El Paso: UTEP: Star-Lord

Star-Lord in Chihuahua Desert Garden, UTEP, El Paso, Texas. May 2017.

A small gift of guerrilla art as I passed through UTEP's Chihuahua Desert Garden one day in May.

Star-Lord in Chihuahua Desert Garden, UTEP, El Paso, Texas. May 2017.

El Paso: UTEP: Orange Bench

Orange bench and flowers, UTEP, Chihuahua Desert Garden, El Paso, Texas. May 2017.

May 2017

When I go to my classes, I usually cut through UTEP's Chihuahua Desert Garden. Every day the garden serves me a new dish to savor.

Orange bench and flowers, UTEP, Chihuahua Desert Garden, El Paso, Texas. May 2017.

On this afternoon in May, the daily special was a newly-painted orange bench, with persimmon-and-blue blossoms on the side.

Orange bench and flowers, UTEP, Chihuahua Desert Garden, El Paso, Texas. May 2017.

Tasty.

Orange bench and flowers, UTEP, Chihuahua Desert Garden, El Paso, Texas. May 2017.

El Paso: UTEP: A Couple of Days in May

UTEP, El Paso, Texas. May 2017.

May 2017



I look at these photos from a couple of days in May, and a slow, deep exhale of appreciation escapes me. 

UTEP, El Paso, Texas. May 2017.

Damn.

UTEP, El Paso, Texas. May 2017.

I am reminded of a story. Years ago, I tackled the lack of sidewalks in the community where I lived at the time. I said sheepishly to my friend, "I know it's not a super important issue, but ...."

My friend stopped me right there and told me that even the simplest things can have a major impact on others. She gave me the example of Ladybird Johnson and the bluebells. Since then, I have witnessed other testimonies to the power of small and beautiful.

So it is with UTEP's thoughtful, intentional investment in the beauty of its campus. When we walk in the midst of such beauty, it soothes, smooths, and refreshes our spirits.

El Paso: UTEP: Dainty Ladies in April

For such a small garden, UTEP's Chihuahua Desert Garden regularly offers such sweet delicacies.

It revealed these dainties one afternoon in April:

Flower dainties, UTEP, Chihuahuan Desert Garden, El Paso, Texas. April 2017.

Flower dainties, UTEP, Chihuahuan Desert Garden, El Paso, Texas. April 2017.

Flower dainties, UTEP, Chihuahua Desert Garden, El Paso, Texas. April 2017.

Flower dainties, UTEP, Chihuahuan Desert Garden, El Paso, Texas. April 2017.

In the video below, the tiny movements in response to a baby breeze encourages one to take calm breaths while thinking of sweet nothing:

El Paso: UTEP: An Ocotillo Day

Ocotillo in April, Chihuahuan Desert Gardens, UTEP, El Paso, Texas.

The stalky ocotillo may be my favorite desert plant. Seeing these April ocotillos at UTEP's Chihuahuan Desert Gardens was like seeing a cherished friend.


When dormant, the ocotillo is just a spiny, angular, unattractive reedy collection of gray stalks. But when it blooms and when it leafs out, oh, I admire how it preens so prettily against the sky.

Ocotillo in April, Chihuahuan Desert Gardens, UTEP, El Paso, Texas.

An ocotillo I crushed on at Leasburg Dam State Park in New Mexico a few years back:

Ocotillo at Leasburg Dam State Park, New Mexico. May 2013.

Ocotillo at Leasburg Dam State Park, New Mexico. May 2013.

Ocotillo at Leasburg Dam State Park, New Mexico. May 2013.

See that hummingbird up there?

El Paso: UTEP: Vellum and Velvet

Early spring flowers, UTEP, Chihuahuan Desert Gardens, El Paso, Texas. February 2017.

February 2017

Graceful fold of a tangerine sarong.

Early spring flowers, UTEP, Chihuahuan Desert Gardens, El Paso, Texas. February 2017.

Brave little beings venture out in early-early Spring.

Early spring flowers, UTEP, Chihuahuan Desert Gardens, El Paso, Texas. February 2017.

Vellum riplets invite a barely-there stroke of one's fingers to feel the tiny geography.

