Caro & I had a multi-faceted Friday: browsing at Duran Central's gift shop, Covid booster at their pharmacy, lunch at the restaurant, then over to the Botanic Garden for a stroll. The weeping cherries were largely beat up by last Tuesday's storm, but in the back of the Sasebo Japanese Garden along the wide ADA path there were some fresh explosions of cherry blossoms. Even though the Magnolia by the stream was spent, smaller Magnolia × soulangeana were full of magenta color.
After a busy day in the yard, moving bonsai out from winter quarters, putting away the cold frame/green house, sealing the bamboo fencing, etc., etc., it was warm enough to tempt me to take a bike ride. It's still a little chilly (long pants, t-shirt) but the sun was pleasant and there was no breeze to speak of.
I went up the Griegos Lateral to the north behind the high school. Along the way there was Rumex, Arundo, and Sisymbrium leafing out. The latter was already in bloom with tiny yellow blossoms everywhere. The ditch was running happily since they started putting water in it about a week ago.
I took advantage of the water in the acequia to take the new CrowdWater app for a test. I was surprised how much detail they take in. One point of ambiguity: is an acequia a temporary or permanent water feature. I chose permanent because it runs uninterrupted all through the growing season. I may go back and change that because it is a seasonal flow, dry in winter.
Daylight Saving Time has begun tonight. My body says it's 3:00 a.m., but the clock on the computer screen shows 4:00. Later today I'll get out the step ladder and change all the clocks around the house. Have to remember how to do that for the cars, too. I think Caro's Cube didn't get changed, so it won't need any tweaking.
Lucky for me, I don't have a Nature's Notebook rotation at the Botanic Garden this Monday. I've got two weeks to adjust. I'm definitely not a morning person, least of all this time of year.
In the backyard, the birds will come to the feeders as is their want, irrespective of human time. I just need to remember to refill them today. Fluffy will still be at the back door, waiting for dinner at 5:00 MST, which today will be 6:00. But breakfast will be late for her.
I had just gotten used to the lengthening days in the late afternoon. Now the evenings will be preternaturally longer. The Hibiscus will continue to bloom in its natural rhythm. They usually open in the early morning and fade by day's end. The last couple of cloudy, cool days have prompted them to remain open well into the evening, sometimes until the next morning.
