Missed

At 11:29 this morning we had an earthquake. It was only 4.1 and a long way out at sea so no damage, but it did shake and roar a little. Haven't felt one of those for a couple of years now. Spouseman was on a boat and guests were driving a car so none of them felt it at all.

We have been growing artichokes for about three years now. They are down at the bottom of the fruit orchard and the artichokes are ready at a time when there is no fruit to speak of, so we have managed to completely forget about them until they are past their best. In fact, I have never even tasted globe artichoke.

When the huge purple thistle-like flowers appear we notice them from the house and realise that once again we are too late. It was a bit too late in the day to photograph these in the best light, fifteen minutes earlier might have been better. I considered putting it off until tomorrow but the noise of all the beetles gorging themselves suggested to me that for these flowers, tomorrow may never come.