Hot, hot, hot

A poor hummingbird tries to stay cool as he perches on a
fern, also a victim of the effects of the hot weather

What is worse than surviving a heat wave? How about the air conditioner failing during the hottest day of the year?

That just happened here, but thankfully, it didn't last too long. 

It has been hot!

While watching TV Sunday night, I noticed it felt a little warm in the house. I thought that odd, because I'm usually cold when the air is on. My husband, John and I fight all the time about where to set the thermostat. I'm comfortable at 78º. He likes 77º. It may be only one degree, but I can always tell the difference. When he comes in after being outside, he tries for 76º, usually to no avail, unless I'm cooking. When the kitchen gets too hot, even I give in to the temptation to turn it down.

We were watching Ice Road Truckers. The sight of all that snow and ice apparently made us forget how warm it felt in the house. But when it was time to go to bed, John retired first. I was still using the computer, which is right next to the window. The air conditioning unit is just outside. I heard the thing try to kick on, but it didn't. I listened again and all I could hear was the fan. I woke John who confirmed my suspicions. We had no air. This had happened before. It appeared to be the same problem, so we knew it would be costly, albeit probably an easy fix. At least that was our hope.

Though we didn't panic, our minds were certainly working overtime, trying to anticipate all possible scenarios and all the what if's.

It was almost as if we were expecting a problem, since our of neighbors had just experienced a problem with their unit. Although theirs was much more involved and costly. Their problem resulted in their having to buy a whole new unit. That news would definitely have induced a panic.

Needless to say we weren't looking forward to facing a night without air conditioning. That is one time when we agree on the temperature. Neither of us can sleep when it is hot, so we turn the thermostat down at night, to 72º.

In the morning we opened all the windows, turned on every fan in the house. Fortunately, the humidity was decent and the temps were hovering around 70º. I can't figure how it could be so beautiful in the morning and so ghastly hot in the afternoon. We called the repairman early and had air conditioning by that afternoon. We were lucky.

The last few days has wreaked havoc on every living thing outside. That includes my beloved plants, birds, and other wildlife. The heat, which has gotten as high as 106º has been brutal. On top of that, we have not had any measurable rainfall in many weeks. 

All of Arkansas is under a severe drought and fire warning. Cabin fever is beginning to set in, not unlike what is normally associated with winter.

I've watered all the plants, filled the bird baths, and hopefully, the cool mornings have allowed both to recover enough to face another day. It is so hard to watch the birds with their little beaks open, as if they are panting. That, and holding their wings away from their bodies to allow for air to circulate, is about the only way they can keep themselves cool. I'm sure their frequent baths help too.

Finally, gardening success

Everyone who knows me, is probably familiar with my struggles to maintain a productive vegetable garden. I want to report that this is my year!

Since John and I moved to the Ozarks eight years ago from the land-of-glacial-till, topsoil-rich Illinois, I have been relatively unsuccessful at raising my beloved tomatoes, probably one of the easiest crops to grow in all the universe. Yet, every year, one thing or another has destroyed my chances to harvest big, red, juicy tomatoes. I have been successful with cherry tomatoes and some tiny, under-sized Roma tomatoes, but their larger cousins have eluded me. 

This is the year we finally got it right! 

Today, I picked my first tomato pictured here during its last few moments of life on the vine. 

This is a relatively new garden, installed by John. It is a raised bed and is filled with store-bought dirt. I started some  heirloom tomatoes in the house this winter. I also bought some plants. I believe this is one of those, although my grown-from-seed plants are doing well also.

This little heirloom tomato, of an unknown variety, is the first of what I hope will be many, is the product of years of observation. To me it represents a successful learning experience.

When we moved to Arkansas, one of the first things we did was pick a spot for a garden. I ignored all the people who told me not to bother trying to plant a garden. 

"It's just too darned hot," they said. But, I wouldn't listen. I am a firm believer in gardening and eating fresh, organic food that you grow yourself. Besides, there is nothing like the flavor of a fresh-picked tomato right off the vine. 

Our property is largely forested, but when we first began our gardening quest, we assumed that if we picked a sunny location, all would be well. We even overlooked all the rocks in the soil as John ran our little rototiller through it, stopping frequently to leverage a huge rock out of the tines. To me, nothing holds more promise than a newly-tilled garden. 

