Bonsai Rescue

It's sad when a couple you know breaks up and goes their separate ways.  Sometimes it involves children and it's not their fault.  Same thing this week except it involved bonsai.  

After some desperate txt msgs, the Albuquerque Bonsai Club sprang into action.  Six of us mobilized after Saturday morning's board meeting and drove north to the property.  Bob (not his real name) was staying out of state with his sister, but Alice (not her real name) was there.  

Walt used video conferencing with his phone to walk through the extensive collection, getting guidance from Bob.  Afterwards, we staged everything that wasn't being moved by Bob later in the week to areas near the cars.  Large specimens went in trucks and hatchbacks.  First a batch was moved to Walt's house, about 20 minutes away.  Then the rest of us parceled up the remaining trees, loaded them into our vehicles, and headed to our respective homes.  

Just a small portion of the Bob's collection

The extent of the collection was mind-boggling.  Hornbeams, junipers, ginkgoes, acacias, maples, pines, and more.  It was a 4-hour effort to save all the trees that Bob won't be able to move to his new home.  Many have found their new forever home.  Some will be auctioned off to other club members later.  I plan on sending some up to my nephew in Chamita.  

Hanami, 2026

It's been the year without winter in ABQ.  Today I was giving a tour of our Nature's Notebook sites to a researcher from the mothership, Tucson and the U of A.  On the way out, we passed through the Japanese Garden and to my amazement, the cherries were blossoming.  Time to get out there to enjoy their ephemeral beauty. 

Recursion #2

Quite a few years ago, I hit 50,000,000 AP in Ingress.  It was a worthy target, so I recursed... set myself back to Level 1.  

Today I hit precisely 100,000,000 AP and am in the process of recursion again.  

In other news, Eloise is a beautiful baby.  Ty and Nirankar are wonderful parents.  

Tree rescue for Karl R's bonsai collection was scheduled for tomorrow, but has been pushed back to Thursday for the team that can help on a weekday.  On Saturday we'll finish the job.

Tik Tok

Once again, it's that dreaded time of year when we switch from standard time to daylight saving time.  At least I remembered how to change both cars' clocks.  And I didn't kill myself up on a ladder for the 3 that are out of reach.  

 

Mid-term Phenology

NC, TX and AR held primaries today.  The starting pistol for the mid-term elections has fired.  In TX key Democratic counties experienced voting chaos as the GOP changed the rules at the last minute and probably disenfranchised hundreds, possibly thousands.  Still, turnout was high and the strongest Dem candidate is advancing to the general election.  

On the GOP side, a hugely flawed Paxton still managed to make it to a runoff against the incumbent.  What's wrong with people over there?  For a state that claims to be Christian conservative, they sure ignore the 10 Commandments.  

Oh well...

In the Botanic Garden this week, snow drops have given way to daffodils, Nanking cherries are breaking bud, creeping Phlox is blooming, and the Siberian Magnolia is in glorious display. 

Sandhill Cranes are heading north.  Pollen count through the roof.  War continues in Iran and throughout the Middle East.  FB friends who are in the region report having to shelter frequently.  One evacuated Abu Dhabi and drove to Muscat.  No idea how he'll get back to England, although reports are that the UK gov't is sending passenger planes for its citizens.  As for U.S. travelers in the area, they seem to be out of luck.  

Quote du jour is from First Dog On the Moon:  "If only there was a way to free people from oppression that didn't require killing them."

The Extinction of Taxonomists

I read a fascinating article in The Guardian today about how taxonomists are dying off and not being replaced.  The result is the extinction of entire realms of expertise about biodiversity, ecology, and our endangered ecosystems.  

In unrelated matters, there was a total lunar eclipse early this morning (~4:30).  As the son of an astronomer, I was up to view it.  

A Day to Remember

Not unexpectedly, my nephew's wife had their second child today.  Welcome to the world, Eloise Mae Horak.  Mother and child are doing well after a surprisingly fast labor... once things actually got past all the false labor episodes.  Meanwhile, big sister Victoria Molly is taking all this well.  

Highland Coos for the photo tax

Meanwhile, to make the day even more memorable, the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran today and, of course, Iran responded.  There's word that the Straits of Hormuz are closed.  Already the Democrats in Congress are demanding a War Powers vote.  Hide and watch.