Prickly friends: Overwintering hedgehogs

My blogging groove has been a bit 'blah' lately. Actually, it was my general mood. Mostly after my dear family member lost his battle with cancer on Xmas Eve, and then the overwhelming feeling of emptiness, apathy and the omnipresent Migraine Fairy who seems to have a pick on me. Also,do have in mind that God made winter and rainy days so gardeners could get the housework done... But a few little creatures are responsible for taking most of my time. Well, not taking, just making most of my days. So here is my story of...

'PRICKLY HOGLETS'

Early December when the winter had blown first of its cold breaths into my garden, I was to join Kristy cat on the window, during her every day task of scanning the front garden for some action. And there was plenty. Little birds everywhere, fighting for pieces of bread crumbs and seeds that had fallen out of the feeder. And then, a wee, prickly figure staggering about with his very own slice of stale bread. It was early afternoon, and the weather was quite chilly, about -5C.

I was surprised to see a tiny hedgehog out in midday, during such a cold period, when it should have been in a 'deep sleep' mode by then. So tiny, it weighed only 250g, while a single hedgehog should weight at least 600g to survive the winter and wake up after hibernating through the cold months. In a blink of a moment I decided to overwinter the poor little lad, even though the only experience I have had with hedgies was feeding them cat food and leftovers in the backyard. He (I later found out it was a 'he') must have been so starved out he would not let go of his stale bread. So I brought him in, and the next mission was to make him a new home. I connected two big rectangular PVC boxes with a PVC water pipe (thanks Dad).


I hardly knew anything about hedgehog care so I was learning along the way and googling up anything and everything on them. I named the little fella Billy Bob ( but any similarity with Thornton was accidental ;-). He had a severe respiratory inflammation and was so oblong and underweight he hardly resembled a hedgie (you can see how tiny he still was a few weeks after I've brought him in on the above photo). Since the vets here will rarely treat hedgies and even if they do, they will just do whatever needed to get rid of the annoying and demanding owner, it was just Google and me. Nevertheless, his health improved visibly within weeks, and so did his weight. He also had a slight mange infection which was succesfully treated with a mixture of tea tree oil and baby oil. And now, 3 months later, he is a chubby pile of prickles that can hardly fit into his tunnel, and has early morning activity moments with Kristy the cat, his personal aerobics trainer, to help him stay fit.


A month later, during the worst colds of January (-15C), thanks to dogs, we have found another lost cause in the garden, another hoglet, an autumn juvenile just like Billy Bob, that did not accumulate enough fat to hibernate, so he was roaming the frozen backyard looking for some food (or help). This lad was in a severe condition: seriously anemic, stuffed with ticks, a bad case of mange and fungal dermatitis and flu. His weight was nearly 400g but he was in such a bad condition he wouldn't even curl up in a ball. By now, I have bought another wide rabbit cage, so my hedgie could have more space to roam around in the night. It has a built-in hideout as they like to bury into an isolated place, where they can sleep during the day, undisturbed by daily light. The new hedgehog, named Marco.Polo, desperately needed some vet help.

Marco during one of his TeaTree oil antifungal baths

But like I said, I was on me own, and I had to go to the vet's and beg for a drop of Ivermectin (parasiticide) to sprinkle on his food, becasue he was too weak to be treated in any other way. He wouldn't eat for days, and had to be syringe-fed, but then he fell for something that Billy Bob had lost his head over: bananas. No tinned cat food, as delicious as it may be, no sultanas, no fruit, no treats could ever delight my hedgies as much as bananas do. Along the way, he was treated for lungworms (25mg Mebendazole two times a day, I used the meds my cats get for worming), severe respiratory inflammation (antibiotics through syringe or hidden in yummy banana slices), mange and ringworms (Canesten cream on the nose, ears and around the eyes; for prickles and belly the following mixture: a pint of tepid water, 10 drops of quality Tea Tree oil, 2 drops Lavender oil, 1 spoon of Almond oil and a squirt of baby oil, applied every 3 days) and this is the first week I can finally say he now resembles a healthy, young hedgehog, following the example of his examplary inmate, Billy Bob.

