Staying small

Someone I follow on bluesky wrote that they are deliberately choosing to share small moments from their life right now. This doesn't mean that they aren't aware (upset/nauseated/etc.) by current events. But by communicating some of their every day perspective they are consciously connecting with others that way. Endorsed.

There is a small plant that has sprung up between the gravel at the SE corner of our house. It's next to a large pot that contains prickly pear cactus. Since we moved in, the cactus always looks sad because we don't water it. But it endures because - cactus. I noticed the little plant after the roofers power washed the roof in preparation for our new white latex roof covering. (I think the change to bright white roof is already making the house cooler, thank gods.) I think it may be a hollyhock, one of my favorite non native plants. No idea whether it can survive on that sunniest of corners but I have begun watering it. I'll water it twice a week and the cactus pot once a week and see how it goes.  

We have other plants that appear in the gravel. I pull all the ones with thorns and the fox tail grass. But there is a very fine ornamental grass that has spread from their landscaped locations. I'm not sure if we're going to be able to manage that without poisoning it or re-smothering. The greater likelihood is that the yard will just fill with this ornamental grass because that is the path of least resistance. Doesn't seem like the worst thing. 

The mulberry tree in the front is dropping its catkins, little fingers of plant reproductive material (flowers?). If the winds don't do my work for me, I'll sweep the gravel in a week or so once it's done.