This is the time of year that our usual coastal fog is replaced by upper clouds. When I was a kid, our family called this “buttermilk” skies. I snapped this picture a couple of days ago during my noontime walk.
California
Trick-or-Treat Report
Not as large a turnout as last year, but we had some really cute and creative trick-or-treaters last night.
We’re the 43rd-Safest City – No Thanks to Democrats
Our city is ranked as the 43rd safest, but that’s little consolation when you consider we’re virtually surrounded by very dangerous places. Nearby Compton is fourth most dangerous and Inglewood to the North is 62nd.
From our local newspaper:
How safe is your city? If you live in Torrance, smile
The city ranks 43rd nationally on a list of 371 U.S. cities. If you’re reading from St. Louis, lock your doors.
Take a deep breath, Torrance: You are the nation’s 43rd-safest city.
The new rankings, released today, peg Brick, N.J., as the safest city in the land, and St. Louis as the most dangerous. Torrance came in just behind Warwick, R.I., at 42nd, and ahead of Clifton, N.J., at 44th. Torrance is the second-safest city in L.A. County, behind Santa Clarita at 34th.
When it comes to being safe in our homes, we’re comfortable with our home defenses and know how to apply them should the need arise. That’s why we’re voting for Republicans next week since there is not one single Democrat on our ballot that supports our right to own and bear arms. Diane Feinstein once indicated that “everyone should just turn in their guns” and disarm. Of course, there are many other reasons not to vote Democratic.
A White Icelandic Poppy
The sun was greeted by this white Icelandic Poppy this morning in my garden. I just love these since they tolerate the cooler temperatures and provode colors in the garden late into the year.
Even though this is called an Icelandic Poppy, it is, in fact, native to the USA. Read the following short articles for more facts and more pretty pictures about Icelandic Poppies.
By the way, if you’re in a timezone that observes daylight saving time, tonight’s the time to set your clocks back an hour.
Orchid of the Day
I took several shots of the orchids in our local garden emporium today, and although all of them were beautiful, these stood out as being the most unusual and interesting.
Flaming Daisies
“Arctotis hybrida” daisies offer a wide variety of colors. These fiery ones are blooming in my back yard in late October with more to come soon.
Starfish Flower
Damsel isn’t in to this strange flowering succulent, but I’m sort of entertained by it. In a way, it’s kinda disgusting, since it’s main pollinators are flies and it has a foul odor like roadkill. What’s interesting about this particular plant is that there are more pods blossoming into flowers than we’ve ever seen in the several years we’ve had it. I estimate there will be about 15 flowers this season — usually only one or two per season prior to now. It must be due to global warming (just kidding — sarcasm intended).
From Dave’s Garden:
Stapelia gigantea — Interesting succulent, olive green and erect. Lots of branches. 4-sided spineless stems average up to 9 inches and about 1 inch thick. Cactus-like appearance.
Grown mostly for the starfish-shaped flower. Flowers are pale yellow with reddish stripes, covered with white hairs. Flower can average 8 to 12 inches across. It is said to look flesh-like, also reported to have a rotting meat odor, which attracts its main visitor, the fly, for pollinating
This plant which is usually grown in pots is known by several common names which include the following: starfish flower, Zulu-giant, carrion flower and giant toad. It is native to southern Africa and Mozambique.
By the way, Dave’s Garden is one valuable resource when trying to learn about plants and flowers.