Our early efforts looked promising. We had planted corn, beans, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, peas, strawberries, and asparagus. In the early spring, the plants looked lucious. Then it started getting hot. I underestimated the hot, arid Arkansas summers. I watered now and then, but was afraid to water too frequently since we use well water. The plants stopped growing and soon withered.  

Another year, we noticed that our sunny spot was now in the shade most of the day.  The plants never really did very well. I know that some trees have a cycle whereby one year they produce seeds and another year they are more leafy. I assume Oak and Hickory trees have such a cycle. They had also grown bigger and blocked more sun. The garden was on the east side of the house, so the garden had to rely on its sun during the earlier part of the day. The plants soon looked malnourished--probably because they were. I recalled hearing how the least fertile soil type is that of forest land, simply because trees take all the nutrients out of the soil. What I needed was a fertilizer rich in nitrogen. I tried that, but with mediocre results.

We decided we needed a new plan, so John built a raised bed garden in the back of the house adjacent to the patio. We had an herb garden there that was doing pretty well.  

That was the year we learned the hard way about rabbits, deer, squirrels, and other woodland creatures that were drawn to my garden delicacies. 

This year our answer was to take some of the chicken wire fencing around the initial garden and install it around the raised bed. That seemed to do the trick. I water every day. There isn't much in the garden except for tomatoes and peppers, but, that is OK with me for now. At this point, all I wanted was to eat a fresh tomato.  I consider this to be a very successful venture. In the future, and maybe even this fall, I can plant a variety of vegetables.

For the record, I almost couldn't lose this year. I also planted tomatoes in pots on the deck and in pots on the front porch. Pictured here are a pot of nice-sized Roma tomatoes. A couple of them are turning red, so it won't be long for these either. 

I've always been successful at growing one of my favorite things--Serrano peppers. They were introduced to me by a dear friend and former neighbor whose family is from Mexico. He brought me a couple of plants one year and I always grow them now. I always think of Cel when I plant them and when I eat them.

They are my favorite hot peppers. They have a much better flavor that japalenos and a different kind of heat. I eat them both fresh, cut up in tacos and in fresh salsa. I really like to cook with them though. They have the most delightful flavor. One of my favorite things to use serranos for is canned salsa. 

I've been wildly successful with these. Hot peppers must love Arkansas. They seem to love the conditions here.

I started this plant, shown at right, in a pot last year, brought it into the house for the winter, where it continued to produce peppers. It was a shadow of its former self this spring when I transplanted it outside, but it is perking up nicely. I have already picked a few peppers from it. Though they are hidden by leaves, there are a few peppers on on it, along with future peppers in the flower stage. I don't often wait for the peppers to turn red. They are just as good at any stage.

Chiggers; nature's cruel side

Anyone who knows me, and probably some who don't, knows that I absolutely love living in Arkansas. But I'm realistic too. I know that life can't be beautiful all the time.

This week is one of those weeks. While working in the yard, unbeknownst to me, I became dinner for a thriving, starving chigger (Trombiculidae) population. If you have never been victimized by these heinous varmints, it is nothing like anything you have ever experienced! Tick bites are itchy, but at least you can see ticks. When you notice a tick stuck, head first into your skin, you kinda know there is gonna be an itch there. The same is true for mosquitoes, although sometimes they can be invisible too. But mosquito bites are nothing compared to chiggers. Chigger bites are a surprise. You don't see them coming. And the result is pure misery.

I've read plenty about these creepy insects. Contrary to popular belief, they do not burrow into your skin. Rather they insert a feeding tube into which they inject an enzyme which destroys the host tissue. This is what causes the intense itching.

The internet is filled with information, home remedies; some of which are pretty bazaar, and prevention tips.

There must be a world population explosion of chiggers in our front yard too, because I have become their prey. I made a joke on Facebook recently. I made the claim that human beings are not at the top of the food chain. That slot is taken by chiggers, ticks, and mosquitoes. We are beneath them. They are our predators. They feed on us, and what a feast they must have had, on me, judging by all the little red bumps on my skin, nearly neck to ankle.

I was pretty proud of myself that day too, doing yard all day, happy to be out on such a beautiful day, That was three days ago. I haven't been outside since. The out-of-doors, which I normally love, now frightens me.

