Worrying about things out of my control never stops me from worrying about things that are out of my control. Ha! The sense of relief, when it passes, is palpable, and I understand that worry comes from fear. Still, it’s wasted energy and time better spent doing other things.
Southern California, home to family and friends, spent the weekend on hurricane watch, followed by threats of flash flooding and mudslides. My 22-year-old son lives in Southern California; however, he left for the weekend to attend a concert with friends in Las Vegas, where, you guessed it, they also had flash flooding. Now back in SoCal, all is well. The storms passed without any fatalities, and we were all relieved. It’s uncommon for hurricanes to land on our west coast shores. Hurricane Hilary is our state’s first tropical storm in over eighty years.
We welcomed the storm remnants here in San Jose on Monday. It lowered temperatures and produced an air-cleansing rain. I added support to the sunflowers late in the day to ease the battering of the wind. It won’t be long until they all go to seed, but I’m glad they remain standing for now.
In other garden news, our second attempt at growing tomato plants has been successful. We planted them in the front curb garden. I pulled the sad-looking remains of the tomato plants in the back garden—that last promising tomato providing a meal for a nocturnal visitor.
I watched a large opossum amble across the garden at dawn this morning and regretted leaving my camera phone indoors. We often see them along the fence line after dark, but it’s been years since one showed up in the garden.
Saturday, I spotted a tiny, green praying mantis on a bright pink Cosmo as I waited for Mike to back out the car.
I snapped a few shots, and a bee came to gather pollen. Neither of them seemed to mind the other. Two hours later, I rechecked the flowers, and the mantis remained there. The next day an orange butterfly joined the gathering, along with more bees. It’s a popular plant.
The bottom left pics show a brown mantis right side up, then hanging upside down. I wish I could do that.
I plan to add a page to my blog documenting the wildlife that visits the garden. Recording things appeals to my organizing side, and it’s a way to stay connected to the garden on these hot, dry days. The first day of autumn is one month away.
I’m looking forward to the seasonal change.
Gardening Nirvana 
Everything looks beautiful! So glad your family is safe :)
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Thank you, Mary! I appreciate that.
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Absolutely gorgeous garden and photos! I am happy you son is okay.
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Thank you, Cindy. I hope the Holler faired okay as well. I know you are even further south.
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Your sunflowers are beautiful Alys! And the cosmos is a definite winner attracting all those visitors – great shots of them too. Had to laugh at the idea of hanging upside down on a pink cosmos flower. Now wouldn’t that be fun! The world would look a different place! 😉🤗
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It would be great fun if we could hang upside down from a cosmo. I used to lay on the floor as a girl and wonder what it would be like to flip the house and walk on the ceiling. My gosh, I haven’t thought of that in years.
I stopped planting annuals during the drought years, but with all the rain and filled reservoirs, I splurged this year. I’m so glad I did. :-)
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That certainly must have been a worry. Lovely patterns in the flowers and fine shots of the insects. And a lovely picture of you trying not to worry.
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Derrick, you made me giggle with “a lovely picture of you trying not to worry.” Keeping busy helps, as does immersing in things that keep your mind engaged. Thank you for your kind words.
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:)
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I’m glad your loved ones are safe Alys but, sometimes, the worst worries are the ones we have no control over.
Our giant self seeded sunflowers are now beheaded and drying out ready for the birds to feast on later in the year. One of them is 13 inches (33cm) across so should make for a good feed.
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Thank you, Lynn. You are so right. I know I should take up yoga again and some meditation, as they’re supposed to help. Do you do either of them?
Did you behead your sunflowers or did they snap off from the weight? 13 inches is an impressive size. Those lucky birds.
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The sunflower heads were on massively thick stems which had stood up to quite fierce winds and weren’t even bending. Possibly stronger because they were self seeders. So, Mr T. beheaded them as they were in his way of building a polytunnel.
I don’t do yoga or meditation of any sort – I’ve never been able to turn my thoughts off for long enough – I do pilates though so I’ve got good balance 🤸♂️
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It is hard turning off ones thoughts. By the way, I take Pilates classes two days a week. It’s been one of the best things for my back and neck, and general well being overall. Do you attend a class or do you do it on your own?
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I’ve been doing Pilates for so long that I do sessions alone (with a YouTube instructor to keep me in line) ) three or four times a week now. I do go to a dance fit class one evening a week too – for a more cardio/energetic workout.
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You are highly motivated! Good for you, Lynn.
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Glad everyone is safe and congrats on the tomato success. What is the gorgeous red tree in the sunflower background? Gorgeous.
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Me too! Thank you, Judy. That tree sits at the curb in front of our neighbor’s house. It’s a Crepe Myrtle
Botanical Name: Lagerstroemia indica. My neighbors specimen is gorgeous this year.
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I too am waiting for cooler days but I’m sad to see the days growing shorter already. Your sunflowers are a balm to the soul. Good luck with the tomatoes in a new spot. Love the wildlife. Glad your son is safe.
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Thank you, Amy. It’s nice to hear from you. I also like the longer days, but alas, we can’t have it all. The heat is just oppressive this week. It’s hard to believe it was cool and clear just two days ago. Now it’s hot and smoggy. Sigh.
xo
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I have the same question as Judy: what’s that gorgeous red tree?! That’s definitely not a flowering tree known to northeasterners!
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It’s common in the south, and we see them all over San Jose. It’s a Crepe Myrtle
Botanical Name: Lagerstroemia indica. My neighbors specimen is gorgeous this year.
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The hurricane was certainly a big surprise. Glad you all are okay. Your photos are great. Love your idea of recording visitors to your garden.
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Thank you! Following your cataloging of gorgeous butterflies inspired me.
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My son was in Las Vegas for the storm, too! I lived in Imperial Beach for years (right above the border from Tiajuana on the coast) and there was a lot of concern about the storm there, but it sounds like they came through it okay. Your flowers (and insects!) are just wonderful. It has gotten really hot and dry here in the Denver area and the plants that are still alive are being savaged by grasshoppers right now. Late summer is hard for critters out here.
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Isn’t that an interesting coincidence. I’m glad your son and Vegas did okay. I’m shocked by the number of named storms moving along the southern states, though I guess it’s that time of year. I’m sorry to hear about the hot, dry weather in Denver. I haven’t spotted a grasshopper yet, but we have an annual plant (nicknamed a 4’Oclock) that will also soon become a popular meal.
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Hurricanes and other tropical storms are pretty worrisome, I must agree. I’m glad the outcome was a positive one for you with your son safe and a bit of rain for your garden.
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Thank you, Eliza. You are so kind.
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Worrying is like wishing for something you don’t want. I gave it up many years ago. I’m glad the storms only left the best for you all. Those sunflowers are impressive. The Indians say the height of the sunflower represents the height of the snow. I hope we get a lot this winter because the monsoons were underwhelming this year. It’s strange that you can have flooding and still not enough water. I love your new tomatoes. They must taste so much better than the store bought. I’m pretty sure those insects pose for you. You capture the best shots of them. Autumn is whispering to us here too. I’m so ready.
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Everything’s growing so well. Happy to hear the storm passed without major incident. Cleansing rain is just what the Dr. ordered. Happy Fall Alys 💛
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Thank you!
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I too struggle with worrying unnecessarily and I also love sunflowers! Spending time with those sunflowers and the other lovely things in your garden would distract me from worry!
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I suspect we all worry to a certain extent, and knowing it’s fear-based is enlightening. That said, I prefer the distractions of the garden, the craft table, or a walk when it isn’t too hot.
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