Yellow Allamandas and Madagascar periwinkle, Vinca rosa fringe this brick pathway of circular steps. The steps lead to a look-out point at a higher level for viewing the happenings beyond our stone fencing.
The colourful Periwinkle is one of the earlier known medicinal plant. Many alkaloids derived from it have anti cancer properties, such as vincristine and vinblastine. In some folklore medicine, it is also used to treat a wide range of diseases and conditions which run the gamut from inflammation, malaria, diabetes, depression to various cancers.
I plant them for their perpetual blooms of various hues and colours. I do not care much for the akaloids. The stunning visual effect is balm to the weary soul.
May flowers always line your path and sunshine light your day.
May songbirds serenade you every step along the way.
May a rainbow run beside you in a sky that's always blue.
And may happiness fill your heart each day your whole life through.
- Irish Blessings
The rain lashed fiercely at my windshield one day as I drove home after work. Just as suddenly, it stopped. As I pulled into the garage, I noticed the stooping branches of a pine tree, its needles laden with glinting rain drops. At my doorsteps, I found the pot of caladiums totally drenched from the downpour, with shimmering water crystals adorning the bosom of their foliage. I gazed at the largest of them all and in its depth I fathom a deep sense of serenity.
May the raindrops fall lightly on your brow.
May the soft winds freshen your spirit.
May the sunshine brighten your heart.
May the burdens of the day rest lightly upon you, and
May God enfold you in the mantle of His love.
- Irish Blessings
The stone steps leading to my abode always bear the tell tale signs of some explosive activities. Definitely not of nefarious nature, but simply the cacophonous ripening of rubber-seed pods. The pods crackle and expel 3-4 rubber seeds unceremoniously on to the terrain.
The rubber tree, Hevea brasiliensis first originate from Brazil and thanks to one Sir Henry Wickham who managed to ship loads of it out to Kew Gardens in London where it eventually found its way to Malaysia. At one time rubber (1950-90s, I think) was the mainstay of the Malaysian economy and a leading agricultural export.
Now, it has become so much of an urban oddity and novelty that they have been purposefully planned into some new housing developments. There are a handful of trees scattered right at my doorsteps. Perhaps one of these days, just for the sheer fun of it, I shall tap the bark for its milky latex.
“Opportunities, many times, are so small that we glimpse them not and yet they are often the seeds of great enterprises"
- Og Mandino
A true blue flower is a quite a rarity in any garden, let alone one of indigo hues. The blue pea flower, Ternatea Clitorea is as lovely as it is useful. A vigorous climber, it grows in profusion and throws out numerous blooms daily. It makes a wonderful food dye. We used it abundantly in our nyonya sweetmeats and in savoury dumplings.
"He is happiest who hath power to gather wisdom from a flower"
- Mary Howitt
A hibiscus stigma dusted with pollens is at the threshold of starting a new chapter in its verdant life. However this seems quite superflous as most of the propagation of hibiscus is done vegetatively rather than through seeds. Seems like Nature's urging for gene variety is strongly weaved into its reproductive blueprint. There's always a chance that one might take seed naturally or by human means to produce a refreshingly new and pretty progeny.
“Books are the bees which carry the quickening pollen from one to another mind”.
-James Russell Lowell
Toadie is a mature, sedate guy. He sat motionless at my backyard and enjoyed the dusk breeze with nary a twitch. He must be surveying the evening activities with his dark gleaming eyes. I moved very close and yet he hardly gave any indication that he was aware of my presence. He only hopped off after I was done shooting him. The invasion of his last few inches of personal space must have finally rankled him.
"I'd kiss a frog even if there was no promise of a Prince Charming popping out.
I love frogs".
-Cameron Diaz
TO THE GIRLS OUT THERE:
To minimise your risks, it's FROGS that you should kiss, not TOADS.
Sweet Girl Sharon dropped by over the weekend. She greeted me in a T-shirt emblazoned with a strong graphical oral health message - "that chocolates be the ruin of teeth". I nodded with much approval and bid her a warm welcome.Later while nibbling on an Anthon Berg with Plum-in-Madeira soaked marzipan, she realized how incongrous it all was. Guiltily, she picked up an apple and asked "Should I switch?"And we thought that the apple was the original provenance of EVE's folly! Now it looks like the Millennium's Testament (if ever there is one) has to be written differently.“All I need is a little love now and then, but some chocolate will do for now.”- Lucy Van Pelt
As I stepped out into my garden, this stray Tom cat flashed past me and perched on the ledge of the garden wall. He turned back and stared at me and I surmised the state of his mind - why not total flight instead? To lure him to stay, I "meowed" persuasively and dashed into the house to grab my faithful Nikon. He was still around, probably expecting some sort of treat. I snapped several shots before moving closer for more close ups, all the while still meowing. His narrowed iris and tensed body indicated his readiness for flight
"A cat improves the garden wall in sunshine, and the hearth in foul weather".
--Judith Merkle Riley
His musings is reminiscent of the movie Benjamin Button. If it is ever possible to choose how one can be born, perhaps this could be an interesting alternative.
Last night, we got this ersatz Tiffany lamp from India installed in our balcony. It is a negative-positive lamp with the black areas appearing white, sans lillumination. It hangs prettily as a welcoming beacon to family members and guests alike.
"An apt quotation is like a lamp which flings its light over the whole sentence"
-Letitia Landon
“We waste our lights in vain, like lamps by day.”
-William Shakespeare
Yellow Allamandas and Madagascar periwinkle, Vinca rosa fringe this brick pathway of circular steps. The steps lead to a look-out point at a higher level for viewing the happenings beyond our stone fencing. 