''You are what you eat'' (unknown hedgehog)

They do live in separate cages (boxes), as they are both males, and during their free walks in the front room, Billy Bob was spotted bandying Marco around like a little toy. It was only recently that they've had the opportunity to test their prickly strength with one another, since Marco was in isolation for over a month during his mites and ringworm issues. When I say cages, that's exactly what their homes are to them. No matter how much we humans will try to make their life and homes comfortable, they still are wild animals, born to be free, and they are bound to feel imprisoned. I have grown so very fond of them both, but I still think of myself as their gaoler, and sometimes think they really must hate me for depriving them of their natural life and confining them to a piece of plastic art. But I guess that's slightly a better option than being frozen to death under a pile of leaves in the backyard. In a month or so, they will be set free in the backyard where they will hopefully continue to enjoy that little bit of wilderness in this crazy town, and share our garden joys and sights with us.

Billy Bob and the art of seducing stuffed toys

1. Here are some of the most interesting, important and intriguing facts I have learned, so far, from my dear bathroom inmates, Billy Bob and Marco.Polo.
They both belong to the variety of Erinaceus concolor or the East European Hedgehog (White-breasted hedgehog) which is a protected species in Croatia, but also in the whole of EU.

2. I had to place their homes in a temperature controlled location, my bathroom and use an oil radiator to keep the place warm above 20C. The ideal temperature range for hedgehogs
is 72˚ – 80˚F ( 22-26˚C)

3. According to some guidelines, hedgies should have at least 2 square feet of floor space with a solid bottom. As they love to explore at night, the more room the better. Oh and yes, hedgies can and will climb all sorts of things and escape the cage if it has no top or the walls are not high enough (Billy Bob used to climb on his tiny hideout, a shoebox full of straw, and jump out over the walls of the box, making a great goodmorning surprise for when you step into your bathroom and suddenly feel you've just entered a poop factory ;-)


4. Generally, a hedgehog found outside during the day must be very hungry (underweight) or sick or both. They are primarily nocturnal animals, even though juveniles can be seen out during the day, foraging for food and trying to build weight before hibernation. And this particularly goes for the late litters of hedgehogs, autumn juveniles, like BB and Marco, due to the unusually warm autumn weather, like the last year's. If you ask me, the only way you will know a hedgie needs help is if you catch it and weigh it.

5. Hedgehogs need to be AT LEAST 600g in weight to be able to hibernate succesfully.


6. A great site for all sorts of medical conditions and first aid. Mange, for instance, can be potentially life-threatening for a hedgehog. Loss of prickles, scaly, flaky skin, bald patches, complete loss of fur, epilepsy-like attacks, aggressive behaviour and biting your carers (hello Marco) are just some of the symptoms.

7. Some gardeners wrongly think that having hedgehogs in the garden is all they need to keep the slug and snail population down. They will only eat slugs if they are starving and no other food is available (they mainly eat beetles and caterpillars). And now the scary part: slugs and snail
are the primary carriers of lungworms which are responsible for almost as much hedgehog deaths as are humans and their careless behaviour.


When the lungworms breed inside the hedgehog they rapidly multiply, fill the hedgehog's lungs and the hedgehog either dies from drowning (Pneumonia) or bleeding from the lungs. Hedgehogs with lungworms have terrible breathing problems, are very thin and underweight, often have bad diarrhea and will have secondary bacterial infections. Once the worms are well established the hedgehog coughs like an old smoker and gasp for air before dying in agony. Post-mortem examinations often show the lungs as a solid mass with very little lung tissue left.

8. When it comes to food, I provide the following: tinned cat, puppy or kitten food (chicken flavor their favorite / never feed fish flavors), poultry flavored cat biscuits, meat leftovers like chicken and mince, bananas and sultanas as treats, 100% natural muesli (Tropical flavor), probiotic yogurt, worms, crickets... Hedgehogs should never be given cow's milk, bread or salty foods. Also, hedgehogs drink a lot of water. And like I said, when it comes to bananas, I could swear I have heard both of them purr out of joy.


9. Whilst the hedgehog is in hibernation, a number of odd things happen to it: The hedgehog stops being a warm blooded animal since this uses up too much energy. Its body temperature falls to match that of the surrounding environment. However, the surrounding temperature must not be below freezing (the ideal temperature in the nest for successful hibernation is about 5º c) and if it rises too much, the animal's blood flow will increase and start to use up too much stored fat. The hedgehog becomes cold to the touch; stops moving; heart rate drops
to about 20 beats per minute. To wake up, the hedgehog needs to metabolise fat which warms the body and begins to get the blood flowing again. The hedgehog may help itself along by shivering. This can all take from 1/2 to 1 hour to complete. Only then does the hedgehog have a normal body temperature and can again venture out into the world
10. Hedgehogs taken into care do not have to and should not hibernate ! They do well and are all the more fit for missing it.


