When I launched this blog and invited friends to come walk with me and take comfort at The Lost Madrone Ranch, I had no idea that a few months later I would “need” to get to Comfort to see sedum plants! That sounds sort of funny.

And yes, my kids are calling me the sedum lady, referring to Miss Rumphius, the crazy old Lupine Lady from the children’s book I referenced in my first sedum post. (I’m sure they are calling me the crazy and old part as well.)

But, watching the sedums grow makes me disciplined in getting to the ranch regularly, provides a fun focus when I arrive at the ranch and leads me to ask questions — both serious and fun. Thanks for watching them with me!

In the About Me page of this blog, I describe the ranch as “resplendent — sometimes literally shining and always the light I need to illuminate my path.”

Life veered off course the past two weeks as we prioritized caring for Jimmy as he heals from his burns. My “need” to see sedum plants this week is more about needing illumination, rather than seeing plants.

The good news, Jimmy’s healing has been remarkable. New skin has grown back on his face and neck without signs of permanent scarring. The skin on his hands is healing, and his pain is going away. Along with healing and hand wound care to avoid infection, his challenge now is to stay protected from the sun. He is very fortunate.

Thursday, Jim drove Jimmy to Baylor to meet with his professors to map out a schedule to complete his work and take exams for the semester. And, Jimmy saw his Baylor friends during his visit. Jimmy’s next doctor’s appointment at SAMMC is Tuesday, and we hope for continued good reports.

We are full of gratitude for his healing, and I know the prayer support placed a healing hand on Jimmy. Thank you.

So, when Jim and Jimmy left for Waco, I headed to Comfort!

As usual, the wonder began as soon as I drove through the gate.

Gazing across two gorges to a ridge just beyond the house, I saw a faint ribbon of yellow stretching the length of the hilltop. Can you see it in the photo above? I couldn’t wait to look closer.

As I neared the now yellow field where we feed the longhorns, a welcoming party came to greet me.

Eleven longhorns were heading my way as if to say, “Where have you been? Glad to see you!”

Arriving along the ridge, the swath of yellow was resplendent — literally shining.

No, the yellow was not from sedums. The hill was full of Slender-Leaf Hymenoxys (Tetraneuris, linearifolia).

Bright daisy-like flowers top thin wiry stems. You would hardly notice an individual flower, but massed together they carpet the land in a dominate stand.

Walking through them is like being bathed in sunshine — Jimmy, no sunscreen required.

Looking closer, mixed with the Slender-Leaf Hymenoxys, are blooms of other flowers in different colors dotted here and there.

Purple verbena

Golden-Eye Phlox

Texas Dandelion

And while not a flower,  how about this little guy for adding color!

The first glimmer of “light” to illuminate my path, came from observing the field of yellow as it stretched to the property line.

A hurdle may be put in our path, but find a way to move on across, and it can be just as brilliant on the other side.

I know, I know, this post is supposed to report on sedums.

I headed to the house to check on the sedums. Could they be as brilliant yellow as the Hymenoxys?

Yes, individual sedums are blooming bright yellow.

But, grouped together, the carpet of sedums still looks green.

Note how the green color is fading in tone, and I love the way the sedums look like soilders standing at attention.

This may be the last of the “penny perspective” because I think the sedums have reached their mature height.

Most of the sedums rise to the same level, except for a few “Marlines” out there.

Several clumps of sedums in the cracks and along the edges of the limestone outcropping are a more pronounced yellow and soft pink. I am not sure why they looked so different, but I thought their coloring was lovely.

As I was taking the photo below of the two clumps of pink and yellow sedums growing at the edge of the limestone, something moved and caught my eye.

But as I lowered the camera, I saw nothing.

Can you see something in this photo that looks like it could move?

Look closer!

Did you find it yet?

Crazy, right?

I had to move around to take a look at the face!

I am assuming it is a type of grasshopper, but I could not identify it with a general internet search. Anyone is welcome to identify it for me!

Not forgetting the other sedum area we are watching, the sedums at the back corner of the property are starting to bloom as well.

Maybe only a couple more weeks until a full bloom?

For now, I love that the ranch did not disappoint in bringing me yellow sunshine, both literally and in lighting a path forward.

I’ve stressed over a decision this week of whether to cancel a special friend coming to visit. Kaye was one of my parents best friends and she is scheduled to come see mom and me in a few days. I have not had time to prepare for her visit the way I would typically have everything prepared “perfect” for a guest. Not to mention the emotional drain of the past couple weeks.

Walking the field of sunshine, I noted that most of those little yellow flowers, if you look closer, are a bit bedraggled — faded, torn or missing petals.

Yet, together they are stunning. Somehow that spoke to me to tell Kaye to pack her bags. The visit is about being together and seeing mom, not life being in perfect order.

As evening approached, I walked back to the field and watched as deer followed the yellow ribbon along the ridge.

I followed their course to the edge of the property, curious if the brilliant yellow color I saw in this spot earlier in the day would glow as the sun went down.

Not really. I could see a little yellow, but darkness fell on the flowers like everything around them.

I turned to walk to the house and the reflective light opposite the sunset cast a beautiful purple color in the sky.

As I snapped this last photo, my camera illuminated “battery exhausted.”

My path had been lit well for one day.

Happy Saturday.