hydrangea blossoming

hydrangea blossoming
Hydrangea on the Edge of Blooming

Sunday, March 31, 2013

Five Days of Sun

That's what I'm told we are getting.  If this doesn't warm up the ground and excite the plants, what will?  The forsythia is in full bloom, the lilacs are leafing out, the tulips are fully budded.  I think we're going to make it.  On the other hand, Henri le chat noir today reports that life is arbitrary and meaningless and that winter is coming.  I hope he doesn't mean soon...

This past week, we ran into a 'rough-bellied newt' as we were unstacking various yard trimmings to get them to the burn pile.   These newts are quite common around here; small (maybe 3-4 inches), brown and with a bright orange underside.  You might think they would have named it the 'orange-bellied newt.'  But they didn't.  The point of mentioning this is that they are one of the most toxic animals around.  So don't touch them while irritating them.  When irritated, they exude the toxin through their skin.  Best, maybe, just not to touch them.  I, myself, did irritate this newt, but with a stick so I could show my guest his orange belly and so she could take a picture of him.  He's a very impressive little beast.

1 comment:

davemorisa said...

You definitely don't want to serve it to your guests!