Thursday, February 25, 2021

Nature


 Let's see...what were my goals for today? 
Oh yeah. Figuring out who my eye doctor is and cleaning the hen house. 
Nope and nope. 
Instead, Jessie and the boys came over and we mostly played. And read some books. And ate our lunch. And Jessie and I talked and gossiped. 
Thank the lord above for the opportunity to talk and gossip to another woman. 
The boys weren't too wild although they didn't want to stop jumping on the bed in the guest room. No big deal. August and I read some books and he was generous with kisses and pats which is unusual for him. I probably got more kisses from that boy today than I usually get in six weeks. I enjoy talking to August a lot. He's a very engaged conversationalist. Today I asked him what his favorite bird was and he said "hummingbirds" because they are so fast. Also, he said, "Peregrine Falcons because they're the fastest bird of all." Swiftness is important to both August and Levon who will, at any random moment say, "Look how fast I am!" and then take off running. Levon demonstrated his abilities today and then told me that he had rocket blasters on his back and also, flames. I agreed that he did. 
Jessie told me another great story about something August said. They were at the Jr. Museum a few days ago and having a little snack on a bench when a man came right up to them, maskless, of course, and said something about what fine young men they were and that he sure hoped she was raising them to love God and Jesus. After he left, August turned to his mother and said, "I guess he's a Christian."

So all of that was fun and when they left I just didn't have enough energy to care about either the eye doctor or the hen house. I've been sluggish the past few days and I don't know why I have. I got stuff done around here that I needed to do but not much extra. I did make a very cool discovery in my front yard. 


That, my friends, is a native red buckeye. They grow around here in the woods and I bought one at a nursery some years ago and planted it by my swing porch. This one has grown up from a runner root, I think, and it is just as pretty to me as a spotted pup, as one of Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings' characters might have said. When I saw it I thought to myself, "That can't be." But I knew it was and I did a double-check with my PlantSnap app and sure enough, it's a beautiful little buckeye. And now that I know that it's there I can keep it semi-cleared out around it and make sure it gets enough water. It won't get much sun but they can do okay in that situation. It's mama/daddy tree hasn't bloomed or leafed yet which I find quite interesting. It will, though. It will. 

In the fauna department, as opposed to the flora, Rainbow Cloud, the lizard that Maggie caught and insisted on keeping, is a source of entertainment for Mr. Moon and me. Lily has made him a beautiful lizardarium with wood and rocks and dirt and plants that would be a



pretty thing all on its own and there are lights to be trained on it for heat. It's not always easy to find Mr. Rainbow (who is an Eastern fence lizard) in his fancy condo but eventually, we always can. 


He has a gorgeous bright blue belly which indicates his maleness. To be honest, I've never really noticed one in the wild and once again- here I am finding out about something that has lived right beside me for most of my life which I was blithely blind to. Their camo is terrific, I will say in my defense. On pine bark they are almost impossible to see. Lily also brought over his "cricket friends" as she called them, which is what he eats. Mr. Moon and I just gave him one but he didn't even seem to notice. I imagine that he'll figure it out. 

Lily and Lauren and the kids have made it to North Carolina to their cabin and I can't wait to get pictures. I hope they have a wonderful time. They need a good adventure with nothing but fun. 

I have been wearing a dress all day. A sleeveless dress. And have been barefoot. Our temperatures are creeping up into the low eighties and I expect the wisteria to start swelling any day now like my own knuckle joints. It is still coolish at night. I am going to miss these beautiful mild days. 

Life goes on and so do the seasons. 

Love...Ms. Moon



23 comments:

  1. It's wonderful to read about warmth and plants growing, and boys flying about, thank you.

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    1. No wild boys here today but it's certainly warm.

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  2. Just a thought - Mr. Lizard might be missed at his real home.

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    1. Maybe set a feeding station outside so you could see him when he visits?

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  3. Ohio buckeyes have five leaves, too. That's how we know them. They grow profusely in southern Ohio, but not as well in northern Ohio. My bil brought one back from his hometown in southern Ohio, planted it in the back yard and nursed it along for years. Then it took hold and was a fine young sapling when we sold the house.

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    1. I love thinking about the trees I've planted in my life. There's just something about knowing that it will be there long after I'm gone. Hopefully, at least. It was very much a thrill to find this little beauty growing on its own.

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  4. Don't worry about being sluggish, and yeah can you believe the temperature? I was in shorts...Have a sweet night.

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  5. What on earth would possess someone to go up to a total stranger and ask if they were raising their children to love God and Jesus? Honestly.

    What a beautiful little buckeye!

    I'm going to be unpopular with Lily and Maggie for saying this, but I really think they should release that little lizard where they found him. I imagine he wants to be out living in freedom and consorting with his lizard friends, and it would be good for the species if he were allowed to do so. Maybe Maggie would agree to it if she were urged to consider what the lizard might want?

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    1. A lot of people believe that their mission on earth is to do their part to bring people to Jesus.
      Do you suppose that ever works?
      I'm with you on the lizard. Although I have to say that except for occasional mating, perhaps, I'm not sure these lizards do a whole lot. I think their whole thing is their camouflage and staying very still.

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    2. I was thinking exactly the same about August having the measure of the Christian dude - I have many things I believe are important, but I can't imagine saying one of them to a mother like that - I hope you're raising those boys to ... eat their greens? Maybe? Sheesh.

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  6. The sun is brilliant here as well. It is still cold, but the sun is delightful.

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    1. Isn't it wonderful to see the sun when you haven't for awhile?

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  7. spring was happening just fine around here until last week. I don't know what to expect now. so many evergreen trees in the area are completely brown. I had seen one japanese magnolia in full bloom before the weather hit. I know of two others over by my sister's old house and I wonder if they will bloom now or if all their buds froze. I'm a little achy and tired this morning and my arm is sore but not as sore as last time but I don't know if it's a reaction to the second shot or because I couldn't get comfortable last night and didn't sleep well, in fact was awake for hours.

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    1. oh, and it's overcast and foggy.

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    2. I'll be really interested to know if things like the Japanese magnolia make a comeback after such a hard freeze.
      Do you think that it's possible that both the insomnia AND the aches and fatigue are connected to the shot?
      It was really foggy this morning here too but it cleared.

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  8. A lovely, quiet day. Nothing wrong with that. I think mine will be the same but without barefeet or heat. It's -17C and lightly snowing today.

    I was going to take the dogs for a walk but it's too cold for that. Quilting instead.

    Have a lovely evening Mary.

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    1. Oh dear god. No. Please don't take the dogs for walks. You'll all be mammal popsicles.
      Quilting sounds wonderful!

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  9. I think when we were given the ability to read we were truly blessed, but when women were given the ability to yack as though it were an Olympic event - well that's just bliss in my opinion. Oh and I was in T-shirt and shorts today. It's hovering around 60°F here but that's good enough for me to strip off!

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    1. You're right- there is nothing better than a bit of chat and gossip and some real heart-sharing too. One of the things I love most about being a woman.
      Okay. At that temperature, I'm wearing my cashmere. What different places we live!

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  10. I like how your posts just meander along like we were sitting together visiting in your kitchen and I would be admiring your new stove and enjoying your little men running around.
    Thanks so much for inviting me in!

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    1. They do meander, don't they?
      Thank YOU so much for coming along.

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