Early spring flowers, UTEP, Chihuahuan Desert Gardens, El Paso, Texas. February 2017.

Velvety blossom babies emerge like new mammals, eyes closed, but seeking light and warmth.

Early spring flowers, UTEP, Chihuahuan Desert Gardens, El Paso, Texas. February 2017.

Early spring flowers, UTEP, Chihuahuan Desert Gardens, El Paso, Texas. February 2017.

Early spring flowers, UTEP, Chihuahuan Desert Gardens, El Paso, Texas. February 2017.

El Paso: UTEP: Pretty in Pink

Pink flowers in March, UTEP, El Paso, Texas. March 2017.

Dainty pink loveliness on the UTEP campus in March.

Pink flowers in March, UTEP, El Paso, Texas. March 2017.

El Paso: UTEP: Gold-in Light

Leaves in light, UTEP, El Paso, Texas. March 2017.

Rose gold, perhaps.

Suffused, infused, enrouged by a liquidy gold light.

Leaves in light, UTEP, El Paso, Texas. March 2017.

Brilliance

Leaves in light, UTEP, El Paso, Texas. March 2017.

Leaves in light, UTEP, El Paso, Texas. March 2017.

Leaves in light, UTEP, El Paso, Texas. March 2017.

El Paso: UTEP: Milky Way Explosions

Milky seed pods, UTEP, El Paso, Texas. March 2017.

These splashy milky Angora-cat silky seed pods.

Milky seed pods, UTEP, El Paso, Texas. March 2017.

On a walk on the UTEP campus in March.

Milky seed pods, UTEP, El Paso, Texas. March 2017.

El Paso: UTEP: Trees Like a Spring Bride

White blossoms on tree, UTEP, El Paso, Texas. March 2017.

For days, as I walked through UTEP's Plaza Garden, adjacent to the Chihuahuan Desert Gardens, wafts of a delicate fragrance made me stop and breathe deeply so I could inhale more of the perfume.

White blossoms on tree, UTEP, El Paso, Texas. March 2017.

At first, I couldn't pinpoint the source because the carrying breeze didn't chart a direct path back home.

White blossoms on tree, UTEP, El Paso, Texas. March 2017.

But my nose finally tracked it down to the twin trees, newly blooming, in front of the Undergraduate Learning Center.

White blossoms on tree, UTEP, El Paso, Texas. March 2017.

Heady stuff.

El Paso: UTEP: Pursed Lips

Sunflower. UTEP Chihuahuan Desert Gardens. February 2017.

En route between my place and Miners Hall, I passed through the UTEP's Chihuahuan Desert Gardens.

Sunflower. UTEP Chihuahua Desert Garden. February 2017.

Tight-lipped sunflower buds drew me closer.

Sunflower. UTEP Chihuahua Desert Garden. February 2017.

Their posture was almost balletic with the graceful bent of their heads atop their slender torsos.

Sunflower. UTEP Chihuahua Desert Garden. February 2017.

El Paso: UTEP: Flowers and Feathers

Chihuahua Desert Garden, UTEP, El Paso, Texas. February 2017.

The Chihuahua Desert Garden on the UTEP campus spends most of February sleeping.

Chihuahua Desert Garden, UTEP, El Paso, Texas. February 2017.

But there are tiny pockets of wakefulness.

Chihuahua Desert Garden, UTEP, El Paso, Texas. February 2017.

Maybe it's even a good time for winter foliage or flowers to shine because there's not so much competition for the eyes of passers-by.

Chihuahua Desert Garden, UTEP, El Paso, Texas. February 2017.

About 5 pm on a February day is an especially nice time for lighting.

Chihuahua Desert Garden, UTEP, El Paso, Texas. February 2017.

Chihuahua Desert Garden, UTEP, El Paso, Texas. February 2017.

Chihuahua Desert Garden, UTEP, El Paso, Texas. February 2017.

Chihuahua Desert Garden, UTEP, El Paso, Texas. February 2017.

Chihuahua Desert Garden, UTEP, El Paso, Texas. February 2017.

Chihuahua Desert Garden, UTEP, El Paso, Texas. February 2017.