I got so much accomplished that day. Because I was out all day, by the time I came in to take a shower, it was already too late. All those tiny red bumps started to appear. No area was sacred. Chiggers are not modest and have no respect for anyone who might be.

Thankfully, I have some great and understanding Facebook friends who offered advice. One woman told me to wash the bites with cold water and then to apply rubbing alcohol. She also said to use Aveeno lotion to apply afterward. I've tried this application and it does have some benefit, albeit temporary.

I was also advised a few years ago from a woman I met in a local shop, to use Fels-Naptha soap, which has long been used for treating stains in laundry. I tried that too. It does provide temporary relief for the infernal itching.

Then there is my other favorite, ChiggerX, an over-the-counter cream that for some reason provides soothing, temporary relief. Stores around here keep plenty of it in stock, thank goodness.

With all three of these remedies, at least I've been able to sleep. I keep a supply of ChiggerX on the table next to the bed, so in the middle of the night, it is easy to reach for the jar and apply to the itchy spot, without even opening my eyes. As long as my eyes don't open, getting back to sleep is easy.

Monday night, my husband applied the chigger killer poison spray throughout the front yard, so when I work up the courage, I can go back outside to keep up with the gardening chores. I absolutely hate using poison on the ground, but I hate chiggers more.

I think the worst of it is over. I'll be anxious to once again love putzing in the garden and enjoying life again.

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Vegetable gardening coming along

This year's vegetable garden is coming along. I always love taking pictures of the new garden so I can see the progress as the year goes on.

Weather has been totally cooperative of late, in that the extremely warm early spring we enjoyed has now settled into total perfection. It is now after 11 a.m. and the temperature is holding steady at 61º. It will probably warm up to about 70º later in the afternoon.

An early view of my tomatoes, peppers, etc.
Seeds are starting to come up.
There is lettuce growing on the far end.

I watched the deer in the backyard yesterday, perilously close to my raised-bed garden. I stood on the deck eye-to-eye with them, wondering if they could read what I was trying to convey. Get out!

They probably want to wait to hit the tomato plants, like last year, just when the plants are getting close to producing ripe fruit. Right now, we have minimal protection for the plants, but I'm thinking about a more secure structure in the near future. Right now there is a rusty, metal blue heron crying to be painted, guarding the garden. He is wearing a necklace of Irish Spring as a deterrent, but I doubt it is effective. A sliver of soap was hanging on a post on the other side of the garden until we discovered it on the ground, all chewed to pieces. I have no idea if it were deer who did that deed, but I bet whoever it was  had a belly ache.

I hope my tomatoes and peppers grow as well as the Vinca-that-tried-to-eat-Arkansas.

That stuff is amazing. It is the most prolific plant I have ever seen. It grows well, has pretty purple flowers, is healthy, and requires no care. I take that back--the only care it requires is to remove it from where it doesn't belong, but that isn't much of a problem. I love this stuff! I can't believe I used to buy it every year when I lived near Chicago to add interest to flower flower pots and boxes. Here, it lives and thrives.

A few Roma tomatoes growing in a pot

The garden looks pretty much like crap right now, but I'm hoping a little Arkansas sunshine and some rain that has been promised this week will help these plants perk up.

Just in case of another deer disaster, I have planted tomatoes and peppers in pots too. I want to ensure a crop this year, even if it is just a small one. I'm tired of being skunked every year when it comes to my beloved tomatoes.

A tiny Serrano pepper growing on last year's plant

I have several pepper plants this year--varieties that claim they are red peppers. Funny, I thought all bell pepper varieties turned red eventually. Oh well, the picture of the red pepper on the label was enough to entice me.

I also saved a couple of Serrano peppers from last year. At the end of the season I dug them up, put them in a pot and brought them in the house. I had a few peppers to enjoy all winter. I just planted those same plants outside. One of them is already growing a baby pepper. My mouth is watering already. Serranos are my favorite.

I never heard of them or even considered growing hot peppers until my former neighbor Cel Hernandez brought me a couple plants. I was hooked. I will be forever grateful to him for introducing me to what is now one of my favorite foods. I love to use them in salsa, guacamole, and tacos, as well as in soups, spaghetti sauce, or just about anything. They are a little hotter than jalapenos, but are much more mild when cooked. They are so much more flavorful.

