Bundled Up Against The Cold!

   Any fisherman worth his salt will tell you that you need to "get out there early".  Not only are you more apt to catch bait but you will be the "first to get the good spot" since we all know that everyone wants to fish in exactly the same place.  Personally, I stick to fishing from the pier.  Just as many fish can be caught from there and, if I tire of fishing, I can simply walk up the hill to find something else to do.   Still, that firm idea of getting out there before the crack of dawn is a hard trend to break.  Everyone knows that I rise early and head to the pier to start my day.  Not everyone knows that Mark will occasionally rise early and head out in the little skiff.  Different methods but can be a comparable idea.

  Yesterday morning, we did just that.  Rose early, went to the pier, he jumped in the skiff to get that best spot and I headed back up the hillside to plant mustard greens.  As I meandered the slope, I turned just in time to catch a glimpse of him between the trees.  He was throwing the net to catch menhaden or little mullet for bait but I had to ponder just how in the world he managed.  He was so bundled up against the "cold" that it had to be quite the feat.  I am not sure I would have been able to move much less throw the net.  Yes, it was chilly and, yes, I did pull on a sweatshirt but it was not THAT cold!  It made me giggle!

Short and Sweet

  If you can say one thing about weather with a fair amount of certainty, it would be that it is fickle.  Never assume you know from one moment to the next how it is going to be.  Our spring and early summer was wet.  We had far too much rain and folks were starting to be flooded badly.  Here, it ran off into the Bay so we stayed high and dry.  Others were not so fortunate.  Then, that fickleness kicked in and we went from mild temperatures to scorching hot....and dry.  The gardens started to wither under the searing sun.  If the heat did not get you, those dratted mosquitoes, who were pleased with the watery spring, would attack and try to finish what the heat did not complete.  Working outdoors became miserable!

  Early yesterday, I dragged the water hose around trying to save what plants I could.  Everything got a tiny drink with a promise of more to come.  As much as I knew the plants needed a good soaking, the mosquitoes were eating me alive!  With the final squirt of the hose on the turmeric plants, thunder could be heard in the distance!  Really??  I turned to see dark clouds and rain!  Glorious rain was coming up the hillside from the Bay!  Needless to say, I got caught in the rain shower but was so appreciative of the cooling effect, I made no effort to rush indoors!

  

  The shower lasted only a few moments but it cooled things significantly.  The plants were happy with their double dousing and I was just as happy even if I was drippy!

Only Ten Minutes

   Have you ever stopped to think just how quickly things can change?  In a matter of moments, things can bounce from one extreme to the other and sometimes back again.  While we have a tendency to think things pretty much remain as they are, nothing stays the same for long.  Life is that way.  Better enjoy the moments as they are and not fret over what may be as it can flip-flop around so fast your head will spin!

  As proof of how things can quickly do turnarounds, compare the two photographs.  The first one was taken when I arrived at the pier early this morning.  There was an odd haze obscuring the view.  The sun was blocked by clouds but looking southward down the pier, the entire Bay seemed to be a blur.  It was an odd haze which almost appeared to be smoky...maybe?  As I waited, the haze started lifting.  Ten minutes after arriving on the pier, everything was crystal clear.  Thick clouds still hung in the sky but the golden-hued haze had totally disappeared.  Odd...very odd.  It only takes a few moments, folks, for things to reverse themselves.  

Never Know What To Expect

   Weather is one of those crazy things that can never make up its mind what it wants to be.  Weather..."Hmm, do I want to be sunny, partly cloudy or rainy?  And if rainy, should I storm or merely sprinkle?  Cold or hot?  Foggy?"  The imaginary conversation could go on for hours except, here, the weather changes its mind in a matter of minutes.  I never know what to expect lately.

  I was out dead-heading the zinnias when I heard a rumble to the east.  Wait a minute!  It is sunny!  Not toward the east.  I slipped to the pier to get a good view of what was headed our way.  Yep, old Fickle Weather was up to his tricks again.  

