Thursday, July 06, 2017

Thorns

This acacia sapling is lined with sharp thorns, likely the plant's defense against would-be nibblers. As the tree ages, the thorns become woody, but fewer, as most of the tree rises high above the reach of hungry wildlife. Except for giraffes, maybe, but they live on the other side of town--at the zoo.

Thorns on an acacia.

I got out this morning before 06h30 to water the vegetable garden. Tasha was bouncing off the walls in the house, so I got her outside to chase the tennis ball in between trips to the rain barrels with the watering cans. We're expecting another very hot day, so if I'm going to cut grass it will have to be this morning.

6 comments:

  1. How does Tasha do with the lawn mower going? Does it scare her, or does she chase after you?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. She's closed up in the house with me during the mowing. MétéoFrance says the temperature will hit 35ºC in Tours today. Maybe it won't be quite that hot here — 35ºC is 95ºF.

      Delete
  2. I've never seen a Saint Aignan giraffe! We haven't been nearly as hot as you, but these last two days have been more humid than usual. I noticed some rain drops yesterday afternoon (about 5...) but there's a better chance of rain and thunderstorms today, which would be a nice break.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Do you mean about five drops of rain or 5PM? Ha!

      Delete
  3. judy, as Ken said, we don't let her out when I'm mowing. She, like Callie before her, likes to chase anything that moves, including lawnmowers, wheelbarrows, and even rakes.

    mitch, Saint-Aignan giraffes look pretty much like other giraffes. We also have penguins. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Daisy has several nasty scratches on her tummy that are slowly healing. The result of climbing up the acacia trees along our border - she gets them on the way down but it doesn't stop her from climbing them again.

    ReplyDelete

Tell me what you think!