Seven Random Things About Me

I have been tagged by Beth at Morning Glories to participate in the meme, Seven Random Things About Me. Since this is a garden blog I've kept my items on topic.

I am unusual species--an Arizona native. Natives of adult age are getting rarer, and make up only 20 percent of Arizona's population.

You can't be an Arizona native and escape the lure of cacti and succulents, and I have quite a collection, both potted and planted in my garden. My favorites are various species of the Mammillaria, Opuntia, and Echinopsis genera.

Given my druthers, I'd much rather live on the Oregon or northern California coasts about six months out of the year. I don't think about this until the heat hits and my garden goes into summer dormancy. I start doing research and making plans, and after a few months when the weather cools, I can't imagine why I would want to live anywhere else.

I have a 3/4 acre property, but would prefer to have an adobe Tucson barrio-style home and garden. This particular style is similar to those found in central Mexico, where the house really doesn't have front or back yards, just several courtyard gardens surrounded with 10-12 foot walls. The front courtyard walls are set back from the sidewalks only about 4 feet and have a solid entry gate. The small area from the sidewalk to wall is usually planted with cacti. The interior gardens are lush and green, with a variety of tropical and southwest plants. Each courtyard, usually one in front, back and side, has its own garden theme.

I have an addiction to wind chimes. I have quite a few, and can't go to sleep unless I can hear wind chimes tinkling outside my bedroom window.

I read, research and write far too much about plants, gardens, landscape design, and in season, I’ll attend every garden tour I can find, far and near. It's a good thing I'm retired! And, on a different subject, this is my very first meme!

My first priority has always been to complete my landscaping before decorating. In every home I've owned I've always made sure I had a great garden first because I find a barren landscape so depressing. I'd rather spend money on landscaping, hardscaping, cacti and yard art than house stuff.

Here are the rules: Each player starts with seven random facts/habits about themselves. Tagged people then need to report this on their own blog with their seven random facts as well as these rules. They then need to tag seven others and list their names on their blog, then leave a comment for each of the tagged to let them know that they have been tagged and to read the blog.

Here's whom I've tagged:

The Green Fingered Photographer

My Grandpa's Garden

Ms. Green Thumb Jean

My Iowa Garden

Gotta Garden

Our Little Acre

Miss Flower