The Dynamic Duo

Cannot resist posting a photo of my two spring favs before they are gone. No one brings these home from a plant sale or garden center. Mother Nature knows exactly what they need to survive and THRIVE in absolute abundance!

Wood and Stone, Cats and Guineas

Spent ALL day putzing around in the garden with cats and guineas playing in the dirt with me.  And I built my first ever stone wall and step :) Did not drive a mile or spend a dime...good memorable day.

Snake Screams

Had a lovely walk in the Cheney Wetlands with two dear friends today. Between Barb’s exclamation of “SNAKE!”” and Cindy’s screams when we saw them, the hike was even more entertaining! Coming home, I find another harmless little garter lounging by my water garden, on a warm rock. Doesn’t everything deserve a break on a bright sunny day?

Gorgeous Greens

Ahhhh…just planted not one, nor two, but THREE kinds of kale today. I loved how it lasted long after everything else was toast last fall.  We used it regularly for all three S’s:  Salads, Smoothies and Soups!

A Ruined Paper House

Wonder what the story was regarding this tiny half built hornet next lying on the ground near some Owl Pellets. I suppose I should be sad for it's demise, but I'm not.

Hi Mom! :)

My adorable mom would be so tickled today!  I have her last two African Violets and they FINALLY bloomed for me this week.  After she passed away two years ago, I put them in pretty pots, brought them to Washington, and they did nothing.  Lesson: If something does not work for two years, you might want to google it. I only wish she were with me today...

Mini Graveyard of Mystery Crayfish?

These caught my eye on a walk today in our pasture.  What the Heck?!

Deer Candy

No more snow headphones on the tulip from Day One of this blog! I so appreciate these gorgeous “new to us this year” tulips because I hear they are Deer Candy. Perhaps the raucous guinea hens have taken on the role of Moby, our sweet but deceased Golden Retriever, thus protecting the tulips from predators? Like so many things in life, I just drink up the view...nothing lasts forever.

Making Old Things Cool

My tiny new camera can be dropped off a cliff, into the toilet or ocean, and run over – and still work.  It's “wifi-compatible-with-everything-instantly.” This is all good but yesterday I was REALLY missing a super macro zoom lens like my decades old SLR buried somewhere in a closet. So I dug it out, dusted it off, then found batteries and FILM online. Now I will have to learn to be patient and wait - which is something pretty rare anymore. I’m excited!

Just Look Up

Ever stop right in the middle of what you are doing and look UP? I did today as my friend Cindy and I were sharing Mary Oliver poems in our Simple Pleasures class. It's amazing what this beautiful world offers to everyone -  completely free, always uplifting, and usually memorable.

Close Encounters with Birds

On my walk this morning, I had not one but TWO close encounters with birds! The first was a turkey lurking in a bush right next to the road and the second encounter was with two quail who trotted right beside me as I sat on a rock! Unfortunately,  I could not grab my camera in time...but I thought of another close encounter between a tenacious, patient ten year old and a little bird a few years back :)

The Giving Tree

I loved this huge bent over tree for the last 25 years and last year it finally blew down. We gave most of the wood away but today, some great neighbors came over with a long chain saw and cut 31 stepping stone slabs for my new garden idea. This old tree just keeps giving :)

Top of the Meadow

We just grabbed the last ray of sun from our little cliff tonight. The Serviceberry trees are now in full bloom - showing the first bright white blossoms in the woods and their surprisingly tasty purple berries will ripen in June.

Buzzards, Eagle and Dead Deer

Saw a bizarre sight today as a huge eagle feasted on a dead deer beside the road, while three buzzards perched on fenceposts nearby. Could not get a photo of that, but I did see this!

Flathead Lake in a Pinch

Well.....this photo was not taken at Owl Moon Meadow, but I am trying REALLY hard to find something good about this place :) Water a bit chilly at 40 degrees, but may tip my toes (or more) in it tomorrow!

Buried Birdhouses

Sorry this is late! No internet last night...  I planted these last summer to make bird houses and stored them in the garage, but in January, my usually sweet husband tossed them in the compost heap because of awful mold.  Uncovered them today - and scrubbed ‘em up! Yay!  So I win? Perhaps a MUCH later post will show results.

 

A Perfect Food from an Old Friend

Can you beat the taste of a gorgeous yellow-orange-yolked fresh egg? Especially when it's a gift from an old friend. I rather think this sweet girl resembles an Eagle...except when she is "race waddling" towards me - then she looks more like a toddler with a full diaper!? 

Keep Your Eye on the Prize!

Talk about tenacity, perseverance, and keeping it's eye on the prize! This little shoot of grass knows where it is going and will not let anything - (especially a dead leaf or two!) get in it's way. Good advice for we humans, eh?  :)

Moose Poop Welcomed

I watched Little Moose from a window two feet away as he ate the green leaves from the Euonymus bushes right by this planter. As his Mama trimmed bushes on the other side of the house, Vern would say "A little more on this side and that" - less work for him!  Think I'll just work this "fertile" reminder into the soil for spring flowers.

Unwanted Easter Egg?

Found this in the woods today! Must have been one of the little Egg Hunters who wanted to eat what was inside instead of spend it. If anyone wants this one, look in the turnaround :)

Lungworts, Fleabanes, and Gromwells...

Gimme a break!  What gorgeous wildflower would want a strange name like Trumpet Lungwort, Shaggy Fleabane, or Wayside Gromwell? This beauty is also called Longflowered Bluebell so I'll call her Bella. Vern has been documenting each bloom of our 56 wildflowers since 1999 :)

Guineas Love Ticks

Sometimes I wonder WHY I sort of adore these strange, NOISY, fiendish-looking, deranged-acting, always-dashing, tree-roosting, curiosity-seeking fowl...but these guys' #1 food is, you got it, woodticks!  Ah, yes....

Water Goodness

Re-doing my fountain was a PAIN in the butt, until I discovered two little blue-tailed skinks living under the rubber. After sloping the sand, re-shaping the sides, and carefully placing each rock back, it flowed once again! Consider your precious clear, cool water...fill a glass with ice and really enjoy it.

Anthill Taj Mahal

Three feet across and nearly two feet tall...this veritable Taj Mahal is a constant quivering clan of big black and red ants! Their industriousness makes me want to go take a nap...and I did.

Miss Tulip's Headphones

Keep those headphones on, Little Miss Tulip. That strange white morning blanket will soon disappear…and YOU will survive!