Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, I've been unable to concentrate on much, and have spent far too much time reading or watching news programs. Some years ago, I sponsored a boy in Ukraine; Olek is now in his mid-teens, and I worry about him and his family. They became eligible for sponsorship because the family were internal refugees following the 2014 annexation of the Crimea.
I have done some mini work, but it is not really worth blogging about. But on Monday night, when I just could not sleep, I took photos of a fairly unusual house-plant bloom. At least 25 years ago, I purchased a very large old Sanseviera (Mother-in-Law's Tongue or Snake Plant), at a yard sale, split the thing into two separate very large flower pots, and both of them now bloom regularly. I was told that the plants have to be quite mature to bloom, and mine are well over 30 years old!
This is the living room plant, the other one lives in our sunny front hallway, which has lots of south-facing windows and a terra-cotta tile floor that captures the sun and heat from the skylight. The flowers are night-blooming, and are likely pollinated by bats and moths. When we lived in Jamaica in the early 90's, I'd regularly smell this incredible scent at night. I discovered that it was sanseviera, which is often used as a hedge in there. The scent is like orange blossoms or jasmine, very lovely, and comes in waves.
The blossoms are very delicate and beautiful, and grow in spikes. They also produce a lot of nectar, so the plants have to be kept from walls and furniture, to prevent the nectar getting on walls and upholstery. As I was sitting in the living room, drinking chamomile tea in the hope of getting some sleep that night, the scent came and went, just gorgeous.
I hope to get some mini work done this weekend, as I'd really, really like to call the Christmas Market Stall finished.....
