Firebird of the Aztecs

May 21, 2020May 24, 2020Leave a comment

A proud bird with a golden tail. That was the tagline for one of the major airlines a few years ago. It makes me think of my bright and beautiful Aztec Firebird daylily. She is one of the brightest color combos in my yard.

But, let’s back up to my vicarious road trip through the daylilies. Who were the Aztecs? They were ancient people of Mexico. They flourished 700 years ago and are known for the massive size of its empire.

Aztec Ruins National Monument, NM – 2016

I have never been to the Aztec ruins of Mexico, but there are ruins called Aztec Ruins in New Mexico. They are Ancient Pueblo Ruins, like Chaco Canyon and Mesa Verde – but when they were first discovered, they were thought to be built by the Aztecs. I can see why, because they appear to hold a fairly massive population.

It is the last couple of days until my nursing students graduate. I am buried in grading and ready to be done. I enjoy working from home because I can wonder outside and see my gardens despite the crazy spring wind this week. And, today I spied the first scapes of the year – Dream Catcher and Kokopelli. I am jazzed. I wonder if I can go back to being away from home 40 hours a week – it is weird how my creativity is back now.

At any rate, soon enough Aztec Firebird will bloom her big, bright bloom. A bird rising from her own ashes. She is an inspiration and symbol or resilience during these crazy COVID times. I am grateful for my garden now more than ever. And, gratitude sure beats arguing over masks on social media.

Daylily of the Green Table

May 17, 2020May 17, 20201 Comment

Mesa Verde – Green table is Spanish. And, it looks like that from a distance during certain seasons. Mesa Verde is a climb – and if you have ever tent camped there, the temp drops accordingly. I have great memories of camping there with my daughters when they were growing up. And, in my adult life.

Yucca House National Monument – Mesa Verde National Park in the distance – 2019

Dogs have slowed down my camping there because National Parks are not dog friendly – although they would be fine in the campground – it is a drive to get in and out to dog friendly places.

The road up Mesa Verde – 2017

However, in 2017, Kachina, Maizzy and I headed up during our annual labor day trip. It was hot – too hot to hike. So, I thought the elevation would be to our advantage.

Smiling doggies – Kachina and Maizzy at Mesa Verde 2017

That was the weekend I also decided to foster my little disabled dog, Sazi, then Dotsy. Her name, Sazi Ana, is inspired by our drive through Mesa Verde that day.

Mesa Verde 2017

The ruins of Mesa Verde are unique cliff dwellings. It has probably been close to 15 years since I went by myself on spring break and climbed one of the ladders. Folks, I have a huge fear of heights and that was nothing I would ever repeat. But it does give some idea what the Ancient Pueblo Indians must have lived like. I always wonder how they ever kept toddlers off of the ladders without baby gates.

Mesa Verde – 2017

Mesa Verde – 2017

Mesa Verde is also a gorgeous daylily with outrageous ruffles. She was another of my early Southwest named daylilies.

Mesa Verde daylily – 2019

I was naive before thinking that there might be a few dozen kinds of daylily. Somehow, I figured out about ordering bare-root on-line. The first year, I just picked fun colors. After that, I picked Southwest names.

Mesa Verde Daylily – 2018

Mesa Verde is decidedly pink until the sun hits – then she resembles the orange cliffs of her name sake.

Mesa Verde daylily – 2018

Her pot is over growing in grass. I was going to fix that in March, until COVID-19 hit and I didn’t want to go buy soil until it was too late. Perhaps this fall.

Mesa Verde daylily – 2018

This weekend, I am repainting my Monument Valley mural. I think living vicariously during the safer-at-home phase of corona virus has inspired the creative in me. My creativity has been totally shut down for the last year or two. Feels good to be covered in mural paint.

Mesa Verde tile painting – 2019

A couple of Christmases ago, I did try my hand at painting Mesa Verde. The flower, that is.

Chaco Canyon

May 14, 2020May 14, 20204 Comments

A daylily by any other name would smell as sweet . . . maybe, maybe not. Chaco Canyon is a beautiful, spiritual place in New Mexico. It is not easy to get there – the road is dirt, not improved – many ruts for miles and miles. But, it is worth it because it was an empire of the Ancient Pueblo Indians.

