Valentine’s Day: Are the cost and brand of the chocolates and flowers equivalent to the amount and quality of the love professed?

chocolates

I remember how, back in grade school, whenever there was an occasion (Christmas, Valentine's Day or whatever), we would sometimes have class "visitors" who would be selling … [Read more...]

The controversial talumpunay (angel’s trumpet) and some thoughts on drug addiction

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The time we bought fruit trees to plant in the garden, Speedy bought a talumpunay (sometimes spelled talampunay) tree. He planted it in a far corner of the garden near the … [Read more...]

Breakfast in bed and a dozen roses

roses

I don't normally get up before nine o'clock in the morning but Speedy came into the room with a breakfast tray and I didn't want the coffee to get cold. So, I sat up and ate … [Read more...]

I need to see something calming before I sleep

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Too excited to sleep. Too worked up to rest. No, not caffeine. The last cup of coffee I had was more than seven hours ago. It's not alcohol either because alcohol makes me … [Read more...]

Water lily or lotus?

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It seems that not ever flower that grows on water is a water lily flower. And it seems, furthermore, that there is a botanical difference between a lotus flower and a water … [Read more...]

Neglected flowers by the front door

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If you're the kind of person who's meticulous about what people's first impression of your house should be, chances are, you chose very carefully the plants near your front … [Read more...]

They may look fragile but they’re really tough

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Over a year ago, I posted photos of empty planters on top of two posts on the garden fence and another on the corner of the second floor balcony. You can see them here. I had … [Read more...]

Not in black and white

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Black and white photography has never really interested me. I've heard and read all the arguments in its favor from the dramatic effect to the play on lights and shadows but I … [Read more...]

The flowers and the bees

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There were two bees -- one black and another with yellow stripes. I stalked the darn things for over two hours to take these photos. Location: Balay Indang. Camera: Canon EOS … [Read more...]

Round spiky red flowers called Fireball

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We were at Balay Indang during the Pacquiao-Hatton weekend and, on the way home, because the way home is through Tagaytay City, we passed by Mahogany Market as has been our … [Read more...]

Pollen

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They create plant seeds, they are carriers of ecological information and, recently, they are being sold as food too. Pollen grains appear as a coarse powder to the naked eye; … [Read more...]

Bee courting Zinnia

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It would have been nicer if if the sun weren't directly overhead but one really can't be too choosy when photographing bees that might not be there when the sun is in a better … [Read more...]

Jasmine hedge outside my bedroom window

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The white flower buds may look like sampaguita but they're really another variety of jasmine. It started drizzling after lunch and it looked like a heavy downpour was … [Read more...]

The hidden Mickey, err… Speedy

Husband behind flowers

I wanted to take his picture; he declined. So I pretended to take a photo of the Anthurium instead. As a sidelight, Sam thought that was a plastic flower in the vase. Happens … [Read more...]

Be careful what you wish for

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December 30 was such a perfect day. Cool. Milky sunlight. Breezy. My mother-in-law called and we had last minute discussions about the next day's New Year's Eve party at our … [Read more...]