Pic Today 3/26/11

ON ASSIGNMENT:

BLOG ON HOLD

While on assignment,

this blog temporarily suspended.

No computer, no internet, no blog.

(I shall return.)

Pic Today 3/25/11

DAFFODILS:

SPRING'S DEADLY BEAUTY

It's hard to imagine a Spring

without the color and beauty of the noble daffodil.

With over 1,000 varieties and color combinations

of the ancient daffodil (genus narcissus),

there's a deadly side to this flowering spring bulb.

Daffodil bulbs contain a potent narcotic alkaloid,

and the sap from its flower stems is poisonous.

Roman soldiers carried daffodil bulbs into battle,

and if mortally wounded, they would eat a bulb,

ensuring a painless death.

Daffodil sap is poisonous and will shorten lives

of other cut flowers in arrangements

unless daffodil stems first soak in tepid water for 2 hours.

It's always best to naturalize daffodils in the yard.

This way you can leave the bulbs in the ground,

and let the stems wilt and fade away until next year.

(Just beauty to admire -- no poisons to worry about.)

Pic Today 3/24/11

RIVER CABIN GETAWAY

There's a place . . . a special place . . .

far away from any city . . .

in the beautiful Missouri wilderness . . .

An old grand cabin,

on the banks of a river,

a spring-fed Ozark stream

full of trout and mussels and craw dads.

Down a winding gravel road,

past limestone bluffs,

on a path barely wide enough to get by,

with a crystal clear spring gurgling year round.

With no phone, no TV, no computers,

just perfect getaway peace

that always refreshes the soul.

It's my river cabin getaway.

And the most powerful medicine I know!

Pic Today 3/23/11

FOREST'S FIRST FUNGUS

An early spring hike through the woods

reveals winter's toll on its trees and forest floor,

with little green and no leaves

to hide bare branch or bark.

Many shapes and forms of tree fungi

climb live trees and dead stumps,

and put on a show this time of year.

Winter's freeze and spring's warming thaw create cracks

which are open invitations for parasitic fungus

to grow in brackets, resembling oysters and sea sponges

which can become quite large,

some soft, some hard as wood.

Unlike their edible mushroom cousins,

these tree fungi are usually toxic

and not for the soup pot.

Pic Today 3/22/11

ROCKS ALONG THE RIVER

Spring floods flush the winter away

and always leave a fresh story

in the rocks, along the shore.

Rocks rearranged in new patterns.

Driftwood left for chilly night campfires.

A sparkling gem for someone's pocket.

The river is clean, once again.

Pic Today 3/21/11

DOWN BY THE RIVER

Escaping to the wilderness,

along an Ozark stream,

on the 1st day of Spring . . .

sprouts and buds exploding with life!

Happy Spring.

"Spring's cool water is sweetest in the Spring."

Pic Today 3/20/11

SPRING HAS ARRIVED

Today we celebrate the First Day of Spring.

(It seemed to take a very long time to get here.)

It brought a very full, very large moon,

closer to our planet than ever before.

May it also bring joy, love and peace to all nations.

Happy First Day of Spring!

"All through the long winter, I dreamed of my garden.

On the first day of Spring, I dig my fingers deep into the soft earth.

I can feel its energy, and my spirit soars."

-- Helen Hayes

Pic Today 3/19/11

THERE'LL BE A CHANGE IN THE WEATHER

Have you noticed the changes in weather

are more sudden and abrupt these days?

The National Research Council and EPA have issued

a report which states we can expect

"more spontaneous, sudden and abrupt changes

in our regional weather which are consistent with

the 'greenhouse' warming of our climate.

This can result in heavy precipitation, periods of drought,

heat waves, sporadic cold fronts and intense storm bursts."

Photo #1 -- Early this week, our surprise snow storm

left us covered. Not forecast.

Photo #2 -- 3 days later, exact same location, sunny skies

and record-setting 83˚ heat wave.

(It's hard to know what to wear when you get up!)

"There's a change in the weather,

There's a change in the sea.

So from now on,

There'll be a change in me.

My walk will be different,

My talk not the same.

Nothin' about me

Is going to be the same."

-- Higgins & Overstreet, 1921

Pic Today 3/18/11

PERFECT WEATHER

FOR THIS YEAR'S

ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARADE

Record 83˚ weather drew a huge crowd

to "Dogtown" in St. Louis for this year's

Ancient Order of Hibernian St. Patrick's Day Parade.

Crowds started lining the streets of the parade route

early this morning to view the noon parade

under sunny skies and summer temperatures.

Bagpipes, singers, Irish dancers and musicians

marched and threw green beads to the delight

of the crowd . . .

some of whom were actually Irish.

(No one died of thirst during the event.)

Pic Today 3/17/11

HAPPY

ST. PATRICK'S

DAY

You don't have to be Irish

to celebrate St. Patty's Day.

It's a phenomenon here

how many people find their "Irish roots"

on this day . . .

wearing something green,

giving gifts of shamrocks

(or green teddy bears!),

sporting outlandish hats and shirts,

sipping Irish tea and crumpets,

chugging pints of Guinness

(or green beer -- really!)

singing Irish songs

and greeting the Spring

with a wink and a drink.

So whether you're from the 'old sod' or not,

here's an Irish toast for you this fine day:

"Dance as if no one were watching,

Sing as if no one were listening,

And live every day as if it were your last."

Cheers!

Pic Today 3/16/11

WHILE WE'RE WAITING FOR SPRING,

THERE'S "CALADIUM"

Now's the time to start planning your "jungle,"

be it inside or outside.

And what better way to plant something grand

than to buy some giant Caladium bulbs.

These monster tubers go on sale in March,

and are ready to plant when there's no danger of freezing.

(That means when WINTER IS FINISHED.)

Caladiums come out of their dormant period in March

and can be planted indoors or out.

These giant jungle dwellers have earned their common name,

Elephant Ears, because they DO get that big

and provide great atmosphere to your garden.

So give them lots of room, and stand back . . .

They'll have you forgetting about cold, snowy weather!