This Odessa Calla Lily (Zantedeschia rehmannii violacea) is dark as a moonless night. In shade, the deep purple bloom is nearly black. Today, sunshine illuminates the royal purple curve of the petals. It’s one of my favorite flowers, especially since it thrives in the hot summer sun of rain-deprived SoCal.
These two very friendly lizards hope you all have a great Wednesday!
I walked by the location of that big fire a few months ago (https://enchantedseashells.com/2021/01/20/fire-in-carlsbad/)
It no longer smells like charred wood, but the twisted and tangled bones of this burned tree is an ever constant reminder.
This elusive Scott’s Oriole has been taunting me for years, sitting in one spot for great lengths of time ONLY when I don’t have a camera near me, and when I do, he flits around like a hummingbird.
This time I was able to capture his beauty for a single brief moment, his yellow vibrant against the green screen of a Giant Bird of Paradise.
What a beautiful profile of a beautiful boy!
Ah, proof there are still glittery sprinkles of enchantment in my little world. Or maybe more accurately; otherwordly.
I was diligently washing the deck yesterday, fully immersed in my terra firma (not on a ladder) project, looking down as I scrubbed the redwood planks before they dried in the sunshine. I can’t exactly recall why I looked up but I am SO GLAD I DID I because this rare and beautiful sight made me gasp: a rain’ess rainbow! I noted the time: it was close to high noon.
Check out my Sun Dog/Sun Bow!
They are iridescent rainbow clouds without a drop of rain in sight. This phenomenon is known as cloud iridescence or irisation. It’s a type of photometeor.
The term “sun dog” (or mock sun) originates from Greek mythology. It was believed the god Zeus walked his dogs across the sky and that the bright “false suns” in the sky on either side of the sun’s disk were the dogs.
A sundog is seen about 22° to the left or right of the Sun. Sundogs often form in pairs on either side of the Sun. Often they appear white but sometimes they are quite colorful, looking like patches of rainbow. The colors usually go from red closest to the Sun, out to blue on the outside of the sundog.
Probably the biggest difference between a sundog and a rainbow is that a rainbow usually signals an end to rain, while a sundog can mean that rain or snow is on the way. Next time you see a sundog, look out for wet weather! https://www.almanac.com/what-are-sundogs#
However, here in very DRY Southern California, there is no moisture in the forecast.
The rainbow always held special significance among the different Native American Indian Nations. It is connected to the Spirit (Supreme God/Creator/Source/All-That-Is) in all things. There are many prophecies and stories from the Cree, the Hopi, the Zuni, and the Cherokee related to the rainbow warriors.
One source says: “While meteorologists have a physical understanding of the circular rainbow around the sun, wisdom keepers of the Americas and Tibet have complementary spiritual understandings about this dramatic omen around the Sun which is known as the Whirling Rainbow or the Sunbow.”
For some native people, the Sunbow or Whirling Rainbow is considered to be a sign from Creator, marking a time of great change, or transition on the Earth. This full-circle rainbow around the Sun, some elders say, can be understood as a sign to people of the necessity to live a life in respect and harmony with all the creations that make life possible: plants, animals, waters, minerals, fires, winds, and other human beings.” https://lifeheartandsoulblog.wordpress.com/2011/02/27/rainbow-around-the-sun/
According to the prophecy, “There will come a day when people of all races, colors, and creeds will put aside their differences. They will come together in love, joining hands in unification, to heal the Earth and all Her children. They will move over the Earth like a great Whirling Rainbow, bringing peace, understanding and healing everywhere they go. Many creatures thought to be extinct or mythical will resurface at this time; the great trees that perished will return almost overnight. All living things will flourish, drawing sustenance from the breast of our Mother, the Earth.
The great spiritual Teachers who walked the Earth and taught the basics of the truths of the Whirling Rainbow Prophecy will return and walk amongst us once more, sharing their power and understanding with all. We will learn how to see and hear in a sacred manner. Men and women will be equals in the way Creator intended them to be; all children will be safe anywhere they want to go. Elders will be respected and valued for their contributions to life. Their wisdom will be sought out. The whole Human race will be called The People and there will be no more war, sickness or hunger forever.” Navajo-Hopi Prophecy of the Whirling Rainbow
I curated info from a few different sources. I have never before experienced this marvelous sky show. I watched it until it disappeared and was lucky enough to snap a few photos to remember an enchanted and precious moment in time.
Feast your eyes on this beauty!
