabbing the small insulated backpack she had been carrying, she reached inside and pulled out the big thermos of hot chocolate and two mugs. She had also brought an assortment of snacks for latter. The wonderful smell of chocolate drifted to her nose as the steaming liquid filled the mugs. 'Mmmm, was there anything better than the smell of chocolate on a cold night?' Turning toward John, Amy stopped dead and stared at the horizon.

'What the heck?' She slammed her eyes shut to see if the image would disappear. But when she opened them the pulsing lights were still there. John turned toward Amy and his smile froze when he saw her face. 'Oh man. She's white as a sheet.'

“Amy. What's wrong?”

She just pointed toward the horizon, as if afraid to make a sound. John glanced up and his eyes widened in shock. Coming toward them were two lines of pulsating lights in a wide V shape formation. Behind the lights the stars seemed to vanish leaving only a black emptiness. The lights slowly glided across the sky without creating so much as a whisper. As they moved overhead, a rounded boomerang design became visible against the starry sky. It was a some kind of craft that seemed to be almost a mile wide. They continued to watch the giant ship as it glided over the hill and disappeared behind the tall pines at the other end of the field.

Amy looked quickly at John to verify he had seen what she did. “Was that what I think it was?”

John nodded and the both said at the same time,

“An alien spaceship!”

“A secret Military Plane.”

“A WHAT????” turning they stared at each other.

The Cat's Paw
http://www.eso.org/public/images/potw1228a/

Night Sky Surprise ---A Short Story

Alright folks. I had another assignment.

   This time I was to turn on the radio and make note of the first thing I heard. I was then to write a short story of no more than 500 words about it.

   So I turned on the radio and the news channel was on. Being how it was after Midnight, there was no news. It was Coast to Coast AM, and what do I hear... the host and the guest are discussing triangular UFOs and the debate of whether they are military craft or extraterrestrial.

   Okay, this is going to be real interesting, I didn't know there was such a think as a triangular UFO.

   So I did a quick internet search and came across the Phoenix Lights story. Hmm, okay now I got an idea....

Night Sky Surprise

John and Amy decided to spend the night star gazing. By the time they reached the hillside, the faint sliver of moon had just set. The night was cold and clear. The darkness so thick you could feel it. A perfect night to watch the stars. John easily swung the big backpack with the telescope and blankets off his broad back. After handing Amy the blankets, he turned to set up the telescope. Amy spread out the blankets on the grown, her mom's yellow patchwork quilt seemed to glow against the dark grass. This had always been her families favorite spot to star gaze, and now that John didn't have any games he could join her. The temperature was making a quick run through the 40s as it headed for the upper 30s. Amy shivered in John's leather varsity jacket and wrapped it tighter around her small body. Pushing her long brown hair back inside her knitted cap she re-wrapped the long scarf her Aunt had made her. Grabbing the small insulated backpack she had been carrying, she reached inside and pulled out the big thermos of hot chocolate and two mugs. Inside was also an assortment of snacks for latter. The wonderful smell of chocolate drifted to her nose as the steaming liquid filled the mugs. 'Mmmm, was there anything better than the smell of chocolate on a cold night?'

Turning toward John, Amy stopped dead and stared at the horizon.

'What the heck?' She slammed her eyes shut to see if the image would disappear. But when she opened them the pulsing lights were still there. John turned toward with a smile that froze on this lips when he saw her face. 'Oh man. She's white as a sheet.'

“Amy. What's wrong?”

She just pointed toward the horizon, as if afraid to make a sound. John glanced up and his eyes widened in shock. Coming toward them were two lines of lights, forming a wide v shape. Behind the lights the stars seemed to have vanished and there was only a black emptiness. The lights slowly glided across the sky without a making so much as a whisper in the night. As they moved overhead, John and Amy could tell the object was some sort of ship. The rounded boomerang design visible against the starry sky. It had to have been almost a mile wide. They continued to watch the giant ship as it crossed the hill and disappeared behind the tall pines at the end of the field.

Amy looked quickly at John to verify he had seen what she did.

“Was that what I think it was?”

John nodded slowly and the both said at the same time.

“An alien spaceship!”

“An experimental Military Plane.”

“A WHAT????” they both said while staring at each other like they suddenly gone mad.

Heightening your observation assignment.

