As the almost-springtime sun gets steadily brighter, it has given us another blooming cactus -- the Rhipsalis, or bird's-foot cactus, on the front windowsill. This plant is an offspring (via a cutting) of a plant given to me by my babysitter/surrogate grandmother, Mrs. Kirkland, back in the '70s. I've had it most of my life. Hard to believe! It just sits in the front window and except for a weekly watering I mostly ignore it, which is probably what makes it happy.
Our other blooming cactus has put out a second flower.
It's such a joy to watch the sun get brighter. We've had a really good weekend of sunny days, albeit a little cold. Yesterday morning Olga really wanted to sit out in the garden, but as usual she wanted me to sit with her -- so we did a complicated dance whereby I'd let her out, but she'd stare at me through the glass door until I let her in again, then she'd stand at the door asking to go out, etc. This only ended when I brought her dog bed and a chair and sat next to her in the sun with my New Yorker, which meant I needed a sweatshirt, hat and jacket because it was about 48º F (or 10º C).
In the afternoon I walked her up to Fortune Green so we could check out the daffodils. Olga was a bit hesitant to walk that far but in the end she made it just fine and even chased her tennis ball. (Well, sort of.)
We paid the price last night, though, when despite her usual half-paracetamol with dinner she had trouble getting comfortable in bed. She woke us up twice scratching around and asking to go outside (which is what she does when she can't relax). Her achy bones demanded a second half-paracetamol, after which she finally settled down.
Otherwise, what did I do yesterday? I watered some plants, I cleaned the house. I finished another New Yorker. Normal stuff.
Sunshine like this is good for body and soul, man and beast.
ReplyDeleteWe've been having a sunny weekend, too, but it was cold enough for me to need my padded winter jacket and scarf; there was a nippy wind as well. But spring can't and won't be stopped, and there is a little more of it every day.
Just a quick comment on your previous post: Like you, I try to read outside my own bubble and look at events from more than just one (my own or the "official") perspective. It helps if one understands the underlying mechanics of spreading a story, which has basically not changed with Social Media - it just has become much faster and more widespread.
It's true -- sunshine really elevates the mood, even when the weather is cold. I think it's interesting to read a variety of media and see the ways the story changes in tone (or even facts!) depending on the source.
DeleteThe Ripsalis in interesting... I haven't met that one before
ReplyDeleteMaybe they don't grow up your way?
DeleteI miss the New Yorker and, thanks to you, am tempted to subscribe again. Sweet, bossy, Olga... still walking in the daffodils.
ReplyDeleteI love The New Yorker but it's a curse as much as a blessing, coming as often as it does.
DeleteAhh, sweet Olga ... I'm glad to hear she still has you wrapped around her paw :) Sometimes I need a painkiller after extra activity, too. It works wonders.
ReplyDeleteThe days are getting longer here, too, and I'm appreciating them so much. I have never minded the early dark as much as I did this winter.
Yeah, what was it about this winter? I had the same reaction. It seemed darker and drearier than usual.
DeleteCactus has such a wonderful rear bokeh that presents itself in a dreamy look. Olga show from low ground level reveals a great perspective. Olga is so cute
ReplyDeleteIt was really hard to get a decent background on that cactus photo. It's a confined space so I couldn't move around much and I wanted it against a darker background so the flower could be seen.
DeleteYou really know how to live life on the wild side Steve! As Steppenwolf sang, you are a "true nature's child"!
ReplyDeleteI'm all about danger!
DeleteIt always amazes me how proper neglect works so well with some plants. My brother has an aging dog and swears by a heated dog pad.
ReplyDeleteOh, that's a good idea. I never thought of that!
DeleteI watered plants and cleaned my house yesterday, too! Ah, Sundays, right?
ReplyDeleteI love a day to get caught up on things like that.
DeleteOlga and I are slowing down.
ReplyDeleteAs are we all!
DeleteI have also had a Rhipsalis for well over fifty years, the only time it bloomed was the first day of spring, anniversary of my Mom's death. I have always known it as "dancing bones cactus". Olga our darling, gives it her all. Love that little pooch!! When Dexter became old with congestive heart condition, I bought a stroller for dogs, He sort of appreciated it, but the smells on walks were too difficult to get to. I abandoned it.
