Papyrus Redux

Annamaria Getting Ready for Bouchercon

You know: Whenever we go on a trip, we pay for our being absent from regular life: tasks that need to be done because you won't be home to do them, preparing to make the most of the time away, to say nothing of the catching up once we return home.  Today's repost is of one I put up just before leaving for Bouchercon ten years ago.  I am in the same position this year.  Working hard to be ready for the conference and paying my dues because I will be away for five days.  Here a second time is my pean to a plant.  BTW: I have seven of them growing in my place today.  And there are many from the same original in the homes of friends and neighbors.   

Here comes  largely a photo essay, given the fact that I will leave in an hour for the airport and LA, on my way to Bouchercon.  It's Saturday as I write, by the way.

Papyrus growing in a well in the Ortigia, Siracusa, Sicily.

I have loved the very word "papyrus" since my fourth grade history book showed me a picture and told me the story of it.

Papyrus figures in my ancestral history.  My paternal grandparents were Siracusani--from what had been the Greek city state of Syracuse.   Here are some pictures of papyrus growing in fresh water a few feet from the Ionian harbor where a great battle of the Peloponnesian War took place.  Some posit that that fresh water so close to the salt accounts for the founding of the city way back in prehistory.

Papyrus in fresh water near the harbor.

The scene of a battle in the ancient war.

During the dreadful AIDS plague of the 80s, David and I lost many friends, including his best buddy from high school and his partner.  When the second of those dear men was dying, he told us to take whatever we wanted from the house.  I chose the papyrus plant.  It lives on.  It has of late become part of the decor in my Egyptian revival dining room.

The gift of Bob and JP.

The mantle in the dining room.

American illustration art: complete with pharaoh and papyrus

Of late, it has given birth, in a manner of speaking.  A few months ago I noticed that in the middle of the fronds, tiny fronds had emerged.  I wondered what would happen if I cut off those stalk tops and put them in water.  Magic is what took place.  So now I have four plants.  The babies have the look of bonsai papyrus.  It won't stay that way, but I wish one would.  What a centerpiece it would make a dinner parties!!

A baby at one month

Two months

Three months and gorgeous.