Herbs plus strawberries and raspberries

The herb garden is looking much better than the veg garden, although that is because the plants are perennial.

The only thing that was left of the herb garden was that lovely rosemary, chives, oregano, lemon balm, and sage. That is the new raised bed my hubby built this year. I added a few strawberries and two raspberries, as well as lavender, coriander, and basil. I still have a basil plant in the house, but one can never have too much of that. I had a pot of chocolate mint, but it wasn't happy so I moved it. I had planned to leave it in the pot because mint spreads so wildly, but I decided to plant it right into the garden. Perhaps she will have more clout over the Bermuda grass that continues to invade my life.

I have high hopes for this year's garden--just as I always do--around mid April. As they say, hope springs eternal.

Spring is finally here!

With such beautiful, record-breaking warm weather all over the country, I can't help but be a little nervous about what July and August will look and feel like.

To tell the truth, I'm a little worried about what it might look like later today. In north-central Arkansas, we have been hearing more than murmurings about a forecast of up to 10 inches of rain. So far, I have yet to see a drop. The radar shows big green, yellow, and red globs that seems to be just to the west of us. Since weather moves from west to east as a rule, we could get hammered later today and tonight. I love rain; I'm just hoping severe weather doesn't accompany it.

One tiny pink hyacinth among the whites
Since this picture was taken several more have appeared

Once the weather starts getting hot, and the new landscape transitions into its summer, I already look forward to the coming spring. If only spring could be eternal.

There is such a feeling of joy to watch new little buds appear on the trees and shrubs. The distant landscape begins to take on a faint green tint. Every day the hues become more intense until one day, the distant trees are painted varying shades of green.

A dainty daffodil

The view up close shows branches and twigs covered by that almost intoxicating chartreuse,  yellow-green color. Whenever I look at new leaves, I am always reminded of the color in the crayon box labeled spring green. What a great descriptor!

Raking leaves reveals tiny sprouts of new life. Even a new dandelion is a beautiful sight.

Mowing the first time tidies the ground once covered with a thick mat of brown, dead leaves. What a transformation! We don't really have a lawn per se, but it is green nonetheless, covered with bermuda grass, clover, and other wild things that always benefit by a good trim.

The need to mow is most obvious when spikes of tall wild garlic rises high in random spots in the otherwise flat carpet of green. I love how mowing  releases their strong scent into the air.

Bluebird stands guard 

Then there are the spring bulbs. Can anything be more exciting than to see that first daffodil or tulip sprout, grow, and bloom? We planted several bulbs last December during our oh-so-mild winter. We are now reaping the rewards of  our labor with a beautiful show of flowers. So far, daffodils and hyacinths, wood hyacinths, and crocus have or are blooming. We are anxiously awaiting the tulips with buds still swollen, but not yet revealing their color. 

Dad takes a peek at mama sitting on a nest

I have a special fondness for the flowering trees and bushes. We have planted several that have performed well this spring--cherry, pear, crab apple  and magnolia trees. Once they get bigger, they will fill the yard with color. The resident redbuds that line the backyard are always a favorite. We had our first flowers on the new forsythia. Soon there will be bursts of color from the sweet-scented mock orange, delicate pink azaleas, hardy crepe myrtle and bunches of purple iris. I hope my lone white iris has seen fit to multiply since last year.

I'm not the only one that takes notice of spring. It is a busy time for my friends, the blue birds. This year, John put snake away at the base of the tree, so we might protect the nests from those black marauders that provided me a quick and ugly education in predatory behavior. I never want to catch the view of a long black snake tail hanging out of a bluebird box again.

Every day is a joy to look out a window, just to check what is new in the spring landscape. It is always something and usually always wonderful. I look forward to enjoying not just every day of this spring, but every moment of it.

This is the best day of the year--better than my birthday; better than Christmas--this is the first day of Spring.

Basil is doing well indoors

First I enjoyed my sewing success in finishing my quilt. Now, I'm reveling in my indoor gardening skills. If I start to claim to be Suzy Homemaker, just pay no attention.