  On the northeast horizon a storm cloud was looming over the Bayou.  The southeast had poofy white clouds and the southwest was pretty much sunny and clear.  Boom!  A big bolt of lightning shot across the  dark cloud.  Ok, that was enough for me.  I have more sense than to stay on the pier during a lightning storm!  It was time to head back to the Little Bayou House and safety.

One Fine Morning

   After weeks...no months of rains, it was most exhilarating to see the sun peeping over the pines this morning.  I had gone out for a five minute stroll when a rainbow in the western sky drew me to the pier.  For there to be a rainbow, there had to be the sun!  This was, indeed, something that has not been seen in a while!  While photographing the rainbow, a mountainous cloud started glowing with the sunshine!  Would this be the setting for today?  The cloud was photographed as was the sun doing its best to rise.

  It did not last long.  I was still on the pier when thunder started rolling and lightning started flashing across the Bay.  Five minutes later, it was drizzling rain at the Little Bayou House.  I had just made it back inside when the rain started.  That is just what we needed...more rain.  I am quite sure that when this does quit and a dryer bit of air sets in, I will be wishing for these daily rains but it would be nice to occasionally be outside for longer than a few minutes!  

Outgrowing Its Boundaries

   The over abundance of rain and the warm temperatures have turned the Small Gardens into one massive "rain-forest"  With the few days that I actually get to work there, the gardens are getting out of control.  Everything is growing far faster than I can harvest.  This past week, visitors to the Little Bayou House were not allowed to leave without filling their baskets, bags or boxes with vegetables.  That is all good as they appreciated it and I was relieved to see stuff heading off to their houses.  

  One of the more worrisome things is the potted rose.  It is not my wishes to snip back those faded blooms as I may disturb Mama Wren who has just hatched her brood.  Five baby wrens sit nestled among the violets and wood sorrel that blanket the roots of the rose bush.  This fretting is probably for naught as Mama Wren did not budge when I went out with the drill to put more holes in the pot.  With 7 inches of rain pouring overnight, it was my fear that her nest would be flooded if the water did not drain fast enough.  Just before dark last night, I could be found on my hands and knees (in a drizzly rain) mangling a perfectly good flower pot to save my critter friends!  Also, she never minded me putting the "fence" around her home just in case the feral cat decided to attack.  It will be a few more weeks before the rose can be trimmed...either rose since Mama Cardinal should be hatching her eggs in about a week.  She is in Grandmother's rose just a few feet from Mama Wren.  

  It is no wonder that the Small Gardens have become a haven, not only for me, but also my sweet critter friends.  We help each other and try to avoid any disturbances.  Life is good.

Mysterious Bayou

     Just after what would have been daybreak, Mark and I headed to the pier on our usual hike about the place.  There was no sunrise as it was foggy.  In fact, it was so foggy that our jackets soon became coated with a fine layer of water.  Our footsteps were muffled by the wet mulch as we padded lightly down the hillside.  Then, we had to be careful not to slip and slide on the new pier boards.  One misstep and we would have been down in the mucky marsh.  This is to my liking, however, as it seems our sounds are not easily picked up on by the critters.  They, too, are out and about taking full advantage of the silencing of the fog.

  Moe, the Great Blue Heron, was using the fog to help him catch his breakfast.  He was able to stand motionless in the shallows without casting a shadow.  Minnows and baby mullet were not able to see him!  I watched as the bird snagged several nice fish in just a few moments.  

  The fog works both for and against critters.  The fog heightens critters' ability to catch a scent of another animal but the muffling effect can make detecting the whereabouts of that critter difficult.  Being as most hunt by catching a glimpse of motion, if a predator or prospective prey sits motionless, it is almost impossible to be seen. I have had animals literally walk right up to me before actually realizing I was there.  They knew I was in the area but finding me was a different story.  It all adds to the mystery of the Bayou!