Well, I have written another assignment. This one is about heightening your observation. It is to help you slow down your writing by adding more detail to it. (Boy, did it work, it took me almost 3 hours to write one very short story.)
I was to go back to my last assignment for developing a character and add more detail about the person and the scene. They wanted you to use your powers of observation to add sights, smells and sounds to the story.

The hardest part of this was the space count. I edited and edited and edited to get it down to fit in the space provided. I went from 1952 spaces to finally 1201.... Wait 1201. One freakin' character off.
Oh hell, if the reader can't tell the story is over, they need a whole lot more than one freakin' period.

So here is the final draft... all 1200 freakin' spaces of it.

As I listened to the bird's and watched the ever changing pattern of sunlight through the tree leaves, I heard the deep rumble of the school bus. With the sweet smell of honeysuckle lost in the acid smell of diesel fumes the big yellow bus came to a stop. The doors opened and I saw her on the steps. Her light brown hair swung forward hiding her face. A pair of worn blue jeans and red short sleeve t-shirt accenting her small frame. A sweater stuck out of a backpack that looked to weigh as much as she did. She slowly stepped down onto the black asphalt, took a few steps turned and waved to the bus. She fussed with her backpack, casting a sideways look through a curtain of hair. The boisterous noise of kids faded, she turned to go. The poor dear was limping and could only hobble a few feet before crumbling forward like someone let the air out of her. “Are you okay?” At the sound of my voice she jerked up and made a quick swipe at the tears I saw running down her face. She tried to smile, but failed. She shook her head and struggled to walk without limping. Recognizing that resolve to show no weakness, I offered her a tall stick 'to keep the dogs away' and watched her gallantly walk on

2nd and 3rd assignment...

Well, I have completed two more writing assignments. The first is to develop a character out of your notebook in  200 words or less. I have been taking notes of people I see as I set out on the patio. I picked out a school girl who get off the bus at our corner, for this assignment. I have no idea who is really is, but I will call her Sally.

Sally stifles the grimace of pain that crosses her face. She looks down allowing her long blond hair to fall forward and hide her face. She turned and waves good-bye to Mr. Merit and her friends on the bus.

Pretending to adjust the heavy blue backpack, she waits until the bus moves out of sight. The overpowering foul smell of the diesel fumes robing her of what is left of her breath. Turning toward home she gives into the pain of her injured ankle and allows her legs to buckle. At least no one was around to see her crying, she thought as the tears ran down her face refusing to be held back any longer.

“Are you alright, Honey?” said a concerned voice from the garage she was passing.

Sally jerked up as if pulled upright by the strings of a puppeteer. She gave a quick swipe at her face, before looking up. Not trusting her voice she nods, waves and slowly hobbles down the road toward home and Mom

After reading excerpts from George Orwell and Zoe Heller we were asked to revisit our assignment and add more detail to make it better. I chose to change viewpoints to add more depth to the paragraph. What do you think?

I noticed Sally when she stepped off the big yellow school bus. Normally she bounces down the steps with that big blue backpack and hurries down the road. Today she hesitated as if fearful of getting off. I saw her grimace as she stepped down, took a few slow steps forward turned and called good-bye and waved toward the bus, without really looking. She fussed with her backpack, while casting a sidelong look at the retreating bus. When the bus was out of site, she turned toward home.  Then I saw why she was acting different. She was favoring her right ankle. The poor thing was only able to hobble a few feet before crumbling toward the ground.

“Are you okay, Honey? Do you need some help.” 

At the sound of my voice she jerked straight up and made a quick swipe at the tears running down her face. She tried to plaster a smile on her face, but it came out as a pained grimace instead. She shook her head no and struggled to walk without a limp on down the road. I recognized that pride and determination to not show any weakness. So I offered her a stick 'to keep the dogs away' and watched her walk away. What she didn't know was I shadowed her, just in case.

Which one do you think is better? Did the second one improve the character development or not?

Feedback desperately needed...

Hi all. Remember me.

No, I'm not dead, at least I don't think so. If I am this is so cool... there is internet access in the afterlife.

I am trying to get back to writing, so I am taking an online fiction writing course at futurelearn.com. I am really enjoying it, except for one thing. There are too many freakin' people taking it with me.
I spend time writing posting my assignments, but no feedback. So I am going to start posting them here.
Hopefully you guys can help me out. After all without feedback, I think I am getting better, but who knows.