Granted, it is only mid-December and there is plenty of winter left to go, but for now, I am thrilled that the sweet basil and cinnamon basil plants I brought in from outside, are alive and well. I've been pinching a little here and there. I use it in cooking, but the real thrill for me is having the scent of basil on my fingers. I love the smell. I like to pet the cats after I've touched the plants. I'm not so sure if they like to smell like basil, but I certainly find it rather pleasant.

For a long time--possibly related to motherhood through one of those uterine connections--I thought my green thumb had died. I used to have such beautiful house plants. At some point however, it seemed that everything I touched withered and died.

I have never had luck wintering basil. I got into the habit of simply replacing plants every spring. Perhaps things are turning around for me. I am hopeful.

I have had some other minor successes on the back porch as well. Like the Wandering Jew plant that is barely visible in the first picture. That was a huge pot with long trails of leaves. When I got ready to bring it indoors a couple months ago, I was planning to give it a good trim. When I inspected it, I learned that the best leaves were the ones hanging from nearly dead stems. When I trimmed it there was little left. I took all of the healthy parts and stuck them into water. In just a few days, they were rooted. I planted them back into the same pot.

A glass full of plants is usually an open invitation for Ryan, the eldest of our four cats. Like her sisters, she just loves to hang out with my plants. Ryan is unique though, in that she loves water too. When I water the plants she sticks her nose right there for every plant. She just loves water so much that the bathroom sink is her favorite place to hang out. See likes to drink from the faucet and when the sink is dry, she likes to writhe around in it waiting to be petted. We call that 'sink cuddles.'

I also have a couple of African Violets that are still alive. I've always had problems growing African Violets, always marveling at my mother's collection of them. I've always been stumped as to why I always killed them.

These two, plants I bought this summer at an estate sale, are not just alive, but are still blooming and looking good. I should say they are both blooming but only one of them looks good. My horticultural genius again, Ryan along with her sisters have had their way with one of them. It actually looks like a violet tree. Most of the lower leaves are gone revealing a leafless stalk with purple flowers on top. I'm not sure how to fix that problem yet.

Then there is the Christmas cactus--another plant I picked up at a yard sale. It is dutifully budded and awaiting Christmas Day so it can open. I wonder how it knows.

My plants fill a table on my back porch. They are hanging in the windows and some are on side tables. I just love being in that room. It is sunny and pleasant. Every now one of the kitties will walk past and I will get a whiff of sweet basil. Winter in Arkansas can be a very pleasant time.

So this is Autumn…

I don’t mind saying that the coming of Autumn is a relief after the blisteringly hot summer we have just experienced here in Arkansas.
Probably the best way to measure the summer of 2011 would be in my garden. Sad place…I’ve had some real challenges since moving to the natural state, from the Illinois bread basket of the nation, but this year was the worst.
This year’s challenge has been the deer that ate all the fruit and tops off my tomato plants. But even absent the hungry rogue deer, I can’t imagine that I would have seen many home grown veges.
But it isn’t over ‘til its over. As the growing season winds down, my tomato plants are flowering once again. Things are looking good in the garden.
Flowers, severely pruned thanks to rogue deer family, are growing once again, and looking vibrant. The last rose of summer syndrome has taken over the garden once again. For me, that just translates into pure joy. 

Visit the caves--a must see

My daughter, Jenny and her fiance, Mike came to visit us from Illinois this week. 

One of the places we had to visit was Blanchard Springs Caverns. They had never been there before, though my husband John and I are frequent visitors. Just about whenever anyone comes to visit, the caves are always a must see.

The caverns are spectacular, but they aren't the only draw. The scenic drive on  AR 5 from Mountain Home is so beautiful. 

I have lived in Arkansas for nearly seven years, and I will never take for granted the beauty that is all around me. It abounds here in the natural state. By the way, I love calling Arkansas by its moniker because to me, there is nothing better than 'natural.' I am honored to live in a state that prides itself in being natural.

The caverns' environs were even more enticing than normal, since we've had  such an abundance of rain. The creek was rushing and was so typically Arkansas--beautiful. I truly love Blanchard Spring and Mirror Lake. I wish such a setting was in my own backyard. We have the forest, and even a similar water feature, but only when it rains. It has been pretty spectacular lately, keeping the window open at night as the water rushed rapidly down the hillside and on to the river. 

