Fifty-five years ago, my back door neighbor and his dad planted a tiny pine tree. Recently, several branches attacked the house it had shaded these many years. The fallen branches didn’t puncture the roof, but it did crack the supports. Upon further inspection, it was apparent this senior tree had suffered a lightning strike. The diagnosis: For everyone’s safety, they tree had to come down. So, one day this past week, fifty-five years of growth disappeared in a matter of…
Ever wonder what happens to those plants you send to a family for a funeral? They grow–and grow–and grow! These were about eighteen inches tall twenty-one years ago. After about ten years they were too tall for our house so I donated them to church for the fellowship hall. They have continued their reach for the sky. I water them every Sunday. When I croak, I wonder who or if anyone will continue their watering. My books are available…
I don’t often hang around the east side of my house so was amazed to find these surprise lilies blooming their heads off. You see, I didn’t plant them. I don’t grow them in the yard anywhere. In fact, I don’t recall seeing them anywhere in the neighborhood. How they got there, I’ll never know. Usually, squirrels eat every bulb they can find. Heck. They even eat my Christmas cactus along with tomatoes, strawberries and anything else that isn’t nailed…
One sure way to know summer is here is to hear the chorus of cicadas ringing in our ears. I sat outside the other night and watched a cicada emerge from that ugly brown shell. It took quite a while. I didn’t know they came out green at first. Then miraculously, his big wings popped out from somewhere. He sat there slightly quivering for quite a while in order for his wings to dry out enough to fly away and…
Edit Post Earth’s Bounty Ctrl+K Save Earth’s Bounty With such a wonderful, wet year, gardens flourished. The 6 cabbages took over almost 1/4 of my 4 x12 garden plot at church. I brought my big knife and got to work on harvest day. This year, the plan is to make sauerkraut from most of the cabbage. Fortunately, I brought along a large shopping bag to the garden on harvest…
In today’s world we face new stressors every day. When I’m stressed, I do several things. Sometimes I take a walk, pray, or read a good book. Another stress reliever is to bake. Sunday after church, I baked ten loaves of whole wheat bread, three loaves of banana bread, and a pan of rolls. Today, I’ll share my recipe for whole wheat bread with you if you’d like to try my relaxer. Since bread dough has to be punched (kneaded)…
This 4th of July we continued a tradition with new twigs on our family tree. We drug out the old train from the barn my husband made years ago from plastic 50 gallon drums. Each car has its own steering wheel. Try as they might, the cars never go their own direction–they just follow the rider in front. I have only one regret; that he’s no longer here to watch the next generation enjoy something he so lovingly made so…
When I inspected my hives last month, one had a missing queen. How did I know? No eggs! If their are no eggs, soon you won’t have a hive. Worker bees (immature females) live less than 40 days. I had to act quickly. I ordered a queen from the bee store near 107 and Pflumm on Monday, June 3rd. She arrived on Thursday, June 6th in a small crate, 1 x 3 inches (pictured above.) She also came with four…
This past week I received a request to have my windows washed by a nice young man. The next day he was at my house with his equipment in hand. I accepted. Now I can see out my windows with great clarity. Contact me if you would like his number. P. S. He also told me he cleans roofs, washes houses, driveways, and decks.
A friend recently shared an app with me that identifies the birds you hear. It’s called Merlin Bird id App from Cornell University and it’s free. Download the app. Take your phone outside and hit the record button. When I first used it, within two minutes it identified a Carolina Wren, and Northern Cardinal, a House Sparrow, and House Finch, and an American Robin from my patio. Using the same login name and password that you create for Merlin, you…