MinxterBLOOM

I fell asleep during key moments of last weeks -- and this -- week's PBS Masterpiece version of Tess of the d'Urbervilles. I cannot decide if I like it or not.  More on that, perhaps, later.  I do appreciate that the filim sets nearly everthing OUTSIDE, in nature.  That truly reflects Hardy.  The scenes are gorgeous, including one of Tess on a veranda, forelorn, after telling Angel  her secret.  The stone floor is rich with tufts growing between the pavers.  I wanted to ask Tess to move aside and for the camera to zoom in and down.

"Steppables" is the post modern way to say it:  plants that grow up from the crannies and permit walking of some sort.

My favorite such scene that I lived in, circa 1991, featured Shirley poppies reseeding themselves in an old brick patio my brother helped me built.  I do toss seed and sand upon and near my current brick pathway but to date, no darling Shirley lodges and grows.  Goodness knows I have the crannies and crevices.

Catch the first episode of Tess here, conveniently arranged in "chapters."

Note:  Click into the Joseph Dougherty photo to see more information about Papaver rhoes.  I appreciate the directions on posting this photo there.  The request is for thumbnail only, unless for academic purposes.  The plant photos database at UCAL Berkeley is among the best. Don't miss the landscape subset here.  Plants in situ, which is as they should be.