Post 151
11 January 2019
Friday Favs: Aloe Vera: Winter Delights
I often begin my morning by checking
the daily issue of the Old Farmer’s Almanac –
I receive a Newsletter which comes silently
each day
in my mailbox.
First,
I check the front page for the poem of the day. The featured poem, or fragment of a poem or proverb or quote always has a beautiful photograph or art work that goes with it. To see a photo with some creative text is inspiring to me. Do you enjoy seeing an artistic image with a poem? I think it is a WIN-WIN when there are TWO CREATIVE WORKS side-by-side.
How do YOU feel about that?
I think of a POEM PLUS PHOTO as a
MARRIAGE MADE IN HEAVEN.
Word + Image = ART!
Below: Photo by Lynda McKinney Lambert.
Today –
I spotted some photos of a type of succulent plant that I love.
I bought my first Aloe Vera about twenty years ago at a rare plant store in Georgia. We were visiting our daughter who lived in Georgia at that time.
The Rare Plant store was a thrill for us to find. I never was in such a a store that sold rare plants – we purchased a few of them and a container to plant them in. This purchase was how I started my succulent collection.
I bought a shallow terra-cotta planter that looks something like a pie dish. The circular planter is wide at the top and shallow – only about 3 inches deep. I still have the dish I purchased and I still have several types of Aloe Vera plants.
Aloe Vera plants brighten our rooms
from late fall to early spring.
As soon as I am sure winter frosts are over, my plants go outside to live on our wraparound porch for about 6 months a year. They thrive in the bright light of the porch, yet they are protected from rain and direct sunlight. It is important to keep the plants out of the rain because they will get too wet and begin to rot. The need to be in containers of terra-cotta for good drainage.
With good care you can have your Aloe Vera plants for many years.
Everything you ever want to know about t Aloe Vera Plants
Here is a poem I wrote when my Partridge Breasted Aloe was blooming.
–
“Partridge Breasted Aloe”
She thrust her pointed daggers
upward and outward
concave deep green leaves
adorned with white spots
front and back.
Basks in winter sunshine.
from a center core at the base
spiny and plump
with white designs
on the spruce green leaves.
Winter is flowering season
one long stem bursts above
like a quiet barn swallow
shooting up from the center
of a rosette in the springtime
one salmon pink flower
fills my mornings with a delicate scent
no fragrance can match
the fragile beauty of her perfume.
Partridge Breast is a sun worshipper
thrives in the south-facing window
prefers to drink less in winter.
Partridge Breast is the Queen of my collection
succulents and cacti, my delights.
Partridge Breasted Aloe brings
a sense of peace to my home.
When spring rains turn towards
Summer’s cat-like days
my succulent friends spend their
vacation on my sun-drenched porch
where no grooming is necessary.
—
By Lynda McKinney Lambert, 2017.
–
Previously Published:
Naturewriting, Literary Magazine -, Feb. 13, 2018
Behind Our Eyes: A Literary Sunburst – Anthology #3. 2019
–
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I LOVE YOU FOR THAT!
Reblogged this on Campbells World.
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Hi, Lynda–How nice to read of your special plants in the midst of January! I always enjoy reading a mention of your wrap-around porch in a piece of your writing.
Enjoy a wintry weekend!
Alice and Willow
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Hi Alice. How nice of you to comment on my latest post about Aloe Vera plants. I am a collector of them – which happens naturally as the plants multiply over the years. I have not been without Aloe Vera in my home for well over twenty years. When I taught at the college, I had two enormous ones in my art studio classroom. The lighting was perfect for them and they flourished in the filtered light in the window wells. Our classroom was in the basement of Old Main.
Yes, the wraparound porch is a lonely place in winter time. No plants, no rocking chairs, and no people .
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