D.O.P.-T.

[weofodthignen]

I gave the oleander a more extensive trim, including cutting an amazing quantity of dead branches out of the middle. Stout and straight wood; I considered using some for stakes, but in view of the poison problem, instead pretty much filled up the greenwaste bin.




Prudence




Fortitude

Comments

[siliconshaman]

I recall reading somewhere that Oleander arrows were a thing once... nasty stuff, couldn't use it for hunting, but as war arrow that was a different matter.

[weofodthignen]

Hadn't even thought of that application :-) They used to be popular as privacy hedges around here, since they don't need much water, but the pruning is a bit of a challenge because they get so tall and the branches have a short life-cycle so you rapidly get a thicket with dead wood in the middle ... and you have to wash the sap off you. But it's a pretty bush, and they make a great show in highway medians and along the railway line. And at the library, for a little longer.

[cowboy_r]

I read someplace that the Norse are responsible for the prevalence of the orange cat throughout the world. They selected orange tabbies by preference for ship's cat, and carried that variant gene around.

[weofodthignen]

I hadn't heard that, but I can well believe it :-)