I Went To The Library For A DVD

The growth of DVD and CD material in the last 4 years in our library is astounding. In another 4 years we will not have space for the books. I saw maybe 30 people using computers. I also saw 2 people reading books (you know, real books).

I Grew Up In This House

Last Saturday the owners of the house had a garage sale. It gave me a chance to see my old house (at least the outside).

Old Man Palm Tree

Coccothrinax crinita, is well-known because of its stunning trunk that is covered with thick layer of wool-like fibers. The Old Man Palm is also known as Thatch Palm, Guano Barbudo, Guano Petate, Palma Petate. It is native to Cuba. I have an old one that is twice as big as this palm, but mine is bald. I feel for my old palm, because I am old and I have lost my hair just like my poor palm.

It's Been In The Family For 60 Years

I have had it for 30 years. About 20 years ago it was divided into small plants. I keep only one small plant. Take at look to what I did now.

Now Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden Has The Ae Ae Banana

The FTBG came to our garden to get a Ae Ae banana today. Now all 3 of the botanic gardens in our area have Ae Ae bananas from our garden.

They all got large plants. It's nothing that you could send in the mail.

Milt. moreliana 'Lizzie' AM/AOS

Our garden if filled with these orchids every summer. This is about 33% of them. Others are ready to bloom.

Douglas Entrance Stairwell

This plain stairwell at the Douglas Entrance was at one time used for a private apartment.

Coral Gables Youth Center

We just talk about the youth center, but once you go there you know that it honors our losses during the second world war. I read the names at the base of the flag staff and was moved by the many names that I knew. The first world war occurred before our city was founded. I do have a bit of sorrow that no other names are commemorated since 1945. And once again we put up more names.

My Public Library

This wing of the Coral Gables Women's Club was the public library for our city until the late 50's. When the county built a public library in the middle of the city, the Women's Club gave the space to a dental clinic for needing children.

Why Not

Ctna. Why Not is an orchid that blooms almost all the time.

Junior Chamber of Commerce Headquarters

The Jaycees had their headquarters in Coral Gables from 1960 to 2004. The building has been empty for the last 6 years.

Nelumbo lutea Is Open On The Second Day

Do you remember what it looked like the first day it opened?

The Prado Entrance

I drive by the Prado entrance many times a week, not because it's the quick way home but because it's something that I want to see. I hope you like it too.

Another Rare Palm At The Montgomery Botanical Garden

Milt. Binotii x Mlit. Motto Grosso

The two plants came from the same seed pod. The plants grow the same, but the flowers are very different. The parents of these orchid came from Brazil in the warm areas. I have a large number of orchids and I haven't bought an orchid in the last 3 years. But these are so fantastic I had to get two of them.

I would like to tell my orchid growing friends in south Florida to go an get one before they are all gone. They are at:
Carib Plants, inc.
26505 S.W. 203 Ave.
Homestead, Florida 33031
Click here if you need the growers name and telephone.

The Ae Ae Banana Is Going To A New Home

So far 9 plants have found new homes. This is part of the My Ae Aes Brother program. We have just one more that will be given away this season.

Four Pipes In The Front Of A Nice Building

What is the reason for those ugly pipes? Do other cities have them? I think that it is for water and sewerage pipes. The old pipes that were underground seem more safe.

The White Flies Died In Our Cold Winter And The Ficus Tree Might Live After All

The roots are showing new life for the first time in a full year.

More Termites In Our Area

Zephyranthes

This is Zephyranthes grandiflower, our largest Zephyranthes grandiflower

This Zephyranthes candida looks more like a crocus.

Nelumbo lutea, The Only Native Lotus Of America

This beautiful lotus is found growing in still waters throughout most of eastern North America. My lotus looks more yellow then most.

A Stinkhorn Mushroom

Yesterday it looked like a golf ball, today it opened up. It's a stinkhorn mushroom (Clathrus crispus).

Today It Looked Like A Golf Ball

Desert Rose - Adenium obesum

This Adenium is a clone called Double Purple. It doesn't look too purple now in the hot weather. In May the flowers were purple.

Hoya carnosa

This Hoya grows in the oak tree, 20 feet up. The vine drops done in some places and that's when you get to see the flowers. I have 4 other species of Hoya, but this is the most common.

A Lotus At Our Front Door

A nice welcome for the visitors.

The Squirrels Eat Them As Fast As We Do

We only harvest 50% of the avocado crop and the squirrels get the rest.

The Fourth Day For The Lotus

The petals will drop by noon.

We Eat Well In The Summer

The squirrels will eat every one of these if I don't get to them first.

A Rare Palm At The Montgomery Botanical Garden

The Theme Is Bright Colours

Red seems to be the color that is the brightest of all.

The brightest color for me is the color that comes from a smiling grandson.

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