  This morning's fog soon turned to a heavy rain which lasted the entire day.   More rain is to come and then a cold spell for a few days.  I am in hopes that the "wintry mix" will stay north of the Bayou as it could wreak havoc on the gardens.  This, however, is typical February weather here so the critters and I have both learned to live with our ups and downs.  Fog, rain, cold...repeat.

The "Laughing Bird"

   The thunder rolled and the rain poured...literally.  It poured.  It was one of those times that you throw open the door and stand in awe of the power of the weather and its ability to stop things in their tracks.  For over an hour water washed down the hillside in a two inch deep sheet.  I was ever so thankful for that hill and the drainage it provides because the whole place would have been flooded.  Even with those torrential rains, an hour later and no puddles.

  After the rain subsided somewhat, I grabbed the camera and headed down to check the little skiff.  That much rain meant the boat would be straining on the tie ropes.  Heading down the board path, I heard high-pitched "laughter" and the strong flutter of wings which meant only one thing.  I had startled a pileated woodpecker.  These extra large woodpeckers sound just like some strange banshee laughing!  Sure enough, the bird was right overhead and flying west.  It landed about halfway up an old black gum tree.  Ok, so the skiff would have to wait for a few minutes longer.  Anyone interested in photography can tell you that when an opportunity occurs it supersedes everything else!  At least, it comes before those things that CAN wait a bit.  I followed the bird.

  Our friendly woodpecker started making its way up the trunk of the tree as it searched for any evidence of a likely grub hole.  One hop at a time, it went round and round the trunk.  Occasionally, it would stop to flick out a few chunks of bark before starting again.  This continued until the bird made its way to the tiptop of the tree.  Then, it stopped.  The bird stared out over the Bay as if that was the goal of its whole climb.  For a good five minutes, the bird stared.  Then, as before, the laughter and flight to yet another tree.  The bird was gone and I headed back to my chore of emptying the boat of its load of water.  Never a dull moment if you look at things from my point of view.

Drying Out

   Earlier today, I managed to slip down to the pier in between rain showers.  The weather is on one of those quirky runs again with rain ruling the night and morning with the temperatures hovering around 80.  By late afternoon, the winds shifted and the temperatures are to drop to the mid 30s by midnight.  Well now!  That is nigh on a 50 (supposedly) degree drop in a few hours!  Crazy! But being on the pier felt good today.  

  While there, I watched as several cormorants were air-drying their wings.  The birds were perched on the posts of my brother's pier just to my west.  They had their wings held out to let the warm air dry them so they could go right back to diving for more fish.  Cormorants have relatively short wings compared to other birds.  This is to allow them to swim better underwater.  They use the wings sort of like rudders to steer themselves along.  The bird spends so much time underwater that their feathers become waterlogged and need to be dried occasionally.  Perching on some convenient post or pier with wings widespread is their way of drying.  The short wings do not seem to cause any problems during flight other than it is a bit more taxing on the bird.  Underwater, however, the cormorants are pros at speeding along.

  The birds, today, took no notice of my camera being pointed at them.  They were intent on drying out enough to get back to hunting for their supper before the chill sets in for the night.  

Bayou Weather....Foggy with gnats!

   We are back into our winter "cycle" of rain, cold, warm and fog.   The cycle has its good points and a few bad.  Just when you think you are all settled in for a nice bit of cold weather, the winds shift, temperatures rise and heavy fog lays in across the Bay.  The fog lingers for most of the day keeping things damp and muggy.  A good side to all of this fog and warmth, the garden is doing well.  Cabbages, broccoli, cauliflower and mustard greens are filling the rows nicely.  One of the bad sides, is gnats and mosquitoes never leave.  Just about the time you think they should be gone due to the chill, you are attacked!  Those are the days you find yourself wishing for a lovely freeze!

