May is the month when bottlebrush (Callistemon) starts to bloom around here in Tuscany and one bush is conveniently placed in a garden just behind our home. This is how it went last May.
And if you are impatiently waiting to flower, think about what Denise Riley wrote about it in the essay “Lyric Shame” which was kindly sent in by Christopher Perry who writes beautifully at Voyage des Mots.
Flowering itself is a sign of distress, in that a plant starved of nutrients will produce flowers but not leaves, in its desperate attempt to make seeds, its own future.
Denise Riley
If I may direct you to the post in the memories from 2017 about three feel-good moments in my life, I will. This is the direction into which I’d like to blossom, now that seeds are out of the question.
And finally, for those following the basketball saga: While almost everybody thought that the Dallas Mavericks would be out by now, last night they won against the Suns, which makes it twice in a row, and tied the series to 2:2. Now we shall see if they will be allowed to stage an ambush in the Phoenix desert tomorrow night. Because if you play really well, really together and really unselfishly, you can beat the best team, the referees and the entire system even away from home.
May 2nd. 
May 5th. 
May 6th – the outburst! 
But it’s just one or two for now, those closest to the sun. 
May 8th. A few more. 
It’s amazing how they unfurl. 
May 10th. Many have been added. 
May 13th. Filling out nicely. 
May 15th after the rain. 
May 17th. 
May 19th. And this cycle repeated more than once until this May. They are out again.
This day in my blogging history
2014: Eurovision Song Contest: See, we have books and fairy-tales – Italian commentator was repeatedly saying “I don’t know, I don’t know whether she is a Snow White or a witch” – and if this is all that Slovenia promotes this year, I’ll be happy.
2017: Three feel-good moments from my life: Driving in Piraeus is borderline lunacy, lunapark and moon-landing. (The photo is from Trieste though.)
An Embarrassment of Riches 
reminds me of the flamboyan tree we’d see in Chile!
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Thank you, Rebecca. I was never anywhere so far. I’m pretty sure they are Australian by origin.
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Everything about those flowers is magic.
Are you about to get into the car and take off for parts unknown? Might be just what is needed. I think we all could use a change of scenery, not to mention a little spontaneity injected into our lives. (K)
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Thank you, K. This sounds like just the thing, except I’ll opt for parts known – my Slovenia and family. 🙂 My uncle will pick me and bestia up in some three weeks and drive us there. Plenty of unknown corners to explore there as well. I need more off screen time.
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We all do. Sounds good ! (K)
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I love that you’re such a basketball fan!
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I’m glad you do, Bonnie Rae. What can I see, I like to discover a good thing, start rooting for it early and stick to it to see where it leads. 😉 When team spirit trumps individual mentality, I’m especially pleased.
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Beautiful images of this tree.
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Thank you, Anita. I’m glad you enjoyed them.
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We have bottlebrush here, there’s one just outside my house … and I’m highly allergic to it 😕. It looks nice though
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Oh my! That’s not a good thing to have next to your house if you’re allergic, Not Pam. You could hire a contract bush killer. 😀 (Nooo, just joking.)
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The bottlebrush . . . very intriguing and nice color!
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Thank you, Mary. I think so too, so cheerful.
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How lovely that you are featuring a bottlebrush tree. I have one just like that right outside my kitchen window. That particular variety is indigenous to this area. They aren’t in flower here now but it’s great to know you are enjoying them in Italy at this time.
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How nice, Suzanne. 🙂 Does your bush also flower several times a year? I remember seeing this one start out twice again later in the year. Thank you!
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My Bottlebrush trees are having another flowering now almost non-stop since last year
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Right, bushboy… Times are a-changing. This plant is Australian in origin, correct?
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You are correct Manja, an Aussie plant.
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Beautiful spring.
May is normally more flowery in May but the rains have killed all the fun.
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That’s no fun, Bojana. It seems there is either too much rain or not enough… Thanks!
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Guess what? The sun is shining and it will stay sunny for 3 whole days. I think that calls for celebration.
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Hurrah!
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We don’t really see bottlebrush trees over here so I’ve never ad the chance to look closely at how they unfurl in the spring – beautiful!
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I saw it on a blog (from Down Under, I believe) before I saw it in the flesh. 🙂 Thanks, Sarah!
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The sequence of bottlebrush photos is splendid, culminating in full bloom. How lucky to have a bottlebrush in your yard. I also appreciate your tribute to the Mavs. No matter what happens, they’ve shown great heart (in addition to great skill).
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It’s not in my yard, Carol Ann. It’s in the same condominium, just a few units behind mine. Again I love your words so much. Great heart. ❤
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