Isn't this the cutest kid ever?  Hahaha!!  It's me!!!  Easter, 1960.  Siri just told me that Easter, 1960 was on April 17th;  the same as this year!!!  I was almost 5 years old.  Quick, do the math!!!

 

Today is my birthday, so if you see me on a walk, be nice.  That's all I ever want for my birthday:  for people to be nice.  

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!

 

 

Photo:  courtesy of Farmers Almanac 

 

Today is Earth Day, April 22, 2022.  The Farmers Almanac has some interesting facts about Earth Day if you're interested.

 

https://www.farmersalmanac.com/what-when-earth-day-quiz-activities 

 

HAPPY EARTH DAY!!!

 

Hey, Linda!!!  Check out our Arugula.  Love it!!!

 

HAPPY GARDENER, ME!!!!

 

I know this is a weird picture, but I don't know how to take a picture into water without getting the reflection.  So just try to look past the reflected trees, and look into the water.

 

My picture is of tadpoles in one of the holding ponds down by the creek.  We started seeing the eggs back in February, and we check on them every day to see how much they have grown.  

 

Judging by the number of tadpoles we should be overrun with frogs, but we're not.  We have just enough to sprinkle the air with their sweet sound.  

 

HAPPY SPRING!!!

 

 

 

Just for perspective, this is Jon's hand.  When he pulled down the branch to get a better view, they jumped on his fingers.  

 

And all these babies will eat bugs in our garden.  YAY!!!

 

HAPPY SPRING!!!

 

We went out to fertilize the new dogwood trees, and when I looked up I saw this!!!  I knew that the praying mantis egg case was on the branch, so I just looked up to see it, and THIS is what I saw!!!  Babies emerging all over the egg case.  And going in all directions.

 

We had to stop what we were doing, and investigate this.  Remember how small the egg case is?  2 inches, max.  And I told you there are 50 -100 praying mantis babies in there?  Well, here is the proof!!!  First time I've ever seen this.  

 

We couldn't wait to check on the other ones.  There's one in the Rosemary, and another one in the sage.  Neither of them are "ripe" yet.  We'll have to keep checking back.  It is SO exciting!!!   And Amazing!!!

 

HAPPY SPRING!!!

 

This is Tere's mom's pink dogwood.  She loved it here in the mountains.  And every year at Easter, we get to think about her when her beautiful tree blooms.  Most people think of Easter lilies today;  we think about dogwoods in bloom and our moms.

 

HAPPY EASTER!!!

 

What a funny name for a trillium, but that's the common name:  Toadshade. 

 

Hope you see some in your travels through shady woods this spring. We are still searching for Jacks.

 

 

HAPPY SPRING!!!

 

Look who is blooming in the park.  White and purple Lilacs.  They are SO pretty, and smell SO sweet.

 

We love them.

 

HAPPY SPRING!!!

 

One of the Crabapple trees at Meeks Park.  They are so pretty right now.  

 

When you are driving down the road in the next week or so, and see a tree this color, it is probably a Crabapple.  I love seeing them.

 

I guess we should plant a couple here on Crabapple Lane, but I like my real apple trees better.  

 

HAPPY SPRING!!!