11. SELF-ANOINTING: If you smell *really* interesting, your hedgehog will lick or nibble on you, back off, and suddenly contort itself, start foaming at the mouth, and lick the foam onto its spines. This ``self-anointing'' has to be seen to be believed, but it's perfectly normal. It's not known for sure why they do it, but it probably has something to do with self-defence; hedgehogs are *highly* resistant to most toxins, and when they encounter something that might be toxic, they get it in their mouths, foam, and cover themselves with the toxic mixture. The result is a toxic hedgehog, which is really something to reckon with. (Incidentally, the toxin resistance of hedgehogs is truly prodigious and has been the subject of some research; they are one of the few animals that can safely eat giant toads (Bufo marinus), for instance. They will also seek out and kill adders (they are immune to their venom).


I noticed my hedgies like to chew on the carpet, looking for
strange odours (like stain removers)or stick their little noses
into the vacuum cleaner extensions and sniff away!

12. Hedgehogs are extremely car-sick.

13. Long before the advent of Groundhog Day on
February 2nd, the Romans observed a similar event thousands of years ago
on the exact same day. Rather than use the North American groundhog,
the Romans used the hedgehog.

14. “If during hibernation, he (the hedgehog) looks
out of his den on 2nd February and sees his shadow it means there is a clear
moon and six more weeks of winter so he returns to his burrow.”



15. Until 1990's, there was no name for a baby hedgehog, so the hedgie
enthusiasts gave it a name: hoglet.
16. Hedgehogs have an amazing immunity to most things that are toxic.
Quantities of many toxins that would kill a human hundreds or even thousands of times over will often have no noticeable effect on a hedgehog at all. This trait has inspired both legends and scientific research, with no conclusive results other than acknowledgment that it is true.

17. Another great site about providing care for autumn orphans/juveniles.

18. Gardeners also need to be aware that injuries caused by lawn mowers and
trimmers are one of the most common type of injuries in hedgehogs.

I never knew that if my hands smelled of soap,
it would trigger the unpleasant hedgehog bites.
I'd swear not even dogs could bite that hard.
Marco would too. ;-)

19. I've mentioned the Tea Tree oil before. It is supposed to be toxic for hedgehogs, as well as for other animals. I would add that this is true to some extent, for if it gets digested in any way, it surely is TOXIC, even for humans (but you can still make an excellent TeaTree oil mouthwash;-). Or if it's a poor quality, or a quality that is good for nothing more than your finest aroma burner. But when it comes to 100% pure essential oils like that of Primavera Life and Oshadhi, I can say it is one of a few natural antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral products that really do make a difference. Same goes for a Tea Tree cream from a good health shop or chemist, and in many cases it has shown to be an excellent cure, if not better than traditional veterinary remedies.


20. Do visit the Epping Forest Hedgehog Rescue (UK) for anything and everything you ever wanted and needed to know about hedgehogs. Find out how to help ''The Hedgehog in YOUR garden!''


So much about my prickly little friends for now. As far as my gardening spirit is concerned, with the first rays of sunlight, I galloped to the local nursery only to discover a new target of my lust: Vossii Laburnum and a fresh supply of spring bulbs. Sweet heavens !!!

Kristy cat ponders whether cat tunnels were originally
made for those ill-mannered, prickly rascals

Mystery plants and horticultural imports

When the strict protocols governing import and export of plants are concerned, gardeners are especially likely to snatch a plant part and smuggle it back home for propagation (are they ??). Concerning all that, I found an interesting article over at BackyardGardener - ''Gulid-free Souvenirs''. Also more on the delusiveness of plants ... LOL

