Sedum Brings Color Every September

Every September, I look forward to my Sedum blooming faithfully on my deck. It blooms only once annually and always in September. How does it know? It is a welcome first sign of Autumn at my Topanga home when I see the red blooms, every year.

Hawk Circles gliding effortlessly

It was the loveliest day yesterday in the 80's, instead of 90's. I sat on the backyard steps, watching a hawk gliding effortlessly on the breezes. Behind him a jet plane made its stiff flight.. unreal. Soft breezes made their way up the canyon to me. I let them wash over me & soaked in the dappled sun. So much life all around me. The heads of the Buckwheat dark brown now after Summer. The ground so dry. Everything waiting for the first rain. The long golden grass, matted down. My eyes adjust to take in the little houses on the opposite hillside far away..

Tomato Hornwood Caterpillar Disappears

Well, the Caterpillar has disappeared as abruptly as he came. Perhaps he is under the leaf litter, going through the metamorphasis that will turn him into a moth. His friend disappeared a couple days before.. Which is fine, as that leaves more Tomatoes for me! I will keep an eye out for new Moths..

Tomato Hornworm Caterpillar Arrives

This weekend I was surprised to see my first Garden Pests in my Organic Tomato bed. These caterpillars are so good at disguising themselves.. I think they are super ugly.. My husband thinks they are "cool". (That's because he thinks like a little boy.) Still, can't bring myself to kill them. I have a looked them up, found that they probably can't decimate my entire garden, so for now they get to stay & eat. IF, they promise to turn into butterflies quickly & move along. Manduca quinquemaculata.

Sky Over Topanga - Smoke meets Storm

On my walk with Buddy this Topanga morning, the skies were quite interesting. In the East, smoke cloud could be seen.. gray with pink .. but overall, the clouds were gray & fluffy, rain clouds.

Hurricane off of Baja met Smoke from the Angeles Forest Fires.. An unusual coupling, for sure. The storm clouds kept the sun at bay, so though it still reach 100dgs, it didn't feel like it. There was a soft morning breeze and not so much smell of smoke.

Hoping some light rain might find its way to Topanga and help with the Station Fire in Tujunga.