The Foal That Never Grew

W&N Watercolour om Bockingford 300gsm

I stand before the early dawn
Alone with my thoughts before the morn’
Remembering the night when all was dark
Not even the sound of a lonely dogs bark
When three of us in a stable small
Tried in vain to assist, the night before
A brave little mother who gave her all
To give life to her first born.

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I remember the pleasure that turned to pain
Reflected in the eyes of your loving master
As he tried again and again
Working faster and faster coaxing your heart
Hoping and praying that you won’t depart
He took one last deep breath, blew into your nose
Only to discover your beautiful eyes were closed.

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If horses become angels
And I’m sure they do
You’ll know that you are one of the few
To be touched by loving hands
Who had great plans for you
Race on little foal, across your golden sands
And as your free spirit soars high into the sky
Your master bids you farewell, and a last goodbye.

--Sue Eggersglusz

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Geranium or Pelargonium?

W&N watercolour on Bockingford 300gsm 

Geraniums originated from South Africa, as well as Reunion, Madagascar, Egypt and Morocco and were introduced to European countries such as Italy, Spain and France in the 17th century. 

Actually, the plants that gardeners have grown under the geranium name for several hundred years is not a geranium, but a pelargonium. Both plants, as well as a few others, are all members of the geraniaceae family. 

The problem arose when the plants were first brought from their native home of South Africa into Europe. All the early imports were labeled “geraniums” and continued under that blanket name for many years. When some observant botanists finally started a closer examination of these lovely new plants, they discovered many differences and then decided that the imports were not all the same plant type, but there were differences so were then moved into different named classifications. 

One group of plants was given the original name of geraniums. A second group was classified as pelargoniums, then there were erodiums and sarcocaulons/monsonias. The plant we label “geranium” was put into the pelargonium category, however, it had become a well loved plant of gardeners in Europe under the old “geranium” label so although the botanists told them that the lovely pot or bedding plant they grew in such numbers was a pelargonium, they persisted in using the old name. 

I’m now more confused than ever! 

(Find out more at The Geranium Society)

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Blue gum fantasy

W&N watercolour on Bockingford 300gsm in small sketch-book
Blue gum trees on our smallholding (Tarlton, Gauteng, South Africa) I must just mention that we no longer live in Tarlton, but her colour-palette is forever etched into my mind. 

Blue gum eucalyptus, Eucalyptus globulus to the botanists, have been a part of the South African landscape since the Gold Rush, long enough that legends have sprung up about how they first made it to the country. The usual story is that 19th Century gold miners encouraged planting of the trees as a quick-growing source of quality lumber, then were disappointed to find out that South African-grown eucs produce wood unsuitable for much besides rough fenceposts and firewood.

The stories have some factual basis: there was a speculative eucalyptus-planting rush in the first years of the 20th Century, with people planning uses from fine furniture to rot-resistant railroad ties. And the home-grown trees, which grew far more quickly than their Australian counterparts, did not turn out to make lousy timber! The logs were extensively used in our mining industry and to this day they are still popular as fence posts and roof timber.

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I love a tree..

W&N watercolour in Moleskine 200gsm watercolour sketch-book

When I pass to my reward.
Whatever that may be,
I’d like my friends to think of me
As one who loved a tree. 

I may not have a statesman’s poise
Nor thrill a throng with speech
But I may benefit mankind
If I set out a beech.

If I transport a sapling oak
To rear its mighty head
Twill make for them a childhood shrine,
That will not soon decay.

Of if I plant a tree with fruit,
On which the birds may feed,
Then I have fostered feathered friends
And that’s a worthy deed.
- Samuel N. Baxter

Aloe ferox painting 1

W&N watercolour on Bockingford 300gsm

A painting of an Aloe ferox in my previous garden in Tarlton, Gauteng. Each winter the aloes put up the most spectacular show of orange, brightening up the dull winter landscape. And for 10 years, every  June/July, I was  blessed with their beauty over and over again. 

Aloe ferox (known as the Cape Aloe, Bitter Aloe, Red Aloe and Tap Aloe), is a species of arborescent aloe indigenous to southern Africa. It is one of several Aloe species used to make bitter aloes, a purgative medication, and also yields a non-bitter gel that can be used in cosmetics.

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