Euphoric Euphorbia was the 1st plant I smuggled back to my garden from the land of Odysseus. But certainly not the 1st one that has put a spell on me. I was not bothered about all the safety regulations (I was not smuggling immigrants after all) , I had one fear only, of those passion-less passport control drones confiscating my little friends. But luckily they were always more concerned with my Carmex lipbalm. 3 years ago, back on Kefalonia island, in an old churchyard,
I spotted this beautiful, delicate plant fluttering in the wind. There was only another larger tree of the like on the island, in the protected laguna, already carrying seedpods but they were not ripe yet. I took some anyway, but never managed to germinate them. 3 years later, this August, it was the right time to harvest some more seed pods. Naturally, I still hadn't the faintest idea what the plant was, except that it belonged to the bean family, judging its seed pods. So instead of asking around, I went on a googling mission through the whole Fabaceae (bean) family. An hour later, already discouraged by hundreds of cousins and no look-a-likes, I suddenly came across this name. The foliage was identical, so were the seed pods, and seed size, shape and color. Parkinsonia. Parkinsonia acuelata ! Possibly. At least I think so, if you think I might be wrong, feel free to widen my horizons. After all, this has been a mystery plant here for years.
The Irish botanist Thomas Coulter was the first to categorize the plant. He obtained specimens near Hermosillo, Sonora in 1830. Also known as Mexican Palo verde tree, or Jerusalem thorn. I recently ran into an article about gardeners, their star signs and the plants they were attracted to. Apparently, Cancers are strongly attracted to the Bean family, esp. to the Mimosa tree look-a-likes. I can wholeheartedly confirm that, as I have had the strangest affinities towards the fan-like foliage which has led me to collect anything from Mimosa (Acacia dealbata) to Jacaranda tree, even though I can only grow some of them as greenhouse plants. Albizia julibrissin makes up for all those who can't be planted outside. I'm actually trying to push the limits and grow my Mimosa outdoors (with considerable winter protection) against the south wall along with Figs and Palm trees.

Parkinsonia in the churchyard of
Kipouria monastery, Kefalonia

Now back to Parkinsonia. Greece, or Mediterranean or even Europe are not at all what you would call a typical habitat for these. It doesn' t even fit in with the surrounding flora. Rather it is native to the semi-desert areas of Africa and the Americas. I can't possibly see how it ended up in Greece except onboard some sort of vessel full of smuggling gardeners ... Still, it has adapted very well and grows in a dry, barren part of the island. I'm sure to all of you in the southwestern parts of the US, Palo verde is just an ordinary, everyday bush. In Australia even, it is is a Weed of National Significance. It is regarded as one of the worst weeds in Australia because of its invasiveness, potential for spread, and economic and environmental impacts. I have already germinated 3 of the seeds and the babies are doing great LOL.

Greek Palo-verde

Now to go back at the top photo, which is another mysterious plant for the locals, found in the same churchyard. In my opinion a sort of Campanula (very drought resistant for sure), possibly Campanula rapunculus or C. pyramidalis ??? Hardly needs any soil to grow and thrives on dry stone walls, growing out of structural cracks. Unfortunately, I have not acquired one of these, but have seen them growing out of old city walls on several Croatian heritage hotspots.

And the last one, but not the least. Not as mysterious but equally breathtaking. Urginea (Scilla) maritima or Sea Squill. Has absolutely gigantic bulbs which stick out half way above the ground level and have made my luggage wear the 'heavy tag'. I have smuggled four of these, having to choose only those smaller in size to be able to cram them in. While on a goat path, trying to find way to a secret cave somewhere between nowhere and goodbye of Kefalonia, I ran into a whole area dotted with hundreds and hundreds of these bulbs, actually there were so many you couldn't help but trip over them.


These beauties are native to the Mediterranean coastal regions, and while prone to fires and high temperatures, they are known to be frost tender in the continental areas. I'm pushing the envelope there too, planted one outdoors while the other three remain potted inside, chucklin' on the windowsill at their infortunate brother. Apart from being giants among all Mediterranean geophytes, the bulbs are also very poisonous. For more detailed info, visit here and there.

Sea Squill

Save the bees and feed the hungry !

An angel who inspired the world

''Brenden Foster spoke, and hundreds answered. Eleven year old Brenden Foster died on Friday, 21 November 2008, but throughout this world he will be remembered always. His darkest hour was his brightest light. This is a story as much of his words as it is of his deeds. His dying wish was to help the homeless. "They're probably starving, so give 'em a chance, food and water." It has become a national movement. He had one more wish, and that was to sprinkle wildflower seeds to save the bees. He had heard that the bees were dying off. His wish was answered by a retired pilot who asked his flying friends to sprinkle wild flower seeds around the world on Brenden's behalf. He spoke with the wisdom of ages. Of that which made him feel sad, he had said was, "When someone gives up." His advice was, "Follow your dreams. Don't let anything stop you." Asked what he thought the best things in life are, he said, "Just having one." If we can learn anything in this life, we can be inspired to do so by this young man. Three years ago, doctors diagnosed Brenden with leukemia. His body may have been held back but his spirit excelled far beyond the dreams of most of us. On death, "It happens. It's natural," He said. "I should be gone in a week or so", he had said. "I had a great time. And until my time comes, I'm going to keep having a great time," he said. I heard that he saw angels coming for him three times in the night before he left us. Then Brenden took his darkest hour and turned it into the brightest of light that truly can inspire the world.''

