This is growing in my organic garden in Cibolo, Texas. Here are some hints to help you with your guesses: - The name is derived from some gardens near Rome that belonged to the pope - This is the New World variety, not the true European version, which has been around for thousands of years - Herbie Hancock referenced it on one of his compositions, which was sampled by Us3 and covered by Pat Metheny 07/12/2010

Gray hairstreak butterflies are a familiar sight in our organic garden in Cibolo, Texas. There are about 50 varieties of hairstreak, and the gray hairstreak is the most common in Texas. Hairstreaks seem to have an affinity for white flowers. When the privet hedge blooms in early spring, they are all over it. Later in the year, they go for the nectar in the basil flowers in our herb garden, like this one. As you can see from the close-up photo, hairstreaks are small butterflies. What I like about hairstreak butterflies are the little tails at the ends of their hindwings behind the large spots of color. Perhaps these tails evolved to look like antennae to confuse predators. 06/27/2010

I discovered this Gulf Fritillary butterfly in my garden recently. It had just emerged from its chrysalis, which was attached to a bottlebrush tree. It was a windy day, and it was struggling to hang on while its wings dried. Gulf fritillaries lay their eggs on passionflowers so the caterpillars can feed on the leaves. We planted a passionflower vine against the back fence of our garden. It doesn't have many flowers, because it's in the shade, but it does provide the caterpillars a home and a meal.     You can see that the butterfly's hindwings are somewhat blurry in this photo. That's because they were actually flapping in the gusts of wind. Until a butterfly's wings stiffen and are dry, it can't fly properly. Can you see the look of desperation in the butterfly's eyes? I was ready to c... 06/12/2010

Isn't she a beauty? I quickly snapped off four photos of her as she paused on my deck to eye me, but this is the only one that turned out. A few seconds later, she raced for the fence and jumped up and over into my neighbor's yard. I took the photos from inside the sunroom, because I didn't have time to get outside. Some facts about roadrunners: 1. They are members of the cuckoo family. 2. They eat bugs, lizards, bird eggs, fruits, seeds, and snakes, including rattlesnakes. 3. They live alone or in pairs, and often mate for life. 4. Both parents raise chicks, with the male sitting on the nest at night. 5. They don't migrate, but stay in desert-like, scrubby areas. Our neighborhood isn't particularly desert-like, but I did see one last fall about a mile away from our house where there ar... 03/14/2010

The Moran Team | RE/MAX Access | 210-313-7397 144 Kipper Ave., Cibolo, TX Three car garage 4BR/3BA Single Family House offered at $235,000 Year Built 2006 Sq Footage 3,121 Bedrooms 4 Bathrooms 3 full, 0 partial Floors 2 Parking Unspecified Lot Size .19 acres HOA/Maint $23 per month DESCRIPTION Great family home in Cibolo. Located in the desirable Falcon Ridge subdivision on corner lot, this 4 bedroom, 3 bath home offers a home entertainment system inside & outside and water filtration system. The kitchen boasts of walk-in pantry, abundant cabinet space, and breakfast bar. Secondary bedroom downstairs with large game room upstairs. Three car garage. In the back yard you will find covered patio and 10x12 shed conveys. Neighborhood amenities include pool, park/playground and jogging trail... 03/09/2010

The Moran Team | RE/MAX Access | 210-313-7397 120 Briar St., Cibolo, TX Willow Bridge Subdivision 4BR/3BA Single Family House offered at $160,000 Year Built 2005 Sq Footage 2,697 Bedrooms 4 Bathrooms 3 full, 0 partial Floors 2 Parking 2 Car garage Lot Size .13 acres HOA/Maint $13 per month DESCRIPTION Charming 4/3 stone home in Schertz/Cibolo school district. Lots of cabinet space in kitchen with stainless steel appliances. Open floor plan. Stone fireplace in family room. Large master bedroom and game room upstairs. Fourth bedroom downstairs. Ready to move in! see additional photos below PROPERTY FEATURES - Central A/C - Central heat - Fireplace - Family room - Living room - Bonus/Rec room - Dishwasher - Stove/Oven - Microwave - Stainless steel appliances - Laundry area - inside ADDITI... 12/04/2009

The Moran Team | RE/MAX Access | 210-313-7397 3302 Whisper Haven, Cibolo, TX Nice family home in cibolo 3BR/2BA Single Family House offered at $115,000 Year Built 2003 Sq Footage 1,419 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 2 full, 0 partial Floors 1 Parking 2 Car garage Lot Size .16 acres HOA/Maint $4 per month DESCRIPTION Nice 3 bedroom, 2 bath family home in Cibolo situated on a corner lot. Covered front porch entry and open floor plan. Spacious kitchen with built in microwave and sunny eating nook. Large living area with room for oversized furniture. Fenced back yard with covered patio. Neighborhood amenities include pool, park and sports court. Easy commute to Randolph AFB, shopping and restaurants. see additional photos below PROPERTY FEATURES - Central A/C - Central heat - Living room - Dining ro... 10/19/2009

Well, last night I participated in the Texas Two-Step. I had already voted, so I went back to caucus last night, showing up 15 minutes early for what I thought would be a half-hour process. As a result, I only had to stand in line in the parking lot at my polling station for 2 hours. It was cold last night, too! Thanks to some friendly and funny folks I waited with, I managed to survive the ordeal--one of them very kindly lent me his jacket. Once I got inside the building (which was warm, and mostly empty, since only a dozen people at a time were being let in), it only took 5 minutes to register my selection. By that time, I was too tired and hungry, plus my feet were killing me, to hang around afterwards to caucus and choose delegates. At 8:45, the two lines of people waiting still str... 03/05/2008