A rose by any other name . . .

 . . . would look very different!

A chilly day today, which was unfortunate as I'd arranged to meet a Keep Oban Beautiful friend this afternoon to discuss our next proposal, the Oban Doorstep Challenge, and we'd have to sit out on the deck. It was pretty cool, but not too bad with coats on! 

I was surprised to receive a phone call today from the police - my immediate reaction was 'It wisnae me'! However it was the local Community Sergeant replying to the message I sent recently about the drinking parties which take place regularly up at McCaig's Tower. I'd asked if it was possible to have an officer wander up there some Saturday night and deal with them - apart from all the rubbish that they leave behind them, it's illegal under the local byelaws to drink alcohol outdoors in central areas of the town. He was very good about it and quite helpful - he'll be organising a meeting up there sometime with various officials so I'll have the opportunity to discuss the problem, which extends to other parts of the town too. Every week the local paper reports people being fined for speeding, but I've never heard of anyone being fined for the far more regular offence of dumping rubbish all over the place! 

My Blip today is an example of an Emergency Blip - I've not been off the property today. It's Selaginella lepidophylla, most commonly known as the Rose of Jericho,  or more correctly the false Rose of Jericho. Never be misguided by common names - this lycophyte, or spike moss, is a primitive plant that is native to the deserts of SW USA and Mexico. The true RoJ is Anastatica hierochuntica, a different plant altogether which comes from . . . . Jericho - and other parts of Western Asia. The False RoJ can survive for years in a shrivelled state - see extra - and turn green when placed in a damp environment. Apparently families have handed down these plants from generation to generation and they have survived for many years in the back of a cupboard!

Quote of the Day:

Matshona Dhliwayo - “A rose in a desert can only survive on its strength, not its beauty.”