Well, here goes.

My first assignment was to write 2 paragraphs mixing fact and fiction. One paragraph had to contain 3 facts and 1 fiction the other 1 fact and 3 fictions.

 Here is what I wrote:

The pyramid glowed in the night. Creating a comforting light for those who lived near by. The magical powers of it's sound chambers gave the people a long healthy life and bless the lands with prosperity.  My father was one of many that designed it. The location was chosen for the underground springs that would create the proper harmony and energy needed, and  now, after 20 years, Khufu's Horizon was complete.


The strong winds continued to blow, as they had for the last 9 hours. The  lights had gone out 2 hours after the hurricane's arrival, and the candle light seemed to make the constant roar even worse. We stood at the windows watching the trees lean further and further over as the rain soaked grown gave up its hold on the shallow roots. One more tree down across the creek will block it and cause the water to raise onto the porch. The suddenly there was silence. The storm had passed and we were spared.

Well can you tell which one is which? Did I blend fact and fiction well?

Please, Please, Please help.

I will be forever in your debt and promise to remember you when I become rich and famous.

Crap as bad as my memory is I had better make up a file now with everyone's name so I can keep my promise. (Opens new File and types Little People who helped my out...)

HELLOOOO!!!! Anyone still out there???

HELLOOOO!!!! Anyone still out there??? 

 If the world ended yesterday, I guess no one will be reading this. 

If it didn't ...... HA, HA, they got you....

Yep, it did!!!!

Welcome to the end of the world...

   If the world ends today:

   1) I just wanted to say bye...  I have really enjoyed meeting all of you.

   2) Spend your last day enjoying yourself. (go out with, a smile not a frown)

   3) Call in sick to work....(if you were at the end of year party last night... you probably wont be lying.)

   4) If you work for the government, I know you have already figured out away to keep collecting taxes.
        (Why not press delete on the program...what are they going to do? Fire you!!!)

   5) Kiss someone... (but don't get arrested, it would be a bummer to spend your last day in jail)

   And last, but not least...

  Don't do anything you can't undo, if the world does not end.

Well, I hope to see you all tomorrow. (I sure hope the jello pudding thing works)

Party like there is no tomorrow...

   Is it just me?

   Does anyone else feel like the Mayan's made their calender so the world would have the ultimate excuse to party?

   If so, they definitely sent out the invitations in plenty of time. And publicity.... WOW. This party has been publicized world wide for years. (I know there are plenty of PR people that are green with envy.)

   So everyone out there, grab your favorite beverage and toast all your friends and loved ones. If the world doesn't end tomorrow.... oh well, I guess we will just have to throw another end of the world party later.

Some people have been waiting decades for this party.

W, Y and Z is for...

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   Okay so if I was stopped by the cops and given a field sobriety test I would fail the alphabet. Blame it on sleep deprivation. I do know that W comes before X... honest I do.

   Well here is the misplaced W. W has 2 flowers I couldn't decide between. The first one is "Winecup"  Callirhoe involucrata. I just love the name and the look of these little flowers. They are everywhere in the spring. They bloom through out the state, except in far West Texas, from February to June.

Picture from University of Texas Plant Resource Center

    The second W is "Wild Azalea"  Rhododendron canescens. You see many cultivated Azalea through out Texas, Houston even has the Azalea Trails every spring. But there are also 2 native Azalea plants in the east Texas woods. This one blooms in early spring before or just as the leaves start to emerge. Look for the flowers from February to May.

Picture from University of Texas Plant Resource Center

   For Y I had to pick this showy flower..."Yellow Lotus"  Nelumbo lutea. This plant has completely round leaves. The fruit and center of the flower actually look like shower heads. It is also relation of the sacred lotus of Asia, and can be found in muddy quite ponds in Eastern and Northern Texas. This lotus puts on its show from May through August.

Picture from University of Texas Plant Resource Center

Picture from University of Texas Plant Resource Center

  And for my last wildflowers of Texas, I present the Zinnias. There are actually 2 in Texas "Desert Zinnia"  Zinnia acerosa and "Plains Zinnia"  Zinnia grandiflora. Both are relitives of the fimiliar garden zinnia. The Plains Zinnia is found in the western half of Texas and starts its blooming period in June, a month earlier than it cousin. The Desert Zinnia can be found in far West Texas and the southern tip of Texas. The Zinnia bloom from July through November.

