Limb Down in Driveway

This morning we were greeted with a huge limb down in the driveway, blocking us in. These huge old oaks in our yard are susceptible to loosing limbs, particularly this time of year. The weight of new leaves, combined with the rain hanging on the leaves just gets to be too much for old , and in this case rotted limbs. There was only about an inch of living tissue surrounding this limb. All the rest of the interior was either rotten or hollow.

The photo below shows where one of the 2 main branches forming the top broke out.

Luckily, I have a neighbor (Isaac) with a skidder, and he came right over and pulled it out into the edge of the woods. He did in a matter of minutes what would have taken all day or longer with a chain saw and pickup. I really did not have any idea what this machine could do, but it rolled right over the top of this huge limb, breaking it up. He hooked chains to the limbs, and away they went!

It took me twice as long to move the sticks and leaves that were left as it took him and the machine to move the huge limb.

Today is Earth day

Look around and celebrate the beauty of the earth and all it's creatures (including us!).

Do what you cane everyday to help save the earth for the future: recycle, don't buy things you don't need, consolidate trips, car pool,  compost,  cut off the lights when not in use, unplug electronics at night, use less of everything.

The New Song

April is poetry month, so I am presenting a poem I like.

The New Song

by W. S. Merwin

For some time I thought there was time
and that there would always be time
for what I had a mind to do
and what I could imagine
going back to and finding it
as I had found it the first time
but by this time I do not know
what I thought when I thought back then

there is no time yet it grows less
there is the sound of rain at night
arriving unknown in the leaves
once without before or after
then I hear the thrush waking
at daybreak singing the new song

New Bird Feeder Visitors

In the past week I have seen 2 birds at the feeder, both new to me. searching online I eventually came up with their likenesses.



You can read all about the rose-breasted grosbeak here. It is a migrant through this area so I may not see it again any time soon.

I have also seen the equally beautiful and flashy blue grosbeak, which breeds in our area.. Why have I got seen this beauty before?



I have also seen the equally beautiful and flashy blue grosbeak, which breeds in our area.. Why have I not seen this beauty before?

Information about the blue grosbeak can be found here

I feed sunflower seed and get different types of birds from the ones I used to get when I fed wild bird food mix, which has a high proportion of millet, a seed that many birds reject. Birds seem to eat sunflower seed down to the last one and ground feeders eat what is accidentally kicked out. Or chipmunks. Chipmunks do a good clean-up of any wastage. Over the winter I had many many cardinals (I call them redbirds), goldfinches, black capped chickadees, and titmouse (mice?).

Overnight Rain Brings Sudden Greening

Last night's and today's rain seemed to bring everything to a sudden green awakening. The fescue sprang away from brown to green and I have the feeling that before it is dry enough to mow again, the grass will be so thick and heavy it will be a big job. But then, it's the same every year.The trees whichwere just beginning to turn golden and faint shades of green are now a green riot. The oaks are blooming now and soon the pecan leaves will be as big as a rat's ear and it will be time to plant the garden.

My First Iris of 2014

 This is the old variety of white iris that is frequently seen around old home sites. It is always the first one to bloom. After the white and the yellow finish their bloom time it will be several weeks before my other irises start.

I receive an email telling me when the ISS (International Space Station) will be visible in my area. I have been getting the email for several months, but tonight was the first time I have seen it. In the past rain, clouds, or forgetfulness have interfered with me seeing it. It appeared as a tiny sharply bright star moving at a good clip from SW to E at about 73 degree angle.. In 3 minutes it was gone.
 The stars were very bright and beautiful tonight. AND the lightning bugs (fireflies to the uninitiated) were moving about in the tops of the trees, They were there last night also.

Creeping Veronica

This little beauty has been growing in my flower beds for several years now. It was a gift from a friend and was a small rooted cutting when i got it. Every year it spreads a little, but not enough to become a problem. Creeping Veronica (Veronica umbrosa) or veronica speedwell grows no more than a couple inches tall. It starts blooming those spritely little blue flowers when spring is still a vague hope. Just give it a few days in the low 50's and it is off and running.. blue water in the flower bed. It blooms on till mid spring. It is propagated by division of root ball or by rooting sprigs using a rooting hormone.