Page 29 - BSAM 2015 Q3

draw hummingbirds to their nectar; succulents are lashed to the trunks of palm trees, seeking a foothold; the mangoes and coconuts grow ripe in the sunshine.
The view from her balcony is 180 degrees of heaven, blue green water and palm fronds waving in the gentle tropical breeze as you drink your morning coffee. Her garden also has unusual shaped stones for contemplation, and the paths wind down the hill to a bench where you can linger and gaze out to sea like an iguana resting at your ease.
Asking Norma when she got into bonsai, she answered that she had started about 10 years ago.
When asked how she got started, she answered, “I always liked bonsai, but never had the time until I retired.” Her number one teacher was Rosa Caraballo, a lawyer. Her number two teacher was Sylvia Avin. She also learned a lot from William Acosta , one of the best bonsai artists in Puerto Rico. She also learned
Top left, middle and bottom left;
Bougainvillea in bloom.
Top right; Poinsienna (Flam- boyan, Norma’s favorite) 49” tall x 89” wide
Bottom right; Bull Horn Acacia (shaving brush), Mame,14 inches wide by 9 inches tall.
July/August/September 2015 | BCI | 27