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Friday, June 1, 2012

To Her Majesty the Queen!

Just as Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee gets underway in England, this Agave Victoriae-reginae bloom has arrived as if to propose a toast to Queen Victoria's great-great granddaughter.

  
She's a delicate beauty and over ten feet tall


I've been watching this agave for a while. She's across the street from Ragna's house and I check in whenever I visit.

April 11, 2012


April 27, 2012


And yesterday May 31


Yes that is an American flag there.  We also congratulate Queen on her 60 years on the throne.  I have been fascinated by Queen Elizabeth II since I read her biography many years ago.  Her story is a special one of devotion to duty, especially in WWII when she drove an ambulance in London during the last days of the war.  Growing up the images of the young queen in a world of men also made a positive impression on me.  Later, during my husband's military career, it was our pleasure to raise our glasses in a toast to her on a number formal occasions where members of her armed forces were present.

The proper response to the proposed toast in the title?

Simply raise the glass and say "The Queen"

13 comments:

  1. Can you believe how long she has lived and stayed on that throne? I'm still shocked that we have a living piece of history in our midst. How many presidents has she met and great leaders of our past? I'm also fascinated by her story. Interesting life continues to lead AND the last great Queen. But enough of that....love that row of oaks. I think I have the only two live oaks in Tucson the size of your trees out in front. I treasure them with all my life. Last night I was looking up into their canopy just smiling. Acorns, twigs, pollen, bird poo...you name it! Those trees are messy BUT worth all the work:)

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    1. The queen is amazing and I enjoyed the show today.

      While live oaks are a common sight here, I never tire of them. Their unique sculptural qualities make each one special.

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  2. Yes...congratulations on a long reign. I too grew up with those images.

    The agave bloom is interesting, too. So many agaves are blooming this year, which also means their demise. Wonder if the drought last summer forced some of them.

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    1. I have noticed so many more agave blooms this year and I do think the drought followed by a mild, rainy winter must have had something to do with it.

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  3. Very nice specimen, and that progression of the bloom stalk...wow! Then you have to throw in those oaks. I'll pretend I didn't see that, or it will be another flight reservation to San Antonio.....

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    1. Yes, those oaks. Only showed as many as necessary to get the bloom in otherwise it would be all about them.

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  4. The compact size of the Queen Victoria is so nice...amazing to me that the bloom stalk is so tall in relation to the size of the plant. Just gorgeous!

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    1. Yes, such a beautiful agave and it will decline with the bloom.

      The blooms are stunning in proportion to the plant.

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  5. I too am in awe of the woman. She has an amazing story and an interesting family.

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    1. Agree, I enjoyed watching the ceremonies today noting all she has seen in her lifetime.

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  6. What a coincidence that the Agave should flower on the Queen's Jubilee weekend. I was reading an article recently about plants named after royalty. I didn't realise that the Victoria plum was named after Queen Victoria. I learn something new every day.

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    1. There are a number, especially roses.

      I'll have to look that up. Might be fun to see how many I know or have. Now that you mention it, I think I have a salvia Victoria as well, will have to check.

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  7. It does seem like the perfect time for this regal beauty to appear! It's simply stunning. I have two little Salvia with 'Victoria' in their name. There's the 'Victoria white' and the 'Victoria blue'. They are both gorgeous.

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