2/15/11
Aloe arborescens is a beautiful plant. It is native to Africa, where it evolved growing on cliffs, which is probably why the Zulu made an elixir of its leaves for protection against storms. It has many healing properties. It is anti-bacterial, anti-ulcer, anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic, hypoglycaemic and makes your hair grow. Also, it heals burns, including x-ray. Its leaves don’t get as juicy as its cousin, the Aloe barbadensis, but it blooms reliably, attracting hummingbirds, and grows to a tree-like shrub form, lending presence to a landscape.
2/9/11
Marine salvage laws can be interpreted such that it is legal to strip a boat that is beached and appears to be abandoned (in peril). Personally I think it’s tacky to take advantage of this law so obviously intended for other situations. In this case though, I had permission from the owner of a 60′s or 70′s era 3/4 cutaway keeled ketch, pulled out of the San Francisco Bay at Hunter’s Point, whose demolition is scheduled. Seeing it lying there on its side, de-masted, covered in little oysters and barnacles, lovely still, just breaks my heart. But taking what I can to repurpose into something new is a way of keeping its spirit alive, even if I can’t save the boat. Now, what to make with a turnbuckle, set of oarlocks, winch handle and porthole…
2/1/11
Today I logged onto the Facebook and to my delight, there were two consecutive posts reporting double rainbows!! One was in Santa Barbara, where I’m from, and the other in the SF Bay Area, where I am now. I’ll take it as a sign that the year of the rabbit is going to be a good one.