How could you even describe the impact this one wee person has made...He might have been just a special kid, he might have been only little, but what he did was beyond words and what he gave us will last an eternity. RIP B-Man ...

A Dying Boy's Wish

Botanical garden de nouveau

Botanical garden, Zagreb

Watching the asphalt take over the world, I often find myself daydreaming of what this city used to be decades ago, and what it is today, but still it gives me utmost pleasure finding a way out of the city in the very heart of that same city. Among a green necklace of parks all over Zagreb, beautiful centuries-old parks, one place gives me the coziest and most enjoyable shelter from the world, and after all, from my very own misanthropic thoughts. The moment I step in, time ceases to exist, as well as that retard who just beeped and unleashed all of his untamed fury at me for lingering while crossing the street, but swiftly earned a finger and a piece of my vocal cords. Getting away from my grumpy self is usually the hardest task. But like I said, the moment I step in, it's like ''Where has the time gone ?'' And at this special time of year, when the colorful magic of autumn turns the place in the cozy front room with a fireplace crackling in the background, preserving the everlasting immortality of the garden, I can only be thankful for finding a place that preserves my hometown just as lovely, peaceful and inspiring, as decades ago.

Sophora japonica 'Pendula'

However, I have not only found my spare garden of Eden, I have also found my muse... TAXODIUM DISTICHUM or Bald Cypress, probably the greatest tree in this park. And equally beautiful at all times. And equally eye-catching and proud at all times...

starting from its beautiful crown...

... its spectacular bark ...

... to its mesmerizing knobbly air roots which I love to call 'the little folks underneath'


Taxodium:

• is the state tree of Louisiana.
• has extensions of the roots that grow out of wet soils or water to get oxygen, sometimes called 'knees' or 'pneumatophores'. They do not develop in habitats where the soil is not constantly wet.
• belongs to the Pine family , but it's not an evergreen . In the fall , the leaves turn a glowing yellow and drop.
• is a long-lived tree, they can live to be 1,200 years old!

' the LITTLE FOLKS UNDERNEATH':
it is thought that these knobbly roots act as snorkels by carrying
supplies of air to the underground roots which may be starved of oxygen.
They may also be acting as additional stabilisation for this large tree.
But, no physiological function has yet been determined...

• spring visit to Botanical garden
• and then some
  

Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day - October '08

Thanks to Carol of May Dreams Gardens, I'm delighted to both share and enjoy the blooms from all over the world. If you want to join in this extraordinary feature hosted by Carol, all you have to do is simply create a GBBD post of your own on the 15th of the month and then post a comment on May Dreams gardens




What have we here in the lovely month of October? Aster galore, defiant Cosmos, witchcraft gadgets, and perhaps the loveliest blooms of the month - vast array of burning foliage colors...

Gossamer trails: Zagreb

"I cannot endure to waste anything as precious
as autumn sunshine by staying in the house.
So I spend almost all the daylight hours
in the open air.
- Nathaniel Hawthorne

The long, hot summer is now long gone, and the autumn, 'the artist's muse', has entered the city through the main gate. I figured it would be about time to share with you a walk through my beloved home town, Zagreb. The laziness that has once again overpowered many of us could be associated with the wonderful gossamer days that serve as a one-way ticket to delightful afternoon strolls through the medieval streets and parks that have enriched both my childhood memories and my present life. You will not encounter photos of the small threads spun by baby spiders, that carry them through the air to their new lives... but perhaps you will breathe in that famous autumn spirit that Zagreb is well known for, both to its citizens and long-time visitors... a flimsiness barely visible... just like gossamer.

one of many medieval stairs and
secret pathways of the Old town
(Kapucinske stube)

(an old photo by a famous photographer
Marija Braut, ''Kapucinske stube'')

Zagreb Upper town still has gas lamps
which have to be lit before the dark

(Berlin is the European city with the most gas lamps — cca 40,000.
London, Dublin, Kraków, Warszaw, Zagreb and a handful of other
cities have retained them or retrofitted their streets as well)

