This interesting fungus is growing on a stump near the barn. Again, I'd look it up and identify it if I could find the box with the nature books . . . anyone know what it is?
Photo by LauraP

The mint blossoms in the terrace garden buzz with bees all day long. They're too pollen-drunk to bother with us humans as we brush past them. Next summer I'll see how many different types of bees, wasps, hornets and so forth I can identify in the mint patch. Surely by then I'll have the insect i.d. books unpacked.
Photo by LauraP

Tansy blossoms on the terrace garden at the farm. The tiny brown seeds in the lower right corner are from the Queen Anne's Lace that bloomed last month. These seeds are encased in small burrs that create tangles in dog fur and itchy spots on my socks. The white flowers just behind the yellow buttons of the tansy are blooming sprigs of mint.
Photo by LauraP

Armadillos, snappers, oh my

Two days ago we spotted a young 9-banded armadillo in the front yard at the farm. I'd have taken a picture, but who knew they could run that fast? I have no experience with armadillos, aside from counting roadkill in the southwest. Will they be garden pests? Must I learn a whole new pest deterrent system? Or do they just pass through and leave things alone?

This morning, back at the old house, my daughter and I thought we saw a mouse crossing the road. Nope. Baby snapping turtle. My 18-year-old, going-to-college-next-week daughter put it in a cup with some grass and is researching snapping turtle care. I'm thinking of sneaking in while she's asleep and swiping it so I can turn it loose down by the creek. That's what I used to do with her toads & frogs when she was little.

A fun room for a 14-year-old, but those sparkly hot pink stripes might be a little distracting while I'm trying to write the Great American Novel.
Photo by LauraP

Five coats of paint later, my new office is more 'me'.
Photo by LauraP