signs of life

Getting two big freezes here this winter, with temperatures dropping to 19 the second time, put a real chill on our "not very freeze tolerant yard". We have found out that some of the plants and trees that were put into this yard are more comfortable in an area that doesn't sometimes dip down into the teens.

So, even with our attempt to cover some things the second time it froze (we were in Texas the first time), we have quite a lot of things that look like this poor orchid tree. We are hoping that there will be sign of life soon.

Like this little sign of hope. A little yellow lantana flower back there against the brick wall. It managed to hide from the bitter frost and is now peeking its little sunny self out and stretching towards the warmth of the sun. Ahh... kinda like what I want to do.
And this purple beauty. It's blooming with all its might right now. Although, we just learned that the seed pods should not be ingested unless you want to see all kinds of pretty flowers dancing in your yard that aren't really there at all. And you just might be the one dancing. So, I think we will stay away from those. Not that I regularly ingest any of the seeds or pods from any of the plants around here.
And look. Another little lantana, this one purple, peeking out from under the curled up edges of even the cactus that curled its leaves. The succulent cacti didn't fair too well.
Oh my. The lambs ears really got nipped, but there is new growth coming up. Yay.
This hardy plant is putting on some buds. It should be blossoming again soon. That will help to perk things up around here.
The little peach tree got it's blossoms and leaves a bit nipped. But, this one we covered and it looks like new leaves are bursting through.
And then there is this giant prickly pear. Tolerant to the cold... but we have a mystery to solve. It looks like there is another sign of a different sort of life. Something is feasting on the the side of it.
See the chew marks? Well, whatever IT is (please don't let me find out) chewed its way right through and brought half the cactus tumbling down. There was a big section of it laying to the side one morning. We can see actual teeth marks so we know it didn't just fall over. I've heard that the javelina like to eat these, but this cactus is actually up a couple of levels in a planter area. The javelina don't ever get in that area of the yard and whatever it is only feasted at night, otherwise I'm sure that I would have seen it. Oh boy, another night creature lurking in the dark corners of my fear.
So, the Reptile Wrangler carried the pieces ( you know, they are pretty darn heavy) to our potting area the former owners left us and stuck it in this big trough. We are hoping that it will root itself so that we can re-plant it somewhere else.
So, not only are we seeing signs of life with new growth coming back from the frozen plants, we are seeing signs of other desert life that we just may not have seen before. Hey, it's is us you know. The people that have had every creature in our yard or house, within the first year living here, that most people have not seen in the lifetime that they have lived here.

Is it time that I purchase the laser pistol that the woman who owned the house before us suggested I buy? Is it time for me to strap on that holster and get me some boots?

Gosh I hope not.