Under the Solano Sun

The summer fruit harvesting continues. We've had some hot days. I'm still waiting for the passion fruit to ripen. The grapes in the side yard are starting to ripen. But not quite as sweet as they could be. I know, because I've been eating them off the vine. The blackberries are ripening also.

A few years ago, I bought a few bags of glow- in- the- dark stones. My friend was making fairy gardens with her granddaughter and I thought they would enjoy the novelty of the stones. I kept a bag for myself. I don't remember being very impressed with the glow- in- the- dark capability.

We love to visit an extraordinary spot in the Sierra Nevada mountains and hike among the majestic Sequoia sempervirens (redwood) trees, located in the Calaveras Big Trees State Park.

Do you ever experiment with growing fruits and vegetables that have sprouted in your kitchen? An avocado, garlic, or onion perhaps? I purchased a chayote squash and didn't use it before it started sprouting. Out of curiosity, I planted it to see what would happen . . . .

It may not be too late to check out this little gem in Woodland. I had heard of the Mezger Zinnia Patch but had never been. I have a fondness for zinnias ever since I used them in my student project at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.