Friday, May 30, 2008

A Little of This, A Little of That.

The weather around here has been beautiful this past week, with pleasant temperatures. And my dear friend, Eileen is finally free of her cast! She still has to wear a temporary brace around the wrist, but for the most part her hand is free, and she can now even put curlers in her hair at night! :-)

She is still somewhat afraid to drive, since she hasn't had her hands around a stirring wheel in over three months, but we'll be out there practicing this weekend.


The warmer temperatures and frequent showers have turned everything lush and green, and growing at a rapid speed. I mean the grass, of course. The lawnmower gives us quite a workout these days. Meanwhile, I took a few photos this week to share. I hope you enjoy them.



The cattails in the pond first appeared a couple of years ago. At first, I thought they added a nice touch to it, since my pond is mainly a wildlife pond. But these days, the cattails seem to be multiplying at a rapid rate, and I am worried they will take over the entire pond. So we will have to do some cattail weeding soon!

I call this shrub my purple globe. Actually, the flowers are kind of a raspberry color, and the honey bees are very fond of it. I planted this five years ago, because I liked the round shape of it, and the light, yellow -green color of the foliage, which turns a pretty gold in the fall. But I forgot the name of it. Anyone know what this shrub is called?


The white wild rose at the top of the field has made one of the smaller trees its trellis! It looks very pretty cascading down from the branches. We may have to do some pruning though, this fall.
Looking out the window the other evening, I saw this guy out in the back. And when I opened the window to talk to him, he stood up on his hind legs! Since it was already quite dark out there, his eyes are glowing, but he is cute, isn't he? I did give him a hot dog, as a snack!

And this guy was making his way through the field, the other day, at quite a rapid pace, and I went running out with the camera, to take his picture. He seemed very cooperative, and then went on his way, to wherever turtles go. Since he is quite large, I think he is quite old as well. These turtles can live to be a hundred years old. There is a turtle in the pond as well, but he is a ferocious looking snapping turtle, and spends most of his time in the water. His head sometimes pops up, when I'm feeding the fish, and he snaps up some of the cat kibbles I feed the catfish.


May is almost over, and I haven't seen a new fawn yet. But I have been watching for the mothers to come and show me their babies, when they're old enough. I know they will, and I can't wait to see them.


Well, I have made this post long enough. Thank you for reading, have a lovely weekend and a great week!

46 comments:

Mike Golch said...

Nice photos.I'm glad your friend is free of the cast.it has been a good week here as well cool weather,a little hot today and a chance of thunder storms tonight into tomarrow,at the very least we will be getting rain.

Mary said...

Renie,

I always love your photos. I am not sure what that shrub is called but it sure is pretty. I have seen them here as well.

The pond is lovely as always. I envy you having that natural source of water and the creatures that visit you.

On Tuesday night/Wednesday morning I got up around 1:30 am and saw our porch light was on. It is a motion detector and I looked out to see what activity had triggered it. There was the coon that lives in the tree at the end of our driveway. It was looking into all of my containers to see if it could find something to eat.

Thanks for the wonderful tour. The roses look lovely on their tree trellis. I always enjoy my visits here and your comments about the fawn photos was very much appreciated.

Blessings and hugs,
Mary

Loretta said...

Hi Renie..I love all the pictures. I can all most smell the roses. A dad, mom and baby deer came through my garden Tuesday night. My son in law pointed the fawns tracks out to me, they were so small that I didn't notice them at first. We're having beautiful weather. I hope you have a great week end.

loretta

Michele | aka Raw Juice Girl said...

Great photos, Renie! I love how you shared each wonderful picture and a few words about each one. I don't know what that purple shrub is called but it sure is pretty! Love the wild white roses too. And the raccoon is adorable!

I'm SO glad Eileen is doing better and is cast-free! WooHoo for Eileen! I'm sure she'll be zipping around town in no time, especially with you cheering her on! What a best friend you are! :-)

Have a great weekend!

*smiles*
Michele

Nonnas News said...

Looks like you have a new friend in the racoon! He is a cutie! I love the round "globe" like plant. I have no idea what its called, but is sure is pretty. I've been seeing lots of rabbits in my yard, and a woodpecker. I hope you have a great weekend!!

Jmkdreak said...

Nice pictures!
You've been busy with your camera.
I have the same plants here (except the cattails). No coons though but one opossum and a huge groundhog!


xoxox

Tina Coruth said...

Renie,

I'm happy for your friend Eileen that she has the cast off. I wish her a speedy full recovery.

Your pond is beautiful! I love all the photos you posted.

I think we have the same shrub. Mine is much smaller, but it sure looks like the same one. Every year, I think it has died, but then it starts growing. The flowers are so pretty. Unfortunately, I don't know what it is called either. When it blooms, I will take a picture of it.

Great shot of the racoon - what a cute little rascal!

Have a great weekend!

Hugs,
Tina

Patty said...

