Weedy Acres Home

Farewell

2012-02-09T11:45:00.000-05:00

To Angel, the Granddoggie that has lived with and loved us for many years. She had heart surgery as a puppy and came to live and share in our lives when her original family moved back to California. She was devoted to my son and I think she really enjoyed living in the country as these pictures indicate. We will miss her greatly.

Tiny Planets

2012-02-08T08:29:00.000-05:00

I am just enthralled by them at the moment. This is the first one I did with a new app "Tiny Planets" on the phone. I will get better at doing the shots. This one was taken at dusk yesterday and even though it is somewhat blurred I still like it. I am posting a different one here that I did using a photo from the camera. If you would like to see some fabulous tiny planets done using photoshop go here.

I Love...

2012-02-04T17:35:00.000-05:00

Baby Chicks...A painting project from last February. I can remember from my childhood the chicks and all the 'cheeps and peeps' they made and right now when every gardener is drooling over seed catalogs I am thinking once again of having a few chickens. I would love to have fresh eggs ! I usually get myself talked out of it as I think I have enough work and companions already. Still........

Foggy Start

2012-02-02T09:25:00.000-05:00

Ground Hog Day morning here in KY...

but sunshine is in the forecast

and the temperatures will be in the 50's

so Dug just might venture out this afternoon in search

of his shadow.

The Blue Jar

2012-01-29T14:23:00.000-05:00

A gorgeous blue color of glass. Are you old enough to remember it ?

Yes, that is the logo on the bottom.

Today's blue jar. No beauty here.

Not flannel but still needed.

Yes, I have what my Dad called the 'epizootic' and part of the cure always includes Vick's VapoRub along with DayQuil and one for night time too as well as Halls honey lemon cough drops. I may not be at full bounce tomorrow but I know I will be better.

A time line of the Vick's company and two interactive books can be found here.

Longing for the Days....

2012-01-21T19:43:00.000-05:00

..of Green.

This photo from last May, when it seemed the whole world was green. I love green, all shades of green are beautiful to me.

A closer view of the cellar, the red Honeysuckle I planted and the Virginia Creeper just muscled it's way in over time. I do not use the cellar for the storage of food stuffs for which it was constructed. It is close to one hundred years old and supposedly constructed by a woman.

'Forever Dust'

2012-01-14T11:46:00.000-05:00

It may be a permanent condition in my house. There is too much fun to be had elsewhere. Simple things like pen and paper to funnel time into creative endeavors. Take those few minutes of quiet and pick up a smart phone and the time slips into colors and shadings and picture with postage stamp edgings. Go here for a closer look. I hope you won't see any dust.

Downton Abbey

2012-01-12T21:55:00.000-05:00

Just finished watching the first season of Downton Abbey, the PBS series that is getting raves and with good reason. It is so well done and the characters are just marvelous. The library has the complete season available on DVD, you can watch it on PBS on your TV, your computer, your iPad or iPhone.

Gifts....

2011-12-26T17:26:00.000-05:00

like Dill Green Beans...

the beans...dill and garlic all grown in a friend's garden

....hand picked... packed and processed by the friend

and presented in a basket lined with a blue plaid fabric.

Each bean will be savored.

A beautiful gift.

A good gift.

That Look

2011-12-21T19:29:00.000-05:00

It is funny how the dogs always give 'that look' when being bathed. The look that says 'did I do something wrong' ??? I can't get down to the floor and lean over the tub to give Mandy a bath due to a little back trouble so Tiffiny took over and we sent her a note.

Blue Eyed Girl

2011-12-19T17:59:00.000-05:00

The beautiful Mini Pearl and her marvelous blue eyes. They are termed 'glass eyes' for the breed Australian Shepherd. Mini Pearl is just that, a small Australian Shepherd and a pearl of a girl.

Frosted Beauty

2011-12-12T20:56:00.000-05:00

The nights

are cold

the mornings

offer beauty

to all

who will pause

and look

Raptor Time

2011-12-11T18:45:00.001-05:00

I love to see these magnificent birds in the air.

Moon Rise

2011-12-09T09:01:00.001-05:00

The moon at yesterday's four o'clock walk. I had to tweak the color a bit for it to show. The full moon is scheduled for December 10th. I am not so crazy about the cold weather, night time temps in the low twenties right now but I do love the night sky during winter especially late night and before dawn. The stars seem to be crisp and sharp in the sky at those times.

