January 26, 2025

Here I have been trying to comfort us all that just because it's the end of January, that means February and hence March are just around the corner!  But what a corner!  It is about 20 F at noon today, January 20.  When the Culligan man dragged himself in this morning (no holiday for Culligan!) he said that we are expecting two or three days of single-digit temps.  So I'm bracing for that.   I'm probably not going to spend a lot of time outside until the predictions get better.  

January 22 - The indoor-outdoor thermometer was showing 2F when I got up this morning!!   The forecast was for much more of the same...  I've never had so much trouble navigating outdoors.  I drove to the college to the woodwind ensemble rehearsal - no big problem.  But that evening I walked over (she said nonchalantly) to Norris (about 2 blocks from my front door) and by the time I found an open door, I was having serious problems breathing.  Needless to say, I begged a ride home!  Then yesterday that thermometer was saying 34F,  and  so I walked downtown to the Miriam Daly Birthday Bash, and was not quite so winded, but winded still.  I begged a ride then to get home but started for home anyway.  About halfway, two friends drove by and rescued me.  I guess I'm not going to WALK out there till it warms up a LOT.  

Let's look at better news.  I have been trying to raise some Thistle seedlings (to use as homes for Keeled Treehoppers later in the summer).  It has been a disappointing experience, partly because the seeds that I planted in the usual place (out on the front porch with the heater turned up a bit) weren't very happy out there.  Last week I brought them indoors, at a large window (facing south but still not getting much sun) saw ONE tiny plant with a new LEAF!  Today I photographed each little peat pot and was rewarded with SEVERAL little plantlets with at least one and most usually two little leaves!

Here are a couple of creatures that visit me indoors.  First is a Stink Bug (maybe the Brown Marmorated Stinker), then comes a little Eastern Boxelder Bug that wakes me up walking on my hand.  Actually this photo is of an earlier one, as there is no way I am going to shoot a harmless little Bug from a deepish sleep.  Third is of course an Asian Lady Beetle.  This is the last picture of this Beetle, taken at the end of December.  I expect we will see them again when it is warmer outdoors.  On the next row, a tiny Tree Frog rests in (what else?) a tree.

Here's a puzzle some of you may be able to answer.  I have been finding these things on the side of the woodshop.  A few people in iNat.org think they are possible Praying Mantis egg cases.  I used to find Mantis egg cases in Virginia and have seen them here too - but they looked different.  

Anyone here have any bright ideas?  My only thought was that that white "ramp"-looking thing seems to have been used.  So it wouldn't likely contain any living eggs/nymphs).

So I leave you with this puzzle and many good wishes for winter weather we can get through together.  Much love, Martha