A Water Free Garden

There is something very self satisfying about raking...I don't mean the "rake up the leaves" kind of raking...rather, the artistic Zen type of raking - and we Borregans are lucky. We have the perfect Zen type soil - heavy granitic gravel.A Zen garden would seem to fulfill all aspects of the ideal Bporrego Spings garden: It is the perfect dry land garden...no water needed, it opens the gardener to a new degree of creativity and improvisation unlike a traditional garden and it also provides the gardener with a chance to contemplate and take part in the essence of nature, both physically and metaphysically.

I'll have to admit, I don't yet have my "Zen Spot" " in the garden...rather, it is still an idea slowly simmering in my mind. Like many ideas, this one will take some time...first, to find the garden spot where gravel will retain the rake marks and the outline will set the area aside as a place of seclusion and meditation. Then, there is plenty of practice raking to undertake, until the desired result is obtained. Ah, yes...and the rocks to integrate into the scene...and more! I can't even hazard a guess if we'll ( notice the plural ) get around to it this summer. A lot depends upon the weather...even more depends upon the growth and finalization of the idea!

I do want the rake marks to resemble ripples and waves...the rocks to represent islands with, perhaps, an art object to add to the Asian influence. The contemplative chair and viewpoint must also be created...along with the ideal size of the plot , which must also be cleared of any weeds and be relatively free of wind blown debris. Ah, well...I think the idea needs more time...but you will be the first to know when it turns into reality!

Bird Nests

Those busy House finches are at it again! Just when we thought the breeding season was over, evidence has proven otherwise.

This year, the overabundance of nests on the back patio has almost overwhelmed us. Three types of birds nest there: Say's phoebe, Mocking bird and the common House finch. All fiercely protect their nests and let us know if they like it when we try to enjoy our own patio. The male and female Say's flutter and whistle at us, the Mocking birds show their flashes of white warnings but the finches just go about their business.

After the fledglings had left the nests, we removed the messy things...but the finches were at it again, within ten minutes. The male brought twigs, weeds, bits of this and that, to the female. Within a few days, a new nest was constructed. Now there are eggs in it. What next?

Bizarre Specimen

This recent hot spell resulted in Madagascar palm bloom...flowering for the second year in a row.

If I had to choose a favorite specimen plant in the garden, the Madagascar would win! I LOVE the thick spiny trunk and the exotic appearance of the foliage plus the tropical white flower cluster. As you can see, the trunk "out deserts" any other prickly plants. I am sure water is conserved within the sere spiny trunk. The bizarre sculptural shape outdoes even the Boojum , in my opinion...but either of those plants add a special focal point to any desert garden. You can buy small plants at a reasonable price and they are fast growers!

Letter # 3

Letter #3 arrived, just as I expected. Now, it's back to plan A.

I am sure SDGE received a deluge of protests...and, no surprise, for Borrego is filled with activists not afraid to make their views known.

I remember many protests...some major- some minor: The most prolonged , well attended and organized was against the proposed Sunrise Power Line route through the State Park. The fight to dissolve the Community Association, the Tiered Water rate battle and the group protesting the Gulf War were but a few of the past protests. Borregans are adept at speaking out for a cause in which they believe!

In the Business Section of the Union Tribune, 6/15/12, is an article stating the San Onofre Power Plant may be shut down for the summer, which made me remember the classic movie, Soylent Green, which dealt with some of the problems we are encountering today. Of special interest, was the fact that the old power plant at Huntington Beach is being geared up to provide more electricity...and that plant has been there for as long as I can remember!

This summer promises to be interesting!

OH, NO!

A second letter from SDGE came. It informs us that a change of plans has been made...you know..."the best laid plans of mice and men"...

The power will go off at 9 PM rather than 10 PM and it will stay off for up to 10 hours...and, "unexpected events " may prolong the period of time. Now, THAT sounds scary!

MARK THIS AS LETTER # 2.

Power Interruption

If you live in Borrego Springs, you are accustomed to frequent power outages...many of them lasting but a minute, always well advertised in advance by SDGE but usually forgotten by the typical Borrego resident. We have become adept at resetting timers, clocks and whatever appliance is blinking. Worst of all, are the telephones, which demand multiple new settings.

A few days ago, we received a new letter, advising us that our power would again be interrupted...this time for a prolonged period of time...however, for a good cause...the hook-up by SDGE to the new NRG Solar Project:
" Beginning on SATURDAY EVENING, JUNE 23, 2012, at approximately 10 PM "...our power will be interrupted for up to four hours...but, unforeseen events may prolong the period. NOW, that statement is not exactly what we want to hear!

Oh, well...It's still June and the nights have been comfortable...let's hope they stay that way!

Anna Apple Butter

The Anna apple butter turned out perfectly. It is DELICIOUS! However, it caused me to order a new kitchen devise...an immersion blender.

