There have been a few events lately that had me lightly wondering why we are still here. This photo helps explain why to me and the rest of the world.
Click for a larger view
These are yucca plants, similar to the one which Mark encountered (but without the handsome blooms) on his previously recounted buttock ride down to the creek. Like most other desert plants I have found, they aren't happy growing just anywhere either. They seem to pick out-of-the-way places where the deer and elk (or sliding hikers) aren't likely to pester them. These particularly nice examples are growing on an isolated ledge jutting out four stories above and sixty feet behind the rat trailer. They keep the company of some of the most joyously lush and vibrant yellow clusters of wild flowers I have ever seen. Photographing them is quite another story:
Disclaimer: DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME
- Especially do not try this if you are accompanied by two whacko Aussie cattle dogs who will blast between your legs as you pick your way over the crumbly two foot wide section of ledge with a sheer drop on one side.
- If you place a foot on an unstable rock which gives way and crashes over the edge, Mark will never notice from below, even though you just did a geriatric sideways splits and came up howling like a banshee. Your solace is; at least you didn't go over the edge with that picturesque rock.
- Once the dogs are out of the way, you will enter the Josef Karsh zone as you jockey for that most sublime shot. This will cause you to keep your eye jammed into the viewfinder while crab-walking backwards for the right frame. This, in turn, will cause you to inadvertently squat on a younger yucca. I have yet to figure out why these spikes leave a lingering and unpleasant burning sting at the contact point but they do - just take my word on that. Still, I just had to share this view with you.
So how's that for some awesome no-fuss backyard landscaping?
27 comments:
"Just add FLOWER, for your DESERT"! AHA-AHA!!! Kind of a DRY humor, huh?
I have three of these same type yucca growin' here, too! But they only bloom about HALF as big as yours---mine look more like a BIG asparagus sprout! The root on these things go downwards forever! But---they are about as "maintenance-free" of a plant as you could ask for!
Yep, those spikes DO leave an "impression", of sorts! Almost on the same level as a locust-tree thorn, except maybe a cleaner wound....!
Bruno,
You have yuccas, too? That is pretty cool - if they're growing where you don't mind them being, that is.
"Yes but it's a DRY humor!"
Now, locust trees are one thing I do NOT miss! I've had those thorns go right through shoes and a half inch into my foot. But we have 'chico brush', LOTS of it, to make up for it.
Lin : are we playing the word game again. The geriatric sideways splits- was that your just deserts? Do you have a picture of this that you will share?
PLEASE!!!!
Alphonse,
I just knew that word play would bring you charging out of the woods with antlers lowered.
I was more concerned about losing the camera (well, me, too) over the edge than taking any good "Watch this!" photos. It would have been more impressive on video though. Heck, I couldn't do that when I was still in high school!
Would you just give it a try. LOL
Grin ... whaddya nuts? Nope, not even for a great moose about to go for serious back surgery. It was one thing to accomplish this with the help of the normal laws of physics, a flash of a past life review and a sudden adrenaline dump but quite another to attempt this at home while in a sound state of mind. Besides, you already said that you won't allow photos of you in your post-op corset.
This is Mrs. Moose :D
How much for a picture of the Moose in a spinal corset ??
Lin, you certainly have a gift of words. How wonderful that you are using your gift and sharing it with us !
We really enjoyed the desert when we were in Arizona and how I wish I could be there in the spring to see all the desert blooms.
( If I give him enough drugs, he'll never know.......)
June - GREAT to hear from Madame Moose! As far as photos of a Moose in a corset - I can go see the bank manager tomorrow if necessary. Or maybe you can just convince him that a corset will make him look like a young and chesty moose again (guys are susceptible to logic like that).
You guys just HAVE to come see the southwest again. I will send some locoweed for you to slip into his graze mix if necessary.
And many thanks for the words of encouragement on my tales. You've got a wonderful story teller there right in-house. I'm going to be treading water listlessly until he can start up his blogging again.
You are NOT to talk to my wife. I can get in enough trouble without your help or hers.I'm going to take her camera away, but if she steals it back, re-mortgage the Rat. LOL
Okay for you, Mr. Moose ....
June, better still - get video footage - we'll go pay-per-view.
What? you and she don't read English. Pay per view-$49.95 . Call it the Corset Challenge-National Geographic Special
Oh, I LOVE National Geographic Specials! We will subtitle it:
A Vast WAIST Land.