Xylaria Polymorpha

2011-11-26T09:14:00.001-05:00

... or Dead Man's Fingers Mushroom...this is how they look today. They have lost that beautiful blueness and are now black. The 'finger at the top of the photo has been sliced lengthwise. I finally found the identification on the app for the phone. It was the very last one of over 2,600 photos !! It is not edible and I am glad for that.

Blue Mushrooms ?

2011-11-25T19:18:00.001-05:00

Yes, there are blue/purple/black mushrooms. These are so blue they look black and they were right next to the satin-y ones. I have been to several web sites and looked at hundreds of pictures on Flickr, I even purchased an app about mushrooms for my phone and still I have not found the identity of these two. I have discovered if I want help in identifying I need a picture of the top, the underneath or the gills, and one sliced length wise, plus the smell is important as well. So, today has not been lost for the want of a mushroom identification.

Satin-y Fungi

2011-11-24T18:37:00.001-05:00

The sun finally got out of bed today and did his beautiful 'shine' for us. And to give credit to the rain, after several days of wetness these magnificent fungi that look like satin appeared at the base of a dead sweet gum tree.

Early Morning Sunrise

2011-11-09T20:34:00.001-05:00

Looked like a fire in the woods.

Dug's Family

2011-11-01T20:11:00.000-04:00

A family member of Dug's got caught out today by Mandy. Quite a conversation followed with Mandy doing most of the talking. We did decide to let the fellow go, after all he was only trying to get in another meal before the brrr' cold arrives.

Wooly Worm Aglow

2011-10-18T20:05:00.001-04:00

This Wooly Worm caught my eye as it seemed it had some functioning electricity. Look at those 'glowing' spots on it's body. I have sent the photo to the county extension horticulture agent and an answer to this mystery will be forthcoming.

Poke Berries

2011-10-16T20:47:00.000-04:00

Have you looked real close up at poke berries? Are these not pretty and interesting? Do remember that the seeds and roots are extremely poisonous. This has been a bumper year for pokeweed, lots of heat and lots of rain have made some plants into giants. This one managed to get a foot hold close to the porch and I let it grow, until today. It was a beautiful plant.

New Resident

2011-10-13T21:28:00.000-04:00

Blackie has been living on her own since early spring. Several days ago I relocated her to a back porch apartment here at my place. She is settling in really well and is totally uncomplaining. She and Mandy the resident dog have done remarkably well together. Not so for Sophie the cat who still has her nose in the air, but I am hoping that a truce will be found.

Today's Walk

2011-10-11T20:33:00.000-04:00

Overcast this afternoon, for a while I even thought it might rain and finally I got the dogs and we started our walk. By the time we had reached the 'back corner' the sun popped out and set the trees and weeds ablaze. Just marvelous, a wild Cherry tree and that 'lethal lover' poison oak all aglow in the sun's light.

A Smartweed...

2011-10-08T18:11:00.001-04:00

...showing off it's beauty for Fall.

Mole Cricket

2011-10-06T18:28:00.000-04:00

So much for thinking of crickets that 'fiddle' us to sleep with their night music. This not so small, close to two inches in size, Mole Cricket has shovel like forelegs that dig and do damage to plants, lawns and especially golf courses. And not only is he equipped to dig and live beneath the earth's surface but he can fly as well, the wonders that Mother Nature bestows on some of her creatures! If you would like a really good look, please do a google search for better detail.

Frost

2011-10-02T20:41:00.000-04:00

First frost of the season and it was disappearing so

fast I almost didn't get the photo taken. A simply

gorgeous day here in central Kentucky.

Ink Cap

2011-09-25T21:48:00.000-04:00

Black drawing ink used to be made from this

mushroom by boiling the black 'ink' from the cap

with a small amount of water and cloves.

Not a Spider

2011-09-09T22:27:00.000-04:00

Harvestmen known as Daddy-long-legs are members

of the spider family but they are not true spiders.

True spiders have two body segments and venomous

fangs. Grand-daddy-longs-legs do not. We played with

them as children and would catch them and ask them

to point in the direction where the cows were.

Butterfly Delight

2011-09-05T20:45:00.000-04:00

This little beauty delighted me by being so interested

in my foot and leg. It spent quite a bit of time 'tasting'.

I think the undersides of it's wings are gorgeous and

the antenna are really neat.

Nattie Nap

2011-08-29T21:57:00.000-04:00

Remembering Nattie Cat, who left us four years ago.

A wonderful adopted cat that enjoyed walks and talks.