I feel such a sense of pride when I visit this government facility. Our national parks and its amenities are something to be heralded, especially in these times of economic stress, foreign intervention and all other national issues. 

I think Jenny and Mike were surprised by what they saw. A living cave is not something that is easily imagined. The tour is always informative, professional, and interesting.  

Lake Norfork before, after spring floods

What a difference a few months makes. These photos of Lake Norfork in north central Arkansas were taken from the same approximate location.


The first, taken in January, uses a zoom effect to detail the shoreline and nearby hills. The second was taken in April after the area was inundated with rain, causing catastrophic flooding in numerous states, including Arkansas.


Approximately 20 inches of rain fell in a span of less than two weeks.


Note the shoreline in the first photo, is non-existent in the second. Also, the size of the hills that protrude above the water is far less in the second photo.


The water was still rising at this point.


What a difference in these before and after pictures. Despite the horrific flooding that has occurred, one thing remains constant however, the Twin Lakes area, no matter what the condition, is breathtakingly beautiful.

Arkansas nickname to remain 'Natural State' as compromise fails; local officials had opposed - News | KTLO AM & FM and Classic Hits 101.7 Mountain Lakes Broadcasting Corporation

Well finally, something done by government pleases me. 

Arkansas nickname to remain 'Natural State' as compromise fails; local officials had opposed - News | KTLO AM & FM and Classic Hits 101.7 Mountain Lakes Broadcasting Corporation

We are and should remain "The Natural State"

I am proud to live in "The Natural State." I love to boast to all my friends about how Arkansans care about the environment, evident by our state slogan.

There is an effort in the Arkansas House to change that defining phrase. A bill sponsored by Rep. David Sanders, R-Little Rock--House Bill 1005--proposes changing the state's slogan back to "The Land of Opportunity," its former nickname.

The initiative was discussed in the Government Affairs Committee. Thank goodness, legislators didn't act. According to the Arkansas Democrat Gazette, there are concerns about the cost of changing the name even though the change would not mandate changing license plates or by tourism.

Sanders claims there is no cost claims. He says the effort is about a vision.

Our state's vision is my concern as well. I like the message provided by "The Natural State." Our uniquely natural environment is our best opportunity, one that is enviable. I would hate to see our state mirror other states whose focus is strictly economic development over that of the environment. I would never want to see the Arkansas legislature turn its back on the environment in favor of concrete and asphalt and border-to-border building as has been done elsewhere.

Costs must be measured beyond dollars and cents. In my view, this is one change that isn't needed. And it is certainly is one we can afford.

Must be winter--Juncos are here

A Dark-eyed Junco lazes on a red oak branch

There are some signs of winter that cannot be mistaken, even in the Arkansas hills when the temperature dances between 30- and 60-degrees, with some exception.

I just noticed this morning the Dark-eyed Juncos, have returned, though they have probably been here for a while. Either they were busy foraging deep in the woods, or I simply hadn't noticed. At any rate, they are here in abundance now, hopping around the ground, searching for food.


Generally, Juncos scurry on the ground, feasting on seeds thrown from the bird feeder by some of their less-tidy cousins.


Juncos are actually sparrows and are very common here.

They are sometimes called "snowbirds," since winter is when they appear. They do not breed here. That takes place in the northern reaches of the U.S. and Canada where these Juncos will head back in the Spring. When I no longer see them, I know it is a sign of my favorite season of all--Spring.

I love Spring so much that I consider the Junco's migration here as a sign of Spring, for I know they are here for only a short time. Spring Fever always kicks in for me around this time, just after the Winter Solstice when the days begin to get longer and I know Spring is next! I suppose I suffer from winter denial, especially since Arkansas does not have an abundance of snow. After growing up in the Midwest, winter means snow to me. It is easy to be in denial about winter here, which is one of the many perks of living here.

Juncos are small enough that they could fit into the palm of your hand, though I haven't tried that yet. Gazing down upon them from a window, they look like plain, dark-colored birds. That is until you get a glimpse of their pure white belly. What a surprise to see the dark top half of the bird is the total opposite on the bottom half. It is almost like this is a yin and yang bird.

The sounds the Juncos make are as endearing as their appearance. They chirp while they flit around on the ground; perhaps alerting others to the food they've found. 