Love the little raccoon. That's nice you feed him something special like a hot dog.

Susie said...

Your photos are always a treat. What a beautiful pond so nearby..Does that raccoon fish there? We constantly troubled by them coming to our pond and feasting on our goldfish. They are cute though!
xo

Gigi Ann said...

Hi Renie,

I enjoyed your pictures. We had a pond on our farm and lots of cattails, I liked to put them in flower arrangements, they last a long time. (We sold the farm 10 years ago and moved to Iowa.) And that little raccoon is just as cute as can be.

I don't read German, so didn't know what the Amish Farmer said in German. Maybe, I better remove it if it was the wrong word in German;)) I got that in an e-mail.

Have a fun week-end, and don't listen to, to much Dean Martin Music;))

Linda said...

Thanks so much for stopping by. I always love meeting new bloggers.

You pond looks so peaceful. Back in the 70's I would hunt for cattails to use for decorating.

I don't have many critters here, just an occasional rabbit or squirrel. My son has lots of deer that he feeds. I go to his house to enjoy the wildlife.

Renie Burghardt said...

Hi Ann,

Just got in and on here and saw your comment. Made me giggle. The word isn't that bad. Hahaha. Just not "poop," but the other word for it, that begins with and sh! Hahaha. I wouldn't worry about it. It just struck me funny.

I also use the cattails in arrangements sometimes. They are nice and do last quite a long time. But they can be invasive, and take over the pond. So we will have to clear some of it out. But you know cattails, they do re-seed themselves.

Thanks so smuch for stopping by and commenting. Have a lovely weekend as well.

Renie

Renie Burghardt said...

Hi Mike,

Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting. I hear it's fairly warm in Cleveland as well, with not too much rain.

Have a good weekend!

Blessings,

Renie

Renie Burghardt said...

Hi Mary,

Raccoons can be pests. But I have a soft spot for animals.

Thank you for the sweet comment. Have a good weekend.

Love and prayers,

Renie

Renie Burghardt said...

Hi Loretta,

Most fawns are born in May and June. I know there are some out there in the woods, and the doe's will bring them to the field, soon. I hope to get some pictures of some of them.

Thank you for stopping by and the nice comment. Yes, our weather has been beautiful.

Blessings,

Renie

Renie Burghardt said...

Hi Michele,

I'm glad you enjoyed the pictures. Yes, I will be cheering Eileen on! We may even give you a toot as we drive by! :-)

Thanks so much for stopping by and the nice comment. Have a lovely Sunday.

Fondly,

Renie

Renie Burghardt said...

Hi Nonna,

I haven't seen any rabbits in a while, around here, but there are lots of squirrels. I do have several coons that stop by at night, as well as possums, and who knows what else. :-)

Have a great weekend, Patti!

Hugs,

Renie

Renie Burghardt said...

Hi Tina,

If you take a picture of your shrub, I hope you post it. I do wish I knew what it was called.

Thanks so much for your kind comment, dear Tina. I always enjoy hearing from you. Have a wonderful Sunday!

Hugs,

Renie

Renie Burghardt said...

Hi Patty,

Yes, the coon is cute! I enjoy seeing the wildlife around here.

Thank you for coming by. Have a lovely Sunday, my friend.

Renie

Renie Burghardt said...

Hi Susie,

Your photos are always a treat as well!

I'm sure the raccoons around here would love to catch some of my fish, but my pond is a bit too deep for them to be able to do it. So they get to enjoy some hot dogs, now and then. :-)

Thank you for coming by, dear Susie. Enjoy your Sunday.

Hugs,

Renie

Renie Burghardt said...

Drea,

Hi! Thanks for visiting, sweetie.

xoxo

Renie Burghardt said...

Hi Linda,

Thank you as well for visiting. I always enjoy meeting new blogging friends, too. Have a nice Sunday!

Renie

Merle said...

Dear Renie~~ Great pictures and it looks lovely where you live. The pond is great, but I hadn't heard of cattails. We may have another name, or maybe I just don't know about them. I hope you have had a lovely weekend with your son coming to cut the grass and take you to lunch. I am so pleased for Eileen - it has been a long time for her. She will get the use of it back soon, and drive again. Glad you enjoyed the riddles and jokes.
My neighbor Helen came to see me today with a Garden Book to tell me how to look after the Air Plant
gift from my grandchildren. So I have photo-copied the pages about it. Take care, dear friend,
Love, Merle.

Mountain Mama said...

Hi Renie. Love your post. Sorry, I don't know what your lovely plant is either.
I hope you are being careful of the coon. I know they are cute but they can be quite viscious and some carry nasty diseases.

When I read about the cattails in your pond it reminded me that the Native Americans used to eat cattail tubers. Apparently they taste similar to a potato. I never tried them myself,
but when you are 'weeding' them if you happen to pull up a tuber you might want to give it a try.
Have a great week Renie.
Hugs

Glo said...

