It’s hot out here and there isn’t much to do, except walk around and enjoy the beautiful plants.
So what’s happening in my garden? A few day ago, I got rid of the perennial bulbs, all excluding the Allium Drumsticks which I really like. I pruned and shaped the Autumn Sage, Texas Sage, Lavender, Boxwood and the Dwarf Myrtle. We also completely removed and got rid of the second Navajo Globe Willow tree on our property. These trees are easy to grow from cuttings, but don’t thrive in the High Desert and are susceptible to diseases.
English Lavender.
The Daylilies have started to bloom.
Pretty Woman Daylily.Stella D’Oro Daylily.
I planted a few Ornamental Grasses at the right corner of the end of my property along side some Spanish Lavender, Autumn Sage, Miniature Rose bushes and Agave Ovatifolia (which I recently transplanted).
Fountain Grass.
The Pomegranate tree is blooming and producing fruits.
Pomegranate tree.
I have quite a few Yellow Bird Of Paradise Bush ll around my property which I constantly prune and shape. They are one of my favorite ornamental trees along with the Desert Willow.
Yellow Bird Of Paradise Bush.Desert Willow tree.
Once in a blue moon we have some unfortunate events going on around the garden. Today we found a damage on the irrigation tubing caused by either a thirsty gopher or Ground Squirrel. These rodents have figured out where things are around here and the are becoming quite sneaky. These Agave Ovatifolia ‘Frosty Blue’ have all been dug out and relocated. The mature Agave was damage by a Gopher.
Well, have you ever met a person from a different religion who claims theirs is better than yours? If not, I am sure you have read articles about one religion being more mischievous than the others or some nonsense of the sort.
“Religion doesn’t lie, people do.” — Joan Ambu
I have met all types of people in my life and regardless of what my beliefs are as well as my religion, I have always respected theirs. I am not one to judge a person and when I do, I never condemn a group for the shortcomings of one. I grew up with a lot of Muslim friends and, other than scheduled prayers and a few forbidden food, we were just kids doing what kids enjoy doing.
I met a Muslim woman a couple of years ago whose daughter befriend mine at school. This woman made me question what I thought I knew about her religion. To win my trust, she began by letting me know that Muslims don’t lie and I responded with ‘no religion lies’. She brought her younger daughters to my house and as expected they were amazed, excited, went in every room and had fun with my daughter. The third time we went to their house I realized something was off and made it the last. My kids were always confined in the living room, were denied access to any other parts of the house and her girls were not allowed to share toys with mine (I heard this woman telling two of her daughters to go put their dolls away). When the bathroom was in use and my kids needed to use it, they were denied access to the guest bathroom because it was reserved for important people. Now you would think it was a clean house and that maybe this woman wanted to maintain order; it was however, the opposite.
This woman didn’t share much about herself, but she was an hypocrite who was quick to speak ill of others. She had a few grudges she needed to let out, and I understood even though it wasn’t a nice way to go about it. When, however, she said Mexicans are lazy and fat you know, that was the last straw. This is not by any means a slim and/or fit woman. Her husband and one of her sons are probably the fattest men I have seen so far and a few of her daughters are rapidly getting there. For her to utter those words, knowing that my children are of Mexican descent, was disrespectful and rude. I couldn’t waste a second around someone like that.
Weeks went by and her girls wanted to come and play at my house, but their mother said no, that we should be the ones to go over there. One of the girls innocently repeated what her mother said to my daughter, who calmly replied, ‘no, thank you.’ This woman is not a bad person, she simply lacks knowledge, respect and acceptance.
“Every time you lie, it brings me a little closer to goodbye.” – Unknown Image source: PictureQuotes.com
Just a couple of years ago, there was a family of four who lived across from us; they kept to themselves, seemed nice and we were told by their landlord who is a good friend of ours that they are good people and Christians.
A month prior to moving out the masks fell off and their true nature were revealed. I met three of the fours and I was chocked when I realized that all were Machiavellian. They were dishonest, self-aware, extremely self-centered, manipulative, sneaky, ungrateful and would tell out of this world lies to achieve their goals. They blamed everyone else for their misfortune and did not understand why nothing worked out for them. Such people would drive you crazy. I stopped sympathizing and empathizing with them.
“Sometimes it’s not the people who change; it’s the mask that falls off.” — Haruki Murakami
I have friends of different religion than mine who are a little off every now and then. That’s okay as long as we do not become full of ourselves and start belittling others. Judging her based on her repeated actions, you can see how one can quickly come to the conclusion that Muslims are not fun to be around. Her actions do not speak for the other Muslims and we should not put everyone in the same basket. The same goes for Christians and other religions.