I enjoyed seeing these birds as they always add to my bird-watching and bird-feeding enjoyment.

Is shaking natural in the Natural State?

Even before I read it in the paper, I noticed that central Arkansas was having a plethora of earthquakes. I even posted something about it on my Facebook page.

I have always been interested in such things, so I signed up with the U.S. Geological Survey for notification via email whenever there is an event.

Looking at the cumulative number of shakers, even though they are minuscule by comparison to some around the country, the number of them that have occurred is somewhat alarming. I can't help but wonder just what is going on. Since that time, a few months ago, there have been plenty more--some as high as a magnitude of 4.0, though most are far less.

I haven't felt any of them, but I have a friend who swears she has. She lives near the lake. That makes sense. As the earth moves, it creates movement in the water, similar to the sloshing of the water in a bathtub. That would stand to reason that such an area would be more vulnerable and could enhance the shaking. Out of curiosity, the USGS should measure the area around the lakes.

My friend has noticed cracks in her home that have never been there before. Funny, we have noticed that too. There seem to be more cracks in the foundation and above doorways. While I'm not terribly worried about the house falling down around us, I have certainly noticed a difference.

There have already been two earthquakes this morning. Rarely does a day go by that the earth doesn't rattle a bit. So much for the steady ground beneath our feet...

While geologists seem to have dismissed the notion that drilling for natural gas, oil, and whatever naturally-occurring minerals and other resources being sought. They claim that activity below the terra firma is not responsible for this seemingly sudden occurrence.

I'm not convinced.

While I have no scientific data nor even a theory on which to hang my hat, it just seems to me, using a little common sense, that frequent drilling beneath the earth's surface on a regular basis has to have some effect--and not in a good way.

If anyone reading this has noticed anything in the way of cracking in houses, new sink holes, anything else out of the ordinary, post a comment.

Nature at the window

I love my life. Almost six years ago my husband and I packed up everything we owned, said goodbye to family and friends, and moved to parts unknown. That is a slight exaggeration because we had vacationed in Arkansas. But that was different. All those years ago, actually living here was the farthest thing from my mind.


But today, I realize there is no better place to be.


One afternoon I was walking past the window when I happened to glance outside. When I saw this three deer foraging on clover in the backyard, I couldn't resist just sitting for a while to take in the adorable scene. 

As I watched, little Bambi seemed to mimic everything her mother did.

I watched the three of them for half an hour or more. While mother and child were munching on vegetation, the other doe was eyeing the protector of our property, our cat Timi.

Timi was sitting in a chair and was slightly interested, though not enough to move from her comfortable perch not far from the activity. She did care enough, however, to give a quick wag of her tail. She seemed less interested than the doe who watched Timi intently. Much to the doe's disappointment, Timi finally tired of the whole routine. She stretched out onto her back where she appeared to be asleep, ignoring the would-be intruders. 

Timi was no stranger to the deer. One day I watched her parading another  small herd of them from the woods into the yard, as if to proudly proclaim, so this is where we live.  

But this was a different doe. She tried a characteristic snort, a little hoof-beating with her front foot, and even a swish or two of her own white tail. Nothing. Finally, when she couldn't get a rise out of Timi, she joined the other two, who by this time had scampered off into the woods. 


I will never tire of this kind of scene, and in my own backyard. It is a joy to watch the wildlife that let us share the woods with them. From the three baby raccoons who trailed behind their mother toward the bird feeder, to the road runner that eyed its own reflection in the glass of the front door, to the tarantulas that traverse the front yard, Mother Nature always provides something to see. And I don't want to miss a thing.

World record steer dies

My husband John and I are sad to say we lost a neighbor this weekend.

Lurch, the local "Guinness World Records" African Watusi steer who gained world acclaim in 2003 because of the size of his enormous horns, succumbed to cancer Saturday. Lurch was 14 years old.

At the time of his induction into the record book, Lurch's horns measured a circumference of 95.25 cm. or 37.5 inches--the world's largest. And they were still growing.

Born in 1995, Lurch came to live at Rocky Ridge Refuge in Gassville, Arkansas when he was only five weeks old. He shared 15 acres that Wolf inherited from her father, with a number of other animals, under the care of refuge creator, Janis Wolf who relies on donations and volunteers for the care and feeding of all her animals.