Willing to move from the outdoors in and make a few

dogs her friends.

Bessie and Bossy....

2011-08-28T13:16:00.000-04:00

were the favorite names for cows when I was

growing up on the farm. Of course we milked

them and talked to them on a daily basis. I wonder,

are farmers naming their cows today ? And what

are the favorite names? The cattle in this photo are

not milk cows.

Life's Challenges

2011-08-16T21:23:00.000-04:00

This little guy caught my eye, something

different about him it seemed. Then I was

aware that he had only one back leg.

Bees..Bees..the Buzz

2011-08-15T21:31:00.000-04:00

Do you know there are over 3500 species of

bees in North America?

This one is a member of the Halictid family think

sweat bee. She is on a chicory blossom and look

at the bundles of pollen on her legs. Only female

bees collect pollen. She is a solitary bee as well and

lives in the ground or in wood.

Devil's Riding Horse

2011-08-13T18:23:00.000-04:00

Or Praying Mantis

My mother always called them 'the devil's

riding horse' and as children my cousins

and I would catch the large ones and

feed them raw hamburger.

This one was small, under two inches in length.

Let Them Eat....

2011-08-08T19:32:00.000-04:00

Parsley !

As I was leaving the house this morning

I noticed that half of a pot of parsley had been eaten.

The rabbits are coming onto the porch I thought

and then a second look showed me quite a few

black swallowtail caterpillars. And that is the very

reason I planted the parsley.

Beauty in Bloom

2011-08-03T18:17:00.002-04:00

The Rose Mallow is blooming. This one is termed

'swamp mallow' but is it not gorgeous. It grows in

wet or damp places, ditches, close to ponds and has

been cultivated, to most it is a Hibiscus.

Double Luck Days

2011-07-31T15:00:00.000-04:00

I never could search for and find four leaf clovers.

They always seem to find me by jumping above

the others with a shout that says 'See Me' and

these two did exactly that as I was pulling freshly

washed sheets from the basket to hang on the line to dry.

Grape Leaf Skeletonizer

2011-07-24T12:12:00.000-04:00

The name says it all. Even though there are no grape

arbors here there are wild grape vines. I find him quite

fashionable in his black and near white, sporting a

beautiful red collar. He found his way onto the back

porch and I got him onto a piece of paper for his

photo shoot.

Night Traffic

2011-07-18T22:47:00.000-04:00

There is much activity at the pond and the

raccoons are part of the night time traffic.

They have taken down and dismantled the

bird feeder that I hung at the pond for feeding

the Red Wing Blackbirds. It was an effort to keep

the blackbirds away from the feeders for the finches

at the house.

Four Paws of the Family

2011-07-17T20:47:00.000-04:00

A weekend with the granddoggies filled with fun

times outdoors and indoors, good naps and treats.

Angel is the oldest at seventeen and

was adopted by my son when Angel's

family needed to return to California and

couldn't take her with them. She has been

with us for several years and is a Shetland

Sheepdog.

Mini Pearl is the blue-eyed girl that

came running down my driveway one

November afternoon and had puppies

ten days later. She also was adopted by

my son. She is about five years old now.

Mini is a small Australian Shepherd.

Lord Porkchop of Paris aka as Porky

is the newest member and his mama,

Tiff, is just crazy about him. He is an

English Bulldog.

Mandy is actually a granddoggie that lives with me

full time and we are really good buddies. She is an older

dog as well. Mandy is a Shetland Sheepdog. My son and

I have been partial to the Shelties for years. They are

wonderful dogs.

Sophie is a 16-17 year old cat that came to the

door as a kitten and said, 'let me in' and is a

marvelous companion. She looks serious in

this photo because she wanted my assistance.

If you are a cat owner you understand this.

Blackie is my Dad's cat that I am now

caring for and he and I are becoming

good friends too.

Rock Fence

2011-07-13T22:30:00.000-04:00

There are several stretches of rock fence near to

where I live. Most of them are 'dry laid' which means

there is no mortar between the stones, a real art and

real work. This one was in place long before I

was born and is so beautiful.

Pancake Stack

2011-07-11T07:21:00.001-04:00

Had to think of pancakes when I saw these. There

were several old, old trees on the property when I

arrived here. Through the years storms have taken

most of them out. The fungi appears from their

their root systems.

The Fairy Life

2011-07-09T22:19:00.000-04:00

I was lucky to get these photos after some

of the rains we had in the spring.

