• Members 53 posts
    June 6, 2023, 6:21 a.m.

    After a heavy shower this morning the yard looked pretty drab; half a dozen Roos were mowing the grass by the back fence. They are totally impervious to the rain.
    Late afternoon I ventured out side to enjoy the afternoon warmth. The rose I was going to dig out seems to have found new life.
    Rose 01.JPG

    The native iris seem to flower every two weeks throughout the year.
    Iris 01.JPG

    This Roo was taking a well earned rest after his day's mowing.
    Roo 01.JPG

    Roo 01.JPG

    JPG, 3.8 MB, uploaded by DickyOZ on June 6, 2023.

    Iris 01.JPG

    JPG, 2.1 MB, uploaded by DickyOZ on June 6, 2023.

    Rose 01.JPG

    JPG, 3.0 MB, uploaded by DickyOZ on June 6, 2023.

  • Members 336 posts
    June 6, 2023, 9:03 a.m.

    That's a nice shade of pink, Dicky. I hope you let it live. I like the iris, too. If it flowers every two weeks all year, I'd keep that one, too.

    I wonder about kangaroos. You don't seem to exploit them. Are they good to eat? Or, can you put a saddle on them? Can you tan their hide when they're dead, Fred? Perhaps make basketball shoes from them? Those should be great for jump shots. Euww, sorry. I loved that song when I was 8 years old. It was all over the radio here. I shall retire now with no further outburst...today. Rich

  • Members 53 posts
    June 6, 2023, 9:31 a.m.

    Roos are good to eat; their meat is very low in fats so its good for your heart. But no matter which way I cook it - hot and fast or slow in a stew it is always tough to chew.
    First Nation people relied on Roo hide for clothing.
    Alas the singer of that song (also a talented painter) ended his days in disgrace.
    But "The pub with no beer" by Slim Dusty and ""Australiana" (a spoken-word comedy single by Austen Tayshus, written by Billy Birmingham) were always my favourites.
    The Boss is away for five weeks so I have to sign out and do my ironing now 😁

  • Members 567 posts
    June 6, 2023, 2:22 p.m.

    Nice flowers Dicky. An iris that blooms all year, wow! As you might guess, we have nothing that blooms all year! If global warming continues, that could change!

    I think I have a pair of hockey skates from the 70s that have kangaroo hide leather. I should look them up and see if I can find out. I can not wear them any more as my feet are wider now than then from year of standing on them (I won't mention the extra weight that may also have caused that because back then I weighed next to nothing).

    Five weeks alone, wow, you were very bad or your very lucky! I might go off the deep end with nothing to do!

    Andrew

  • Members 676 posts
    June 6, 2023, 2:52 p.m.

    Roses in winter??.. and Roos in the garden? .. I have enough troubles with rabbits that are at least a bit smaller and easier to get to move ...

    WhyNot

  • Members 78 posts
    June 6, 2023, 7:41 p.m.

    That looks a lot like what we call a "fortnight lily". It got its name because it blooms about every two weeks, or once a fortnight. It comes in both the white variety and a yellow one. I much prefer the white. It's very pretty, and a large clump can have a bunch of flowers at one time.

    Lynne

  • Members 53 posts
    June 7, 2023, 3:58 a.m.

    Thanks Andrew. Roo hide is really tough and durable. I have similar weight problems - perhaps that is why my knees are buckling under the strain.

    I find I can get to sleep easily (I just think I am sleeping the sleep of the righteous) But if I go to sleep too early I wake up far too early.
    Dicky.

  • Members 53 posts
    June 7, 2023, 3:59 a.m.

    Thanks WN. We don't like rabbits in Aus. I was amazed to see rabbits in the centre of Denver when we walked around.
    Dicky.

  • Members 53 posts
    June 7, 2023, 4:03 a.m.

    The plants I got were sold as "Australian Native Iris" but they could well be a fortnight lily. All I know is they scatter seed everywhere and rapidly expand their empire. Sadly butterflies don't seem to be interested in them, only the bees.
    Dicky.

  • Members 78 posts
    June 7, 2023, 7:35 a.m.

    Many Australian plants do really well here in Southern California due to a similar climate; eucalyptus trees are literally everywhere. For all I know, our fortnight lily may indeed be an Aussie native.

    I forgot to mention, the rose is very pretty, lovely form and a beautiful pink color. I'm glad it bloomed before you dug it up. Hopefully it got a reprieve?

    Lynne