Nearly As Delightful As A Dead Gopher

It even looks cool, doesn't it? 
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Yesterday was an unexpectedly cool day.  A 75 degree (23 C) day at the end of July, cool ocean breeze flowing over all, was a complete delight.  And as the day progressed, other delights presented themselves.  

I was pleased and surprised to discover the first pup from Agave lophantha 'Quadricolor'.
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Mama:
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And close by, the first pup from Agave parryi truncata.  
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Mama:
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Not so delightful was finding yet another pup from Agave augustifolia variegata, the Agave version of Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon).  Yet delightful in the end:  it was easy to pull right out.  The runner was almost 4' long (>1 M)!  


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Then there was simply the symmetry, health, and beauty of this Aloe, possibly ferox.  About 1x1 M now.  Still awaiting a flower.  
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And the now opening blooms of Crassula falcata, which resembles broccoli, only red. 
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And the second largest of our  'Blue Glow' Agaves, which I acquired in a 4" (10 cm) pot, is now quite a bit larger than a football (soccer ball, to Americans).  
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Not only that--being able to get out and photograph plants at noon without fainting from the heat was yet another delight.  And Hoover was feeling pretty good.  At this point, every good day he has is a gift to be cherished. 
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Feeling lively enough to race out of the frame before the shutter could snap:
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Yesterday, unexpected, undemanded, was like going for a walk and finding a $100 bill.  Nearly as delightful as a dead gopher.  It's lovely to feel gratitude for a peaceful summer day.  It feels good. 

"Gopher?" asks Cuddles.  "Sounds yum-meeee!"
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Comments

  1. Agaves can get a bit invasive can't they when they have free run of the place. You could pot them up stick them out front with an honesty box for others to enjoy.
    And your dogs are beautiful, I can only imagine how hot they must get with all that fur!

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  2. OH! You know I'm smiling here in Cleveland, right?
    Glad you had a lovely day. We finally got out of the 90s here and yesterday I took the camera and took a long walk around the arboretum.
    Wish I could give Hoover and Cuddles a nose kiss.

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  3. I always love seeing updates on your wonderful, varied garden. Oh, the things you can grow in your California climate!

    I understand your gratitude for every good day spent with Hoover. He and my Emma seem to be walking parallel paths. One day at a time, good days and not-so-good days, every day is a treasure. Sweet, sweet Hoover.

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  4. Hoover and Cuddles are sweet. Those cooler days are to be enjoyed; Hoover knows that too. We have been having a relatively cool summer here in the Sacramento Valley--and my two four legged companions are enjoying the cooler weather too.

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  5. So glad to read those shaggy beasts of yours are enjoying cooler temps. I just moved a pretty large 'Blue Glow' this morning. Is that a hall of fame agave hybrid or what? I didn't know about the invasiveness of angustifolia, so thanks for the head's up. No wonder it was cheap.

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