  This morning, a light fog shrouded the Bay and Bayou.  It blocked enough of the view to make things appear a bit spooky.  The "Bayou Creature" would love just such a morning to make an appearance!  But...he did not show.  Our Bayou Creature is just about as elusive as Big Foot!  The name is applied to any unusual wail or moan that can be heard coming from the bowels of the Bayou.  Far back where the Bayou meets a creek and turns into a swamp, any number of critters can let out yells that can run chills up your spine especially if you are roaming about in the predawn fog. 

  Years ago, the kids and I loved to hike through the swamps during foggy evenings.  Because our footsteps were muffled by the wet leaves, it was not uncommon for us to stumble upon critters out on the hunt.  Bobcats, coyotes, fox, coons and rabbits were often seen before they noticed us.  To my way of thinking, this was one of the best learning situations the kids could have ever experienced.  They grew up knowing how to react or how to "not act" when encountering wild animals.  Never once did we feel threatened and we respected the critters enough to back off and let them continue on their way. 

  No critters were found on this morning's hike.  It was short and sweet but I had work to do.  It was a fine morning to mulch more of the hurricane debris pile!  The weather was warm enough to work in short sleeves...until those pesky gnats found me!  Weather....Southern Weather....Bayou Weather!  When is that next cold snap??

Rhymes Cannot Be Trusted

 So now that we are all tucked in tightly in preparation for Hurricane Sally's visit, I am pondering just what to do next.  There is always this feeling of angst...not fear....just uneasiness that something has been forgotten.  I try to go down the mental list of hurricane preparations and I have done this so many years that it should be second nature but the feeling still comes.  So...I go over that list again and again.  Hopefully, the brain is not dulling with age to the point that a major thing has been overlooked.  Hurricane Sally is a force to be reckoned with as it is now a Category 2 storm and strengthening.  If it lingers over the warm Gulf waters too long, we are going to be in a bit of a fix as the longer it dilly-dallies,the stronger and more organized it can become. Not good.  Not good at all.  We shall just have to wait and see.

  There is an old saying that goes something like "Red skies in the morning, sailors take warning.  Red skies at night, sailors delight."  Well, our sailors would be in a bit of confusion this evening.  The skies put on the most glorious display of reds, oranges and purples.  If a ship went to sea solely on that horizon, the sailors would probably find themselves ruing the fact that they ever quoted the rhyme.  Keep a weather eye on the horizon, folks, and do not let nursery rhymes direct your paths.  Stay strong and keep safe if you are in the path of this entity.  Sally is getting ready to pack a wallop.

Storms, Gardens and Birds

  It is THAT time of year again and every eye around this area is watching the Gulf of Mexico.  While the storm, Cristobal, is supposed to not strengthen too much, it is still threatening to dump copious amounts of rain on us.  Yes, the landfall is supposed to be in Louisiana but that puts us on that east side.  Anyone who knows anything about hurricanes knows that is NOT where you want to be.  Of course, like other storms, our little area will cope even without the media attention.  Always have...always will.  We prepare.  We ride out the storm.  We carry on. 

  My one big beef with this storm is that it is coming so early in the season.  Why is that a problem?  Well, my garden is at its peak right now and any high winds, torrential downpours or flying debris will wreak havoc on the plants.  Seriously, I may as well call it a season and not worry about any more fresh veggies.  Thankfully, I was able to home can plenty for our winter stock already so we are good to go.  

  Today, as I was wandering about making a few minor storm preparations, I stopped to admire the healthy plants and thought how fortunate we are to be able to "uproot" ourselves and hunker down inside the Little Bayou House.  The plants and critters do not have that luxury.  They take the brunt of  the storm.  In fact, just outside the front door (south side), a little wren is sitting on five eggs in the hanging fern.  The tiny bird will not give up her nest if at all possible even if that old basket gets to banging around uncontrollably.  This fretted me something fierce so I secured her little home along with ours.  Armed with some strong wire, I reinforced the hanging chains and ran guy wires from the sides of the basket to the main posts.  The basket barely wiggled now so hopefully, my little friend will be safe.  Son and I have a difference in opinions about my efforts.  He says I am interfering with the course of nature.  I say I am trying to help a friend.  Either way, what is done..is done.  Stay safe, folks, stay safe. (Stay safe, Little Wren, stay safe!)

