Picking Hops (Pictures and a Reflection)



I’ve always been amazed by hops. 

First, even though they’re a climbing plant, technically they’re not vines, but bines as they have a squarish, prickly stem.

Second, their claim to fame comes not from some gorgeous blossom, but from an elegant, paper leafed cone, or rather, from what that cone conceals. For when you break open a hop cone, deep within, packed along the center stem are miniscule, golden glowing orbs.

Lupulin.

This is the oil whose fragrance and taste you recognize in hoppy beers, or hop pillows, or aromatherapy mixtures.

While picking, some of it comes out of the cone and give my fingers a ’cheetos’ look and a wonderful, relaxing yet exhilarating, almost pine-like fragrance.

I’m sure the uninformed observer looks on wrinkling her brow as this man, dressed in fleece and baseball cap stands against Fall’s winds, raises his hand to his face and seemingly smell his fingers!(?) 

I inhale deeply and smile with wonder…

 

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Swans at the End of the Rainbow (and Haiku)

Long Necked Elegance

Graceful bow across the sky

Embrace on water

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Orchids, Haiku and more



Exotic Beauty

Witness to Earth’s history

Symphony of Life

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A Great Neck exercise for those of us in front of the computer

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Street fog pic and haiku

Black, grey, streetlight glows

Fog roads never seem to end

Yet I walk within…

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Moonfogtrees pictures and haiku

Wet veil, Nature’s breath

Leaves slice moon’s radiant spokes

I breathe light and joy

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Posted via email from The Cave Wall

Haiku and Pics from the Bonsai Exposition



Twisted branches bow

Artist, Nature breathe as one

Beauty transcendent

 

Rain Haiku and Pics



Heaven’s waters fall

Petals play, droplets dancing

Kisses from the sky

Water Lilies and Haiku



Creation’s Heart beats

Water blooms, Life rejoices

Lotus shines Hope – Rise!

Mark Buehrle pitches a perfect game! (and we were there)

Here are some pics I took at the game (and a couple screen clips from the grand slam with “yours truly” in them) as well as a homemade video I took of the last out of the game.

 

Enjoy!