wildflowers — Page 8

On Wednesday

September 20, 2017 at 9:10 am by Claudia

First. I don’t know what to say – there are so many tragedies playing out right now. The earthquake in Mexico which is gut-wrenching in its devastation, another hurricane barreling down on the Caribbean with Puerto Rico in its sights, and name-calling and taunting on the floor of the United Nations that is taking us to the brink of nuclear war. And once again, they’re trying to take health care away from millions and millions of Americans, including the Medicaid that my nephew depends on.

My heart breaks for those who have lost loved ones and homes in Mexico – a country that has generously offered us aid again and again in the face of our tragedies. My heart breaks for everyone, everywhere. We are living with such uncertainty, such constant stress, and it is taking a toll.

I have no wisdom to share. I just wanted to take a moment, a quiet moment, in the midst of pretty pictures.

Prayers.

Moving on.

I mowed yesterday. I raked piles of leaves. And it’s really hot and humid around here for September. It’s going to be 86 degrees tomorrow! Anyway, I was drenched. But I did do something I haven’t had time to do lately. I walked around the property and took some pictures.

Yesterday’s morning glory.

This mushroom/fungi is about the size of two baseballs. It’s on the edge of the lawn near the woods. This shows you how wet it’s been here. I’m letting it stay because I want to see how big it gets!

In the butterfly bush, this beauty.

Around here, autumn brings the most beautiful wildflowers, like this New England Aster.

And these: queen anne’s lace, goldenrod, and more asters. These are surrounding our mailbox at the moment. Nature’s color palette is more beautiful than anything I could come up with.

Today, the repairman is coming to put a new timer in our washer/dryer. Tomorrow, I head into Manhattan for a quick bit of coaching. Saturday? I think I’m going to go to a Miniature Show.

Happy Wednesday.

Observation Mode

June 16, 2017 at 8:40 am by Claudia

I mowed the back forty yesterday. Don had asked about the black raspberries so I was in ‘observation mode.’

The milkweed is getting ready to flower.

This wildflower is scattered throughout the back forty. Does anyone know what it is? It has lovely little bell-shaped blossoms.

I watched this determined bee (took many photos) get right inside that blossom.

Until he was completely curled up enjoying that nectar.

There they are. The black raspberries are on the way. I sent this photo to Don. Can you freeze black raspberries? If so, I might freeze some so he can enjoy them when he gets home.

This branch gives you an idea how flower-laden the catalpa is at the moment. I stood right here and put my nose up to the flowers. Oh, so lovely, that scent.

They are here but briefly, so I am running over to the tree as often as I can to get a whiff.

As you know, when I walk toward the shed or the trash can which is right next to the shed, mama robin flies up into the tree and starts cheeping at me and doesn’t stop until I move away. This goes on every day. I assure her that the babies are safe. I’m sure she absolutely loves those days when I don’t have to go in the shed or put a bag in the trash.

Anyway, I figured that since I was mowing and I would have to put the lawnmower away in the shed, I would also take my camera and, while she was cheeping at me anyway, grab a quick picture of the babies in the nest. I didn’t want to be too intrusive, so I quickly lifted one of the vines and pressed the shutter. It’s a bit blurry, but I think you’ll like it.

I count three babies and maybe a fourth, as the body in the foreground looks as if that birdie’s head is tucked out of sight.

What a wise place for a nest! It’s nestled within the climbing hydrangea. You can’t see it at all unless you know where to look. It provides cover for the babies – from predators and from the weather. Smart mama and papa!

Speaking of birds, I’ve got a couple of noisy crows hanging around. I wonder if they’re scaring off some of the birds? I haven’t seen my mourning doves this week and I bet those darned crows are the reason!

Happy Friday.

The Edge of Wild

June 4, 2017 at 8:30 am by Claudia

In a conversation with my husband, I stated that we live on the ‘edge of wild.’ And we do. We have wooded areas bordering our property and on our property. Manicured lawns and weed free gardens are simply not in the realm of possibility. And at this time of year so many plants that would be called invasive or wild are blooming. It’s one of the delights of spring.

The pesky and prickly brambles are, for a short time, beautiful wild roses. The little white flowers are currently on display all over the property.

Rocket/wild phlox is blooming everywhere and, between the scent of the wild roses and that of the rocket, it’s smelling rather heavenly around here.

Behind the kitchen: wild roses and rocket.

And the black raspberries – also all over the property – are blooming, as well.

Thank you Mother Nature! Even though I have to cut back brambles and black raspberries, I appreciate the display you put on for us every spring.

I’m also looking forward to the raspberries.

In other areas of the garden:

Roses are about to bloom in the memorial garden.

And the climbing hydrangea is stepping up its game with more blossoms than ever. (It’s taken over 6 years to get to this point.)

I have to apologize to mama robin every time I head toward the shed or the trash can, because her nest is currently behind this climbing hydrangea. I always warn her that I’m coming and she flies out from behind the hydrangea, heading for a neighboring tree where she proceeds to chirp at me non-stop until I move away.

The other day, the UPS guy backed his truck up the driveway so that it was parked at the top of the drive. He handed over my package, I wished him well, and as he started to drive away, I heard the mama robin chirping. She was giving him the same warning that she gives me. I got such a kick out of it!

There are nests all over the property. Some I’m aware of; there’s one belonging to the brown thrashers that’s in the brambles right outside the kitchen window, there’s the nest behind the climbing hydrangea, there’s another one in the big bush that sits in the big garden bed (I see birds flying into the middle of that bush all the time.) And of course, there’s the nest in the boxwood, which has been repaired and made ready for more eggs. None so far.

I bought some mineral oil for cutting boards, per your advice. I cleaned the breadboard and then added two coats of the mineral oil. It’s looking beautiful!

Happy Sunday.

On Wednesday

Observation Mode

The Edge of Wild

Lambs Like to Party

A Note

Archives