So glad to hear Eileen got her cast off. I remember how hard it was to start driving again after my surgery. I felt like I was learning all over again.

Your photo's are always the best. I enjoy your blog so much and it can never be to long.Thanks so much for sharing all your critters.

Love and Blessings,
Glo

Loretta said...

Renie, I read last night that cattails can be ate. Sure was news to me! Here is the link.

http://www.essortment.com/all/ediblewildplan_repo.htm

Deborah Wilson said...

Renie,

Congrats to Eileen for getting her cast off - just in time before the weather gets too hot. The pics are lovely, it looks like summer is here! The little racoon - lol - he probably 'got the word' that you have hotdogs...Look at him standing on his back feet - that's what Ms. Rabbit does when she's ready for a snack...:)

Tina Coruth said...

Hi Renie,

Yes, I will post a photo of my shrub. It will be a while before it blooms - but I won't forget. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw yours. :-)

Have a good week, my friend!

hugs,
Tina

Renie Burghardt said...

Dear Merle,

It's always a pleasure to hear from you! Greg was here and worked on cutting the grass here as well as at the cabin. I'm so fortunate that he lives closer and can help out so much.

Thank you for coming by, dear Merle. Have a wonderful week. Hope it's not too cold for you.

Love and blessigns,

Renie

Renie Burghardt said...

Dear Mountain Mama,

Thanks so much for the visit and nice comment. Oh, and I am careful with the raccoons. I observe them from inside the house. They're usually gone after a short visit. Just looking for something to eat.

Hope all is well with you, dear Bev. Have a great week.

Hugs,

Renie

Renie Burghardt said...

Hi Glo,

Yes, Eileen is doing quite well now, thank the Lord. She has been practicing her driving, and should be ready to venture out on her own soon.

Thank you for the sweet comment, my friend. Have a great week.

Hugs,

Renie

Renie Burghardt said...

Loretta,

Hmm, well, maybe I'll have to try and cook some cattail roots, one of these days. Thank you for thank you for the link.

Hugs,

Renie






Deborah,

Your bunny stands on her hind feet when she wants a snack? That's so cute!

Hope the finals went great and you'll now have more time to do some fun stuff now. :-)

Renie

Renie Burghardt said...

Hi Tina,

I'm looking forward to seeing your picture. Mine is almost done blooming. But the foliage looks so pretty all summer, and beautiful in the fall.

Thanks so much for letting me know. Have a wonderful week as well, my friend.

Hugs,

Renie

Patty said...

Thank you Renie, for wishing our daughter Angela a Happy Birthday.

BClark said...

Your photos are super, thank you for sharing. Love your visitor, they are so cute but can be such a nusience. I know what you mean about the mowing, have been at it for days. I have some of those bushes and I will find out the name for you.

As always, the very best to you,
Barbara

Renie Burghardt said...

Hi Patty,

It was my pleasure to wish Angela a Happy Birthday!

Hugs,

Renie




Hi Barbara,

Thank you for your nice comment. Oh, I would love it if you found out the name of the shrub. Thank you for your effort.

Best to you as well, my friend.

Renie

ancient one said...

Beautiful up your way... love that raccoon! You have such pretty scenery all around.

Glad your friend is better.

Merle said...

Dear Renie ~~ Thank you so much for your comments and congrats for Kate. I am sure she will have a wonderful time in Paris. She sent me heaps of photos, but I didn't get to see her or her mother Kathy. Kathy is coming in a couple of weeks for a couple of nights with some of the kids.Glad you liked The story of Rose, what an amazing old lady. And the other old lady holing her hat. I hope Eileen is able to use her hand more by now. Enjoy the rest of the week dear friend.
Take care, Love and Blessings. Merle.

Renie Burghardt said...

Thank you, Ann!

I hope all is going well with you and yours.

Renie









Dear Merle,

Oh, I thought your daughter and niece were already there. Yes, she will have a wonderful time in Paris!

Thank you so much for coming by. I always look forward to your comments. Take care my dear friend.

Love and blessings,

Renie

Sally Ferguson said...

Hi Renie,
I saw your article in Writers' Weekly about reprints. Great work!

Renie Burghardt said...

Hi Sally,

Thanks so much for reading the article and for commenting about it here. That was so nice of you.

Blessings,

Renie

Unknown said...

Your photographs document well the arrival of Spring, Ms. Renie. Thank you.

Renie Burghardt said...

And thank you, Mr. Nick!

David/Sue said...

Renie I believ that shrub is a Spirea. I had a few of those and I love them, I know there are a few varities of this shrub but this one is my favorite. Lime green leaves with pink flowers.

Renie Burghardt said...

Oh, thanks so much, Sue! I love it as well. It has such a nice round shape, even without pruning, and the foliage is a very pretty green, and attractive even after the flowers are done.

Blessings,

Renie

audrey` said...

Yeah!
I'm so happy for Eileen =)