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The road to Chaco Canyon before it turns to dirt

I have been there twice. The first time, I had no idea what the road was like but I am persistent. I was on my way home from a conference in Albuquerque and had seen the road signs on my way down.

Hungo Pavi – one of the many Chaco buildings

I was instantly taken by the place, but it was late so I didn’t get to see much. I bought a book and loved looking at the pictures.

The walls of the Chaco ruins blend into the background of the canyon walls

So, six years ago when I had decided to travel for my spring road trip and got me a fine dog (Maizzy) to accompany me . . . we headed back to Chaco. This time, we met an old friend of mine. We hiked and caught-up with each other after several years.

The canyon walls tower above the ancient ruins

Chaco Canyon was a huge trade center that is linked to the stellar world in crazy and mysterious ways. I am no expert, but many of the buildings are aligned perfectly north/south – and you can follow the north line miles to the next building. The buildings are aligned to both sun and moon cycles. There are petroglyphs that light up like Las Vegas on Solstice and Equinox each year.

The round petroglyph on the right reminds me of my daylily bloom

My trips to the Ancient Pueblo ruins remind me how humanity has lost touch with our connection to nature. We drive in cars, leave the lights on 24/7, and argue with strangers about wearing masks. We have become so disconnected from the messages from our planet and solar system – it makes me sad for all of our advancement some days. The message of Chaco is sacred and special to me.

Petroglyphs and wasp nests cohabitate on the walls of Chaco Canyon

So, when I happened to see a daylily named Chaco Canyon – just after I discovered one named Kokopelli (and by the same hybridizer, Ned Roberts), I ordered it instantly. Not only did I like the name – It is a striking daylily. I wonder what about this daylily reminded Ned of Chaco Canyon – maybe the red color? Maybe because it blooms around summer solstice? Maybe because it looks like the sun or the stars?

Chaco Canyon daylily soaking up the sun – 2019

My Chaco Canyon grows in a big pot on my back porch. I moved a couple fans to the Southwest garden last year to extend the bloom season (the two gardens have slightly different peak bloom times). It is getting big and I am watching for scapes now because it blooms on the early side. I can’t wait to be stunned by the first flower!

Chaco Canyon daylily shines in the sun – 2018

I thought I had lost the photos of my trip to Chaco – but silly me, I uploaded them to Facebook 6 years ago. Taking a road trip vicariously through my daylilies makes me want to go back to this place, again, when COVID-19 clears. It isn’t all that far away. In the meantime, I wait for it to bloom in my yard.

Two Chacos dancing in the breeze

Eclipse!

August 22, 2017Leave a comment

Today brought the solar eclipse . . . and the first ever Anasazi bloom in my yard! There is a connection between the Anasazi (Ancient Pueblo Indians) and total solar eclipses. The eclipse of 1097 likely mplayed a part in the Ancient Pueblos leaving the Four Corners area. It was one of many celestial events that may have made this civilization decide that they were being given messages to leave.

I saw a video this AM of a Navajo talking about how the eclipse is seen as spiritual by their tribe. They see it as a time of new beginnings . . . a time to make resolutions. Like New Year, he said. My resolution is a big long pause on some things in my life that were not good for my spirit. I love them too much to ever do harm to them . . . or to ignore harm being done. That is a BIG resolution for me. I am glad I won’t have to do that for another 100 years 🙂

I wish I had realized how the sun reflects in the drops on the petals of the daylilies. I missed my 100-year chance to capture the eclipse within one of the daylilies in my yard. This photo was taken several minutes before the peak. If you look closely in the background, you can see some crescents in the shadows of the tree leaves. It was weirdly dark . . . but I never thought of focusing on the drops. Dang!

I nursed Anasazi from a 3.50 cent fan to a blooming size pot . . . it took 2 years. She is in a pot, of course. I smile for my progress. I had Heirloom Heaven and Cherokee Star also today. Somewhat sad to say this will be my last new bloom for the year . . . unless I get a surprise.

Colorado Kid Daylilies

A Blog About My Western Colorado Daylily Adventure

Tag: Ancient Pueblo Indians

Daylily of the Green Table

Chaco Canyon

Eclipse!