High Praise Indeed from Old Black Thumb

My favorite houseplants are the two that require occasional dusting. The “real ones” survive to spite me. Their sole raison d’être is to suck up the carbon dioxide in my air and spew forth oxygen. That is, if they can breathe at all through the drought induced dust on their leaves.

Our outdoor plants are usually those simple to grow. Long ago I gave up tulips. The squirrels watched me plant the bulbs and, as soon as I went inside, they were digging them up. Partially chewed squirrelly guides to bulb locations were all they left behind. Seeds have a less than 50 % chance of germination under my guardianship. After I thin the bravest about 25 % of those will actually bloom. For obvious reasons, the flower and vegetable flats that cost a fortune are my best bet. They have been cold—and gardener—hardened before I put them in the ground.

It’s not that I don’t admire a nice garden. My neighbor has a master plan of lovelies that blooms from April through October. I enjoy the view. Tactfully, they never mention theirs. Travel in Ireland, Great Britain, and France as well as a number of area botanical gardens reveal beautifully planned and executed displays. I’ve enjoyed strolling through many such gardens, hardly deterred at all by swarms of bees that have my name engraved on their stingers.

It is strange indeed for me to promote any floral oases, but I have just returned from Southern California (again!) and need to sing the praises of a little gem we found in Corona Del Mar. The Sherman Library and Gardens are special. The garden specializes in rare cacti and succulents of desert regions from as distant as South Africa. A delightful Conservatory is tucked away in one corner of the property. It features ferns, orchids, bromeliads, and a koi pond abounding in large, varied colored fish. Beautiful flowers treat the eye throughout.

There are fountains, sculptures made of natural materials, and creative displays that emphasize color, texture, and contrast. There is a library that has a special collection of materials on the history of the Pacific Southwest and the Gulf of California. The library's old maps depict California as an island.

The facility has a Café operated by North African chefs well tutored in the art of the crêpe. Café tables surround one of the fountains. The peaceful and relaxing sounds of the water enhance the dining experience. A larger area is available for catered events.

We spent hours exploring and enjoying this treasure of Orange County. Little did I realize that a garden could be as relaxing as sitting on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean as the tide begins to ebb. High praise indeed…


The photos that accompany this entry include (from bottom to top) the fountain near the Café, a corner of the garden resplendent with a variety of cacti, the Koi Pond, and a variety of cacti I’d like to call the Prickly People Eaters.

Twenty Minutes

What if…You have finished all your work and find that you have twenty minutes absolutely free. You are home alone and must remain in the house. What would you do in that allotted time? Bear in mind that “social networking” will not be allowed. No telephones, “texting,” TV, A/V devices, or computers! Would you spend the time, waste it, use it, or kill it? There is a difference. And that difference can say a lot about you.

Some might read—a book, magazine, old mail. Some might write—a journal, a letter (paper only!), or a list of things to do. Others might make music or draw. A few might take a nap, or daydream. Maybe you would do yoga or another form of exercise. How many would pace the house like a caged animal?

There is no correct answer to this “what if”. If you reflect on what you would have done, how you would have filled those 20 minutes, you might learn something important about yourself. Are you comfortable with quiet, with being alone? Do you need something to do? Were you at a loss to fill those long, long minutes or were you happy to have the opportunity to do something you haven’t had time for in ages?

Did the nap refresh you? What did you dream? Were those twenty minutes a ‘treat’ or a “time waster”? Did the time pass slowly or quickly? Was it terribly difficult to be without your electronic toys for even that short period? Were you glad to “get on with your life” or would you want to have those twenty minutes again?

If you considered the time as 20 minutes to kill, what was so much more important that you were kept from? If you used your twenty minutes, do you feel like something was accomplished? If you wasted the time, is there cause for guilt or anger over such unproductive behavior? If you spent the time well, perhaps it could be considered an investment in yourself. Examine your reactions. Twenty minutes isn’t much. Your perception is all. The difference is subtle but important.

What if…you had those twenty minutes every day, a few times a week, or a couple of times a month? Could that small amount of time enrich your personal life? Is it valuable enough to you to want those minutes on a regular basis? How could you find the time? You don’t find it. You take it. What if…