Walking Continues

We never cease to stand like curious children  before the great mystery into which we are born. ~ Albert Einstein* This park always has the best sunsets. It was a regular Amphibian Watch** at Berry Springs Park and Preserve, but it was nothing close to "normal." There is a new park director and new park host. The drought has taken a toll on the creeks, sloughs, ponds, and springs. We hoped that a minor rain event earlier in the week brought little relief and might have shaken up the critters - and I suppose it did. A friend, CC, was able to join me for the drive down.  Her introduction to the park began (as do all my hikes there) with a visit to the donkeys. But it almost didn't happen.  I'd remembered the net, camera, mosquito repellant, and flashlights, but I forgot CARROTS for the donkeys. I pretty much always forget the carrots and this time remembered them as we were minutes from the park. CC acted quickly and found us a small market with NO carrots, but APPLES a

 Never plant more than you can weed. ~ DMF I love hoverflies. This is an Oblique Streaktail (I think) on a loofah blossom (volunteer). Mom and Dad are always with me in the garden. So many lessons were learned (or ignored - don't tell). Mom loved wildflowers and added them to her garden beds long before anyone talked about "pollinator gardens." She gathered seeds, spread them, and successfully grew them among the more common landscape plants - basket flower, Queen Ann's Lace, Gaillardia, horsemint and so many others. Her yard was stunning (and she won the "Garden of the Month" from one of the local garden clubs a few times. Daddy had large vegetable gardens and grew many things I've not even thought of trying (Brussel sprouts to name one). I think of Daddy whenever I'm picking anything.  I've still got tomatoes, peppers (4 varieties thanks to the generosity of my friend GL), onions, chard, okra, shallots, and herbs growing well. The cabbage loope