Window on George

                    Jasminum Sambac   aka    Grand Duke of Tuscany   aka   Arabian Jasmine                                                            Tea Jasmine       Rose Jasmine ' Grand Duke of Tuscany'  - possesses flowers with doubled petals. They resemble small white  roses  and are less fragrant than the other varieties. It is also known as 'Rose jasmine'.   In the Philippines, it is known as  kampupot . In  China , the flower is processed and used as the main ingredient in  jasmine tea  (茉莉花茶) Pakistan, India and Middle East It is one of the most commonly grown ornamentals in  Pakistan ,  India  and  Bangladesh , where it is native. [23] [15]  They are used to make thick garlands used as hair adornments. In  Oman , Jasminum sambac  features prominently on a child's first  birthday . Flowers are sprinkled on the child's head by other children while chanting "hol hol". The fragrant flowers are also sold packed in between l

It's warm, dry and sunny! Perfect beach weather. I don't miss the humid summers of Hong Kong. Soon I will go to George where it will be cold and wet. But for today, we have summer. The Golden Chain Tree. Beware, it is poisonous. http://www.moonnurseries.com/Trees?nid=2223

I googled "Painted Ladies" to get some more butterfly pictures... Was not prepared for what I found! http://ladies-with-bottle.blogspot.com/2012/06/intoxicating-wine-inspired-perfume-by.html Besides the obvious ladies that are painted, I found my favourite houses! Somehow wine crept into the picture But, I digress.   Let me get back to the painted ladies. Painted lady on white flowers These butterflies visited our campus for a few days:

On my way home this afternoon, I noticed the Painted Lady butterflies have left and their Lantana host shrubs  are now covered in white fluff with brown seed pods.   I veered to the left, aiming for the shady side of the mosque, no pun intended.   The sun is now quite hot and I shielded my face with my headscarf.   Through the black haze, I suddenly noticed patches of yellow against the bright blue sky.   Unceremoniously, I dropped  my handbag, took out my phone, and starting shooting! The boeing overhead was my sign to go home.   It only took about 5 minutes, but when I got inside my flat, my face was burnt.    This sun is not to be taken lightly, I gathered... I waited until it was much later and cooler, then went back to pick some flowers & leaves for identification. The Divine Tree Indian Tulip Tree (Thespesia Populnea/भेंडी, पारस-पिंपळ) is a marvellous tree which is considered sacred in

“Twee blommetjies vir Mamma  want sy kook my kos.  Nog twee blommetjies vir Mamma,  sy maak nare knope los.  Twee blommetjies vir Mamma  want sy sing vir my.  Nog twee blommetjies vir Mamma,  sy sit pleisters op ‘n sny.  Twee blommetjies vir Mamma  want sy luister as ek kla.  Al die blommetjies vir Mamma.  Sy is die mooiste, beste Ma”  -Alba Bouwer-  Hierdie blou blommetjies groei orals in die wereld, selfs hier in die woestyn in Riyadh.   Die eerste keer wat ek hulle gesien het, is toe die 4jarige Janie hulle in die veld in die Vrystaat vir my gepluk het.   En met uitgestrekte handjies hierdie gediggie aangehaal het.