It feels like the end of the world here in California. And, as if the fires burning largely unabated weren’t enough, another round of dry lightning is heading our way. I just don’t know how we’re going to make it.
East of us, evacuees are being allowed back to their homes (if they are lucky). However the smoke is still too hazardous to breathe.
The garden is becoming hallucinogenic, perhaps even radioactive.
When the air begins to clear, the hawks circle. Sometimes high; sometimes just over my head. And then …
The magic plant pops to life.
Saying nothing in particular 
I want to cry when I hear what’s happening in California. When I was growing up in San Jose, we spent so many hours camping/hiking/picnicking in Big Basin, but that’s largely destroyed. Just got off Zoom call with my family, and many are on evacuation standby. My heart bleeds.
Oh dear. I hope your family is okay. The fire came dangerous close to Santa Cruz last night – for a time they thought they’d have to evacuate the whole town. Pictures were horrifying.
Drimia maritima (L.) Stearn
Red-squill , Sea-onion , Sea-squill
https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/gallery?taxon_key=2776790
I use PlanetNet to ID your phallic-flower.
Wow! Interesting plant. Thanks! Supposedly it’s used to kill rats and drive away evil spirits.
You beat me to it! I tried to get Pl@ntNet to identify it before it bloomed. It didn’t work.
Very hallucinogenic.
I’m so sorry about what’s happening there.
Thanks. I’m in a double funk because my mother’s not doing well and I can’t get up to where she’s living – probably until at least Monday.
Oh so sorry to hear that.
You guys are really taking a beating this year. I hope things get better soon.
Thanks Dan. Tonight will be key – hopefully the t-storms will stay off coast or at least produce more rain that lightning.
Thanks Jan for the report. Good luck. One thing, can you keep an eye out for “ball lightning”? I once had my door open in Maseru and a lightning bolt hit near the doorway and a ball of lightning rolled into the house. It was during a snowstorm, so go figure. Thanks. Duke
Wow.
Thanks Duke. That sounds like a Hans Christian Anderson story! Did it say anything to you?
Hoping things take a turn for the better soon. What a year, eh?
A friend of mine says that an asteroid is heading toward earth! Should arrive on Nov. 3rd. Doesn’t surprise me at all.
I heard that they have 3 possible locations the asteroid could hit – but they’re not saying where!
Blimey it’s grim. And i moan about my dessicated lawn. Glad you’ve a name for your penis plant. If ever you decide to prune it then make a note at the top of the post so I don’t have to see the pictures
I’m afraid to even touch the thing! It’s already waist-high.
You are clearly having a very tough time, I hope it comes to an end very soon.
Thank you Glyn. Right now I just hope it doesn’t get worse!
Still wishing you rain. We’ve had so much that, instead of a penis plant, we are inundated with shrooms. I keep looking for Alice, rabbits with watches and caterpillars with hookahs.
Keep us posted. Another blogger I follow is getting smoke from the fires in Colorado.
Sounds heavenly to me. We generally don’t get rain until mid-September. Yes, Colorado is having it’s share of problems as well.
I’m so sorry, Jan. So much bad stuff going on in CA. I hope things get better soon, and also that your mother’s health improves. At least you know the name of the penis plant now. It’s quite pretty covered in flowers.
It sounds like nature is being really hard on you out there. She must be well pissed off! I am still praying for everyone out there.
I still say that plant is a tryphid! For goodness sake don’t cut it it might eat you 😳💜💜💜
That plant of yours is ready to attack. Watch your back.
Doesn’t it? Thanks for visiting.