Bufo A. Americanus

Today was another perfect November day. Overnight frost was followed by bright sun light and warm late morning temperatures. Two consecutive rainless days meant everything was right for outside work. As I walked across the meadow that is our yard, something caught my eye. Seeing what looked like fresh wet scat, I deftly danced to the right missing soiling my boot. The scat was in fact a rather large toad. What it was doing in the lawn is a mystery to me. I thought that these guys spent the winter in a shallow burrow under leaves and such. We try to limit our interference with the natural order but Mr. Toad was in my path. A gloved hand moved the toad inside the wall of the shade garden. If it finds the new digs unsatisfactory, a long first hop will take it to freedom.

And They Came

2005 was the date on this jar of honey. A molasses like liquid floated on top of the crystalized honey. Becky wanted it out of the cupboard. To the compost bin it went. Our days have been cold and there have been few insects working. Today was different. The sun was strong and I was working in shirtsleeves by 10am. Bees were working also. By afternoon the compost bin sounded like a hive. Bees of various types were gorging themselves on the honey. Their mood was docile, I am not sure that they can deliver a sting when they are full of honey, and I stood nearby and watched them feed.

Bees normally work short hours. They start late and quit early. Free honey held bees there until sunset. With the sun gone the temperature dropped quickly. Many bees remained feeding on the honey. Tomorrow I will check to see if any lingered too long.

Monday:After a cold night just one bee remained too long in the honey jar. Another sunny day warmed things up , and again the jar is buzzing with activity.

How About A Little Help?

You are looking at Madonna lilies in zone 4 in November. They look so promising, but so far for several seasons, we have had no luck in getting these to bloom for us here. Frustration has long since set in. If you have had success with these in zone 4, and have any secrets you are willing to share, I really would appreciate some help. A link to a post would be great,a comment, a Blotanical message, or if you prefer you can send an email to plantsandstones@gmail.com . You don't have to do it for me, do it for the plants!

Starry Night, Frosty Morning, Blue Sky Day

When the night is clear, and you wake up to all white world outside the window, you know it's not snow. This morning the garden was covered in frost, the hard killing kind. Our first sunny day in ages started off cold, but Ed wasted little time in getting out there. One of the garden tasks that has been waiting a long time for a nice day, is the burning of the tomato, potato and squash vines along with the garlic stalks and any garlic with visible mold. Hardly a chore, tending this kind of a fire is fun. Any boy will tell you that. So Ed has been out there enjoying the sunshine and tending his fire. When he came in for lunch he carried the aroma of an over smoked salami.Wow!



These Emperor of China chrysanthemums , tucked tightly against the stone wall escaped last night's frost. The warmth retained by the stones was just enough to keep them safe.



Blossoms on the same plant just a short distance away got burned with the cold frost's touch. Now the temperature is beginning to drop, and another sunny day is promised tomorrow. Two sunny days in a row for this year is a real garden event.