I see this and think of fairies, dancing

the night away, actually wearing down

the tops of the fungi and look, are those

not fairy wings among them?

And after a fun night of

dancing what would be more

refreshing than a dip into this

marvelous basin filled with dew.

Mimosa Day and Night

2011-07-05T22:09:00.000-04:00

Mimosa Day

Mimosa Night

The Mimosa trees folds it's leaves for the night.

Obstacles on the Path

2011-07-04T17:18:00.000-04:00

It seemed this Box Turtle was having a difficulty

getting over an iron pipe and there was a stack of

concrete blocks abutting it so, after taking his

picture I just helped (I hope) by heading him

in a different direction.

A Good Fly

2011-07-03T12:19:00.000-04:00

The Taxomerus Hover Fly does not bite or sting.

The larva feed on aphids and it is considered as

important as the Lady Bug in controlling aphid populations.

Secrets

2011-06-29T22:36:00.000-04:00

What would be told if rocks could talk?

Elderberry

2011-06-21T21:03:00.000-04:00

The Elderberry is blooming with blossom heads

as big as dinner plates. A most beautiful sight.

Darth Vadar Fly ?

2011-06-16T22:01:00.000-04:00

Actually....no...it's a...

Black Horse Fly

The male drinks the nectar of flowers.

The female pierces the skin of large mammals

and drinks their blood.

At Days End

2011-06-15T22:08:00.000-04:00

Much needed rain

arrived today

in thunderstorm pour

red sunset over pond

gave delight

at day's end.

Hide and Seek

2011-06-14T21:48:00.000-04:00

Truck Games

Ant Farmers and Aphid Herds

2011-06-09T18:52:00.000-04:00

Noticing the ants and aphids on this weed transported me back to school days where we learned that ants 'farm' aphids. The ant 'milks' the aphid by stroking it with it's antenna which in turn causes the aphid to produce honeydew for the ant.

Blue Eyed Grass

2011-05-25T22:23:00.000-04:00

Blue Eyed Grass is a small and dainty wildflower. A member of the Iris family, it grows from four to twelve inches in height, the leaves are grass like and the beauty of it is sure to steal your heart when you first see it. There is a small clump growing on the bank by the driveway. The first time I have ever seen it so the birds must have brought it in or maybe all the dampness this spring has brought it out of years of dormancy. I only hope to be able to save some of the seed to have more of it next year.

Tiger Beetle

2011-05-24T22:16:00.001-04:00

Not the best shot of a Tiger Beetle but it was on the screened in porch and I captured it in a jar. He/she is a beautiful iridescent green with six white spots on it's back. It can run fast and fly and will bite you if you try to handle it. But, on the good side it will eat ants, spiders and other small prey, which I consider a good reason for release.

Blackberries & Winter

2011-05-19T21:30:00.000-04:00

The wild blackberry canes are loaded with blossoms as the photo in the header shows. These blooms are gorgeous and there will be plenty of berries for someone this year, maybe me but the birds will enjoy most of them. And the short cold spell we've been experiencing known as blackberry winter is about at it's end.

As I See It

2011-05-18T14:59:00.003-04:00

I have been near-sighted most of my life. In the past five years I have had four eye surgeries and two injections of steroids into one eye to stop internal bleeding in the eye. Two of the surgeries were victrectomy, a procedure that removes the jello-like substance (vitreous humor) inside your eye and replaces it with a bubble of gas which is absorbed by the body as the eye regenerates the vitreous humor in the eye. I describe the vision I have now as 'wiggly-squiggly' for I no longer see straight lines. While sitting in the car during a drizzling rain and having a phone conversation today I realized that what I was seeing through the windshield was so very similar to my actual vision that I had to take a picture. Everything has an 'impressionist' look to it and the blades of the ornamental grass which are actually straight and smooth look 'wiggly-squiggly', the prescription in the lens of my glasses does take most of the distortion out. Luckily for many of us that have experienced a macular hole, vitrectomy surgery keeps us in the 'seeing' world and that is a miracle which did not exist just a few years ago.

Vacancy Filled

2011-05-11T21:23:00.000-04:00

New residents !

Mama bird at home today with two

beautiful blue eggs.

This home has been constructed on a precarious site.

Isn't that part of the robins' house building fame ? !

Sitting a little less than half way down a woven

wire fence makes this new home more

accessible for loss of content.

New Homes & Vacancies

2011-05-10T22:26:00.000-04:00

Features of this new high rise include a fabulous view.

This newly constructed home is occupied and

preparations are being made to welcome

new additions.

