Tiny Critter, Little House

  In my limited area walks, I have to find flora and fauna in a confined area.  Plants are relatively easy as they grow anywhere they can take root.  Unusual plants are a different story, however.  I see few of them in the yard.   Of course, I rarely see things like coyotes or bobcats in the garden or deer next to the steps but it would be nice to see something....anything!  So I have to search...hard.

  This afternoon, Mr. PJ decided to take a rest about 30ft from the doorstep.  He had no energy to go up that mountain of steps even though I lift him.  The task was daunting and he needed to contemplate the deed.  So...I meandered in the garden a bit.  It was there that I found my critter!  In one of the empty pots, some beady eyes peered out at me from a curled oak leaf.  Aha!  Some tiny critter was spying on me and was hoping that I would not bother it!  

  After carefully examining the leaf and then photographing it, I found my critter to be none other than a tiny jumping spider.  The critter had found its "house" to be quite comfy in this wet weather.  The rolled leaf was positioned so rain would not enter and was deep enough in the black, plastic pot that it was protected from the wind.  The tiny spider even had a back door for a hasty escape if necessary.   After taking a few photos, I left the spider undisturbed and I took the tired dog inside.

Simply Perfect

  It is simply extraordinary to think of how perfectly made each and everything on this world is made.  I have yet to find anything that needs improvement. True, some things are not as aesthetically pleasing as others but, if you truly look at the detail, you can see the precision involved in the creation.  It is that detail that makes things perfect.

  This morning, I found a tiny lizard that had obviously been trapped for some time between the window and window screen.  The poor thing was malnourished and dehydrated.  I knew just what needed to be done as the lizard would soon die if not helped.  My new found friend would reside in the greenhouse for the winter.  There, it could find plenty to eat and drink plus be warm and snug.  I caught the little fellow and headed out the back door.  With my hands tightly cupped around the lizard, I was in no position to brush off a leaf that dropped from the tree and plastered itself on my face.  I just had to "wear" the thing until the lizard was safely delivered into its new home.  Once I was lizard free, the leaf was removed from my cheek.  Wow!  Perfection!  Maybe I should have just left the leaf be and worn it for the entire day.  It was gorgeous!

  When you think about all of the wonders that surround us each day, it is astounding.  A leaf...simple yet intricately designed just like every other bit of nature...flora and fauna alike.  Folks, stop being in such a rush and take the time to admire...truly study...what is around you.  Don't take any of nature for granted for tomorrow...it may be gone.  One never knows.  

If a tree falls in the forest.....

Ouch! For the near thousandth time I stubbed my toe! Over the years, this has happened again and again and always on the same piece of wood..or the same piece of "used-to-be" wood. I say used-to-be simply because now it is more stonelike than woodlike. This toe-stubber is a large, firewood size hunk of petrified wood. I sort of "inherited" this monstrosity from my folks' home where it sat for years on end. Before it was there, it was in my grandparents' home. No..it was not a prized piece of firewood that was passed down through the ages until it petrified .. it was that way when they got the massive thing. Now, anyone who thinks that something this size doesn't hurt when kicked should think again. Trust me..it HURTS! This piece of petrified wood weighs almost thirty pounds and being rocklike it is solid..very solid..much more solid than my toe!

I had not thought much about this hunk of trouble until I was talking with my uncle the other day. He was telling me how petrified wood is formed and how that some pretty awesome things are now made from it. This conversation started me pondering about this chunk. I pulled it out from its dark and dusty home. For the past umpteen years, it has laid low..hiding beneath the china cabinet. There it was..or my toe was..relatively safe. I rolled the log out onto the dining room floor. Ugh..was that thing ever dusty!!! Ok, time for a cleaning! I wiped and wiped..thinking all the while about the tree it once was. I am supposing this piece came from the Petrified Forest in Flora, Mississippi. I remember many tales of how my grandparents would take my mother and her sisters on trips to visit the Forest. This was back before it was considered wrong to pick up pieces of the petrified wood as souvenirs. (I am just really glad that my grandparents decided not to bring home the log in the picture!)

The whole process of petrification occurs when a tree falls and is immediately buried in perhaps a swamp. Here it is initially preserved due to the lack of oxygen reaching the log. Minerals in the water deposit in the plant cells and as the tree begins to decay, a stone mould forms in its place. Then it is petrified or calcified as it may be since the mineral in the water is usually calcite. hmmmm? So..in actuality, what I am seeing is not actually the piece of wood but rather something that formed where it once was.

My uncle told me how the petrified wood is sliced and polished to be made into trinkets and jewelry. I stared at this chunk of bygone wood..it appeared a bit drab to me. I could not imagine a piece of jewelry made from something so bland. He had told me where to look on the internet and a little research proved that he was exactly right! The polished pieces were gorgeous! I, again, stared at my wannabe fire log..nope...I still can't see a necklace made from this dud! I do have a slice of petrified wood and the colors are amazing but in its entirety, this log simply looks like a dried out log..nothing more. I rolled it back under the china cabinet but not before nearly tripping over it as I reached for my camera..Ouch! My grandmother did not know what to do with the thing..my mother had no idea of a use for it..and, well..to be honest, neither do I! Ouch!..except as a toe-stubber!