Two Sunrises and a Nightmare!

  I spend a good many mornings on the pier watching the sunrise.  This is my time to prepare for the coming day as I soak in the peace and tranquility of the morn.  It is relaxing to hear the birds singing praises of the morning as the sun's rays start to peep over the pines on the far shore.  Yesterday, that horizon was blotted with heavy clouds so the sun refused to shine.  What was to the east was a waterspout.  That entity worked its way in the Bay and then fizzled.  This morning's eastern sky was a mix of thick, blocky clouds and brilliant sun rays.  Both sunrises were fascinating, to say the least.  One morning could have turned scary had the waterspout come my way while the other evoke an extreme peace.

  The sighting of the waterspout brought back memories of a terrifying dream that I had as a teenager.  While in dreamland, Pop and I were going fishing.  When we reached his small skiff docked here on the Bayou, we saw dozens of waterspouts making their way across the Bay directly for us.  We hurried back in his old truck and sped home to tell Mom and take cover.  It seems (in my dream) that the waterspouts made landfall and quickly turned into tornadoes throwing this whole side of the Bay into turmoil.  It was a frightening dream and seemed oh, so real.

   The next morning, Pop and I were heading fishing when I told him my dream.  He stopped me mid dream and finished the story for me.  It seems that he had the very same vivid nightmare that I had.  Both of us sat in his old truck for a while looking out over the Bay.  We were both shaken, to say the least, and were almost skeptical about heading out in the small boat. 

  I cannot remember if we ever went fishing that day or if we turned around and went home.  I do remember it being a strange feeling to know that he and I both had the same frightening nightmare of dozens of waterspouts/tornadoes.  I will say, however, that this nightmare never dulled our love of fishing!

Confusing...To Say The Least

  Early this morning, I headed to the pier to catch the sunrise.  While I am always enamored by the view as the sun starts to peep over the pines, this morning was a bit different.  It almost appeared as if somehow during the night, our place was magically shifted to be a bit closer to the casino across the Bay.  In fact, that thing appeared to be looming overhead like some huge, lurking monster!  How in the world?   Even though I have a zoom lens on my old camera, it is difficult to get a good shot of the opposite side of the Bayou much less be able to read the signs on a building miles away.  In fact, road-wise, the casino sits almost four miles away...as the crow flies, it is closer at nigh on three miles.   This morning, however, the casino seemed a mere stone's throw away.   This is NOT good!  I do not want a casino in my backyard!  (Even if it is miles away!)

  Imagining that the casino had magically moved nearer was a bit unsettling so I turned my attention to the only critter in sight.  A small grebe paddled happily in the calm waters.  I tried photographing the little bird but had no luck making it magically appear closer like that ominous building!  The little grebe stayed far out of range even though it was only fifty feet away.  I am still bewildered about the building, the grebe and my photography skills.  It was a confusing morning, to say the least!

 
 

 

Half-hearted Attempt

  So...Mr. Sun refused to make an appearance yet again today.  Well, he tried but the attempt was obviously not strong enough.  The morning started as heavily overcast and it set the tone for the day.  Drear!  Normally, I do not mind what the weather throws at me but, today, I had plans.  I wanted to get that lawnmower out for the first time this spring.  The place is starting to look a bit rough around the edges.  But...I cannot cut grass in the rain!

  Along about 10am, I ventured out to collect the cat.  She had wanted out at daybreak but with the ground being rather wet, it was not a good idea to leave her out.  Being a long haired cat, she manages to get the worst hair mats by dragging that fur around on the ground.  She was eager to come inside so there was no long search.  As I was turning to go back up the steps, I noticed that half-hearted attempt of Mr. Sun's.  It was interesting merely because of the position of the sun from my point of view.  The sun sat squarely atop of the old dying black gum tree.  With the grayness of the sky, the blackness of the tree's silhouette and the brightness of the feeble sun, this all gave me the impression that I had a new lamppost!  