New to the market is this small single family dwelling.

It is available for immediate possession.

Star of Bethlehem

2011-05-04T21:22:00.000-04:00

Last year I found one Star of Bethlehem wildflower. This year a few more appeared and chose an open and shady area under a Hackberry tree to produce their show. The inside of the flower is a beautiful waxy-white and the outside of the petals are green. It blooms early in the day and closes its' petals by noon. It is a member of the lily family and was imported from Eastern Europe and the Middle East.

Dry Spot

2011-05-02T18:49:00.000-04:00

These little fellas' have got it right.

Keep your umbrella in your hand.

New Boots

2011-04-30T10:53:00.000-04:00

New boots for the clean-up jobs.

I think tons of rain fell over the past few days.

Water in the gulch swift enough to take

the soil off the tree base.

Waiting....waiting...waiting....

2011-04-26T18:34:00.000-04:00

.....for the Hummingbirds

It is a wonder where they could be

There has been so much wind and rain

they could be blown out to sea.

The red honeysuckle

is a favorite of hummingbirds

and ready to burst into bloom

I do hope those little creatures

will arrive here soon.

Looking Around

2011-04-17T22:03:00.001-04:00

Robins egg blue, broken into

Fish don't swim in grass

Rising waters claim field of flowers

Growing moss is gathering stone

Where have all the dandelions gone

Spring is Best

2011-04-12T14:47:00.000-04:00

Every season has it's beauty so trying decide which one you really like best is a difficult task. I have chosen Spring, when the earth's awakening and renewal is evident in the brilliant greens of new growth and colors that provide a feast for the eye.

Top: Crab Apple Flower

Left: Redbud Branch

Right: Grape Hyacinth & Weeds

Henbit & Deadnettle

2011-04-04T20:56:00.000-04:00

A closer look at those fields of purple will show us Henbit and Deadnettle. They are relatives and members of the mint family. Both are weeds of no-till crop production and that explains how we can have hundreds of acres of purple in the spring before the farmers spray their fields.

Henbit has rounded leaves that appear to encircle the stem.

Deadnettle leaves are more triangular or heart shaped.

Both plants are edible and have medicinal value. The upper parts of the plants can be cooked as pot herbs, added to salads or used in teas. Gather only plants that have not been exposed to chemicals.

Acres of Color

2011-03-30T17:31:00.003-04:00

Travel down any of the backroads in this part of Kentucky and you will see beautiful fields of color. Acres and acres of Henbit, an invasive weed. Please note the sun is not shining on my old Kentucky home and the color appears darkened in this photo.

Dandelion Fritters

2011-03-28T15:53:00.000-04:00

The very best way to rid your lawn of Dandelions is to eat them. All parts are edible but the stems are on the bitter side. Be sure that your harvesting is from areas that are chemical free. This recipe is from a small book of Wild Recipes which you can look for at your local library.

   Dandelion Fritters
1 cup biscuit mix 1/2 inch oil in skillet
1 cup milk 4 cups Dandelion flower heads (without stems)
1 Tablespoon sugar or honey

Mix together the biscuit mix, milk and sugar or honey. Heat oil in skillet until it sizzles when a bit of the batter is dropped into it. Dip dandelion flowers into mix and drop into hot oil headfirst. Fry until golden brown. Turn with tongs and brown the other side. Drain on paper towel and serve hot or cold.

Enjoy!

Tulips From Turkey?

2011-03-12T23:13:00.001-05:00

I mostly post about 'weedy things' but I treated myself to a five dollar bouquet of tulips from Walmart. Snapping a macro shot and doing a quick internet search gave me information I did not associate with the tulip. The year 1594 is the official date of tulips flowering in The Netherlands. Forty years later Tulip mania captured the minds and purses of Holland. But, the tulip arrived in The Netherlands from the Ottoman Empire and the word tulip is derived from the Persian word 'dulban' or turban.

Reverse Ladybug ??

2011-03-10T21:07:00.002-05:00

This is a very little bug but it caught my eye as it was moving up the trunk of a Tulip Poplar. A tiny Ladybug in reverse? After checking my 'bug book' I sent the picture off to the Horticulture Agent at the County Extension Office. The answer received was the bug in question is a member of the Asian Lady Beetle family. Aren't the colors in the tree bark pretty?

Porkapotamus

2011-03-08T22:22:00.000-05:00

It's official !!

