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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.
It isn't so easy these days to find these little critters outdoors. But the Pond is still alive. On days when the water defrosts enough, I can see Fishes floating deep down in there. They DO NOT come to the top begging for food, but they will be ready for it when it is warm enough to be hungry. I can't see the Frogs at all, but I know that the ones that were last to sink to the bottom will be ready to float up to the top when it is time. What wonderful creatures. They keep me going. This tiny Tree Frog showed up in my camera this month - what a cutie! (It doesn't take much!)
It isn't so easy these days to find these little critters outdoors. But the Pond is still alive. On days when the water defrosts enough, I can see Fishes floating deep down in there. They DO NOT come to the top begging for food, but they will be ready for it when it is warm enough to be hungry. I can't see the Frogs at all, but I know that the ones that were last to sink to the bottom will be ready to float up to the top when it is time. What wonderful creatures. They keep me going. This tiny Tree Frog showed up in my camera this month - what a cutie! (It doesn't take much!)
It isn't so easy these days to find these little critters outdoors. But the Pond is still alive. On days when the water defrosts enough, I can see Fishes floating deep down in there. They DO NOT come to the top begging for food, but they will be ready for it when it is warm enough to be hungry. I can't see the Frogs at all, but I know that the ones that were last to sink to the bottom will be ready to float up to the top when it is time. What wonderful creatures. They keep me going. This tiny Tree Frog showed up in my camera this month - what a cutie! (It doesn't take much!)
It isn't so easy these days to find these little critters outdoors. But the Pond is still alive. On days when the water defrosts enough, I can see Fishes floating deep down in there. They DO NOT come to the top begging for food, but they will be ready for it when it is warm enough to be hungry. I can't see the Frogs at all, but I know that the ones that were last to sink to the bottom will be ready to float up to the top when it is time. What wonderful creatures. They keep me going. This tiny Tree Frog showed up in my camera this month - what a cutie! (It doesn't take much!)
It isn't so easy these days to find these little critters outdoors. But the Pond is still alive. On days when the water defrosts enough, I can see Fishes floating deep down in there. They DO NOT come to the top begging for food, but they will be ready for it when it is warm enough to be hungry. I can't see the Frogs at all, but I know that the ones that were last to sink to the bottom will be ready to float up to the top when it is time. What wonderful creatures. They keep me going. This tiny Tree Frog showed up in my camera this month - what a cutie! (It doesn't take much!)
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
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