The balsam apple did not disappoint -- when I went to check it yesterday afternoon it had peeled itself open like a creepy alien pod from a '50s horror movie. This is exactly what I remember Mrs. Evans carrying into our classroom.
I was surprised some of you said in yesterday's comments that you'd never seen this plant before. It's very common in Central Florida, growing on roadsides, fences and in orange groves (particularly untended ones). Supposedly it's wild throughout the Southeast. Keep an eye out for it, but don't let the pod people steal your soul while you sleep.
The family vibe is starting to press in on me a little bit. There are a lot of people around here, and conversations tend to flow rather roughly, like a river eddying around rocks and splashing over rapids rather than maintaining a unified, placid stream. Besides, some people want to watch football. Ugh. Why are televised football games always so freaking LOUD?
I stay sane by getting out of the house and walking around with the camera, stalking suspicious cormorants (above)...
...and nervous blue jays.
Today I'm driving up to my mom's house where I'll spend the next two nights before rejoining my dad on New Year's Day.
I hope things are quieter on the football front at your mother's...Give my best to both parents.
ReplyDeleteI know I must have seen those things but I swear I don't remember.
ReplyDeleteFootball is loud because people who watch it are deaf. Trust me.
Your birds are lovely.
yes, football drives me out of the house too. well, at least out of the room. great pic of the bluejays and the weird apple thing.
ReplyDeleteThat is one very scary looking plant!
ReplyDeleteThank goodness I don't have to share my TV with a football fan!
I have never seen one before … and now I can't unsee it!
ReplyDeleteSending lots of energy to help buffer the chaos of family gatherings. You will prevail!
I despise football, but I think you already knew that. I LOVE your photos, though, and your quiet razor-sharp humor.
ReplyDeleteThat is one ugly plant! It screams "keep away from me!" I have never seen one before even though I lived in Florida for ten years. And I used to ride through old orange groves on my horse. I think I would have noticed had I seen one. Yuck.
ReplyDeleteI hate football too. Senseless game.
I hope your Dad is okay. Sending good thoughts your way.
the cormorants look like they can't decide- "what do you want to do?" I don[t know, what do you want to do?"...that weird plant does indeed look like a warning!
ReplyDeleteGlad Olga isn't around to see how it rolls!