Lurch made the national television spotlight when he and his friends were highlighted on the Ellen DeGeneres show a couple years ago. Donations helped build a new barn and feed for the animals.

Wolf, who holds a masters degree in  human rehabilitation and experience as a veterinary technician, is the sole caregiver to as many animals as happen to turn up at her place. She has devoted everything she has to her animals which, include a water buffalo, zebra, llamas, sheep, goats, countless dogs, cats, baby deer, raccoons, and all other kinds of critters. She has animals who have gone blind, become crippled, or just don't have a home. There are plenty of dogs and cats to be adopted as well.

Wolf has lost a special friend with the loss of Lurch.

Watch a video tribute to him at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z46M6Fcik4E

Another Ozark Adventure

Northwest Arkansas has gotten hammered by snow. Both our county and state have issued a disaster declaration. The very word, "disaster" conjures up all kinds of ideas. But don't feel sorry for me - I couldn't be more content.

We received 9-inches of snowfall between Thursday through Friday. It is beautiful to look at, to watch the birds scurry to and from feeders, in the trees and on the ground as they make little footprints in the snow. They know they can count on us for a good supply of food to get them through.

This is so unlike a year ago when our area was pummeled by ice, destroying everything in its wake, complete with five days of having no electricity in our all-electric home, this disaster is one we don't mind at all.

The predictions were scary, because no one really seemed to know just where the storm would go, how long it would stay, or what kind of precipitation we would get. It could have been ice, rain, or snow.

The odds were weighing heavily against rain, and it looked early on like it would be plenty of moisture.

Thursday night was ominous as the freezing rain started to fall, heavily, conjuring up thoughts of a year ago. The temperature dropped and the precipitation turned to snow during the night. We woke up Friday morning to see the trees standing upright, snow on the ground, and more falling. The weather radar brought little comfort as the dreaded pink, which indicates ice, continued to flirt with our area. But with each advance, the blue color that depicted snow continued to dance on its toes, causing it to retreat. Thanks to my husband John who kept the wood stove stoked, this turned out to be just like any other day, except that it was much more beautiful as we couldn't keep ourselves from looking out the windows.

It continued to snow Friday night. A yardstick measured more than 7-inches in the front yard.

We awoke Saturday morning to even more snow on the ground--upwards of 10-inches. The snow stuck to the bark of the trees in random patterns like those of an artist's brush. Snow filled the angles where limbs branched out from their trunks. It piled onto stationery surfaces, such as bird feeders, railings, and posts. It looked thick and fluffy, like the landscape endured a shaving-cream attack. The woods never looked more beautiful. Well, maybe except for the greens of spring and summer and orange tones of fall.

So, we now consider ourselves stranded. The refrigerator and pantry are well-stocked, our cats have plenty of food, logs are piled high outside almost within an arm's reach, and the sun is now shining, adding the glitter to the fairytale scene. Life is good in the Ozarks.

Summer in the Ozarks

This might just summarize my summer in the Ozarks.

This picture has all the elements
-- My beloved cat, Ryan who loves to peer out the window and watch the wildlife
-- The leaves of the oak tree that frames not just this picture, but so many beautiful scenes in the Ozarks
-- That thermometer tells the tale -- proof of the work of the strong, hot, sizzling Arkansas sun
-- A visiting fawn who stopped by with her mother and sister, who had already scampered off into the woods

This photo was taken from inside the sun porch where I like to wile away the hours, often with a glass of iced tea and my laptop. I am rarely without cats. There are six in all. One is an inside/outside cat. Timi was a stray who seemed to adopt us. We were so smitten by her that when she came home from one of her adventures in a family way, we also adopted her four kittens. They were all named after NASCAR drivers. Ryan is named for my favorite -- Ryan Newman. I already had a cat named Emily, who continues to adjust to the new kids on the block. Some days are better than others. The kittens were born on the front porch, but once Timi completed the event, I moved them all inside -- to the sun porch. Since it is the old neighborhood to them, I'm sure that is why they consider it theirs. On second thought, they think every room in the house is theirs. Hmm. I am grateful they share their room with me.

Life is good in the Ozarks.