Find out about Sunflowers for Japan

I came back from our trip and all of the sunflowers had dropped their seeds. I’m guessing there was a spectacular feast based on the empty shells that were all over the ground and most had been enjoyed by birds or squirrels or something.

Our landlord has been ill and fretting over his inability to tackle the yard maintenance. He sent a message for me to move all the container plants from the porch. I read between the lines and cleaned up all the plants. Filled the whole recycling bin with stems and empty flower heads.

I was a little too sad to take pictures of anything. My magical escape garden on my porch is gone now and the place looks as sterile as if I’ve moved.

Maybe a very fat bird will come by and thank me for some winter food stock. Maybe the fun will happen next year and the giant flowers will appear all over the neighborhood, replanted by a small healthy group of seed spreading scavengers, or guests in this case.

Time for another villanelle.

We just saw two young couples taking pictures of each other with the sunflowers.

One of our sunflowers has grown to be as tall as the orange tree, and high as the eaves. I’ve placed a sign next to it that reads “magic seeds and fairy dust”.

Yesterday we watched a father explaining it to his 3 year old. We can see people stoping to take pictures from our office window.

Just waiting for it to bloom. I think it may draw a crowd.

That moment when you see the trace of a firework reach its highest point before it opens.

I put this one so it can look in our window at us.

This is the very first big one to bloom. It always has a bee on it.

Having success with the sunflowers. They are starting to bloom.

Was reading today about a terrible high fat and meat diet that I’d never do. The caveat was to not eat fish from the Pacific. Beef is still ok in the twisted reality of this diet guru.

Protein is very confusing and difficult. All I know is that I feel ok at 800 calories of yummy food and thats what I’m sticking with.

So I just wanted to share the success of my new little black bean seedlings. I put them in the little patch in our yard that I have secretly taken over. Our landlord didn’t give permission but I’m in rebelion. I secretly think that if the world goes haywire and society breaks down, someone will be glad I planted illicit veggies.

OK , I drank alot this eve. High quality imports but more than the lack of carbs could manage.

My little black bean plants and some borrage are happy and fanning their new soft leaves in the sunshine. I love them.

Heard yesterday that the radioactive fish are now being caught http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-501843_162-57443573/radioactive-bluefin-tuna-crossed-the-pacific-to-us/ Just one more reason not to eat big fish.

My daughter is a biologist so she always sends me really thoughtful views of biodiversity and ecology. She pointed me at this TED talk by Pavan Sukhdev called “Put a value on nature!” http://www.ted.com/talks/pavan_sukhdev_what_s_the_price_of_nature.html#.Txd48URrw90.facebook

Bees…..
The rainforest…..

We so seldom value the things that provide so much for us. I’m wondering where I missed this concept. I so love these TED talks.