The Process of Abscission

Posted on November 20, 2020 by Enchanted Seashells

Leaf Loss / Bare Bones / Blue Sky

This ash tree started out in 1985 in a five-gallon pot as a housewarming gift. As soon as the leaves begin to drop–in just a day or two– the branches will become bare and I’ll have a LOT of raking to do.

Abscission is the reason why leaves fall. Scientists believe that a reduction in sunlight leads to the reduction of chlorophyll in the leaf due to a reduction in photosynthesis and this may trigger the abscission of leaves. The actual process occurs when the weaker cells near the petiole are pushed off by the stronger cells beneath them.

I’m sure there’s an analogy or parallel to my LIFE but I’ve had a tough week and I’m tired of thinking and not able to direct my brain to untangle the profundities because right now all I want to do is quietly savor the stark, elegantly naked branches.

It reminds me of my little vase of twigs and another example of ma. (https://enchantedseashells.com/2020/10/25/ma-the-space-between-things/)

As pretty as it is all dressed in green, the artistry of bare bone branches are stunning in their strength of simplicity,

I see the graceful arms of a dancer against a backdrop of the bluest sky of the year.

– Coco Chanel: “Simplicity is the final achievement.Simplicity is the keynote of all true elegance.” …
– Frederic Chopin: “Nature is pleased with simplicity”. …
– Isaac Newton: “I have just three things to teach: simplicity, patience, compassion.These three are your greatest treasure” …
– Lao Tzu: “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.”

AfterGlow

Posted on October 11, 2020 by Enchanted Seashells

There is nothing so beautiful as the glow of late afternoon sun through bright orange Birds of Paradise.

I spent the day digging out a tree and stubborn roots that should never have been planted so close to the house. That left a big hole that was crying to be filled in.

My Birds of Paradise were ready to be divided, so I worked and worked and worked at it until I could separate a section to fill in the empty space.

I like to fill in the empty spaces—in gardens, in conversations, and in sad hearts, too.

When I finished, I looked up and was rewarded with a beautiful sunglow behind the Birds of Paradise.

Paradise, right?

One Tree: Two Hawks

Posted on September 3, 2020 by Enchanted Seashells

From 2017 for #throwbackthursday

It was a great day to spend time in my garden with these two hawks. Do you know what they were looking at? Me, taking photos of them.

Love is All Around

Posted on August 18, 2020 by Enchanted Seashells

Even here where a little green worm ate a heart-shaped hole in the leaf of a Cup of Gold vine. How can I possibly be mad at the damage when he left me such a beautiful message?

Right back at you, little guy!

Portrait of a Naked Lady

Posted on July 12, 2020 by Enchanted Seashells

Did you really think it was something else?

So sorry if I disappointed you!

Let me introduce you to Amaryllis Belladonna, fragrant light-pink flowers that appear once their green foliage has died back, giving them the common name of “Naked Ladies.”

Nothing common about THIS beauty!

Happy Sunday, y’all.

Blossoms of July

Posted on July 4, 2020 by Enchanted Seashells

These (not mine) bluey-blue hydrangeas are amazingly beautiful.

So is this dogwood (also not mine).

But my own very rosy red hydrangea gift is special and belongs to me!

That’s it. Nothing more to say, but enjoy the 4th!

Where’s the bunny? #wordlesswednesday

Posted on June 17, 2020 by Enchanted Seashells

Do you see my bunny friend hiding in the foliage?

Surrounded by Silver Shield, Pride of Madeira, Jade, and whatever random ground cover I can propagate, my bun managed to shelter himself perfectly within their protection.

#wordlessWednesday

Symmetry and Succulents

Posted on June 13, 2020 by Enchanted Seashells

For me, when hell breaks loose all around, there is solace in symmetry and succulents.

My happy place. No matter what.

Garden; verb and noun.

Breathe.

Happy Saturday!

I love these little matching pots from Daiso. They kinda sorta remind me of Chanel quilting. The plant saucers, also from Daiso, were meant to hold ginger and wasabi for sushi.

Nothing but a round sunny yellow plate with a variety of succulents, but they bring joy.

View at Medium.com

Hot summer day in the garden

Posted on June 9, 2020 by Enchanted Seashells

Really hot for the beach…

And probably super crowded, too difficult to maintain proper social distancing, so I’m here:

with a couple friends …

and some mulberries that aren’t quite ready…

along with some pretty pretty flowers…I’m enjoying all the lush and colorful garden because pretty soon no matter what I do, the grass will turn brown ‘cos we probably won’t have more rain until next winter and the dry hot SoCal Santana winds make watering a futile effort.

An Evolution Of Blue

Posted on May 20, 2020 by Enchanted Seashells

Since I’m pretty much a (willing) prisoner here at Casa de Enchanted Seashells just like we’re all enduring stay-at-home orders, I decided to create a positive mindset and find the beauty inside and outside these four walls and my infinite garden.

Today, the sky is blueblueblue with occasional puffy clouds so I thought I’d focus on blue.

Cerulean, ultramarine, the shade of a Ceylon sapphire.More like a periwinkle blue, but still BLUE.

The blue of agapanthus, also known as Lily of the Nile, from bud to flower.