RAISING TADPOLES

Now I know why I heard the tree frogs melodic trill every day by the barbecue. The pool was right off the deck and filled with rainwater, fallen  leaves and algae-an ideal place for them to lay their eggs. 

Before dismantling the pool, my son, Richard, netted up as many tadpoles as he could find. He placed them in a bucket with some of the pool water. We later drove to a nearby creek to release them but on the way decided to keep a few to raise at home. After releasing most of them into the swampy creek area with our blessing, we purchased a small starter tank with a lid. We then transferred the tadpoles and added some bottled spring water to the tank.

With a little online research, I found that a few people had success with feeding them lettuce. So, giving them part shade/part sun, they are thriving on romaine lettuce. I’ve added an algae disc that attaches to the tank to see if they eat it and tomorrow, I’ll add some gravel to the tank. When they grow legs, they’ll need a place to climb out of the water and maybe a larger container. After they grow legs and loose their tales, I can release them into the back woods to sing to me their sweet night song.

Thank you Richard for helping me to experience this exciting process and for supporting my childish nature. I’ll change lenses and try to get better photos and keep you posted on their development. 

COTTON TAILS

The spring rabbits have shown up in the grass and one takes cover under my car in the driveway. I've watched them for up to an hour or so eating their way through the grass and showing off those white fluffy cotton tails.  

I’ve come to know that instead of finding a few minutes here and there throughout the day, I prefer to sit and write for an extended period of time.  Being outdoors, particularly in the morning when the earth is so fresh, the early light peacefully inspires me. On cold or rainy days, like this past week, the leisure of lighting a candle or playing soft music helps me to be invited into the page. Through the window, I watched the rain, so silent-so fine, while I continued to battle the recent invasion of carpenter ants by my kitchen window.

There are lots of tree frogs around lately and I still love to hear their calls. I remember their calls through the summer night but now during the day they are quite active and I can always find at least one by the barbecue, just under its cover. Yesterday, while picking one up to closely admire its mossy green skin, it leaped into my blouse before I could place it back down.  Of course, it jumped right back to where I found it. They are curious little creatures and they always look as if they’re smiling. 

The dismantling of our pool is scheduled for this weekend. The pool was erected last summer with no success of clean filtered water to swim in. So, after expenses of a new sand filter and hundreds of dollars in chemicals and lots of hard work back washing, I will be glad to see it go. It proved to be more work than we were willing to invest. After the disgusting water was drained, a little rainwater has accumulated, evidently enough for some paddling insects and now tadpoles. Hopefully, we can scoop them out and transport them to the creek where they will thrive more naturally. A simple fire pit with some seating and easy potted plants will replace the pool area. Well, that’s the plan-let’s see how it goes. 

THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS

My personal email is delightfully busy with heart-warming comments re-garding my book.  I am truly moved by all your reactions and kind messages.  I've now made it easier to leave a comment on my blog.  At the end of each posting, there is a place for comments, click on "comments" next to a pencil symbol (there may be a number before it) and a dialog box should appear where you will type in your words. You can review it first and click on "publish" Your comment should appear on the blog when you click on comments. Let's see if this proves easier for readers.

I am adding another local venue to purchase my book. It is now available at the GCCA Catskill Gallery, 2nd floor, 398 Main Street, Catskill NY. When I'm in Catskill, I love visiting this gallery just to see what the talented local artists are up to. 

From These Country Roads, I wish everyone a safe celebration on this Memorial Day Weekend.

A FORTUNATE JOURNEY

Through the lingering humidity of these past few days, I’ve been out-and-about making contacts and promoting my book but it is slow going. For all local readers, my book is also available now in the local authors section at: The Spotty Dog Books & Ale, 440 Warren Street, Hudson, NY. It is also on display, with my contact info at:  Cozy Cup, 538 Main St, Cairo, NY. 

Today I’ll venture out again with the intention to meet more positive possibilities to sweeten my day. I wish I could afford an agent because I’d rather be writing or taking photographs.  But I am discovering new and wonderful places and meeting so many interesting people on my journey. I can only feel fortunate and blessed to be having this opportunity now and to be living this creative life.