Plains Zinnia

Picture from University of Texas Plant Resource Center

Desert Zinnia

Picture from University of Texas Plant Resource Center

  This concludes our wildflower trip in Texas. I hope you have enjoyed and learned as much as I have. I have just touched on the Wildflowers of Texas. There are over 120 different flowering plants, not to the mention flowering trees through out the state. So next time you come don't forget to take a closer look at all the things around you.... you just might find something wonderfully unexpected.

  There are many great sites out there for wildflowers the one I used the most was from the University of Texas check out there Wildflowers of Texas site here. Another great site for wildflowers, not only Texas ones, is the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, you can find it here.

U, V and X are for....

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   I am so far behind, that I will have to do multiple letters. Jack has been back in the hospital. So I was there too. No computer... well no to get to the flowers.

  U is for "Unicorn Plant"   Proboscidea louisianica  subsp.  Fragrans. When you hear the name you might think of this guy or gal...

Click here to getImages &

Unicorns In Water Pictures - Pictures

 But this flower is actually a member of the common "Devil's Claw". The seed pods of this plant when rip will split in half and hook themselves on to the clothes or fur of anything passing by. The plant grows in West Texas and though an annual it can form clumps up to 6 feet wide. The foliage is sticky and unpleasant smelling with blooms from June through September.

Picture from University of Texas Plant Resource Center

    V is for "Violet Ruellia"   Ruellia nudiflora  var.  nudiflora.  This pretty little flower can be found in central and southeastern Texas. It grows anywhere including yards, where it is considered a weed, though a very pretty one. The ruellia blooms from February to November, but more abundently in the early summer. It is sometimes called a wild petunia, but it is not related to the petunia plant at all. The deer love the leaves and bobwhite quail eat the seed of this plant.

Picture from University of Texas Plant Resource Center

   No for X. First let me explain when I started these post I decided to use common names instead of scientific. That has worked out great....until now. There is no x common name, so I took a little liberty to post Xtra pictures that I have taken of wildflowers around my area.

Stinging Nettle... I stood waaay back for this one.

This little flower only blooms at night, I had to head out with the flashlight for this one.

  If you would like to see others I have taken check out this blog post... Signs of Spring

Since this is the last day I have another post scheduled for 1:30pm central time so that I may actually finish with everyone else.

T is for....

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   Today I have 2 more plants that are edible. One you probably already know about and one you may not. The first is "Texas Thistle" Cirsium texanum. This plant grows through out the state, except the Panhandle and the Pineywoods. The young leaves can be eaten raw in a salad or cooked. The tap root is also edible, and I read that when cooked the flavor resembles the artichoke. The stem fibers of the thistle plant can also be used as thread. 

   The Texas Thistle blooms from April through October.

Picture from University of Texas Plant Resource Center

  As you can see others think it pretty good food too.                                  

Photo by Melody Lytle of Travis.Tx

   The second edible plant on today's list is "Texas Prickly Pear"   Opuntia engelmannii  var.  lindheimeri. The Prickly Pear is one of the most well recognized of all the plants in Texas. It grows abundantly through out most of the state. The flowers on this castus can be yellow or orange. The orange being the most common in south Texas. During droughts it can also be used as emergency food for cattle. The prickly pear or tuna of the plant is delicious and the flat succulent leaves when the spines are removed are cooked as "nopalitos". Beware that older pads contain oxalic acid and may cause oxalic acid poisioning if eaten to excess.

   The cactus blooms from March through July, and is a feast for the eyes.

Picture from University of Texas Plant Resource Center

Photo by Melody Lytle of Travis.Tx

Photo by Joseph Marcus of Austin, Tx

S is for....