If you could have seen the methods I had to use to preserve the batch you would have been appalled! After two days of slow cooking, a gooey thick dark brown mass is what you find in the cooker. It smells delicious, tastes good and is ready for the puree step of the recipe. I thought it would be easy to transfer the product to the upright blender and just turn it on PUREE...NO. The mixture would not blend without sending large globs onto me...everyplace but the apron, that is. I had to fill the blender half full, add juice, then blend and transfer to another pot...a process that took a lot of time. The immersion blender will solve THAT problem.

I added apple juice to enable the mix to attain the right consistency...cooked it awhile more and used a water bath method for canning...and, of course, I had given away my canner. A large roasting pan and the deep pasta cooker worked just as well... Result? Ten 1/2 pint jars and four quart sized jars, now stacked in the cupboard...we will eat some and have enough for gifts, too!

Picking apples again, today...this time to use in an applesauce recipe using unpeeled apples. I sure hope my immersion blender arrives in time !

APPLE BUTTER

Fill slow cooker with unpeeled apple chunks. Add 2 or more teaspoons cinnamon, 1/4 tsp. allspice, 1/2 tsp. ground cloves and 2 cups sugar. Add about one cup of apple juice and cook on low setting overnight. Stir and add more apple chunks to fill cooker. Add more sugar. ( I added only one cup ) Also add more spice, to taste. Cook another night. Mix well and add apple juice to make mix suitable for puree.
Use water bath method to can. I processed for ten minutes.

The Anna Apple Mystery

Outside the walls, is an apple tree called Anna. It is a dwarf tree...nice size and very pretty. It leafs out each year, flowers with vibrant pink blooms and has produced apples in the past...but NEVER before in such quantities. We have watched the fruit mature and been on the verge of harvesting during past seasons, only to have the fruit mysteriously disappear just prior to picking.

The apples mature in June and for several years we were on vacation during that time. Birds decimated the tree during some years and ground squirrels developed an apple appetite during past few years.

This year is different. For some reason a bumper harvest is still there for our consumption. We have been picking and, right now, a large slow cooker is filled to the brim with spiced apples for a new apple butter recipe. ( with unpeeled apples ) Two days of slow cooking will fill the house with fantastic spicy odors!

THE MYSTERY: Why are the apples still on the tree, why have no birds or squirrels been attacking the tree and why are the apples seedless and almost core -less?

I did find a rather large twig nest in the midst of the tree. I do believe it is possible a mystery guard bird is on duty guarding the tree, keeping all intruders at bay...though entirely implausible, you'll have to admit...POSSIBLE!

Bye-Bye Winter Garden

Let me tell you a secret. When the temperature rises to one hundred fourteen degrees, the vegetable garden begins to wither. The first hot days, at odd intervals, come as quite a shock to any garden and also as a shock to the many desert animals residing in the vicinity.

I pulled the remainder of the carrots and most of the beets... these are the last of the winter garden left. Root vegetables, which develop both over and underground, seem to survive better than those growing mostly above ground. Last night Golden beet tops were the green vegetable - and sliced cold Golden beets were incorporated into the salad...how's that for a multipurpose vegetable?

Lima beans and squash, part of the summer garden, are supplying us with vegetables, at present, but as soon as they start showing stress, they, too, will be pulled. The Chandler strawberries took the biggest heat hit. I don't know if they can be saved.

Meanwhile, every hot day, you can look outside the sliding glass door, which is left ajar to release swamp cooler air, and spot humming birds, Say's phoebes and finches standing on the pavers enjoying the cool air. Rabbits are again concentrating in shallow dug depressions in moist mulch under the fruit trees. All desert dwellers have a knack finding cool spots...either underground, during night time hours or near a desert oasis.

In our garden, the desert animals have found shade, food, water and safe areas for raising young... and we give thanks to our decision to install new swamp coolers. We are keeping cool and are still exiting the swimming pool shivering!

The Changing Borrego Scene

Change is inevitable...we all realize the fact. In geologic time, what is going on in Borrego doesn't even amount to the bat of a gnat's eyelid ( if gnats even have eyelids ). At one time, the valley was an oasis of green grape vines...acres and acres of them as evidenced by the sere fields of dark old wooden crosses in the nearby acres.
Those fields seemed , to us, like solemn reminders of how fleeting life is...in fact , the many " crosses " reminded us of a cemetery...which it really was, at least for grapes.

Now, another change is taking place...and it is HUGE! How long it will remain in place is anybody's guess. That, one day, it will also be replaced, is certain. In the meantime, a cleaner source of energy will be produced here. What surprises us is the vast size of the project. It seems HUGE!

On the other hand, I guess the earlier Borregans viewed the grape fields in the same way.