"On such a day each road is planned
To lead to some enchanted land;
Each turning meets expectancy.
The signs I read on every hand.
I know by autumn's wizardry
On such a day the world can be
Only a great glad dream for me--
Only a great glad dream for me!"
- Eleanor Myers Jewett, An Autumn Day

the famous Lotrscak Tower


Zagreb has an interesting way in which it marks the noon hour. Other cities may mark the hours including noon with chimes, tolling bells or melodies, but Zagreb is rather unique in announcing the noon hour with an ear-shattering burst from an artillery cannon placed on top of the very Lotrscak Tower. ( Noonday 'Chime' Video)






the most prominent feature of the
Old town: Cathedral's twin neo-gothic
spires built in 1899

another medieval path

Town's legend: this guy has been doing his
gymnastics all over the Upper town for decades

The town center is surrounded by a"green horseshoe"
of wonderful parks, creating an "intriguing blend"
of busy squares and leafier areas.


from the tourist's point of view

a story of Zagreb

Euphoric about Euphorbia

A TASTE OF THE UNUSUAL



It is no secret that the majority of people get attracted to plants whose colorful display of strikingly wonderful blooms just can't go unnoticed. Being yet another odd person, I always loved to go astray and find delight in all those neglected, out-of-the-ordinary specimens which were doing their best to draw someone's attention, but were obviously poorly informed on the current trends in the world. Followed by my kinky needs, years ago I stumbled upon this uncanny plant and was instantly drawn to its alien strangeness. While climbing up the ruins of an old Venetian fortress, these strange, weird 'naked' shrubs caught my eye. Why 'naked'? They had exquisitely red bark (such a lovely burning color that would make even the Red-barked Dogwood feel cheap) and no foliage at all. But were still worth of all my admiration. To be honest, I haven't had the faintest idea of its origin. But one thing was sure, it wouldn't let me sleep until I had at least one of me own ;-) I noticed a beautiful, solitary specimen on the high cliff overlooking the beach that was closed due to rock-slide. And amid all that earthquake waste material, I found little babies popping out underneath the mother plant. A gentle pull and I had two of them ready to be 'processed' and balled. Thanks to impeckable airport luggage control system, nobody noticed these two extraterrestrials cramming inside.


The first thing I noticed about them living in their new habitat (pot), and constantly having sufficient amounts of water, was the leaves that started popping out. I figured out that the plant must be really extremely drought resistant, so in periods of great droughts which can last for months on Kefalonia, they discard the leaves and thus their uncanny summer-look. I was worried about not knowing it's ID and its needs so again, I turned to my friend Jackie, who is an excellent connoisseur of the island's flora (be sure to check her extraordinary albums of Kefalonian flora). She went back to the place where I have first seen them, to take a shot at what they looked like at the moment (spring).

(photo by Jackie Banham; many thanks for not falling into the sea
and taking this shot, it has made all the difference)

It was this very shot that started all the turmoil in my restless mind. It sure as hell looked like a type of Euphorbia and I was now determined to find out which variety it was. And the clues lead us to one particular variety - Euphorbia dendroides / Tree spurge. The funny thing is, the next thing I did, I googled up the photos for this plant, and found out that many of them were shot at the south of Croatian Adriatic coast. Shame on me for being so poor on my country's flora!
This summer I discovered entire areas where these plants have colonized the rocky cliffs and took a closer look into their enigma. Since I can remember, I've had a thing for Euphorbias, never mind them being small succulents, grass-like or huge trees. That's why, ultimately, my infatuation with this beauty came as no surprise to anyone. Even though the fact that I was constantly on about this insignificant, bare, lame bush did cause a whining avalanche...


To reduce my babbling, let me introduce the plant properly. As it bloody well deserves.

