The yard is in transition

On Saturday, Stuart and Jacob came to visit and work in the yard. They did such a great job that I can't call it a backyard jungle anymore. Stuart pulled honeysuckle and ivy off the fence, transplanted a little cedar and an aucuba suckling, and dug a hole for a pear tree that will be planted in a couple of months. (I ordered it today.) Jacob cut the tall grass and Stuart mowed back over it again. The tree guy trimmed lower branches from the oaks and carted away all the limbs and other yard waste. Now after a soaking rain this week, I am left with a yard blossoming with mounds of buttery looking mushrooms. A couple of years ago, I was into taking pictures of mushrooms and got in close to get macros of their gills. Hence I learned what mushrooms smell like. Tonight the whole back yard has that not totally unpleasant musty odor. I figure the yard is trying to reestablish its ecosystem and I will let it. Eleven years ago when we moved here, it had been untouched and was full of trees, mostly sweet gums and their sticky balls. As we had them removed and raked the layers of natural mulch, various weeds came and proliferated, taking their places. Now I think the yard is finally begin to come into its own and I can envision a lovely place someday.

We need to be informed.

I am curious about BO and have been looking up such things on the web. I have googled topics such as "who paid for obama's education" and "obama is a puppet" - which he obviously is - and have found some answers. Via youtube, I have seen some of his appearances that I did not see on television. I saw him say, "My Muslim faith" and be corrected by the interviewer to say "My Christian faith." I saw his hesitancy and stammering in speaking without a teleprompter. There are many such occurrences that the mainstream media has chosen to disregard. This morning I saw a BO ad that states the true Americans on the Republican ticket are "out of touch." May I comment that he has a running mate who has held the same job for 35 years. Talk about out of touch. At this point, I believe the only ones who support this man for America's leader are deluded, deceived, ignorant, blinded, bitter, or anti-American. We need to know the facts before we go to the voting booth, and facts are tough to come by for the Democratic candidate.

September 11

It is really hard to keep up a blog on a regular basis without interjecting some opinions. And it is hard to refer to the attack on our country by radical Islam terrorists seven years ago without having some feelings about it. I saw it as an act of war and we as a country responded in kind. I am personally quite pleased that we have had no further attacks on our soil, that any such plans have thus far been thwarted, and that we have a president and a military that have worked to protect us for the past seven years. Since I am not an expert, I put some trust in the government leaders who make such decisions. I have my areas of expertise but world politics is not one of them. Persons who have jobs in the entertainment field may have opinions, but until they have served in the military, worked alongside diplomats and generals, been educated in government and politics, their opinions are no more valid than mine, and I am not interested in hearing them. Neither do I need to constantly hear opinions from any Tom, Dick, or Harry. To me, that is not news. It is a media ploy to sensationalize and divide. After the attack on September 11, 2001, shock united us for a while as we had no idea what would happen to us individually or as a country. We need to become United once again and and not fall prey to forces that seek to fragment and weaken us.

A Common Cold

I was surprised when I came down with a cold this week, at this time of year. Usually I get my annual post Christmas, post stress season cold as the new year is starting but never in September. Years ago when I was taking Anatomy, I learned that there were thousands of viruses that cause colds. Since then, I have been aware that no two colds are alike. This one started with a dreaded sore throat but has turned out to be a mild garden variety rhinovirus. My main regret is that I worked when the symptoms were new and could have infected many people. I tried to keep a physical distance from others and minimize the obnoxious sneezing and blowing, but it was hard. It used to be that when people got "sick" they stayed in until they were no longer contagious. Now in our fast paced world, the show must go on. Next...I will have to see who of those I have come in contact this week will be sniffling and sneezing next week. I'm sorry.

Friendly Mantis

It was a quick trip to the compost bin. But headed back, I did a double take when I saw a brown stick like thing on a big pink zinnia. Even without my glasses, I could see there was a new critter in the garden, and maybe I could be lucky enough to get a closer look. I went in for my camera and my glasses. The brown praying mantis was still sitting comfortably in the flower when I came back. Bees beware. I took my little camera out of my pocket and started snapping. I never knew a mantis would have so much personality! When I turned, this ET creature turned, keeping his eyes on me. He cocked his head, and when I got closer, he lifted his front paws at me as if he wanted to play - or maybe punch me or warn of his ferocity. Stretching his long spiky legs, he climbed from flower to leaf and back and seemed as curious about me as I was of him. I had showered earlier and was ready to go to work. All of a sudden I realized how hot and sweaty I had gotten outside. I hated to meet a new group of students without being sparkling clean but I had no choice.
Since being home, I have done my mantis/mantid research. I think this September visitor is a male Carolina Mantis. Isn't he pretty! I have enjoyed the cycle of bug life in my yard this year.