ReplyDeleteI've never heard the "dancing bones" name -- interesting. Olga doesn't need a stroller yet but I've thought about the day when we may need to consider such a device.
DeleteThat is a sweet little bloom on the rhipsalis. Another week and that daffodil bed will be solid yellow.
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised it's not at its peak already! Or maybe it is -- could be a thin year for blooms.
DeleteIt's not always fun getting old.
ReplyDeleteBut as the saying goes, it's better than the alternative!
DeleteI know how Olga feels! Getting old is not for sissies! ;)
ReplyDeleteShe has good days and bad ones!
DeleteThat video is just precious. You chose exactly the right music. I hope that when it warms up some, Olga's old bones won't bother her quite as badly.
ReplyDeleteI think she will really benefit when she can sunbathe in warmer temperatures.
DeleteOlga's bones are just like my bones! Poor old girl. We're still living pretty good lives though!
ReplyDeleteThat is true!
DeleteSweet Olga, she will feel better when the warmer weather arrives. My dog is also 10 and he takes Cosequin for bone health. This seems to be helping.
ReplyDeleteHmmmm...we haven't tried that. She takes a fish oil supplement and, as I said, a daily paracetamol.
DeleteOlga and I are both having the same struggle, being 'senior' ladies. I cannot wait for it to warm up. The clocks go back this weekend. A surprise to me because I thought we were done with that nonsense.
ReplyDeleteWell hell. I didn't realize it was this soon! I want to stay on standard time year-round.
DeleteI think they spring forward, not back.
DeleteDoesn't it seem awfully early?
DeleteI love that little video with a bark at the beginning and a bark at the end and perfect music in the middle. In fact, that music would work well when I'm out exercising my own old bones.
ReplyDeleteGreat cactus blooms appearing in your windows.
I put the music in to eliminate all the street noise and my own sighing when I knelt down to film the flowers! LOL
DeleteI am seeing daffodils springing up on lost of blogs today and it makes me smile thinking Spring is closing in on us!
ReplyDeleteI'm also enjoying seeing them in blogland!
DeleteGreat video of Olga, it's good to see her out, tromping through the daffodils as only a large dog can. It appears that we are starting Spring in Tucson a month early, with the high winds we usually get in April.
ReplyDeleteOlga has always been a bulldozer when it comes to flowers. To her they're just obstacles to be trampled.
DeleteTreasure these walks with Olga. I'm glad you cater to the old girl. Dogs love to trample flowers.
ReplyDeleteI think she likes the way they brush her stomach!
DeleteWhy do dogs always have to walk through the flowers? Mine do too. Poor Olga, getting old is hard work.
ReplyDeleteHa -- like I said to Kelly above, I think they like the way they feel, brushing their abdomens. Just a guess!
DeleteThank you for yesterday's post. You made the research point I agree with.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment! It always helps to read widely.
DeleteOh, it's so nice to see Olga out having fun and those beautiful daffodils. It'll be another month or so before they surface outdoors here. I didn't know you could bring plants into the UK. I'm glad you've had this cactus for so long. That's really special.
ReplyDeleteWell, I brought a cutting, not the entire plant. The plant stayed behind with my brother, where squirrels in his yard demolished it!
DeleteI like the rascal that's plowing through the daffodils.
ReplyDeleteShe IS a rascal. She loves plowing through flowers.
DeletePoor Olga. But she does love her ball.
ReplyDeleteShe seemed happy to be in the park once we got there.
DeleteI can relate to Olga; I want to do lots of physical activity but then I pay for it the next day. Old age isn't easy. I was older than I should have been when I realized that cactuses have flowers. Do all of them?
ReplyDeleteI don't know. In the wild I think they must, in order to reproduce, but maybe some are so hybridized these days that they need to be replicated in other ways.
DeleteSunshine, Olga and daffodils, what could be better? Flowering cactus, that's what put the cherry on the cake. I've never heard of Rhipsalis.
ReplyDelete