Two life changing events yesterday:
I had an early morning meeting with a fellow teacher at a Starbucks. I
think the entire world is addicted to coffee. (Except for myself and a
few other sages.) We met for two hours say, and the line of people
going through the drive through never stopped--never slowed.
Astounding. We are a nation under the influence. Sneak a little mind
control drug in our coffee, we would be doomed.
When I came home from school yesterday afternoon, (did I just say "came
home from school"? thought I would never say that again in this
lifetime) I found my driveway blocked by a huge limb from one of my
walnut trees. I've been hoping they would all fall down, so I guess
they're going to do it one great limb at a time. Took me a while to cut
that thing up so I could get to the cave. I wish they would just fall
down in a direction other than across my driveway. It forces me to
violate one of Iten's Acres by-laws: "Let fallen trees lie where they
fall." Maybe I should just park up near the front of the driveway where
there are no trees. Hmmm, that might not be a bad hermitting approach?
No, then people would know my driveway wasn't just a cow path, that
there was an abode back there somewhere in the trees. Dilemma. Ahhh
well, keep falling down walnut trees; I'll just cut you down to size and
move you somewhere out of the way and pretend that's where you fell.
Subterfuge can be good.
But now I know two deep truths:
When China buys Starbucks and takes over America and drugs the populace, only I will be a free man.
And everything can't go just the way you want it to.
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Saturday, August 3, 2013
This Week at Iten's Acres: Hibiscus Time August 3, 2013
It's hibiscus and rose of Sharon time. They have really only just begun--there are plenty more to come--but they dominate the scenery. Their size alone catches your eye as you stroll the Acres. And they are everywhere! Along the sides, up the driveway, in the beds, by the pond and bog, near the house, in the meadow and wild area. White, red, plum, pinks of different shades, bluish, doubles--lots of variety and even a few different shapes. Bed 2 along the driveway at its peak will have twenty to twenty-five blooms at the same time. Stunning--to use one of my favorite descriptors. Now that the gladiolas are just about bloomed out, along comes the next beauty--hibiscus and rose of Sharon.
There are, of course, other flowers trying to get your attention. Sunflowers are blooming. Some planted by me; some by the chipmunks. Their gardening makes for nice surprises. I guess rodents can serve a useful purpose once in awhile--other than lunch for predators. (How do skunks ever sneak up on anything? Just wondering.) There are lots of coneflowers everywhere as well, especially in the wild area. Every year the bird spread them out into different areas. The birds of Iten's Acres will feast this winter on sunflower seeds and coneflower seeds. Not to mention the crab apples and the berries on the dogwood and hawthorn. We provide a nice variety at the Acres' winter feast.
You couldn't starve this time of year at the Acres. Domesticated and wild black berries are everywhere. The tame ones are huge, but the wild ones are the sweetest. Now that the blueberries are gone, I enjoy blackberry snacks as I cruise the property. And there are apples and pears galore! Even a walnut or three have fallen already if you're a little nuts. Bring a basket or two and pick to your heart's delight! Sorry that the blueberries have already been munched out of existence.
I am awaiting the next stage in the beautification of Iten's Acres: the asters and goldenrod of the wild area and margins can't be too far away. The bees and butterflies will move in for the feast. The wilds will be abuzz. I have no idea where all the honey bees come from in the fall. I don't see too many of them otherwise. But the whole orchestra will be here soon.
I have a couple outlaws back on my walking schedule. The little female hound has found a glitch in the electric fence strategy. She suddenly shows up at my feet when I'm out strolling and demands to be petted and that we take a trip to the meadow and wild area. And she brings the little black puppy with her. I didn't think I would ever get to make his acquaintance, but, alas, we are walking buddies. Gus has yet to join the excursions. He's so brain dead, he probably hasn't noticed that his companions are gone. She is quite clever about her escapes. She waits until the family leaves, and then she follows suit with her little shadow in tow. I suppose I should tell on her . . . I'll feel bad if she gets into the street. It's amazing, though, how the rabbit population has suddenly decreased since she's become a rover. Ahhh, well. I'll tell for her sake. But I'll miss the company. I still have my lovely Bonnie!!!
August has arrived. The hibiscus and rose of Sharon are stealing the show. I am not turning them in for theft I promise you.
There are, of course, other flowers trying to get your attention. Sunflowers are blooming. Some planted by me; some by the chipmunks. Their gardening makes for nice surprises. I guess rodents can serve a useful purpose once in awhile--other than lunch for predators. (How do skunks ever sneak up on anything? Just wondering.) There are lots of coneflowers everywhere as well, especially in the wild area. Every year the bird spread them out into different areas. The birds of Iten's Acres will feast this winter on sunflower seeds and coneflower seeds. Not to mention the crab apples and the berries on the dogwood and hawthorn. We provide a nice variety at the Acres' winter feast.
You couldn't starve this time of year at the Acres. Domesticated and wild black berries are everywhere. The tame ones are huge, but the wild ones are the sweetest. Now that the blueberries are gone, I enjoy blackberry snacks as I cruise the property. And there are apples and pears galore! Even a walnut or three have fallen already if you're a little nuts. Bring a basket or two and pick to your heart's delight! Sorry that the blueberries have already been munched out of existence.
I am awaiting the next stage in the beautification of Iten's Acres: the asters and goldenrod of the wild area and margins can't be too far away. The bees and butterflies will move in for the feast. The wilds will be abuzz. I have no idea where all the honey bees come from in the fall. I don't see too many of them otherwise. But the whole orchestra will be here soon.
I have a couple outlaws back on my walking schedule. The little female hound has found a glitch in the electric fence strategy. She suddenly shows up at my feet when I'm out strolling and demands to be petted and that we take a trip to the meadow and wild area. And she brings the little black puppy with her. I didn't think I would ever get to make his acquaintance, but, alas, we are walking buddies. Gus has yet to join the excursions. He's so brain dead, he probably hasn't noticed that his companions are gone. She is quite clever about her escapes. She waits until the family leaves, and then she follows suit with her little shadow in tow. I suppose I should tell on her . . . I'll feel bad if she gets into the street. It's amazing, though, how the rabbit population has suddenly decreased since she's become a rover. Ahhh, well. I'll tell for her sake. But I'll miss the company. I still have my lovely Bonnie!!!
August has arrived. The hibiscus and rose of Sharon are stealing the show. I am not turning them in for theft I promise you.
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