New Year Resolutions

Have you done it, yet? Of course, I'm talking about the annual list of resolutions some people make each year around this time. Taking a clue from the past I have decided to delete the process from my life. Not that there are some things that could be improved or modified here and there...just a sure knowledge that a " to do " list doesn't work, at least for us!

But, again, we think...first of the year...time to put things in order, undergo change, better ourselves and improve our lives. While avoiding the new resolutions, I've come up with an idea which kicks off the New Year to a perfect start. It is a highly symbolic action but gives everyone in the family a feeling of starting anew.

I celebrate by putting fresh sheets on the beds! I may even sprinkle cologne on the pillows. Fresh sheets ( sometimes even air dried ) have become synonymous with welcoming in the new year and have handily substituted for those old unrealized resolutions!

New Year's Eve, Borrego Style

Finally, warm Borrego days have returned...though nights remain in the forty degree range, the clear sunny desert days are back again. New year's day is forecast to be in the eighties!

We used to barely manage to get up early enough to watch the Tournament of Roses parade and catch the first bowl game, due to New Year's eve festivities. It is different here, in Borrego, however. As every Borregan knows, midnight occurs at 9 PM. Any resident has ample time to dine out, celebrate New Year's Eve when the crystal ball drops in New York's Time Square , go to bed early and feel wonderful the next day!

AND... by the way, what in the world has happened to the important "BOWL GAME" ? In our home, at least, it seems as if bowl games have proliferated and multiplied until becoming commonplace fare on the T. V. I do hate to complain , but I miss the days when just a few games actually determined the winners!

Beach Combing and Desert Roaming

You know by now that we used to live at the beach. One of my favorite pastimes used to be beach combing. The tide book was consulted daily. Early morning low tides found me on the beach walking along the shore seeking gifts from the sea. I remember the thrill that comes from seeing or finding a new treasure...flotsam and jetsam...no way! All were of intense interest to me.

Here, in the desert, keen observational skills are also rewarded. There are many things to see...new tracks on windswept sand, a lizard scurrying from under a rock, a snake lying coiled along a pathway, a tiny hummingbird nest attached securely to a twig, the sound of raven wings above you, scat filled with darkling beetles, a mountain lion sighting, close up coyotes, a tiny new creosote or indigo plant pushing up through the sandy soil, a tarantula in your garden, a huge ant hill, cloud patterns, rainbows, the smell of the desert before rain and ever so much more! The same thrill is here, in the desert.

So, put away the cell phone with all it's apps for awhile and take a walk, using all your senses. Believe me, it will be worthwhile!

Don't Complain to Snow Birds

Many people spend the winter season in Borrego Springs. We call them "snow birds". Some own second homes here, others rent or lease homes, some come in their RV's and others just camp. They come here to get away from the wet, frosty places we Borregans only read about...Canada, Michigan, Colorado, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, Oregon, Washington...you know, the COLD states!

Well, this season has seemed colder than usual, at least to us. We happened to mention that to a snow bird who has wintered here for many years. We were complaining of the past two week cloudy period. When we said we missed seeing the sun and said how dark it seemed to us when the sun didn't shine, he laughed at us and said, " You don't even know what dark days are like. We live in the north woods, hardly ever see the sun and almost never get to see the moon...and freezes last almost the entire winter!"

So...we guess the December clouds and scattered sprinkles were nothing to complain about, after all!

Progress Report

The sun came up! How many dreary cold days we have had...and NO One who lives in Borrego is used to that! It is great to be outside in the garden again.

There are a few things that need to be done, this month. To prevent beetles in native mesquites you can try an application of Bayer around the trunks. It is available at Home Depot. I have never applied chemicals to anything else in the garden but, after losing several mesquites, tried liquid applications of Bayer, which also feeds the trees and only needs to be applied annually.

It is also time to prune desert trees and shrubs. I have reduced watering times ( even in the vegetable garden, which seems to be retaining moisture during this cooler period )and have already seeded a second cool weather crop in the raised beds. The soil level declines as you harvest so added enriched soil is helpful before any new seeds or transplants are added. Toy Choi, radishes,carrots and lettuce have been re-seeded in empty spots left from the first harvest. (Yes, still following rotation practices.) Broccoli is almost ready for harvest and I have been freezing chard for future use. The spinach is slow to mature but shows growth. Pea vines are flowering, Onions are still small and tomatoes have remained green on the vines. I picked one the other day to see if it would ripen inside the house.

Citrus is ripe enough to eat, but will continue to sweeten as long as it remains on the trees. We always pick enough to distribute to family and friends for the holidays but think peak flavor is attained later in the season.

Gardening Gene ?

I think I know where my love of gardening comes from...I think it is in my genes! Every year, around this time, I think of my Grandmother. She was an avid gardener. I remember her lovingly tending her roses. She had many varieties in the rose garden and tree roses lined both sides of the entrance pathway. She spent many hours in that garden. In her garden were also paper whites, tucked behind the bird basin, near the camellia beds. She loved flowers and her house was always filled with them. Her daughter, my aunt,also chose gardening as a pastime.