  Maybe the sun's absence was needed today simply to give me a new perspective on things.  That "lamppost" made the drear all worthwhile.  From that point on, I could deal with the day.  So what if the yard resembles a rainforest at the moment...I could not mow.  Life got in the way.  I'll take it.

Sweeping the (Forest) Floor!

  I will say this about the weather on the Bayou, as of late.  It has been windy!  In fact, it has been windy and rainy for almost six months now.  Only a few days each month are sunny.  This is ok by me, however, as I am always up for a bit of rain.  The wind goes along with it so I accept that as well.  It is true that complaining about the weather has never changed it, so I say just go with what you are given.  No problems.

  While out behind the greenhouse this afternoon, a light swishing noise caught my attention.  What in the world could that be??  It reminded me of a broom being used to clean the floor.  Standing still, the sound led me to the source. Yep.  It pretty much was a broom sweeping the floor.  A branch of a yaupon shrub was being flung back and forth by the wind.  As it was bouncing around, it was doing a fine job of sweeping the forest floor.  A wide path was devoid of any fallen leaves!

  The wind once was, at one time,  a significant source of power for so many things but now has been replaced with more convenient methods.  The sweeping motion of the branch brought thoughts of how windmills and sails make use of this free energy source.  Folks used to use ingenuity and make use of what was on hand but those days have gone the wayside.  Now, let there be one short power outage and people are in a tizzy.  Sometimes, I think the times without all of our modern day conveniences was a lot better.  We are all spoiled and perhaps a bit lazy.  Maybe this branch was trying to tell me to get busy and rake the leaves.



 

Don't Bother

  Sometimes you can tell by the time the sun rises over the pines that the day is just not going the way you planned.  That is the way my day started.  During the night, I awoke several times to check on the old dog as he has been have great difficulty at night.  All was well with him.  I was elated that he was breathing fine and seemed comfortable after having bouts of heavy congestion for a while now.  It seemed as if this was to be a restful night.  Then, at 4 am, he awoke and was restless.  He gets a bit disoriented with just a small lamp to light the room and begins bumping into things as he searches for me.  Well, that was the beginning of my day....4 am...early.  In fact, it was too early even though I normally am up at daybreak.  Since it was still dark outside, I dillydallied around before taking him out for his morning hike.   When I finally did, that sunrise told me it was a day I should have stayed in bed.  It was as if the tiny bit of light was telling me "Don't bother trying to get anything done today.  It ain't happenin'!"  So...the start of the day set the pace. It wasn't happenin'.

  While the sunrise, itself, was gorgeous, things went sliding downhill from there.  I had high hopes of finishing some yard work that I started yesterday but the weather did not play well.  There was nothing to do except give in and stay inside.  The old dog and lazy cat and I moped around for most of the day.  Mr. PJ slept, Ms. Nycto fidgeted and I tried to clean house.  That is a losing battle with those two inside.  Both the dog and cat are losing their winter coats which means instead of dust bunnies under the sofa, I have dust puppies and dust kittens everywhere!  I finally gave up and resigned to having a hairy house...at least, for the meantime.

  Those heavy clouds at dawn are usually the harbingers of bad weather.  This weekend is supposed to be plagued by storms complete with thunder, lightning and high winds.  Torrential rains are to pelt the Little Bayou House and the weather forecasters have not ruled out waterspouts and tornadoes in the area.  For anyone in the path of these storms, hunker down and be safe!

Gray is a Good Color

  Well, imagine that.   It was another dreary day here on the Bayou.  Rain threatened to pour down upon us at any given minute and, in fact, did a good job of soaking us several times.   Late this afternoon, a terrific storm pounded the area with high winds, lightning and torrential downpours.  Then it was over and the sun made a feeble attempt to make up for its "no-show" status of the day.  This was nothing new, however, since we have had more than our share of rain for about a year now.

