Wednesday Wanderings. #3

Hi everyone! It is another beautiful, sunny day here, although it is a bit on the cool side with a temperature of 21F (-6C). There is a light wind from the northwest as well and the temperature is going to dip downward to 3F (-16C) overnight. But that sunshine is so nice to see and my plants agree, they are loving it too.

Speaking of plants. My plants are pushing out new growth, some, like my aloe plants, are blooming nicely. This is the first time I have had aloe plants bloom for me. This is also the first time I have tried growing different varieties of aloe and not just the regular aloe vera that everyone loves to have around. I have aloe vera too, one large about 2 feet (60cm) tall, one medium about 16 inches (about 40cm) tall, and one tiny new offshoot which is only 4 inches (10cm) tall.

Apparently the aloe vera will bloom too, but I have never been able to get mine to produce flowers. I did finally find out that one of my aloe plants is called White Fox, the flowers were the final key for identifying that one. My four hoya plants are also doing great, growing a lot and producing many new leaves and long new stems. I wonder if one of them will produce a flower or two this year.

Two of them are old enough now that they could bloom, though they may not be quite mature enough yet. It can take from 3 to 7 years before they are mature enough to produce flowers. Two of mine are about 4 or 5 years old. I have a humidifier now which I have fairly close to the plants. It’s best not to have it too close though since it does produce a temperature difference which can harm some plants.

Speaking of winter. I am definitely waiting for spring to arrive. I’m just not a winter person anymore. Winter is not just cold, but it can be dangerous too, producing bitter cold that has killed people here this winter. Plus it produces very slippery conditions that make it dangerous to go out walking around, even for short distances.

Speaking of cleaning. I have begun my spring cleaning again. I know it’s early, but I want this out of the way so when the nice weather arrives I can spend the time outdoors. Actually, all that I’m doing is dusting my apartment, but with all my stuff it takes a long time. Especially since I have to do things so slowly now. But, it helps give me something different to do this time of the year when I don’t get out as much.

Speaking of cats. It’s quite amazing really, but after 2 months I still miss my Muffin. It still seems odd not to have her name on my posts anymore. And not having her on my lap while I’m trying to type. Or sleeping with me at night with her head on her own pillow, right next to mine. I guess eventually I will get used to not having her around.

Speaking of rearranging things. I am doing that also as I dust my shelves and everything on them, then I am rearranging things to give a totally different look around here. Well, maybe not totally, but it will be different anyway. Oh well. Something major coming up in our apartment building again as well, but more on that later. I hope you all have a wonderful day and God bless!

Steve. ©2026 Steve McLeod.