aloe---resurrected!

Today I repotted a few plants. One was an aloe that has sat bare root and neglected in a bucket in the green house corner for a few years now. When I last repotted the big aloe these were the broken and trimmed pieces that fell off. Since I couldn't make myself throw them away they sat in a bucket without water or soil in extreme temperatures for several years.
Glancing down and seeing that they were still struggling to survive and figuring that I could use another medicinal aloe --I quickly potted them and gave them a shot of water--they perked up almost immmediately!
No wonder it has the reputation for being a healing plant!

Prickly Poppy

A prickly poppy glows in the early morning sun. The petals are crinkled and ruffled like the fabric of a fine party dress.

It grows on sandy or gravelly soil. All parts of the plant contain alkaloids that are poisonous, and it is common throughout the west because even cattle will not eat it. It is sometimes called Thistle Poppy or Cowboy's Fried Egg.

cooling off

With temperatures soaring near 100 everyday the wildlife have used every opportunity to cool themselves. A pair of squirrels have discovered that splaying themselves flat on the concrete porch is an effective strategy.