Growing up in Appalachia was quite the experience. Even though I lived in what would now be classified as extreme poverty, at the time I assumed that is how everyone lived. Unlike the children of today, I would often get up and head to the green hills, usually alone, unsupervised, and without a care in the world. There were creeks with brightly colored salamanders and crawfish to be found; long abandoned apple orchards for lunch, and occasionally a cherry tree for dessert. When darkness approached it was time to head home.
Life was so simple then; so full of innocence. Now you would be arrested for child endangerment for letting your children do such a thing.
Needless to say, those green forested hills full of adventure were nothing like the Sonoran Desert. Well, except for the adventure part.
Anyhow, I occasionally run across a plant or flower that reminds me of those days. Several years ago I came across a Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus).
No, it was not in the desert. It was in a park, but I thought the photograph would lend itself well to a watercolor painting.
natureartlife 