As people, as individuals, we should strive to do better and to be our best selves around each other.
“Condemn the offender, not the Religion.” ― Joan Ambu
Yesterday we attended the Sixth Graders Award Celebration at my kids school and I was so proud of my son. He has been on honor roll for seven years straight without fail. Every teacher knew my son or at least heard about him; and contrary to students who request a particular teacher, my son was sought out by teachers and he never let himself down.
Last year, I wrote about the injustices he experienced by his former teacher as well as a few classmates. By mid February, I was fed up and informed the school principal that I was filling a complaint against the teacher after contacting the US Department of Education as I strongly believed that my child’s rights had been violated.
The following week, my son was placed in a different classroom with an amazing teacher.
“Don’t do it to prove them wrong. Do it to prove yourself right.” Image source: FearlessMotivation.com
Of course I know my children are geniuses, still, I told my son not to worry about what anyone thinks and just be the best he can be. He listened to his new teacher, followed instructions, kept studying hard and it paid off. Nothing changed in his routine and he proved himself right. Prior to giving him an award, his teacher said, this is a kid who came to me toward the end of the school year and described him as “very respectful, polite, kind, helpful and takes his work seriously.”
You should have seen his former teacher’s guilty face when he received his certificates. She put on a forced smile, couldn’t look straight and didn’t applaud when he was mentioned. As long as he proved her wrong, it was all good.
Talk to your children and encourage them on a daily basis. Teach them and make sure they understand right from wrong to avoid embarrassing and unfortunate situations. Don’t sit still when it comes to their rights; you are not alone (even if others make you feel that way). No one is above the law. Speak up and reach out.
I didn’t get rid of my files, I just moved them aside. If I hear about another student being victimized by this female teacher, I will go ahead and file the complain against her and against the school as well since it is known that she abuses her powers and yet nothing has been done to right the wrong.
Tuesday night was so noisy and I barely slept. There were probably three to four stray cats going around the house and making weird noises by the windows.
I used to love my neighborhood and neighbors. I use to think our block was the best and had the best – and for a while it was so. Most of the folks we met here when we bought our home have either died, sold the home and moved or have become landlords. Nothing is the same and we are now surrounded by dishonest individuals; they put on a mask in public, but behind closed doors their true nature comes thru.
Although I do not own a pet, I am against all form of animal cruelty. I despise careless and abusive pet owners. Why get an animal when we can’t care for it properly? When we can’t guarantee it won’t become a nuisance to a neighbor? Just don’t do it because it’s wrong. The neighborhood is filled wit stray animals and it started about two years ago. I am not sure if lousy animal owners come and drop off their furry companions here or if perhaps to save face, some neighbors let the animals roam freely.
There’s a family in the neighborhood who lies a lot and who has been taking in cats and dog regardless of being told by the landlord not to do so. Our cameras have caught the animals as well as other irrefutable proofs we have, still they are set on the lies and deceits. How can people stoop so low? How can people deliberately ruin the peace of a neighborhood for their selfish needs? These people are always on the lookout, fearing that they will eventually get caught. I was told a story about a lady who was so guilty that one day, when she saw a car parked by her house, she immediately texted the landlord saying that she couldn’t go outside because she was sick. The landlord replied saying that she was at her home. This is exactly what I call ugly people, fake people.
Cat hair and damaged plants.
This morning I found cat hair everywhere in the yard as well as damaged plants. The poor cats are probably hungry and I do not have pet food. Besides, feeding one will attract the others and before I know it, they will all take refuge on my property.
Please, do not own pets if you are not serious about the responsibilities that comes along.
What a week! Just when I thought that Nature was starting to warm up, the cold weather returned with some kind of fury. Still I am grateful. I was able to sort my thoughts and organize ideas for my next book (yes, it has been too long and I am working on it).
I had plans for the garden this weekend. I bought a set of 3 cobalt blue glazed ceramic planters that I was hoping to fill with plants; unfortunately, the strong winds and dust particles in the air are definitely harmful to my health. I will work on them during the next few days before the heat sets in by the weekend.
Dahlia Flowers.
Hannah Gordon Rose and Little Pete Mini-multiflora Rose are actually Rose Trees and the oldest plants in my garden. Last year I honestly thought they had died and made plans for replacements. To my amazement, they came back fuller and stronger this Spring and I am grateful.
Hannah Gordon Rose.Little Pete Mini-multiflora Rose.
For many years I had these Snapdragon in pots and for all those years, they bloomed profusely and remained quite short. I finally removed them from the pots and planted straight to the ground, where thy have grown taller and seem to be healthier.
Snapdragon Flowers.
Wishing you all a wonderful Memorial Day with your loved ones.
By JM Perez
