Conopholis americana

This is a perennial, non-photosynthesizing parasitic plant. It is a small genus of flowering plants in the family Orobanchaceae. My point is that this counts for wildflower week. Right Miranda? And thank you for hosting. 

So. Today. Today required a mental health break. 

Fortunately for me the nursery called and Brant urged me to come see the new trees before Saturday. He had recommended not planting my tree several weeks ago because he wasn't sure how it would bud out and about now he was due to get new Summer Golds. The tree I had selected looked pretty good, but did have some dead extremities and the tree right next to it was as tall, as shapely, and had slightly healthier-looking leaves. I would never have noticed if I weren't looking so hard. Being at the nursery, away, surrounded by trees, noting the neat differences, helped immensely. 

It is wonderful that they are so close so I could take a long lunch break. 

They had a tree I've been seeing online a lot recently, Mikawa yatsubusa, which looks like a cross between a Japanese Maple and a muppet. 

I will be going from, "I have shade, I can't have flowers or any color other than green" to hellebores, wildflowers, hyacinths, daffodils, wild blue phlox, a bright red tree, a bright yellow tree, and a blue lace cap hydrangea.

The need to replace Russian gas will benefit African exporting countries. The EU draft energy strategy also seeks to prepare to import 10 million tons of green (generated with renewable energy) hydrogen. 

Not only does this mean they won't just be replacing natural gas with natural gas, but it means they'll be investing in green hydrogen, which will in turn reduce the cost of green hydrogen. 

Britain is donating 13 armored vehicles to help evacuate Ukrainians. and to safely move officials and key workers to repair and rebuild the country’s infrastructure. They are reinforced with steel plates, strengthened glass, enhanced suspension, and upgraded brakes. Britain is donating new military aid worth about $375 million, including heavy drones to lift supplies to Ukrainian forces, electronic warfare equipment, and thousands of night-vision devices.


The CIA published instructions to Russians on how to get them information. With the invasion, more Russians are trying to get information to the CIA and the CIA wants to help them do it without getting caught. 


Not only are western officials increasingly assuming Ukraine will win, they are increasingly discussing reconstruction. 

Yesterday a cat was rescued cat in Borodyanka, Ukraine. The cat was trapped in a high-rise building bombed by Russians. The whole rescue was caught on video.  
Then the cat was brought to a veterinarian and gobbled down some food. Cat nearly ate the vet.