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After a winter of El Niño rains, my backyard blossomed in
the spring of 1998 with California poppies...and weeds. Lots and lots of weeds!
Annual Weed Invasion 1998 - Photo 1 |

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The California poppies are very lovely wildflowers that reappear
every year, along with a variety of weeds. Before we planted grass, it was a constant struggle to catch up every spring and
then stay ahead of the weeds all summer long. The more rain, followed by sunshine, the happier and healthier the weeds were!
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Patio Area 1998 - Photo 2 |

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The area outside the bedroom window in photo 2 was what
I considered a patio area. There had been an old metal clothes hanger for drying laundry in the middle, but I had it removed
early on. In 2002, this became our current patio. The large window on the wall on the right in the photo has since been transformed
into a sliding patio door, as can be seen in the photos for 2003.
Grandson and Carrotwood Tree - Photo 3 |

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That summer my wonderful grandson, Jeremy, came for a visit. Not
one to pass up the opportunity to utilize a young man's strength, I asked for his help in moving the mound of rocks in the
front yard and planting a carrotwood tree. He did more than help...he did it all while I stood and watched! Most of the rocks
then became the border around the tree to help hold in water when it needed a deep soaking.
I chose a carrotwood tree because, while it does drop leaves a little throughout the year,
it is not a deciduous tree. I wanted to avoid the extra work of disposing of autumn leaves, especially from gravel, and this
seemed like an ideal way. It's not a very fast-growing tree, but later photos will show how much it has grown in six years.
Back to Fred and Jean's Travel Photos site.
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