Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Whisper of rain


Whisper of rain, originally uploaded by angryparsnip.

Tuesday evening in Tucson, Arizona.

Tucson is getting some clouds from the storm in the Gulf.
We are getting a hint of rain but so far it dissipates before hitting
land because the lack of humidity.

That will all change in a few days or weeks ! Monsoon will be here.
Monsoons come when the perfect storm of climate so to speak, appears ...
In July the humidity increases,
The dew point needs to rise above 54 for three consecutive days
We have consistently high temperatures,

Officially the monsoon will then start with rain, high winds,
lighting, thunder and fabulous clouds but what I love is the smell.
The air is filled with moisture, dust, sage and ozone !
This is what I grew up with and is the fragrance of summer for me.

waiting . . . parsnip
music . . . Kaze No Toori-Michi, Joe Hisaishi

Monday, June 28, 2010

Rain ?


Rain ?, originally uploaded by angryparsnip.

Storm clouds over the Catalina Mountains.

It is raining somewhere but not where I live... but it is hot so hot
feels really hot !
It feels so much hotter than the 103 my Doppler Radar says it is.
Did I say it was hot !

Goodness !

wilting . . . parsnip
music . . . Heavy Cloud No Rain, Sting

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Red Bird Of Paradise


Red Bird Of Paradise, originally uploaded by angryparsnip.

I think everyone knows what the Hawaiian Bird Of Paradise looks like.

Well, this is the Bird Of Paradise that I grew up with looks like.
It's name is the Red Bird of Paradise.
Many people call it the Mexican Bird Of Paradise but that plant has a
soft yellow bloom with bigger leaves and can grow much taller.

In the hot Arizona summer you will see the Red Bird Of Paradise
blooming every where. I have several on my land and want to plant more.

The City Of Tucson has used it to landscape many road dividers .
You will be driving down a street and be astounded by a mass of green,
red and yellow.
The leaves are quite delicate looking almost fern like and very very
green !
A cool oasis for the eyes, much need in the hot Arizona temperatures.

it's hot . . . parsnip
music . . . Mad World, Tears For Fears

Friday, June 25, 2010

Clouds


Clouds, originally uploaded by angryparsnip.

morning haiku

morning clouds appear
the air is filled with promise
hint of rain to come

waiting . . . parsnip
music . . . Taiju, Joe Hisaishi

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Saguaro Blooms


Saguaro Blooms, originally uploaded by angryparsnip.

a haiku for the first day of summer . . .

saguaros in bloom
the wildflowers are now gone
summer monsoons come

a day late . . . parsnip
music . . . Kaze No Tani No Naushika, Joe Hisaishi

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Queen Victoria's Agave #2


Queen Victoria's Agave #2, originally uploaded by angryparsnip.

Here is another picture of the Queen Victoria's Agave from my trip to
The Arizona Sonora Desert Museum.

I am trying to remember how big this Agave was, I am thinking about 8 inches around.
The close up shot from a few days ago was of the plant in front.

Looked this variety up and found out it is :
Slow growing
Grows to around 18 to 24 inches around maybe 12 inches tall.
At the tip of each leave is a very sharp spike/thorn and it does
hurt. Yes... I found that fact out all by myself !
Blooms once when about 10 to 20 years old and then dies after
blooming.

When some of this variety of Agave grow they look just like a very
compact round ball sitting on the dirt, too cute.
Love this plant... the color, the white stripe on each leave and the
size.

desert . . . parsnip
music . . . Great Balls Of Fire, Jerry Lee Lewis

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Happy Father's Day, Kuma-chan

Who Is this little guy ?

One of the few pictures I saved from the fire and it is a little beat
up.
Notice the Scotty Dog bedspread that was mine when I was a little
girl. Maybe this is why I love Scotties so much?
To bad it was lost in the fire along with my Family's Christening Gown.
I wish I still had them to hand down to you for your little one.