Venue: Kefalonia, Ionian islands, Greece (for a change ;-)
Specie: Mediterranean Tree Spurge (Euphorbia dendroides)

''(200)cm, Mediterranean Tree Spurge is a beautiful, semi hardy, densely branching, woody shrub like species with showy orange red leaves before plants start their summer dormancy. Native of coastal areas throughout the Mediterranean. Easily grown in pots in any rich, well drained soil in a sunny spot throughout the year. In winter keep drier at a minimum of some 5°C. USDA climate zone 10. III-VI.''
(from Rareplants.de)


''Euphorbia dendroides L. (Euphorbiaceae) Native of the Mediterranean region, from the Isles de Hyères in S. France, southwards, and eastwards to Israel, growing on rocky, usually limestone slopes and cliffs near the sea, at up to 400 m, flowering from March-May. An evergreen shrub to 2 m; leaves 2-6.5 cm long. Glands shortly 2-horned. Seeds 2.5-3 mm, pale grey. Dry, well-drained soil, without water in summer. Full sun. Hardy to -5°C.'' (Rogers Trees and Shrubs)

So far I have smuggled three of these beauties and intend to try one as an outdoor plant next year, against the dry, south wall.

• a monoecious plant
• fleshy skeleton during summer (accumulates water in its remaining tissues)
• with the arrival of fall rains, the foliage reappears
• as all of the Euphorbia genus, has a white latex which can give you a nettle-like rash
• in the past: Tree Spurge latex was used for illegal fishing - poured into streams to stun and more easily catch fish and eels
• also called 'wolf-milk' bush in Croatia
• finally, one mystery remains - these unusual plants are very difficult to find commercially, but have not been adopted by nurseries
  

Driftwood Spurge

For many, yet another maquis plant,
for me - pure Euphoria !

Joys and Woes

Week 1: DAYDREAMING

No matter how beautiful a place could be, no matter how overwhelmed it should leave you, how could a gardener resist not being nostalgic? I get homesick just thinking how flattened my lawn will be after being neglected and scarcely watered while I'm away. And how brilliant the sight of all the new treats nature has planted while you've been away. The first thing that caught my eye was the Pampas grass, which now turned from a seemingly modest lump of grass to a lavish cluster of prideful brooms. Usually lasts until Halloween, when the local garden witches pop up for a new model of their flying gadgets.

Apart from witchcraft, I took some time to wobble around and just delight in the most insignificant treats that nature (and my green thumb) have planted and breathe in the wonderful scents of another few lovely, cozy summer days. The garden monkeys boldly offered their modeling services for yet another photo shoot.






You'd almost think 'What a lovely day'. But then, there's someone up there who will make sure a touch of reality casts a shadow on your daydream ...



Week 2: THE WOES or WHEN A BELOVED PET IS GRAVELY ILL



After a playful day and lots of cunning misdemeanors, Kristy the cat woke up Monday morning, to both her and my shock, with a disfigured expression and a massive edema under her left eye, as if she's just had a stroke. After two days of antibiotic+vitamin+atropine shots, Kristy's condition was not improving, apart from the eye (which nearly popped out due to edema pressure) which was treated with drops. Obviously the vet's therapy was wrong, as she was getting more and more lethargic to the point where her body just collapsed and went stiff. Early Wednesday the poor thing nearly died. Over an hour laying on the vet's table, receiving some IV, she developed a sever hypothermia and I could see on the vet's face, they've had no bloody idea what was wrong with her. I was so distressed with her silent weeping and suffering, I can't even remember all sorts and colors of shots she got. The vet said she has only a glimpse of a chance. When we got home, she was already one foot in the cat heaven. Her eyes went glassy as we were trying to warm her up with a fan, hot water bottles, warm massage chair and tons of blankets. And then, just like that, that poor, agonizing face just looked at us as if saying: 'I've only got about 8 lives left now'. But really, she must have heard our prayers and figured out that our world would definitely be a shattered place without her joyful presence & matchless personality. Anemia and apathy have then taken hostage of her weary body, but who would of thought that such a tender little feline soul was such a fighter. Even in her worst moments, she was desperately trying to get down to her litter box and not make any mess. The vet first suspected it could be a severe reaction to a Cat's Frontline applied 3 days ago to protect her from fleas, but was now sure that rat poison (symptoms) was to blame. How and where she would find any and especially knowing she hasn't been out for days due to this sudden cold and drizzly weather, I have no idea. Whatever it was, it was one hell of a toxin. Only yesterday she finally got some energy to start drinking water, and eating still boils down to licking away her favorite gravy and nothing more. But today, after a night of trying to sleep on my head, a significant boost of spirit. I was never as happy to see my cat grooming and purring away with pleasure.


I'm still in so much shock and utterly afraid to be optimistic. But knowing what she has survived, I really hope she will be back to her usual wonderful, divine, cheeky self.

I'm only a cat,
and I stay in my place...
Up there on your chair,
on your bed or your face!

