...of Jaunts and Journeys

Sunday, February 24, 2013

IN THE MEANTIME ....

As usual, I've been busy. I'm trying to get the backyard ready for all my spring gardening, but it is a slow process.

After the raised bed was made, it was time to fill it with gardening soil. With much assistance from some male muscle, I was able to get 2 cubic yards of dirt. I really like going to the soil "store".  Hard to believe there are so many varieties of soils, mulches, and compost!


After unloading the truck, the next destination was Dallas Farmer's Market. I wanted to go so I could practice photo-taking with a speedlite. It made an amazing difference. Usually I prefer to shoot without using any flash. In a few weeks I need to take photos at a family wedding and didn't want to chance ruined photos because of poor lighting or no flash. I've been practicing the "bouncing" technique for taking photos without directly pointing the flash at the subject(s). The first photo is without any flash.


And here is a photo of the same booth using the speedlite:


Back to my gardening projects. Here is an example of what I am trying to do with my yard. The plants are all native to the area and survived centuries of growth despite periods of drought. In other words, they have adapted to using no more water than what rain is provided. It will take a couple of years to achieve the completed look, but think of all the money I will save by not watering and not mowing!!


You have to look closely, but there are interesting objects spaced throughout the yard. Metal yard art, unusual boulders, and garden signs. Some paths are flagstone; others decomposed granite. To me this is much more visually appealing than a manicured lawn, sculpted shrubbery, and straight cement walkway.


Yesterday I went to a part of town I can truthfully say I'd never ventured. I was searching for "junk shops". Instead I found myself at a salvage yard. There were windows, doors, old lumber, rusted metal, and more. The sad part was that none of the prices were salvage prices!!!


This was a view from a vantage point I'd never been. I rather liked it.


The salvage yard was on the south side of the city, along the Trinity River. Many decades ago Dallas built numerous bridges traversing the river as the city grew and needed to accommodate more drivers. This is one of the remaining old structures.


The last photo of the day was not intended. As part of the city's vision to make the Trinity River bottom more attractive (translated as capable of producing income for the city), new bridge structures are being built, decades-old streets are being renamed to sound more inviting (i.e Industrial Boulevard suddenly became Riverfront Boulevard), and plans move full steam ahead to renovate, revitalize, and transform a previously decayed industrial area to a retail and eatery destination. The Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge was completed last year, but I'd never purposely sought an excuse to see the structure. In my opinion it is more impressive at night with the lights that shine on it, allowing it to be seen from miles away. (It's also very difficult to drive and take photos at the same time).


Today I worked in the veggie garden. Got my tomatoes planted then fertilized and gave another dose of root stimulator (as always, organic and pet-safe) to the already planted onions. With any luck, by the end of May I will be eating home-grown onions and tomatoes. The peppers won't get planted for at least a few more weeks. If I get ambitious enough to make another raised bed, I might try some beans, peas, or squash. We'll see how it goes.

Until then...