Sunday May 25th 2025

This weekend has been uneventful. The weather has been hot with afternoon thunderstorms. It was very much a Florida summer weather pattern with warmer than normal temperatures. Yesterday, while enjoying the trails along a Lake in one of Winter Haven’s parks, I watched a storm materialize out of nowhere over the lake. One minute it was clear in all directions with a few scattered clouds and the next the area over the lake was thick with fog. Strong winds developed around the edges. Clear air and sun were still visible on the far side of the lake. It was a rapid transformation that I don’t think I’ve seen before.

The weekend has provided an opportunity to get a little yard work accomplished. One of the attractions of this property was the lack of significant yard upkeep requirements. Instead of grass the yard is covered in small stones over landscape cloth. It should be virtually maintenance free. What I’ve found is lots of scattered green weeds that have managed to find enough dirt to grow. They don’t take much to pull out, but if I don’t they will eventually take over. I collected a five gallon bucket full of weeds.

My bougainvillea was also in need of more trimming. This plant is very pretty, but wants to grow to fast. It has only been about a week since the last trimming. The problem is that each trimming cuts away many of the pretty blossoms. I even resorted to a Google search on how to care for a bougainvillea and I’m not doing anything wrong.

In other areas of my yard, I continue to look for other plants to add color. The issue is finding things that will survive and thrive when I resume my travels. At least visiting the garden shops to shop is interesting.