The newest member in the clan has a blog. Check him out at porkapotamus.blogspot.com

Lichen

2011-03-01T21:04:00.001-05:00

Some interesting info about lichens. They do not have roots, don't need a water supply, can grown in locations impossible for most plants, can survive in space, are eaten by some cultures, have been used to extract purple and red colors and contain the substance olivetol that is also found in cannabis. I thought this was a nice looking specimen.

The Marker

2011-02-24T23:03:00.000-05:00

After reading about surveying, I have come to the conclusion that surveyors appeared shortly after land was formed. Words like elements of geometry, engineering, trigonometry, mathematics, physics and law are used for the people that today still use the basic tools of tape measure, level, and a theodite or transit set on a tripod and GPS is now a tool used by surveyors. When all the measuring and sightings are done it comes down to a small pin driven into the ground to make it official and mark the boundary.

Night Search

2011-02-20T20:57:00.000-05:00

I wondered later what Mandy was thinking as I called her name and searched for her. She was quick to disappear when we were getting out of the truck. A rabbit, I thought and a moon to assist in the chase. Minutes later I stepped from the house, clapped my hands and whistled, the signal for her to return. The night was cold, beautiful and the sky filled with stars. I was aware of the stillness, there were no sounds of the chase or movement of any kind. More clapping of the hands, whistles and offers of treats called into the night did not return her. I felt a tinge of fear and I stepped back into the house to retrieve a high powered light. Returning to the night I cast beams of bright light all across the fields, calling her name. The light illuminated buildings, the adjoining properties of neighbors, the dam of the pond, everything in it's path. There was no movement of any thing, animal or plant. I called several times more, worry nagging at me now. I was making my way back to the house, thinking I would set the timer and check for her every fifteen minutes when a message arrived from her in my mind. I shone the light into the truck and there she sat, watching me.

February Doldrums

2011-02-05T21:32:00.000-05:00

Another case of the winter doldrums is evident in the expression on Mandy's face. We do try to cheer each up during these grey, cold days and we all want the sunshine and warm weather. I have always said the best thing about February is it's shortness.

Blue Skies

2011-01-28T21:28:00.000-05:00

Doing a little hum....blue skies... smiling at me...nothing but blue skies...well there are some clouds but the snow is gone and at thirty eight degrees I feel 'pos-i-tivi-ly spring-a-fied'.

Winter Woes and Beauty

2011-01-26T19:41:00.000-05:00

Someone took out a section of the front fence this morning and kept on going. I feel certain they consider themselves lucky. For me it is a real winter woe and I know there are people that would stop and tell you about this and offer to help rebuild the fence even if they could not help you pay for it.

And just down a ways is this pretty place. It is a peaceful scene and it helps to calm my frustration.

Wintry Day & Dog Violet

2011-01-11T20:35:00.000-05:00

It is cold, snow is on the ground and the wind gusting can make it look as through there is a blizzard going on outside. The sun stayed in bed today and I need/want the sunshine. It helps keep me out of the kitchen and from foraging in the cabinets and refrigerator.
The beautiful little flower in the photo is the American Dog Violet and it will soon ( I hope) be showing it's sweet face all around the yard. This is a flower that can be 'sugared' and used as decorations on cakes etc. and is edible.

Rabbit..?

2011-01-09T19:04:00.000-05:00

At first glance and even when snapping the photo I thought a hawk had taken a meal of rabbit while on the fence. The tuft of hair/fur is caught on one of the 'barbs' and I thought it was somewhat peculiar that individual hairs were just stuck straight out on the wire. There was another tuft on the ground. Maybe the hawk was flying over the fence and the rabbit snagged on the barbed wire. But, after uploading and looking at the photo again I am thinking maybe it was from a deer that jumped over the fence and gave up some hair from it's belly. I guess it's a question without an answer.

Tracking Snow

2011-01-07T18:52:00.000-05:00

I am cold and I have spent most of the day blog hopping around to sites that have pictures from warmer climates where the sun is shining. Grey days send me to the kitchen on too many foraging trips.
The snow has been blowing around throughout most of the day with little accumulation. What would have been called a light tracking snow was in evidence early this morning. I always enjoy seeing what animals have been out and about over night. The rabbit tracks on the porch always give Mandy a good start to her day as she runs around the yard sniffing and woofing.

