Pic Today 2/5/12

A WET, WINTER HIKE

AT LONE ELK PARK

The rain had stopped long enough

to hike through Lone Elk Park

(in west St. Louis County).

There was a chill in the air,

wet leaves on the ground;

oaks covered with dark patches of wet bark.

Muted patterns of green lichen added

unexpected color to the woods.

Elk and bison were enjoying early sprigs

of grasses beneath a wet carpet

of decaying autumn leaves.

The woods smell sweet,

and ready for Spring!

Pic Today 2/4/12

ANNUAL ORCHID SHOW

IN BLOOM NOW

The annual orchid show is in full bloom

at Missouri Botanical Garden

with 800 rare orchids on display

in a lush, tropical landscape.

The orchid show is the only time of the year

when a vast, rotating selection of orchids

from the garden's historic collection

is available for public viewing.

In celebration of the garden's "Year of China" project,

this year's show is adorned with suspended silk lanterns

and infused with Chinese-themed accents.

The show runs through March 25

and is open daily from 9:00am - 5:00pm.

Pic Today 2/3/12

HERE'S HOPING

"PUNXSUTAWNEY PHIL" IS RIGHT

Groundhog Day came and went,

and the holiday's official groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil,

"saw his shadow" and retreated into his hole . . .

which means "6 more weeks of winter."

Let's hope so!

It's been near 70˚ all week here,

we've hardly had any snow

and the crocus are already coming up.

It's too warm here in the Midwest,

and we'll take 6 more weeks of winter.

(Please!)

German tradition holds that if the sun

comes out on Candlemas,

the precursor to Groundhog Day,

the hedgehog (or badger) will see its shadow

and 6 more weeks of winter will follow.

When German settlers came to Pennsylvania

they continued this tradition,

using groundhogs instead of hedgehogs

to predict the weather.

The first official Groundhog Day was celebrated

on February 2, 1886 in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.

PHOTO: Courtesy The Punxsutawney Spirit Newspaper

Pic Today 2/2/12

FAREWELL

WEBSTER RECORD SHOP

After 58 years of selling vinyl records,

8 track and cassette tapes and CDs,

Webster Records closed its doors on January 31.

Specializing in jazz, pop and classical music,

Webster Records has long been a favorite

for collectors and music buffs

in homey Webster Groves, Missouri.

It will be sad to see this favorite indie record store

go the way of gramophones and 8-track tape players.

Fans took advantage of incredible discounts

on its remaining inventory this past month.

All is gone now . . .

including its stock of 45's and LP's.

(Did Linda Ronstadt really have "bird legs"?)

Oh my!

Pic Today 2/1/12

A HOUSE,

FULL OF BOOKS

A beautiful 19th century Victorian house,

full of books, from floor to ceiling . . .

in every room, on all 3 floors.

New, used, rare & unusual books

with comfortable chairs in every nook.

Welcome to "The Book House,"

a browser's paradise & book lover's dream-come-true.

Voted "Best Used Bookstore" in St. Louis.

Michelle Baron, owner and bookseller,

keeps things organized and can direct you

to the right part of the house

for what you're looking for.

(Then you're on your own.)

Out-of-print search, special orders, appraisals.

If you love books, definitely worth a visit.

9719 Manchester Road, Rock Hill, Missouri.

www.bookhousestl.com