I'm only a cat,
and I don't finick much...
I'm happy with cream
and anchovies and such!

I'm only a cat,
and we'll get along fine...
As long as you know
I'm not yours... you're all mine!

A FEW GOOD MEN
And one last thing, a final salute to a great hero, IMO perhaps one of the best actors ever, and an extraordinary man in every respect, one whose humbleness, charm, humor, but most of all, humanity could hardly be replaced ...

Travelogue: Quest for Ithaka

Thanks to my good blogger friend Jackie of Visions of Kefalonia who also happens to be an extraordinary guide and a true credit to her profession, during my Kefalonian spell, I was voluntarily sweet-talked into visiting the homeland of the epic hero Odysseus (Ulysses), the neighboring island of Ithaka (Ithaca, Ithaki)...


Though only divided by a channel, at the first glance, not much to catch your eye other than the mysterious green mountain tops that embrace the island as well as many of its long forgotten secrets. I embarked the ferry to Ithaca, hoping to retrace some of Odysseus footsteps with the little help of our wonderful guide.






Little did I know, that after the first few minutes of the bus ride I was about to discover that Ithaka was much more than what it is credited for in the world, the home of Odysseus. To make it short and simple: in my humble opinion, this magnificent island is everything Kefalonia should have been, had it not been scarred by tourism and the ignorance of the local authorities. First of all, it has luckily been spared by many great fires that had raged through its sister island. Probably why the first thing that strikes your eyes is : green, and more green.

Along with Kefalonia, Ithaka has been loved by Lord Byron of 19th century while modern poets like Kavafis and Christianopoulos have gifted Greek literature with great poems symbolizing the island with journeys and passion.

Furthermore, they have strongly conserved the architectural authenticity and unspoiled beauty. The little picturesque ports are dotted with yachts yet even during high season, the island remains as peaceful as back in the times of Ulysses. Having no water sources of its own, you'd consider it to be quite a barren island, but quite the contrary, you can't help but be mesmerized by the vast diversity of flora and so many charming villages harmoniously in bloom. There's no long, sandy beaches stuffed with umbrellas and Mitch Buchanon wannabes, just a great number of tiny, beautiful, intact, sparkling coves adorned with lush greenery. Unfortunately, that's as far as I got out of a one-day bus tour around the island. Fortunately though, it has surpassed all of my expectations. A small island, but a great memory!

The main port on the island of Ithaca is a secret place, invisible from the sea. Experienced mariners know which inlet to take to find its principal anchorage, a large bay with a simple name: Vathy, meaning "deep". It is an island particularly loved by sea captains, many of whom come to retire here. There are said to be 400 of them living on Ithaca today, many spending their days on the harbour front, drinking coffee and telling yarns. (Elizabeth Speller)

the crystal clear waters

A story told by the poet Homer created a mystery
that has taken 3,000 years to solve.

'' I T H A C A ''

As you set out for Ithaka hope your road is a long one,

full of adventure, full of discovery. Laistrygonians, Cyclops,

angry Poseidon-don't be afraid of them: you'll never find

things like that on your way as long as you keep your thoughts

raised high, as long as a rare excitement stirs your spirit and your body...

Keep Ithaka always in your mind.
Arriving there is what you're destined for.
But don't hurry the journey at all.
Better if it lasts for years,
so you're old by the time you reach the island,
wealthy with all you've gained on the way,
not expecting Ithaka to make you rich.
Ithaka gave you the marvelous journey.
Without her you wouldn't have set out.
She has nothing left to give you now.

And if you find her poor, Ithaka won't have fooled you. Wise as you will have become, so full of experience, you'll have understood by then what these Ithakas mean.

(C.P.Cavafy / Kavafis, ''Ithaka'')
(one of the most distinguished Greek poets ever)

Now, the quest for Ithaca, in the eyes of many, has not yet been solved. There's recent rumors that the mythical home of Odysseus actually stands on the very island of Kefalonia, and there's actually a couple of destinations that perfectly fit the descriptions set in Homer's Odyssey. Does it really matter? Politics and tourism alone will always choose just the next best and most convenient truth. And mind you, the Greeks will make up the most amazing stories just to sell it to desperate wandering souls. But what you see with your bare eyes is a mystery that will hopefully never evaporate. The mystery of nature at its best ...

And to finish my short tour,
what better than Lord Byron's famous quote:
'' If I am a poet, the air of Greece has made me one. ''