Hornets, Whales and Bonsai Crepe Myrtles!

   It seems that 2020 has been a topsy-turvy sort of year and we are not finished with it yet.  What else is to come?   Any day now, I half expect to see Godzilla come sloshing up out of the Bayou.  Trust me...that would be no surprise after what this year has thrown at us.  In fact, I was reading a few oddities that have occurred and I am still astounded.  Have you heard about the whale in the rain forest?  Come now.  Does that seem normal?  Viruses, hornets...bah!  But a whale in the rain forest?  Seriously?  Yep, seriously.  It was all over the news about the dreaded Murder Hornets but I am more concerned about that whale!

  Now my oddity is nothing compared to the earth-shaking things the media is trying to shove down our throats but, when you have been confined to the Small Gardens for more than a month, things are exciting.  My garden "claim to fame" is...wait for it...a crepe myrtle tree!  Yay!!!  Oooh!  Ahhh!  Ok, enough of that.  But, indeed, I was totally engrossed by such a tree this morning and spent a good ten minutes weeding around it.  You see, I have never seen a baby crepe myrtle tree bloom!  Yep, THAT is something that should be news worthy!  "Breaking news!  Climate changes have started creating miniature versions of trees that are blooming all across the South!  We are thinking these trees are harbingers of bad times to come as the trees will spread like wildfire!  They will kill off all food supplies and, worse yet, will steal toilet tissue causing massive shortages!"  Sound about right?  Yeah, well, this is exactly why I do not have a TV in the house.  

  But I do have four inch tall crepe myrtle trees blooming in the front yard.They are like cute, little wild bonsai trees!   Obviously, I neglected to cut back the spent blooms of the large trees last year and the seeds were viable.  Tiny crepe myrtle trees are everywhere and all are blooming!  They are so adorable! 

  Well, that is my all important news flash for today.  Other than that, all is quiet on the Bayou.  We are at peace here.  I do, however, have so many questions about that whale.  Why?  How?  What on earth was it thinking to go there?? What was it seeking?  Did a bird drop it?  If so, I want to see that bird!  Which opens another can of worms!  

Revival Time!

  Years and years ago, my aunt gave me the start of many plants that grew in her gardens.  Aunt Marie always had beautiful gardens about her place and some of the most interesting plants could be found there.  One plant in particular stands out as a most memorable one.  The plant has a large head of tiny, purple flowers and some of the smelliest (stinky!) leaves that I have ever been around.  The plant does not have a stench unless you rub against the leaves.  Then...watch out!  Then, again, it must just be me because some folks have no problem with it.  Several of my sisters-in-law seem to like the "scent".  I guess it is sort of like those of us that like the smell of garlic vs those who do not.  Anyway, the plant is a favorite of mine regardless of its scented leaves. 

  When Aunt Marie gave the plant to me, I was thrilled that it did so well.  The start grew rapidly and multiplied greatly for the next few years.  Each summer, blooms filled the tops of the plants and attracted all sorts of butterflies.  Then, along came a few hurricanes, an illness and a lot of neglect.  These plants along with most others in the garden whithered and died out.  I was saddened at the loss but just did not have the energy to even worry long about it.  Then, a few years ago, a small shoot came up from an existing root.  It struggled and finally gave out without blooming.  The next year, the root again sprouted and gave me hope.  No bloom was seen that year either.  I started caring for the plant again and soon it was healthy and, today, a bloom!  I now have five small plants and the one blooming.  Hopefully, this means that the gardens will soon be filled with the purple blooms and many butterflies!  I am excited!

  The only downside to this whole tale is the fact that I cannot recall the name of the plant.  As matter of fact, I am not sure I was ever told the name but it matters not.  The plant and its smelly leaves are back and I am happy! Perhaps one of my cousins will recall the name and refresh my memory...hopefully!