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   Okay S is a really hard one for me. Not because it is hard to find an S plant, but because there are too many interesting S plants. But one of the most interesting has to be the "Spanish Dagger"   Yucca treculeana. Not because it is a beautiful flower, even if it is, but because of its unique relationship with its pollinator the Yucca Moth. Their relationship is such that one cannot live without the other.  The small short lived moth does not have a long tongue like other moths and butterflies, but has testicles under its chin. The adult life is so brief they don't eat. After emerging from their cocoon, the male and female meet and mate in the blooms of the plant. The female then scraps up pollen from the flower of the Yucca and holds it under her chin. She then flies to another flower on another plant and searches for a flower in the right stage of bloom. She checks to make sure no eggs are already laid in the flowers ovary. The females can smell the scent of other females. If another female has laid eggs, she moves on to another flower. If too many eggs are laid in a blossom the plant will get rid of the flower and the eggs will die. So the female make sure of the survival of her offspring by laying only a limited number of eggs per flower. After she has laid the eggs, she goes to the stigma of the flower and spreads the pollen she collected on it to ensure pollination. 

   The flowering months of the "Spanish Dagger" is only 2 months March and April. The plant grows in the deep south of Texas.

Picture from the Wasowski Collection at Wildflower.org

Tegeticula sp. Photo by M.J. Hatfield, BugGuide.net

   One other very interesting plant in S is the "Spotted Beebalm"   Monarda punctata  var.  lasiodonta. All the Beebalms have a strong fragence when brushed or crushed (Lemon Beebalm can be used to repel mosquitoes). This version of the Beebalm or Horsemint has a strong fragrance of thyme and has the antiseptic compound thymol. This compound has been used in cough syrups and in the past has been used for the commercial source. This plant can be found in most of Texas except the extremly dry areas of West-central, West and Deep South Texas. The Beebalms bloom from April through August.

Picture from University of Texas Plant Resource Center

   I had to show the pictures of these beauties as well. The information can be looked up on the UT Library here.

Southern Lady's Slipper   Cypripedium kentuckiensis 

Picture from University of Texas Plant Resource Center

Strawberry Cactus   Echinocereus stramineus 

Picture from University of Texas Plant Resource Center

Silky Camellia  Stewartia malacodendron

Picture from University of Texas Plant Resource Center

R is for....

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   Today I have a couple of hardy souls. Both grow in limestone with very little soil. The first one is "Rock Rose" Pavonia lasiopetala. Despite the name this little flower is not a member of the rose family, it is a close relative of the hibiscus family. It naturally grows in the crevices of limestone and the dry areas of the Edwards Plateau, West Texas and south Texas. But the wildlife and cattle like it so much, that it is easier to find it transplanted into gardens. The drought tolerance and long bloom times make it a popular choice. This plant blooms from February all the way through November.

Picture from University of Texas Plant Resource Center

   The next one is "Rock Daisy" Perityle lindheimeri. There are 15 varieties of "Rock Daises" in Texas that grow on the limestone cliffs, only one variety grows in dirt. The "Lindheimer's Rock Daisy" grows on the cliffs in the Edward's Plateau and blooms off and on through out the year, from April through September.

Picture from University of Texas Plant Resource Center

Q is for....

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      Q is for "Quartervine"   Bignonia capreolata also known as "Crossvine". This woody vine was originally found in East Texas but has now naturalized in many parts of the state. The vine can grow to 50 feet. Around my house, you can find these flowers by looking up... way up in the trees. The flower colors have variations from bright red and yellow to solid orange, red and others. 

Picture by Pamela Jo

Picture from University of Texas Plant Resource Center

Photographer: Marcus, Joseph A of Austin Texas

P is for....

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   For P I have another vine. "Pasionaria"   Passiflora incarnata or "Passionflower". This plant is also known as "Apricot Vine" and "Maypop". This vine can be found all over the eastern half of Texas. Beside the showy flowers this vine also produces an edible fruit. In his book "Thousand Mile Walk to the Gulf" by John Muir. He states the apricot vine has "the most delicious fruit I have ever eaten."  

   The fruit ripens from yellowish to light brown. The pulp of the Passionflower is sweet and fruit when ripe. But, if it gets over ripe it has a fermented foul taste.

   There has been discoveries that suggest the Native Americans use to cultivate the vine for the fruit as well as medicinal use. Even today the dried and fresh whole plant is used in Germany, France and other European countries for nervous anxiety.

    I find this one around my house a lot, but I have never tried the fruit. I think I will this summer. Isn't the A to Z great I am learning new things everyday.

Picture from University of Texas Plant Resource Center

Picture for Wikipedia