Cactus in the Alley

We found these spineless prickly pear cactus in the ally next to a dumpster earlier this spring. Someone had been trimming and were throwing out these cuttings. We just stuck them in the sandy gravel outside our fence and "Voila!"


When we returned from Alaska earlier this month, we notices a few bumps on the paddles, and now they're flowering.






The flowers smell a little like watermellon, according to Annie. It's hard to believe something as rubbery, tough, and dead-looking can produce such a beautiful flower, but here's the proof.











Our bird-seeded sunflowers continue to bloom and we're seeing a few more ripe tomatoes each day. Last night we had chard from the garden and today we're having store bought corn on the cob for breakfast. Coughed up $19.95 the other night to listen to the Red Sox games streamed from WEEI in Boston. Great to sit outside in the cool of the evening and watch the birds while listening to the Sox stumble along. Last night they beat the Giants despite yet another addition to the disabled list.
We played music at the Farmer's Market yesterday morning for tips and handed out a few business cards. Might get a few actual paying jobs out of the exposure. We're aiming at pushing the envelope so far toward the square that we're actually hip. Lots of Old Standards and Western Swing. The locals seemed to enjoy it so I guess we'll be doing it again.