Happy Daddy's Day... Kuma-chan

wishing . . . parsnip
music . . . Lucky To Know You, Blue Merle

Friday, June 18, 2010

Osaka


Osaka, originally uploaded by angryparsnip.

I wish I could say I took this picture but I didn't . . . if I say I
was there when the picture was taken does that count ? Yes ?
This view is traveling from Sanda to Osaka on the JR Maroon Line.

Japanese son was playing around with this photo but in my mind this is
how I remembered it.
I was filled with such anticipation, I couldn't wait to play tourist
and the day delivered ! In my mind the day sparkled just like this
photo.

We were staying in Sanda and traveled through some of the most
beautiful rice fields and rugged hillside with bridges over the river to
Osaka for some shopping and lunch.

Of course I had to visit one of my favorite Studio Ghibli shops and
stop by the store to get my name " seal "
On my next trip I will be ordering a new " seal".
The one I have now is round and small. I can carry it in my purse in
my small " Gaspard and Lisa case. I am such a child.
This trip I want to order a bigger one and maybe a square shape. So
excited !

dreaming . . . parsnip
music . . . Kaza No Toori-Michi, Joe Hisaishi

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Queen Victoria Agave


Queen Victoria Agave, originally uploaded by angryparsnip.

Last year I took this picture of a Queen Victoria Agave at The
Arizona Sonora Desert Museum.

I saved this photograph so I could use it today, 17 June for Pat
( Past Imperfect ) who's Mothers Birthday is today.

I think it is a lovely plant and a perfect name. Happy Birthday !

cheers . . . parsnip
music . . . New Star In The Sky, Air

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

What I am reading . . .


What I am reading . . ., originally uploaded by angryparsnip.

My new nickname is Tofu Brain.... as that is how I feel lately so much
going on and so much to do.
But . . . as I say this I am reading two fabulous book, completely at
polar opposites on Japan.

The first book, "Tokyo Vice" I heard about from writer, artist and
blogger "Tokyo Dreaming".
I have just restarted this book after putting in down for a few months
and the sub-title says it all.
The author, who writes about crime in Japan and the world of the
modern day Yakuza, ends up with death threats against him and his
family while following a major story.

On the other side of the spectrum " Izakaya" is a wonderful fantasy
tasty read.
This is an interesting book on the food culture of the Japanese Pub.
So for me this is fabulous story that just so happens to be filled
with glorious food.
Easy on the eyes, beautifully photographed and filled with
surprising easy recipes that you will want to try.

The author talks about eight different Pubs that he is very familiar
with, their history, ambience, what they serve and why.
Filled with lots of easy to understand information, history,
ingredients, varieties of Sake and Beer this is a book about great
Japanese comfort food.
My trip to Japan can not come soon enough !

Just down the street from where I live is "Ginza" an izakaya styled
restaurant and bar.
All I can say is I am so HAPPY that Tucson, Arizona has such a
fabulous place and it is so close to where I live !

hungry. . . parsnip
music. . . Loopy ! Loopy ! Takuya Ohashi

Monday, June 14, 2010

Wise One


Wise One, originally uploaded by angryparsnip.

OK . . . I have had "The Perfect Storm" ( Sebastian Junger) of a
week ( since Thanksgiving ) ... anything and everything that could
have happened...
happened.

but ...

then this little "Muglies" appeared in Saturdays mail, a big Thank
You ! Eryl, cutest card ever....
it is indeed good to be a Grandmumzilla !

and...

every morning I find a new picture or video of my new
Grandchild . . . YEA ! ! !

So all and all I have nothing to complain about and all is well in the
world, at lest for today !

happy . . . parsnip
music, In The Blink Of A Eye, Christopher Cross

P.S. Check out, on my sidebar KOGUMA'S VIEW, new Daddy incorporated
a drawing I did in the new Banner.

Saturday, June 12, 2010

GOAL !


GOAL !, originally uploaded by angryparsnip.

Sorry England....

with players like this how can USA lose !