  All of these gray days have a lot of folks complaining.  The drear is just too much for some people to handle.  It is a proven fact that the lack of light can do some mighty strange things to the brain and I suppose that gray skies can be considered a "lack of light"...well, maybe a lack of sunshine anyway.  Those living in darkness can be prone to bouts of depression caused by changes in the brain.  I can remember being told stories by Granddad about how the coalminers back in his time had to be careful if they worked the day shift.  It seems that working with the small carbide lanterns did not provide suitable lighting to help with the mental state of the workers. Then, when they left the mines, there was little time before sunset.  It did not take long before the workers attitudes were not desirable so it became the custom to "swap shifts" periodically.  Granddad had worked the mines as a lad and saw firsthand how this worked.  He stressed to me at an early age how important it was to get a "healthy dose of sunshine" each day.

  Granted having so many cloudy days pales to compare to the hard work and terrible conditions of the coalminers but people are whining about the dark, dreary days.  I, on the other hand, have no problem with the dreary days.  As a matter of fact, I find them inspiring.  The days make me feel creative, imaginative and energetic.  Perhaps this stems from growing up on the farm where rainy days meant a day off from working in the fields or doing other farm chores.   Or maybe my brain is just wired a bit differently than other folks' brains and I need darkness to function properly.  Whatever...I really do like my gray days and rainy nights!  Complaining about the weather never has changed it anyway.  So I might as well enjoy whatever the day brings.

A Use For The Mushrooms

  Finally, we have found a use for these thousands and thousands of mushrooms that keep popping up all over the hillside.  The nigh on daily rains of all summer have produced as myriad of mushrooms.  We have just about every size, shape and color growing everywhere!  I kept pondering just what was going to happen to all of these things and, finally, a use has been discovered.  It is now apparent that some of the 'shrooms are edible...at least, they are edible for turtles...or we have a very daring turtle...or a very stupid turtle...whatever.  

  Early this morning as we were walking to the pier, Mark called my attention to a box turtle munching away on a rather large mushroom.  The turtle looked at us for a moment and then continued his meal.  He seemed rather intent of finishing the mushroom before being interrupted.  So we let him be.  After we finished our walk to the pier, we checked once again and found that the turtle did, indeed, eat the entire mushroom but at this point, the critter was no where to be found.  That said, I sure hope that turtle knew what he was doing or he might be getting a bellyache!

  While I find the mushrooms interesting and some of them downright pretty, I have yet gotten the nerve to munch one.  I have no idea which are edible and which are poisonous so I will steer clear of the forest of fungus growing in the yard.  I will leave them for the critters!

Fickle Mother Nature!

  Our spurt of springlike weather has taken a turn toward winter again.  Not that it can compare to the weather of our neighbors to the north but this is a tad worrisome.  A freeze just might damage the citrus blossoms enough to make them not set the fruit.  Not to mention the peach trees, pear trees and plum trees that are in full bloom.  A late freeze is rough on the gardens.  At least, I am late in getting the tomatoes and such set in the garden boxes.  There are no worries there.  

  However, while meandering in the gardens this morning before the rain chased me inside, I came across one sleepy, little fellow who had better take heed of the warnings.  It is going to be a tad chilly for the little toad to be out and about tonight!  This morning, the little one had ventured out from its cozy bed beneath the herb boxes.  It was enjoying a bit of fresh air and the fleeting sunshine.  Within the hour, though, clouds darkened and the rains came.  

  With the coming chill, I thought about that little toad and all of my critter friends that normally hide away during the cold.  With our thermometers jumping from heat waves to cold spells, you have to wonder just how confusing it must be.  Along with the emerging toads, lots of the birds have already had a first nest of eggs hatching.  Those little ones with no feathers better hide under Mama for warmth for the next few nights and I better get on the ball and haul the plants back into the greenhouse!  Mother Nature always has a few surprises up her sleeve.