Sketchbook Challenge 2011

2011-01-01T21:30:00.000-05:00

The Sketchbook Challenge begins today. I will be stumbling around with this as I have not kept sketchbooks in the past. I doodle and scribble and I do it on anything close at hand including bills that are due, even the counter tops in the kitchen don't escape the doodles. I do have files of these scribbles and doodles that I can't seem to part with. I am hoping the challenge will get me organized and focused with my scribbling. There are many wonderful artist and others that are sharing of their knowledge to help those of us willing to try. You can access all the information by clicking on the Sketchbook Challenge Badge that I have placed on this blog or at http://paintpage.blogspot.com

Iced

2010-12-18T19:08:00.000-05:00

Three days and still no sunshine. Temperatures in the twenties and every step a crunch. The good news is, most of the roads are clear. Driveways can be different stories.
I have been scattering the sunflower seed on the ground as most of the feeder tops are frozen hard. A good variety of birds are here for the feeding. Two of the ducks have gone missing at the pond and I am hoping they are sheltered somewhere close by. The rabbits are active as their tracks are seen all over the place and yes, the coyote tracks are out there as well.

Grey Icy World

2010-12-16T16:16:00.000-05:00

This grey icy world we are in today will be transformed into the sparkle of magic land if tomorrow brings us the sunshine that is forecast. I can't get into the barn so some of the sunflower feeders are running low. I am glad to have thistle sacks for the finches and other small birds even though I replaced them today for they were ice covered, too. The boughs of the pines are all drooping down, every blade of grass is ice covered and it is a crunchy and slippery time to be treading about.

Hawk

2010-11-10T19:14:00.000-05:00

The hawk is back. I love to see these beautiful raptors. They sail high in the bright blue sky with vision that can spot a small mouse or vole that becomes a quick snack. I know they are called 'chicken hawk' by many people and I am certain they could carry one away. They are a protected species and I hope they will remain so. This wonderful photo was shot by sdgritton.

Buckeye Butterfly

2010-11-02T11:38:00.000-04:00

Even though the temperatures have dropped an occasional butterfly can still be seen floating about on sun filled days.
This buckeye was taking a siesta during the days of September. A frightening face to see if you were a bird considering it for a meal. Yes, a part of it's wing has been torn away but the beauty of it is not diminished.

Smoke Sunset

2010-10-21T20:53:00.000-04:00

Smoke from fires at Fort Knox gave us this sunset over the pond today. We are approximately forty to fifty miles away and it is evidently a good size fire. A slight breeze is moving the smoke toward us and the smoke can be seen all around.

Red Admiral Butterfly

2010-10-09T21:08:00.001-04:00

The insects, bugs and butterflies are disappearing from the fields but this Red Admiral butterfly was catching a few late afternoon rays several days ago.
One interesting thing about this butterfly is that the males are territorial and will chase other males from the area that they claim. The caterpillars will use silk to help fold and hold a leaf together and then feed alone inside this nest. Red Admiral butterflies can be seen throughout most of North America.

The Green Pony

2010-10-03T14:57:00.002-04:00

The 'green pony' getting a break during the mowing last Saturday. I call this time, green meditation, as it is time spent pondering, thinking and sometimes just checking out. Getting away from it all, free so to speak.

Mistflower

2010-09-14T11:16:00.000-04:00

Another beautiful weed in bloom during August and September. This plant is showing off purplish blue flower heads but can sometimes be seen with white flowers. It is a member of the aster family and can do well in perennial flower beds, just remember that it is spread by seed and underground creeping.

Goldenrod

2010-09-09T08:36:00.000-04:00

Goldenrod is a very showy plant that blooms late summer and can be seen in bloom past frost. It grows three to four feet tall. For many years people believed that it was a cause of allergies, but it has been given a reprieve on that sentence. The very name of this plant describes it, golden flowers atop a rod of green. There are roughly one hundred species of goldenrod and thirty of them are known to grow in Kentucky, it is also the state flower for Kentucky. Placing it in a wild garden with wild blue asters would present a beautiful display. Look for them growing along the roadsides.

iPhone Art

2010-09-05T18:44:00.000-04:00

A few months ago I took the plunge and bought an iphone. I have had a great time learning to use it and so much more awaits me. I have been playing Scrabble, Sudoku and 'Angry Birds' for a few weeks. I added a flashlight and am impressed with the amount of light it gives. I purchased Star Walk, a program that shows and tells me everything about the night sky in infrared, just amazing! This morning I down loaded an app that is going to change a lot of my photos. I have only done a couple but can't wait to get to more. I've also been back in the Apple Store for a few more photo programs. It's great to be having so much fun. The dust can wait and wait and wait.

