For those who have followed the continuing sad saga of mostly dead tree, I have to tell you that she’s looking lousy. She’s still with us, though, she did lose several more small branches, one of which had made me nervous, precariously hanging over the patio where I sit each morning with my coffee.
The branch and assorted pieces crashed onto the glass table and one particularly scary looking piece of wood speared a potted plant The table was spared and I was none the worse for having wood chips in my hair and coffee. You will recall she’s dropped branches before, barely missing me. Either mostly dead is trying to protect me or she is a bad aim.
Now, if you recall, mostly dead tree was finally identified as being a golden rain tree based on several criteria, one being bugs. She had been previously mistaken for a boxelder tree because of the presence of what was erroneously identified as boxelder bugs. These bugs were determined to be rain tree bugs which look similar.
This is the situation: two boxelder bugs were spotted around mostly dead tree, but, so has one rain tree bug. Now, I don’t believe this is an identification setback. Mostly dead still fits all the criteria for a golden rain tree. I’m assuming the boxelder bugs were lost and drawn to what they believed to look like a boxelder. I have not found the trespassing boxelder bugs on the tree, but they have been milling about the patio.
My very first post introduced mostly dead tree. At that time I asked if anyone knew where the term mostly dead was first used or at least most memorably introduced. Since no one has replied, I’m assuming no one knows (I doubt that readers do not care). Here’s a hint: fairytale adventure comedy film. If you can give me the name of the character and actor who played him/her all the better.
The recalcitrant hibiscus is still with us, unfortunately. It’s blooming up a storm, with only a few leaves for photosynthesis. Surely should drop dead but is either stubborn or, as I have posited before, a Triffid, not to be confused with a Tribble.
And that is the update for today. I will keep you informed if there are any significant changes.
the EXCESSIVE GARDENER 
Hey, blogs looking really good! I bet the mostly dead tree is glad to have someone watching over her!
Thanks. Changing your gravatar again? I gave up on using Xena warrior princess— I felt I just couldn’t live up to her reputation. Re: mostly dead tree. We may chop off a rather large branch that could damage our roof. She’ll look even more scrawny. Thanks for stopping by. I’ve been looking in on you. About that flash thingy. Have many signed up? I’m thinking about it but I just am so wordy. Lucy
Yes, I like a new picture for the new year! I like the gravatar you are currently using! I’m amazed by your knowledge of gardening and plants and trees and flowers. I envy that knowledge! I had a super busy month, so I’m playing catch up in my blog world.
Nobody had signed up for the flash fiction challenge – just little ol’ me. It might be a good challenge for you to interject some brevity into your writing! So sign up! I would like to add you to the participant list!
okay. I’ll go sign up. Afterall it’s just once a week. As far as my gravatar, I think I’m using someone’s mother. Glad you’re back.
Yay! You’ll be surprised how fun it is! And now there will be two participants!
The first prompt is “A vagrant approaches a well-dressed man who leaves a trendy coffee shop with a five-dollar latte and a fat-free scone” and needs to be posted on January 8th!
Okay. I love scones and lattes. Oh, what to do, what to do?
You’re going to be creative that’s what you’re going to do! Looking forward to seeing what you come up with! Be sure to enjoy a latte and scone while writing!
Okay.
Yay! You’ll be surprised how fun it is! And now there will be two participants!
The first prompt is “A vagrant approaches a well-dressed man who leaves a trendy coffee shop with a five-dollar latte and a fat-free scone” and needs to be posted on January 8th!