Yeah, we can grow Yuccas "over-here", too! A fella livin' "a fer-piece" down the road from me has about a dozen of 'em lined-up along his roadside right-of-way---they make one hell of a good "guard-rail", and they don't wash-out! Ours are "spoiled", though---they get plenty of water! I couldn't believe how deep that "tree-sized root" can grow....!
Bruno,
I never thought of that but those yuccas would make great natural deterrents. Now if only I had a green thumb and could do some transplanting. My luck, though, I would be the one to fall into them.
Ouch! I've got a few of those in the front garden, and regularly stab myself as I weed around them. Not cool, but beautiful. Pain and pleasure.
FHB,
Thanks for making it clear why I shouldn't use yuccas in the garden - if they are there, I WILL get spiked.
You got me to thinking here; beautiful to look at but painful when you get too close. Does that remind you of people you have met? Grin.
Some people are painful to look at, even at a distance! Another name for "profile-pics"...!
G'day Lin,
Thanks for visiting and leaving a comment. I'm glad you like some of the witty headlines I write, and yes, some are a bit on the corny side!
We see eye-to-eye already.
Just a quick visit before I do the school run this afternoon. Promise to leave my blue heeler cattle dogs at home when I follow your example on this post!
Love the Gas Pains post - we pay $1.40 per litre (yes, litre!) at the moment. I thought the graphic was brilliant.
Enjoyed the Memorial Day post. It's so important to honour those who went through it all.
Will be back. It may be a bit sporadic while I wrap up this novel, but I'm going to blogroll you if you don't mind.
Till later.
Cheers
David
Hi Lin,
Me again - forgot to say I loved the ``just add flower'' line!
Cheers
David
Bruno,
I have been spiked by both the beautiful and the utterly ugly. It makes the isolation of this desert that much more enthralling, that much more restful. Come visit!
David,
Your header titles have been truly inspiring. I thought "Well ... if he can get by with that, then surely I ..." so off I went!
I know, the rest of the world is aghast by how little we have been paying for our gasoline but everything is relative to your particular vantage point.
I'm not quite sure what a blogroll is but, if it comes with sweet and sour sauce, by all means, sign me up!
You know, I did a search for "Favorite desert recipes" and found MANY hits even though they had all intended 'desserts'.
Thank you so for stopping by with such great words of encouragement and I hope you are able to complete your next novel in a very unstressed fashion. I let one of the Bachs know about your kindly mention of their father in one of your earlier posts. It was quite a flattering kudos.
G'day Lin,
Thank you for the kindness in that acknowledgement. It's wonderful to know that having a bit of fun with my headlines had a flow-on effect to another blogger, many time zones away.
Thanks for adding me to your favourite blogs - that's what I meant when I said I'd added you to my blogroll. It's just a list of favourite sites.
Loved the desert/ dessert reference. Imagine if America (the group) had got the lyrics wrong and mis-typed ``I went thru the dessert on a horse with no name''!
You know the Bach family? Wow - I am SERIOUSLY impressed. More details, please!
Yes, I'll finish my novel in completely unstressed fashion. I'm a very unstressed sort of guy.
Do keep in touch.
Cheers
David
Greetings David,
Yes, you have inspired me beyond belief with your headers. I am hooked on waiting for the next gem.
Our 'rivers' here have often made me think of that same song with the line 'a river with its life underground'. That is exactly the case here - dry white ribbons of salts but the waters still run their course beneath the parched surface. Fa-la-la, la-la-lee-la-la ...
I am normally very discrete about my associations but Bach's daughter-in-law is finishing off a book which has me utterly enthralled from the sample bits that I have read so far. I will fanatically, zealously promote it unless she chooses the discretion of a nom de plume. You may likely also see a book written by Bach's ex in the near future. Their extended circle of family is stunningly talented.
Keep writing then! Can't wait to see your latest work!
I love the yucca blossoms. I find the beauty of the southwest to be some of the most endearing and magnetic in all the places I've been. I could SO live there.
phlegmfatale,
The southwest really is an incredible place, isn't it? Maybe you should apply for our Ranch Ranger position. The pay sucks but the views and solitude are phenomenal.
Lin,
That photo sure was worth it (but then, that's easy for me to say, isn't it?).
I step back in wonder at how much hard work and endeavour you've put in to achieve your dream - and I love the way you tell it, too. Don't ever stop writing, it's (only one) of the things you do so well!
Shrink,
You're making me all red-faced and pawing the sand with my foot now. But I sure appreciate your encouragement!
Are you really back among the blog living now? I'll be right over to check. It's been too quiet without your updates.
Post a Comment