It’s a Reed avocado, a gigantic variety grown by a very generous friend. I’ve tried to grow avos but don’t seem to have the green thumb it takes to be successful.
It’s more than twice the size of a regular Fuerte avocado; about six inches long and weighs approximately two pounds.
I LOVE avocado in its purest form; split open and scooped out of the shell; beautifully green, rich, smooth, and creamy. Guacamole is my second favorite way to eat avos–what I don’t really care for is the trendy avocado toast, it tastes weird to me.
Did you know that the seed is edible too?
Practically everyone knows how good avocados are for health, but the nutrient contents of the seed itself might just surprise you. The seed contains about 70 percent of the total nutrients in the whole avocado. For its antioxidants and soluble fiber count alone, the avocado seed single-handedly beats any other fruit and vegetable available on the market. To include the seed in your diet also means to benefit from more potassium, copper and vitamins B, C, E and K than if you simply relied on the pulp.
From an even greater health standpoint, the seed is antimicrobial, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory. Simply because of its profoundly high antioxidant count, it helps to reduce free radical damage inside and out. This has the benefit of reducing cholesterol levels, boosting immunity and protecting the skin from wrinkles or even sun damage.
To enjoy the wonderful benefits of the avocado seed, simply crush or grate the seed and blend it into a smoothie. It can also be juiced or turned into tea by steeping it in hot water. If you’re not going to use it right away, it can be dried and stored for later. The avocado seed has a bitterness quite unlike the pulp, but it is nonetheless enjoyable once you get accustomed to it.
Imagine how many people simply trash the seeds after they eat the “good” part of the avocado. This often neglected part of this super food is just one more bonus that adds to the legendary status of the avocado. Learn more at: https://www.avoseedo.com/
How should we celebrate World Bee Day? Drink mead? Save a bee colony? Stop killing bees?
My recent post about a bee who rested for a moment on my deck underscores my understanding of the importance of this intelligent creature.
Here’s a website with all sorts of bee-related info: https://www.worldbeeday.org/en/
Why May 20, you might ask? And why Slovenia?
Slovenia proposed that 20 May be proclaimed World Bee Day.
From the website: “In May, the northern hemisphere sees bees and nature develop profusely, while the southern hemisphere enters autumn, when hive products are harvested and the season of honey and honey-based products begins.”
“In addition, 20 May is the birth date of Anton Janša (1734–1773), a Slovenian beekeeper, the pioneer of modern beekeeping and one of the greatest authorities on the subject of bees.”
Even the United Nations recognizes today’s date as #WorldBeeDay. …To raise awareness of the importance of pollinators, the threats they face, and their contribution to sustainable development, the UN designated 20 May as World Bee Day.
So…I’m not sure who is the first entity to claim the title of World Bee Day–was it the United Nations or Slovenia?
But who cares, as long as awareness is raised and we all become more educated about these little yellow and black striped flying honey makers.
I have never been able to successfully grow a dogwood; too bad because they are magnificent, but someone else has done really well with them.
I don’t know what it is, but it’s so green and evocative of spring. I think it’s Miner’s Lettuce, but I’m not 100% sure.
I have NEVER seen a color like the blue of this ceanothus. It’s a deep intense pure purpleblue, an amazing gigantic specimen.
Ceanothus has many ethnobotanical uses. Native Americans would mix the flowers with water to create a soapy detergent. It really works! Roots and leaves have reputed medicinal properties, and the long, flexible stems of some species are used in basket-making. The common name for Ceanothus americanus, a species from the eastern United States, is New Jersey Tea, which refers to its use during the Revolutionary War as a substitute for traditional British tea.
The camera definitely doesn’t capture the saturation of color. It’s full of the sound of buzzing BEES.
#WordlessWednesday
I used to be terrified of bees mainly because I’m allergic — which is certainly a plausible rationale for fear, but I have so many bees here at Casa de Enchanted Seashells–they love rosemary and lavender and other herbs, that I’ve decided to quell my anxiety and bee friendly.
Bees are incredibly valuable to sustaining life on Earth; they deserve our love and protection, along with a healthy respect for their ability to cause pain. Angel Boy 2.0 and I spend quite a bit of time researching bees.
This little guy took a rest on the deck from his hard work saving Planet Earth and was perfectly amenable to pose for a series of photos and then he buzzed away. More flowers, more pollen, more honey!
Enchanted Seashells | Princess Rosebud 