Tachina Fly

2010-09-01T14:31:00.000-04:00

A fly not to swat is this member of the tachinid family.You might even want to plant dill, parsley, clover or other herbs to have it nearby. It is beneficial in the control of squash bugs, stick bugs, and other plant bugs. The larvae of the tachinid family are internal parasites of other insects and moth caterpillars. This is not a fly that transmits disease or contaminates food. The fly members of this family can be quite large, reaching up to 3/4 inch in size and some sport hairy bodies. I think this one is rather pretty.

The Ragweeds, Common and Giant

2010-08-31T11:12:00.000-04:00

The pollen of ragweed drifting on the breeze can cause sneezing fits and allergy woes for those that suffer from hay fever. Common ragweed is the more compact of the two and can be recognized by the 'toothy' lobes of it's leaves. Giant ragweed can reach heights of twelve feet and has palm-like lobed leaves. Both plants sport spikes of greenish yellow flower heads that contain male and female flowers that bloom August through September.

Ironweed Flowers

2010-08-23T21:31:00.002-04:00

The flowers of the Ironweed are small and bloom in clusters that sit atop the plant. Blooming progresses from the center of the cluster to the edges. Even though the blooms themselves are somewhat small, when seen close up they have an exotic look to them. Flower color ranges from lavender to purple and white flowers are considered rare. Classified as a wildflower and perennial herb it is recommended to grow alongside stream edges, to naturalize meadows and to grow as a border in flower gardens. It provides color from late August to October and is a majestic plant.

Swamp Milkweed

2010-08-15T15:19:00.000-04:00

Swamp milkweed is a show-off with it clusters of rose colored flowers, it's spiky willow like leaves and and a stem just kissed with the color of wine. None of this is missed by the beautiful visitor in this photo. Milkweed varieties are beloved by butterflies and Monarch caterpillars can only feed on milkweed or they die. The swamp milkweed is listed as a wildflower and is grown in many gardens. I like it best just growing wild surrounded by other beautiful weeds.

Bashful Volunteer

2010-08-11T13:43:00.005-04:00

A scattering of sunflower volunteers sprang up around the arbors where the bird feeders hang. None of them have been large or showy but this little one impressed me with its look of bashfulness.

This photo is also one of the first I took with my new iphone. I am learning about the many things it can do.

Crab Apple

2010-08-10T15:22:00.000-04:00

The crab apple tree has branches loaded and drooping to the ground. I did not intend for this tree to be, an ornamental crab apple was planted and a few suckers came up that I neglected and overnight (it seems) there was a tree bearing fruit. Much fruit! These small fruits make a delicious jelly that is good served with cold meats during the holidays. The critters enjoy eating them as well. The difference between a crab apple and an apple? Any apple with less than a two inch diameter is considered a crab apple.

Moisture Update

2010-07-11T21:04:00.001-04:00

My previous post was of this plant in dire need of moisture. One and a half inches of rain fell the day following that post. The results show us what a good drink of water can do. It can do marvelous things for humans too. Drinking water every day is good for your body and your skin. Sometimes when you think you are hungry your body is really asking for a drink of water or you feel a little 'tired' and the body is in need of hydration. Everyone seems to be carrying a water bottle this days but how many times during the day is it being refilled.

Haiku

2010-07-08T19:11:00.000-04:00

Seeing the leaves of this plant curled to conserve moisture prompted me to a first attempt at haiku

plants beg their mother
send us rain, shower or storm
a quenching for thirst

Teasel, Teazle In Bloom

2010-06-24T11:28:00.000-04:00

The first flower buds are appearing on the teasel. A beautiful bluish purple bud that starts in the center of the flower head.

Blooming will progress up, down and around the flower head. As the buds unfold the white stamens seem to burst from their centers.

This small patch of teasel is capable of producing thousands of teasel plants so corrective action will begin soon.

Teasel, Teazle

2010-06-17T21:24:00.003-04:00

I have allowed a small patch of Teasel to grow this year, I may regret it next year. The old english name Teazle means to tease cloth and the heads of teasel were used to raise the nap on woolen cloth. It has medicinal properties and even the water that collects in the leaves have been used in cosmetics and to soothe inflammation of the eyes. The teasel plant can grow to heights of seven feet and the tap root can grow to depths of more than two feet. A single plant can produce over two thousand seeds. Today teasel is used in horticultural plantings and dried flower arrangements. The flowers when they appear will be purple and I will try to do a post of them again.