Hello, friends. We've had a mostly cloudy, chilly week here in southwest Florida. But this morning, the sun is shining so I figured it was a good time to take this year's post-hurricane vegetation status photo.
Last spring, we decided we liked the large turnaround Ian (9/22) provided, so we made a center island and laid permeable pavers across the front to the garage doors on either side of the stairs. We replanted the area directly in front of the stairs and house, plus added several native bushes along the sides of the driveway.
Things look a bit better since January 2024, and I'm sure it will continue to fill in. Slowly, but surely the subtropical vegetation is returning... but we will likely add more trees and bushes again this winter. I'll include all the earlier photos at the end of the post for comparison.
Recent Reading//
A Good Life by Virginie Rinaldi
I started 2025 with a couple of DNFs, so my first book of the year was actually a reread. A few months ago I rated this novel about sisterhood, home, and family four stars but raised it to 4.5 stars this time around. It will be my selection for the small World Lit book club I joined this year. ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫
Oranges by John McPhee
This slim nonfiction classic, first published in 1967, was on my 2025 list of priority reads. I was hoping to learn more about the Florida citrus industry and its history... and I did pick up some interesting information. I enjoyed McPhee's writing style, reading about the development of the groves, the orange barons, microclimates, and historic freezes, but there were also parts I found pretty boring. I imagine some of the information presented must be outdated at this point. I would like to read more about the current state of Florida's citrus industry.
⭐⭐⭐
I've Tried Being Nice: Essays by Ann Leary
I'm halfway through this essay collection by the author of The Good House and The Children. It's very good so far.
How the Light Gets In by Joyce Maynard
This is a sequel to Maynard's 2021 novel Count the Ways... which I loved. I've read about a third of this one and it's just as good so far!
The week ahead//
It's supposed to be another cool and rainy week. I'm hoping for plenty of time to read while waiting for the refrigerator repair guy, AC service, and the carpenter who will measure for plantation shutters. I also had a crown fall out, so there will be a trip to the dentist, too. So much excitement... sigh.
Vegetation Photo Comparison//
Pre-Ian, January 2022
Post-Ian, January 2023
January 2024
Today
How was your week? What have you been reading?
The Sunday Salon is hosted by Deb at Readerbuzz.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thanks so much for taking the time to comment! Be sure to check back, I always respond. Due to a recent increase in spam, all comments are moderated.