...and the livin' is easy.

Well, maybe after months and months of grueling hard work, 2 failures for every success and battling vermin from above and below. And even then, only if you can find the time between a full-time job (with plenty of overtime), dealing with the drama of various family members and of course working, as opposed to relaxing, in the yard.

But then it happens. Those stolen precious moments, like when you're sitting on that strategically placed flat stone that provides perfect seclusion from all directions (not an easy task in any major metropolis) for slowly being hypnotized by the sway of looming sunflowers. Or, like when you're peering back at nasturtium flowers that are peeking at you from amongst palm branches which they climbed up as if to get a better view of the garden. Or like when a pair of hummingbirds suddenly darts directly in front of you, hover for a moment before breaking into a mid-air song and dance just inches from your face, then swoop right over you to snatch a couple of strands of hair from your head for their nest, like a scene straight out of Pixar.

Ok, maybe it wasn't a few inches in front of me, but a couple of feet. And the hair snatching..., entirely made up.

But whatever. It's summer!!

And the livin'


....is easy.


Here are some pics taken during the July 4th weekend. Enjoy. I know I did. :)


West side's thriving plantain



The north wall: sunflower, horehound, lion's tail, some 5-year old Echinacea, and yarrow and plum



Valerian and rosemary on the north side



More of the north wall, with Echinacea, 6-year old motherwort, plum, kumquat and aloe



Aloe vera (from a friend) and 7-year old comfrey on the north side



Echinacea angustifolia (from a friend) on the north side



Potted 3-year old Ephedra on the north side



3-year old Chinese rhubarb on the east side



More east wall: evening primrose and marshmallow



East wall with 7-year old St. John's-wort and aloe on the right, and red shiso and 4-year old Chinese licorice on the left



4-year old Goji berry on the eastern wall



Plants waiting for a permanent spot in the garden: jojoba, walnut, Stevia, a type of mallow, Ephedra, holly and creosote bush



Front yard on the south side


All of the above areas around the yard were flat and either covered with dead grass or cement when I moved in a bit over 3 years ago. I should find one of the before pictures.....