From Grandmother's narcissus bulbs came the flowers which grow in my garden, today. They have been carried with us to each new home and have withstood ocean air and the hot, dry desert clime. They were first planted around 1930. To say they have withstood the test of time is an understatement! Each October, when I see the new growth pushing up through the soil, I am reminded of her. I, too, have given off- shoots of the bulbs to others. They make a beautiful, lasting gift.

I think a couple of other family members have also inherited the same gene. My niece in Northern California has a huge vegetable garden which supplies almost all of the family needs. And now, her daughter, recently graduated with a degree in botany, is following the family gardening tradition.

Wouldn't it be fun to know which ancient ancestor decided gardening and growing things was necessary to his or her well being?

Be an Extremist

I don't often tout books, but I have to tell you about this one! When I saw it, I KNEW I had to buy it...EXTREME GARDENING by Dave Owens is the best book on desert gardening I have seen. It contains all the basics for desert gardening plus extras which, in my opinion, make the book a necessity. I love that he includes companion planting practices for each plant in addition to interesting facts and ways to do things. Almost all your low desert gardening questions are answered in this small relatively inexpensive book. Concepts, desert soils, vegetables, fruit, nuts, flowers, herbs, bulbs and all talked about in easy to read style.

I love my Kindle and look up many gardening subjects on the computer...but, you can't beat a real book for reading, rereading , marking pages, underlining, high lighting, fly leafing and really getting to know the subject !

Each desert gardener deserves one!

Desert Gardeners Meeting

We all followed the gardener around her beautiful desert garden which was filled with surprises...outdoor kitchens, pool closed sign, bells,gold fish, old license plate,raised vegetable beds, outdoor shower and more. This garden reflects the creativity of the owner, who generously shared a whole wagon load of succulents with all!

Photos by Prince

Electronic Meltdown

Computers are like cars. Every now and then, a "lemon" pops up. I think I have one! Two weeks after I purchased this computer the hard drive had to be replaced. This particular electronic mechanism seems to have a mind of it's own. Eerie things happen with odd regularity: Photos become huge or diminish to miniscule dots on the screen. Fonts come and go as if by magic.

Help is always available, however!

I can't tell you how many forty-five minute conversations I've had with people from India who make some remote adjustments which seem to heal the poor sick thing. Also, there is always time to chat while rebooting. One very special lady now follows my blog and comments from time to time! I've also made some contacts with Canadians, who are always friendly and have great expertise in solving computer problems.

One week ago, however, I turned on the computer...BLANK SCREEN. A very nice man from Florida told me the "mother board" needed to be replaced. He even arranged for the computer doctor's house call. The doctor performed the operation this very morning and the patient seems fine...at least for now!

Isn't this new electronic age marvelous?

BRRRRRR !

BRRRRR! I've been covering the tomatoes with old sheets every night. If the weather forecast says , " Frost Advisory " I pay attention. Last year's frost damaged the tomatoes and I simply cut off the damaged parts. They never recovered, however, and the yield was much less than the prior year.

If you can see your tomatoes have suffered frost damage I would suggest removing them and replanting new plants as soon as you believe the danger of frost has passed.

May be it's my imagination, but I think we are experiencing funny extremes in weather and I think the birds are reacting to it in unusual ways. Has anyone else noticed odd bird or animal behavior?

Christmas Circle

New York has Central Park, San Diego has Balboa Park, the Greeks had their agora, the Romans their forum, the plaza central is common in most Mexican towns...almost all communities have a hub or meeting place - a place to get together or just relax. Borrego Springs is no exception. Our own park, named Christmas Circle ( a lot of speculation, though, as to where that name came from ) is located smack, dab in the middle of where the developers thought the town should be. It hasn't worked out that way, yet, but there is always future development to be considered.

Christmas Circle: In Addition...

To us, Christmas Circle is one of the dearest places on earth! In summer, to some, it must truly seem a Shangri-la. The tree shaded lush green grass invites the weary traveler to get out, stretch or lie down and rest. It is the place we come before forming caravans to venture out into the Park, go bird watching or hiking, celebrate birthdays and holidays, have fiestas, dances, ceremonies, a place to meet. On Fridays, it is the place we go to market and to catch up on all the news. It is a place to have a picnic, a place to have an art or craft exhibit , a place for children to play on real grass.

It is a small, well used park. I know you must be tired of hearing this, but, we are so LUCKY to have such a beautiful green spot in this special little desert town!

HOME GROWN TOMATOES

This morning, I was thinking about Jim Curry's comment at last night's concert that everyone knows that tomatoes are not really a vegetable, but a fruit. ( prior to his John Denver rendition of Home Grown Tomatoes ) My advice to you is, don't ask the Internet about the difference between a fruit and a vegetable. I did and... OH, MY GOSH !

Bananas could be called herbs. Squash, pea pods, cucumbers and bell peppers could be called fruit and rhubarb a vegetable. Corn is a grain and other edibles have their own categories.

I grow tomatoes, squash, snap peas, bell peppers and cucumbers. I think I will continue to call them vegetables!