Nature continues

One of the things I love about the blog is the feedback I get. While there aren't many comments that are left actually on the blog -- comment away! all are welcome -- I always hear some feedback and I love it. My favorite was this last post when my sister Rachel told me that there are peacocks in Moorestown NJ. I don't doubt her at all, but I sure never saw any. I never saw peacocks running around wild like this until I started visiting friends in Florida. What do they do in the winter in NJ? Seems a bit cold for them up there and since they really hop more than fly, that's a heckuva migration track for the winter. Hopping to warm weather? Tiring... I heard from more than one person that I was sheltered living in DC and that there were plenty of Jewish "markers" around, I just wasn't travelling to the right places. That's cool too. Okay so it turns out I've led a sheltered life. That's okay, cause it all means I'm learning new things. That's what Hannah's Big Adventure is all about. My next goal is to have a coconut, hacked open by machete, and drink the fresh coconut milk. Maybe next weekend.

So let's talk orchids. They're everywhere here and very reasonably priced. They are so beautiful. I'm addicted. I showed you a few that I bought to start my Max garden on the patio. Okay so I've bought a few more. I need to stop. We all know that I have a bit of shopping addiction when I get going. For those who helped me pack up the house can we say socks, tablecloths, etc. Anyway, at least these are so nice to look at. I'll be a bit sad when they're not blooming but at least they'll be green.

Now that Ellie is engaged. Oh, wait. That's big news. Ellie, daughter of Janet, et al. has gotten engaged and now wedding planning has taken over Janet's life. Much to the dismay, sometimes, of all around her -- including Ellie!!! No, seriously, Janet will be very good at this. But I digress...

In good NOW fashion Janet has formed a planning committee. You aren't asked you're just drafted. She's approaching this whole think like a NOW action. Seems sensible. We know how to do them. So off we went to look at a couple of venues. One was an orchid farm. How pretty. That's where I got into trouble. But who can resist? Here's the bride-to-be taking photos to show her groom-to-be.
But look at all those flowers!!!! A lot of those hanging ones are called Vandas. They are "air" orchids. they don't have dirt, the roots just hang in the air. I bought one of these pink ones below.


This is one of the freakier ones. One that looks like a face. Or is it like and O'Keefe. hard to say but very cool.





I'll send more orchids later. Have to get them off my camera as opposed to the phone camera. The next place we went was called Cauley Square. Looked interesting with a few shops, a tea house and a place where you can hold special events. While waiting to talk to a staff member, Suzanne took me to one of the shops that was known for having raccoons living on the roof. She wasn't kidding. I still think that mammoth monster that lived in our backyards on Capitol Hill was bigger but these were plenty big and many of them!!!


Here are two of them. One looking at me, one from the rear. Then a woman from the store cam out and threw a cupful of something up on the roof. And then there were more.


I count at least four up there... could be more.

Then there was the Bougainvillea. I think I spelled it right. A very pretty red flower that climbs and grows and grows. Nancy tried to get me to buy one for my balcony and let it go all along the rail... but that seems a bit crazy for now. Maybe another time. I'm going to let the orchids have center stage for just a bit. An herb garden, however, might be in the offing. But I digress.

Finally, I'll leave you with another sky photo. I was sitting in front of my building waiting for a ride and this was in front of me. I am missing DC these days with all its inaugural frenzy -- so the flora and fauna, the beautiful skies and the good weather are keeping me distracted. And pleasant distractions they are. Except that its actually turning cold this week. Actual cold. Not exaggerated weatherman kind of cold. They are calling for a low of 40 degrees for tomorrow night. Even I can't mock the Floridians on that one. I'll have to take a jacket out with me. And I guess no flip flops... but we'll see. That might be asking too much!!!Happy inauguration to all! Here's to peace and prosperity to ALL in the next eight years. Sorry, I just assumed. If Bush got eight, well, shoot.....