Last Year, This Year

Yucca plants bloom in the spring, and then die back.  The stalks remain behind and new growth sprouts nearby.  The leaves at the base of the stalk are sharp and spiky.  They are a protected plant in California.  Every year, I love seeing the hillsides dotted with their tall flower stalks – often they are 7 – 10 feet tall.  In a land of low scrub, it is a pleasant break to the eye.

Cherry Blossoms, i

cherry-blossoms-i

With unusual weather throughout the world, and a lot of rain, I was lucky to be in L.A. visiting a friend.  We made a deliberate trip to Lake Balboa to walk around and check out the cherry blossoms.  We were not disappointed.  Some of the trees were just coming into bloom, others were in full glory.