Sunday, April 15, 2007

Bluebonnets

It's something of a tradition around these parts, at this time of year, to go see the bluebonnets in bloom. I'm not much for wild flowers, but Fritz and Jan invited me out to their ranch near Brenham today and from what I can tell, most people drive up US290 until they see a field of bluebonnets, then they immediately slam on their brakes - whether I'm behind them or not - pull over to the side of the highway, plonk their kid in the middle of the flowers and snap away. Then, when they've got all their photos they pull back onto the highway, again not checking to see if I'm coming along at 70 miles an hour, and head back to Houston.

What they ought to do, of course, is go up one of the many country roads, where there are lots of bluebonnets. Like at Fritz's place.

After two days of rain, it was a beautiful day. Not a cloud in the sky.

Fritz and Jan's new house.

I believe this is what all the fuss is about. A bluebonnet. The state flower of Texas. The red ones are Indian paintbrush*.

*I'm no expert, so these could be lily's and roses for all I know. I didn't think to ask, I just took a picture of the nearest blue flower.

17 comments:

shanksi said...

oooh, pwetty fwowers.

Reminds me of the fall in New england when everyone rushes off to look at dying vegetation!

Ian said...

Yeah. It's kind of like that I guess. Except, being Spring in Texas there's less chance of getting caught in a blizzard on your way home.

Jen said...

Ahhhh. The season of the Blue Bonnets. Very short season - something like 2-months, right? I'm with you, well, I do love the blue bonnets, but what is with everyone plopping their kid in the middle of the field off the highway? ? ? Really. Why is that?

Besides, kids don't know that it is illegal and against the law to not pick the blue bonnets where they can land themselves in jail with a good ole hefty fine. So, what do you think these little felons do when you put them among pretty flowers?

Today's word verification: fsiuboy.

Ian said...

Is it really illegal? Oh, that's bad news for some of the people I saw this weekend. Although, by the looks of some them, they'll never take them alive.

Fsiuboy? Isn't he a superhero from the planet Fsiuvius? Special powers include shooting lava from his eyes and exploding randomly, which isn't all that helpful.

Jen said...

That. Or a really drunk superhero boy.

Yeah, it's super illegal. They aren't even allowed to be mowed down until the season is over.

Ian said...

No way...it's a wild flower, surely you can pick it any time you like.

Ian said...

I mean, you shouldn't obviously, 'cos they pop seeds out at some point for next year, but it can't be illegal.

Ian said...

Ah ha.

From the horse's mouth.

Jen said...

Dammit. Stoopid Texans making me believe everything I hear.

I eat my hat.

Anonymous said...

Stuff the flowers, I like the look of Fritz and Jan's new house.

Ian said...

Yeah, it's a nice place, that's for sure.

Anonymous said...

I'm with Vikki. The flowers are ok ...but the house looks fantastic! Who are Fritz & Jan? Will they house swap for a Married Quarter in Cyprus?

Anonymous said...

Oh and dwmwh...is that the sound fsiuboy makes when he randomly explodes??

Anonymous said...

Today's word verification: tvtgay

I don't really have a comment to add but thought that would amuse.

Ian said...

I'm pretty sure Fritz and Jan, having worked hard all their adult lives with a view to retiring to a nice house in the country, would probably not, in fact, be interested in a house swap. Sorry.

Ian said...

No, a dwmwh is what Wingo Staw's job was in The Beatles

Ian said...

Oh and tvtgay, yeah, takes one to know one.