GO USA !

goooooooooooooooaaaaaaal . . . parsnip
music, Walking On The Sun, Smash Mouth

100_2793.JPG


100_2793.JPG, originally uploaded by angryparsnip.

100_2793.JPG

Thursday, June 10, 2010

What big ears you have.


What big ears you have., originally uploaded by angryparsnip.

It has been so hot in Tucson... but we are having a cold wave starting
today ! only 100 and for the next week high 80's to low 90's.
Break out the sweaters !

When it gets really hot all the wild critters dig holes in the moist
wells around the citrus trees and lay in the shade of the trees.
I water early in the morning.
Any time you look outside you will see Quail, Doves, Ground Squirrels
and Bunnies just hanging out and cooling off in the damp soil.
Everyone usually hangs out together and really pays no attention to
each other but when the Javelinas come they usually have the space
all to themselves.

chilling . . . parsnip
music . . . Come Away With Me, Norah Jones

Monday, June 7, 2010

Baby Quail


Baby Quail, originally uploaded by angryparsnip.

On May 9 I wrote about the Quail Nest in my east side yard.

The eggs hatched and they are now living with their Mum and Dad in the
underbrush on my property.
Quail babies are born about as big as your thumbnail but grow fast !
The first week they look like pebbles that move.

The above picture of seven babies ( you have to look just above the
rabbit ears ) are about two weeks old.
It is so hard to get a photo of the newest babies as they move super
fast and blend into the dirt and rocks.

I hope to keep posting on their growth in the next few months. If I
can get a photo ! ! !

searching . . . parsnip
music . . . Tori No Hito, Nausicaa OST

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Poetry Bus


Poetry Bus, originally uploaded by angryparsnip.

"The Weaver Of Grass" has a poetry bus running on her blog.
I am not sure I know what a Poetry Bus is but I hope they will let
me on with my Haiku.

Many of the blogs I read are from writers.
I am not a writer, I am an artist who uses paper and paint and not
words.
I have always been interested in Haiku

That said here is my Haiku...

Leaf Falls In Twilight
Evening Comes Embracing Stars
Whispered Memories

pensive . . . parsnip
music . . . Passing By, Ulrich Schnauss

Saturday, June 5, 2010

Happy Birthday, Joanna


Happy Birthday, Joanna, originally uploaded by angryparsnip.

Fabulous blogger "Up On Haliburton Hill" is having a Birthday this
weekend.

Her blog is filled with her travels from Victoria B.C. to Mexico and
back home. I found her on the blog world when she was posting about
my area of Arizona.

Her Birthday blog photo is from one of my most favorite places in the
world " The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum"
Beautiful vistas, plants and animals of this crazy lovely part of
Arizona.
The Museum has special events, education, research library and two
fabulous Restaurants. I could live there !

So a very Happy Birthday from Tucson, Arizona

cheers . . . parsnip
music . . . Breathe, Alexi Murdoch

Thursday, June 3, 2010

MeandMia2


MeandMia2, originally uploaded by angryparsnip.

MeandMia2

I don't post photos of my family but . . .

Here is a darling photo of my Japanese son and his Beautiful Daughter
and the tiny little foot, love the little foot !

awwwwwwwwwww . . . parsnip
music . . . Back In The High Life Again . . . Steve Winwood

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Happy Birthday to my Mum !


Happy Birthday to my Mum !, originally uploaded by angryparsnip.

Today is my Mothers Birthday.

Her name was Dolly and I wrote about her last year and all the
interesting things she did.
I was and still am in awe of her gardening skill. She could put a
stick in the ground and I swear the next day it had leaves and blooms.
My Mum was very artistic and she baked the best breads and cookies.
She was an accountant before she married and knew her way around
numbers. She always wrote the most beautiful numbers.

My Daughter takes after her and now I have a new Grand-daughter who
was almost born on her day. Isn't life Grand !

daughter. . . parsnip
music . . . Hello Dolly, OST