What is it?...and other Short Takes...

What is it?

 This is the “what-is-it?” season. All sorts of things emerge, which if my recollection doesn’t deceive me, I’ve never seen before. Now, this item pictured above, (I confess), we unearthed several years ago when we were plowing a field. Nonetheless, its purpose and its origin remain a mystery. It seems to be an intentionally crafted stone ball. Was it made by a Native American?  If so, how was it crafted?  Was it for a game? Perhaps a hunting tool? Or a weapon? Any ideas?

And here’s another “what-is-it?” MM found this cute little fellow on the railing, and as always when he finds something noteworthy, he calls to me to get my camera. The only thing I had with me for size relationship was my four-inch pocket knife. So…what is it? Obviously a member of the pre-butterfly or pre-moth clan….Any ideas?

A thank you...

...for all your great suggestions on garden insect-management.  I've had great success with Insecticial Soap, and Conserve's Naturalyte.  Garden is doing VERY well this year. Best we have had in several years.  Yesterday we put up a dozen quarts of lovely beets!  Not a pre-chewed beet to be found thanks to all of you gardeners!  Yea!!

              It looks as though some COOOOOOLER weather is on the way.  Let's hope so!




Sounds I welcome….

I love the sound of a train whistle. Why, I cannot explain. And, I’m so glad the Wood Thrush is back with its serenade at dusk rippling through the woods. I love the sounds of hay being made—the chunk-clunk of the baler as it eats its way through the field. I love the sound of thunder….but only AFTER the hay is made!

A sound I miss…

What would I give to hear a whippoorwill again!? A lot! Perhaps we need some divine intervention to bring back some of the things that have given us so much pleasure in the past that seem to have "moved on."  Some habitat restoration, perhaps? Do any of you have the pleasure of hearing a whipporwill anymore?