May 14, 2001

I couldn't really believe it when I came back to update this page and saw that the previous page is dated Apri 24, less than three weeks ago, but I went over my calendar and in fact it is correct.

Look at the small vigorous sprouts that pushed over a heavy log on Apr. 24. They were less than a foot tall. Look at them today.

Look at the log, and the bamboo giants still sheathed in their young wrappers. One with an elegant curve to the left, and two more behind it, reaching now above the eave.

And look at this beauty! Last week I wanted to take a picture of its young tip, about as high as my head, glistening with morning dew drops at its four tipped top. The vigorous plants pull water out of the ground at night and exude it in drops at the growing tips. I blew that picture off but I still have it in my mind.

Now the tip is about level with my second floor window; its circumference is 8 inches. It is straight and strong and will make a beautiful pole for some special use.